St James's Gate Olde Irish Pub
• 207 Wolf St | Banff, AB
Average User Rating:
8.45/10
8.45/10
Recommended by:
100%
100%
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"Loads of fun"
Marta
December 2011 — "I've been here both during the day and during the evening on big nights out, and I've always had a great time. Though I have to say, it's more lively in the evening, especially when they have live bands playing. THey had a great East Coast band playing Irish classics the last time I was there, and I wore myself out dancing.
The pub is pretty large so it's usually easy to find a table, and the waitresses are typically really prompt and friendly. They have a combination of import and local beers, plus the usual range of wines and mixed drinks. As for food, they have lots of pub grub with a british and irish influence. I love their Yorkshire Puddings, yummy! They also make a great caesar.
All in all, it's a great spot. They also play sports games if you're interested ... I went their for world cup soccer and had a great time. "
User Rating
7.50/10
7.50/10
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"Authentic Pub Atmosphere"
Jennifer
February 2011 — "St. James Gate is an Irish pub that was actually built and manufactured in Ireland and imported to the present site. I had eaten there just last year and the menu appears to be updated since then (the bison boxty is gone) but it still contains lots of menu items to choose from. The pub was busy and provided good pub service. My husband had the Irish Stew with a Guinness biscuit which he loved, as well as a pint of Kilkenny. I had the Gallaghers Hunter Pie which contained beef tenderloin (not a lot of pieces), pearl onions (lots), mushrooms and red peppers. It was topped with a scoop of garlic mashed potatoes which could have been a bit less sticky and tastier, but the Hunters sauce was very savoury. What was really surprisingly great was the emerald green side salad it came with. I’m not a restaurant salad person but this one was delicious mostly due to the very tasty dressing. I’ll eat there again."
User Rating
8.50/10
8.50/10
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"Authentic Irish-style Pub"
Lauren
November 2010 — "St James Gate or just The Gate to locals, is a fun, old world Irish-style pub in Banff. We went during a recent visit with a few friends and the pub was friendly and very busy.
They have live bands playing on a regular basis and the night we were there they were featuring a very dance-able group that played the sort of music you'd expect to hear during a night out in Cape Breton. Lots of jigs and other fun stuff.
The menu is huge with lots of pub and Irish favourites like boxty, shepherd's pie and yorkshire pudding. They also offer burgers, sandwiches, soup, salads and much more. We all shared some nachos and poutine, both of which were good pub food.
Our server was nice and efficient, we never had to wait long for new beers. They carry a range of beers on tap including (naturally) Guiness.
The Gate is definitely a good choice for a night out in Banff. "
User Rating
8/10
8/10
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"Best Waitress Ever"Dave
September 2010 — "My wife and I were in Banff 09/11/10 for a weekend getaway.We were walking araound looking for a quick bite of wings and a beer when we found St James Gate.We ended up staying for about 6 hrs.Great atmosphere and staff.Bridget might be the best server ever."
User Rating
10/10
10/10
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"Tasty, but Where's the Meat?"
Jenny
June 2010 — "I went to St. James Gate Olde Irish Pub with some friends to watch the football game and eat lunch. We were glad to find a table to watch the match, especially at a pub with such nice ambiance. The service was reasonably good and we ordered our beers and perused the traditional Irish fare on the menu. We ordered the stuffed baby yorkies to start. The yorkshire puddings were prepared nicely and the au jus was tasty, but there was NO meat in mine and only small scraps in the others. They certainly weren't "stuffed" as the menu proclaimed. For my main course I ordered the Gallagher's Hunter Pie. Again, the flavour was savoury and mouthwatering, but there were only three pieces of meat in it. That was disappointing.
It's a very nice and fun pub, and I would definitely go back. But they really ought to put meat in the meat dishes. That was unacceptable."
User Rating
7.83/10
7.83/10
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Management Response:
"Our recipes call for substantial meat in both dishes, so this is a preparation problem not a recipe problem. thanks for the feedback and we will work hard to make sure this does not happen in the future. "
"Our recipes call for substantial meat in both dishes, so this is a preparation problem not a recipe problem. thanks for the feedback and we will work hard to make sure this does not happen in the future. "
"Definitely a keeper!!"
