Detroit’s pub scene is not concentrated on a single street: this guide links Greektown downtown with Corktown to the west. The Old Shillelagh is on Monroe Street, close to downtown venues and stadium activity; McShane’s occupies Michigan Avenue among restaurants and historic buildings in the Corktown corridor. Both identify as Irish pubs and serve food, but they fit different plans: a night of music and sports downtown, or a neighborhood outing that can start with breakfast and continue into the evening.
The Old Shillelagh pairs a history dating to 1975 with a scratch kitchen and a plant-based menu larger than is usual for a pub. Its menu brings together fish and chips, corned-beef dishes, burgers, and meat-free choices; Saturday and Sunday brunch adds bowls, oatmeal, smoothies, and coffee. The room advertises weekend live music, Detroit Lions watch parties, group reservations, and catering. It may open earlier before a game or concert; the website lists regular hours, while the event calendar clarifies changes and any special shuttle service.
McShane’s offers a different rhythm: its Corktown address is listed as opening in the morning by current directories, and the venue operates as an Irish pub, whiskey bar, and kitchen serving breakfast, lunch, and late meals. Recent comments mention Irish egg rolls, shepherd’s pie, macaroni and cheese, salads, and sports on screen; the business listing advertises a beer garden, off-street parking, and shuttles to downtown events. The official website offered limited practical detail in this check, so confirm whether transportation is running on the day and what the kitchen is serving. Customer comments portray two different settings: Old Shillelagh combines brunch, plant-based choices, and music, while McShane’s is associated with game days, its patio, and karaoke. That distinction helps match the venue to the evening rather than treating the Irish-pub label as the whole story.
Transit can link the two stops, but it does not make them a short walk apart: the free QLINE runs along Woodward and serves downtown stations, while DDOT covers more neighborhoods; use the trip planner for Monroe or Michigan Avenue and a late return. The Old Shillelagh does not advertise its own parking; McShane’s is listed with off-street parking and event shuttles, subject to schedule. Choose Old Shillelagh for a meal paired with brunch, music, or a game; choose McShane’s for Corktown, early breakfast, and a sports-bar room. Confirm hours, kitchen service, minor access, and transport with the location before heading out.
The profiles of The Old Shillelagh and McShane’s add the menu, services, and atmosphere of each location.
Check current details and choose according to your budget, time and way of travelling.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
The Old Shillelagh’s Monroe Street address places it at the edge of Detroit’s Greektown, a downtown entertainment area where games and concerts shape the rhythm of many evenings. The business has presented itself as an Irish pub since 1975, but its current offer goes beyond a beer counter: a full sc
A downtown Detroit pub with Irish fare and a substantial plant-based menu, weekend brunch, music, sports broadcasts, catering, and private-event spaces.
McShane's Irish Pub & Whiskey Bar
1460 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216
On Corktown’s Michigan Avenue, bars, restaurants, and historic buildings form a corridor between downtown and Detroit’s west side. McShane’s describes itself as an Irish pub and whiskey bar, but its day begins early: the business listing and current directories show breakfast, brunch, lunch, and lat
A Corktown pub with breakfast and brunch, pub food, Michigan beer, whiskey, karaoke, sports, and a beer garden; its business listing advertises off-street parking and event shuttles to downtown.
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
-
Official website of The Old Shillelagh ↗
Primary source
The Old Shillelagh · Accessed October 21, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website of The Old Shillelagh ↗
Primary source
The Old Shillelagh · Accessed October 21, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website of The Old Shillelagh ↗
Primary source
The Old Shillelagh · Accessed October 21, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Greektown y el centro de Detroit ↗
Primary source
City of Detroit · Accessed October 21, 2026
Plan de ciudad que sitúa Greektown junto al distrito central y caracteriza su actividad de entretenimiento y comercio.
-
Cómo usar el transporte público de Detroit ↗
Primary source
City of Detroit / DDOT · Accessed October 21, 2026
Guía municipal de DDOT, QLINE y People Mover; conviene verificar alertas vigentes.
-
Official website of McShane's Irish Pub & Whiskey Bar ↗
Primary source
McShane’s Irish Pub & Whiskey Bar · Accessed October 21, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Guía de Corktown y sus comercios ↗
Primary source
Visit Detroit · Accessed October 21, 2026
Guía de destino de Corktown, con su carácter de barrio histórico y comercial al oeste del centro.
-
Cómo usar el transporte público de Detroit ↗
Primary source
City of Detroit / DDOT · Accessed October 21, 2026
Guía municipal de DDOT, QLINE y People Mover; verificar servicio y obras antes del viaje.
-
Greektown in Detroit ↗
Primary source
City of Detroit · Accessed October 21, 2026
Contexto oficial del distrito de entretenimiento y su ubicación junto al centro.
-
Corktown and Detroit visitor map ↗
Primary source
Visit Detroit · Accessed October 21, 2026
Mapa turístico que sitúa bares y comercios de Corktown, incluida McShane’s.
-
Public transit in Detroit ↗
Primary source
City of Detroit / DDOT · Accessed October 21, 2026
Descripción municipal de QLINE, DDOT y People Mover; rutas y operación están sujetas a alertas.
-
QLINE route and hours ↗
Primary source
QLINE · Accessed October 21, 2026
Confirma servicio gratuito por Woodward, estaciones y horario publicado.
-
Fotografía oficial: oldshillelagh-pub.webp ↗
Primary source
Sitio oficial del pub · Accessed October 21, 2026
Imagen publicada en el sitio oficial, convertida a WebP y guardada localmente en fotoscia-/us/irish-pubs-detroit-louisville-portland-20261021.
-
Reseñas de Google Maps: The Old Shillelagh ↗
Secondary source
Wanderlog / Google Maps · Accessed October 21, 2026
Ficha de 349 Monroe; snapshot consultado el 2026-10-21. Las reseñas destacan opciones vegetales, ambiente y servicio en distintas ocasiones; se evita atribuir una experiencia aislada a todas las visitas.
-
Ficha empresarial y menú local ↗
Secondary source
Eater Detroit · Accessed October 21, 2026
Ficha de la dirección y teléfono exactos, con horario publicado; se usa como fuente secundaria para datos no expuestos en la web oficial.
-
Menú y comentarios recientes de clientes ↗
Secondary source
Restaurantji · Accessed October 21, 2026
La ficha de septiembre de 2026 presenta platos recurrentes y comentarios sobre desayunos, porciones, ambiente de televisión deportiva y cocina.
-
Reseñas de Google Maps: McShane’s ↗
Secondary source
Wanderlog / Google Maps · Accessed October 21, 2026
Ficha exacta de 1460 Michigan Ave, consultada el 2026-10-21. Los comentarios describen experiencias variables de servicio y destacan también comida, deportes y espacio para grupos.