McKinney Ave Tavern

Terrible service. One waitress for the whole place is not good management. Ordered the pizza, just awful even for bar food standards. Chairs were sticky and whole place seemed grungy. Big screens were nice for watching sports. Decent price for drinks is the only thing it really has going for it.

$ 74 tab on 2 people. They charged my drinks separately per drink., my Jameson Mule was charged
As 3 drinks (even though it was on menu). Tried to complain to 2 bartenders overwhelmed and under pare. Big Al on the mic boasting a pathetic attempt at karaōke/​entertainment. will not be back considering the majority of our party was waitress served and not charred for their full order. while my wife and I went to the bar.

This place is always busy but they have good food and okay priced drinks. Burger is huge! They often times have games for anyone and everyone to participate in… over all its a fun place. Just crowded…

If you like casual, non pretentious bars, with good food, this is the place for you. Don’t get me wrong, the food is definitely bar food, but it’s good. I’ve had wings, pizza, pickles and jalapeños and it’s all been good.

I loved this place. First time going & I was not disappointed. We went a little earlier in the night, so I would suggest hitting this place first to start your night bc it is smaller; when it’s packed it’s a little rough but I’ll definitely go back!

Was not happy this place. kiddos and dogs do not belong at the bar. they belong on the patio or at a table. they were out of the first 5 beers on tap I requested. when our nachos came, they were cold and the pork on top had not been heated up. it’s a shame, other incarnations at this location had been great in the past

Great food, decent drinks. They advertise free transportation to American airline center but the owner wanted to use the bus for his friends instead so we ended up having to walk. If you are going to advertise something for your business don’t hook up your friends as priority. Lots of tvs for watching sports. It’s a really good sports bar but they really gave us the run around on the transportation situation which upset me.

This bar was a normal karaōke bar. Service was decent. I have been listening to KKITM for years now, huge fan! I was in Dallas for a weekend on business so I just had to stop by but couldn’t stay long. Big Al posted on FB that he would be there for Saturday night karaōke. I sat at the bar, had 2 beers and watched sports on tv. The place was dead as it was still early on a Saturday night. I left with out seeing Big Al due to an early morning meeting but when I looked on FB he arrived 10 minutes after I left (lol). It is a non smoking bar (which is big for me bc in Louisiana not all bars are non smoking) and there is a large outdoor patio area for smokers or if you just wanna hang out side. Overall pretty good. Just wish I’d had more time and maybe a few friends for my experience!

This place gets PACKED. My girlfriends and I walked down to this bar before going to the Avenu down the st. We were definitely overdressed. Also they were in the middle of karaōke. I could’ve definitely came here on a casual night out. The bathroom is super small. I’m still in that phase of going to the bathroom with my friends, so maybe that’s why it felt packed in that room.

Wings good, beers cold, and games are on. What else could you want in a bar??? Thank you Big Al for this treat to look forward to every Feb when we come to town.

I discovered this place as I attend Alabama football watch parties. Been to a few bars in town doing this over the years but Big Al’s is the only place from now on. Continuously great food, great drinks & staff & an all around great vibe. Big Al always makes us feel welcome and the atmosphere is always hopping.
Patio is kept warm in the cold months and shaded during the summer which is great as people watching on Mckinney Avenue is a treat in itself!

Pros: friendly staff
Cons: had large area blocked off and the place was packed, would have helped to have more space available especially space hat was currently being used.
Overall, nothing special

I need to give major props to this bar! I went out for a girl’s night last Friday night and, like an idiot, left my wallet on the bar with a good amount of cash in it. I called the next morning and one of the bartenders had found it on the bar while they were cleaning up, so I headed down that afternoon to pick it up.
When you lose your wallet #1 you don’t expect to find it again and #2 at least expect the cash to be missing. Any random person could have taken it out of there. Every dollar was still there!
I work in the service industry and we occasionally have those select few that choose to take from fellow co-​workers and guests as well, and to have that returned completely intact is awesome in my opinion.
Shout out to the amazing bar staff that took great care of us that night, they were quick, friendly despite being busy, and accommodating!
Cheers to you guys at McKinney Avenue Tavern! We had a blast and will definitely be back soon (and hopefully try the food next time)!