Abe
February 2009 — "We had a group of seven and called in at 7:00 for a reservation at 7:30 on Friday night, not a problem. We arrived and were taken to what seemed like a bit of a private room (not really, but it felt like it) with a huge table where we could all sit comfortably. Had a pint of Smithwicks Ale (officially on the favorite list now). Staff was extremely friendly and helpful. I had the Pistachio Crusted Halibut with Portebello Risotto, best meal all weekend. Will definitely be going back when we go for our annual ski trip again. Cant' wait!!"
User Rating
9.50/10
9.50/10
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"Irish pub in banff?"
dave
November 2007 — "Yes St games gate, also known as “the Irish pub”. This has been a great option for good pub food, as well as some non burger options too.
The gate has lots of seating with both tables, high round bar tables, sitting at the bar, or in the back around the fireplace. It is a little dark but that is what a pub is suppose to be, right? With 20+ beers on tap ranging from US light stuff (flavored water?) right to the black tar of dark strong beers, and also a few ciders, and a large collection of scotch as well. A few nights a week they also have live music too
Our food was great, with large portions, nice sides (try the soups or the caesar salad). It was served out fresh, and fast, and the waitress was quick to check up on us. Highly recommend the chicken burger, with a side of the beef barley soup. The menu also has non burger options too with classics like steak and kidney pie, stew, steaks, etc. Also some great salads that are huge and filling (well for a salad)
Great place, good food, fun late into the night.
"
User Rating
8/10
8/10
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"Cozy and Traditionally Irish"Tanya
October 2007 — "I have always thought of St. James Gate pub in Banff as the classic Irish pub. I was recently there with a friend from Dublin, Ireland (home of St. James Gate where the Guinness brewery is located) as I wanted to find out from him how traditionally Irish it really is. Apparently, it's a pretty good imitation. The food is good with many classic Irish options (shepards pie, fish and chips, Irish stew) and they have Guinness on tap. He thought the Guinness had a bit of a zinc taste to it but, although not exactly like home, it was a good pint. I had the turkey, brie and strawberry sandwhich which was very good but probably not traditionally Irish. I also opted for a pint of Keiths which was a perfect afternoon pint to have. There are lots of TV's in St. James Gate so it is a good place to catch a European football game or any sporting event. There is a small stage in the bar where they have local live music on a regular basis on weekend evenings. The tables were all busy when we were there on a Saturday afternoon but we found a spot at the bar pretty easily. Although located in Banff, Alberta, Canada, it is a great place for an afternoon pint and to feel a little like you are somewhere in Ireland."
User Rating
8.83/10
8.83/10
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"Wonderful place"
Dan & Sioux
June 2007 — "Had a great time, food is good and service very personable"
User Rating
9/10
9/10
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"Always Good!"Sarah
December 2005 — "I am a big fan of this pub because of its authentic pub atmosphere, delicious food and selection of beers on tap. Everytime I visit Banff I stop in and chill out for a few hours. Their sandwiches are delicious and I like most of their appetizers too. "
User Rating
7.83/10
7.83/10
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"Good for a craic!"Wendi
November 2005 — "I've been to the James Gate Pub many times over the years. It is bar none my favourite place for a pint in Banff. I think it is part of a chain of pubs that has original Irish furnishings shipped over from the Isle itself, so it feels authentic. Typical granola staff work here as a general rule, who are living in Banff and work out of necessity to feed their skiing habit. As such they are down-to-earth folk who seem friendly. I can't remember what they have on tap, but they do have Guiness, which is essential during ski season. The food is standard pub grub, but hearty and warm dishes exist like shepherd's pie and Guiness stew, as well as the standard fish n' chips. On Saturdays they usually have some mediocre house band, but it is not too loud for conversation if you stay away from the stage. Oh, I wish I was there now having a pint!"
User Rating
8/10
8/10
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DescriptionThe St. James's Gate truly evokes a traditional Irish pub, in fact, the woodwork, ale taps and fixtures all hail from Dublin. Enjoy an authentic Irish-influenced pub menu featuring dishes such as ale battered fish and chips, Irish stew, shepherd's pie, liver and onions and certified Angus steaks. Along with lashings of Guinness, this cheerful pub pours more than 20 beers on tap, eight Irish whiskeys and 30 single malt scotch. Open for lunch and dinner and for late night drinks, the St. James's Gate also offers live music Thursday to Saturday during summer, and Monday to Saturday during winter.
Location Information207 Wolf St
Banff
AB
St James's Gate Olde Irish Pub