Terrible. Terrible. Terrible.
First, let me tell you how much I LOVE chicken. I cook it pretty much everyday. At work, I order chicken breast from the cafeteria everyday. Big Al is the first place I’ve ever been to that actually messed up chicken.
I ordered cajun style chicken breast with chips and salsa on the side. The dish came with, literally, chicken breasts and chips. There were no vegetables or rice. It wasn’t a chicken breast sandwich. All I saw on my plate was two chicken breasts and chips. And on top of that – on top of that! – the chicken didn’t taste good. There was way too much seasoning on the chicken. I actually didn’t want to eat, despite being hungry.
Now, there’s more to why I don’t like Big Als. But, I have to tell you about my night to further explain why I don’t like this tavern.
My night started out GREAT … at another place. Earlier in the evening, I went to the Trinity Hall Irish Pub for a happy hour to meet fellow alumni from my college. The service at the Trinity Hall was great. We got our drinks, and, in addition, I really liked the atmosphere. I could actually meet and talk to people at the pub.
I decided to, unfortunately, go to Big Al for another happy hour event. The difference between Big Al and the Trinity Hall Irish Pub was night and day. Maybe Big Al simply wasn’t my scene. The music was simply too loud that I couldn’t hear my conversations with other people.
But, the worst thing of all was the service. We were the only ones seated at a table, and the waitress didn’t see us for a good 10 – 15 minutes. We had to walk up to the waitress and insist that she take our order.
By the end of the night, I decided to never come to Big Al again.

It’s a fun place. Not particularly upscale décor, menu or patrons but definitely fun.
Karaōke night was happening last night and one after another ballsy volunteer took the stage. Everyone cheered for each participant no matter how deserving which was really nice.
The place is loud, I am hoarse from yelling (and still not being heard) to the person across the table from me.

I have been here before, & other than getting to take a picture with Big Al, it’s nothing too exciting. Too crowded, slow service, & sloppy bar-​goers (more so than other McKinney Ave. bars). Last night with a bachelorette party, we went inside to hang out for a bit & so the bride (a huge fan of Big Al) could meet him & take a picture with him. He was short and rude with me when I told him a Bachelorette wanted to meet him. He said «Have y’all bought anything? I’m not wanting to just take a picture unless you do.» Makes sense because he probably sees this a LOT, BUT there’s another way of going about customer service. Be nice & we WILL buy something. After they took the photo, he scoffed «Now buy something,» and walked away. With that attitude, we didn’t want to, so we left.
Overrated, but has the potential to be fun if you’re into a messy, claustrophobic, drunken night with frat boys.

This place is pretty fun! I went here for karaōke and drinks, so I’m unsure about how the food is! The drinks were great and so was the staff and atmosphere. Seem like a better crowd then some of the places on the McKinney Ave. Strip! Worth a try if you like watching people do karaōke or wanna grab a drink at a more laid back place with some entertainment!

The MAT is a «solid» 3 stars. There are definitely flashier places in uptown, but the more I go to this place, the more it grows on me. After walking in, you definitely know that you’re in a sports bar. There are numerous college flags everywhere, and many alumni organizations organize their game watching parties here.
In addition to being a sports bar, the food is surprisingly not bad. Ater reading the menu, and seeing your typical pizza, burgers, wings, and nachos, one might be tempted to conclude that the food is just frozen trash thrown in oil. However, I find their food o be fresh and good (for what it is). Their pizza is actually really good. In an attempt to get more customers during the week, Big Al has various specials during the week. On Tuesdays, you can get two pizzas for the price of one ($ 10). A steal IMHO.
Decent food, lots of TV’s, and a nice casual environment to watch a game. this is one of the better sports bars in the area.
Bonus: They have Guinness on draught, always a plus in my book.

This was the last stop on a bar hop a buddy and I decided to do on a Saturday. We had been drinking and smelled BBQ. I was completely thrown off by all the Ohio State stuff around. I didn’t have a clue about Big Al and all that. Just happened to stumble in. Within 15 minutes it was wall to wall Ohio State fans there. I live in Ohio so felt like home to me. Felt bad for the folks trying to watch Baylor on the 1 little TV they had the game on. Ordered a cajun chicken sandwich/​fries and an order of wings. Let me tell you that chicken sandwich was eaten so fast, I thought my buddy had stole half. Good stuff right there. Fries are seasoned well. My friend said the wings were pretty darn good.
Service was slow and I think there were understaffed for the number of folks there. We shared a table with a few other folks. Beer selection is ok but how about being a little more specific Al? The menu says IPA. Well, what IPA? lol. The waitress found out eventually but come on Al. Doesn’t take much to print a menu. Asked about wine and got a blank look. I finally took it upon myself to go to the bar and ask what they carry. Garbage pretty much and a Sutter Home chardonnay (a little above garbage).I know this is McKinney Ave but even I want something other than beer now and again. I’m not a fan of community seating so I don’t know if I would return but thanks to the drunk Santa in the ladies room giving out free shots of Pinnacle Vodka

Fun place especially if you enjoy singing/​hearing karaōke. I can’t believe I’ve lived hear nearly 2 years and just went for the 1^st time!
Though busy, the servers are attentive and friendly. I even had one tell me I was tipping too much! That alone made me a fan.
Great for groups. Buy beers by the bucket or individually. Fair prices. A lot of fun.