Established in 1972, our third generation family business in Farmington, MI offers a Gastro Pub experience to every guest. We serve dinner and brunch on Sundays, host live entertainment on the weekends, and hold monthly wine tasting events as well as banquet rooms offering private gatherings from 12-160 people.
Seasonally we offer patio dining from April - October. We are dedicated to providing the best possible experience for all of our guests, while honoring our Irish roots. Our banquet manager, Greg Cowley is available by email - greg@johncowleyandsons.com. Whether you're looking to host a small luncheon, party, memorial banquet or a wedding, we have done it all.
Seasonally we offer patio dining from April - October. We are dedicated to providing the best possible experience for all of our guests, while honoring our Irish roots. Our banquet manager, Greg Cowley is available by email - greg@johncowleyandsons.com. Whether you're looking to host a small luncheon, party, memorial banquet or a wedding, we have done it all.
Reviews (20)
Wendy T.
Dec 30, 2021
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I usually try to stop by Cowley's whenever I'm in town, but I was blown away by the treatment I received when we hosted my mother's memorial there in October. Alicia was amazing and turned a difficult experience into a lovely memory. All of our guests raved about the food and the staff who could not have been more helpful. Thank you to all who helped with our luncheon.
Mary M.
Nov 28, 2021
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This review is based off 2 of the wine tasting and 4 course meals. I haven't not been to the restaurant for non wine tastings but based on these 2 events I would definitely be there no questions asked. Every other Wednesday, John Cowleys does a wine and meal pairing menu. You have to make reservations for this event as the food is prepared especially for the wines.
There is easy parking nearby. I've only been on the street level part of the restaurant but it is not a huge place. When you come for the wine tasting, your get seated at a table with the menu and 4 glasses. I haven't
There is easy parking nearby. I've only been on the street level part of the restaurant but it is not a huge place. When you come for the wine tasting, your get seated at a table with the menu and 4 glasses. I haven't
Amanda M.
Oct 12, 2021
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I've been coming here since I was a child so all of the nostalgia hit me like a ton of bricks.
We came on a tuesday afternoon before catching a movie so it was pretty slow and the service was perfect.
I'm gluten free and ended up completely amazed at the GF options, over half of the menu has options for me to enjoy. The food here really hit the spot. Our fries were better than old school McDonalds fries if you no what I mean.
I'm not going to post photos, just wait until you see their bathrooms. GORGEOUS
We came on a tuesday afternoon before catching a movie so it was pretty slow and the service was perfect.
I'm gluten free and ended up completely amazed at the GF options, over half of the menu has options for me to enjoy. The food here really hit the spot. Our fries were better than old school McDonalds fries if you no what I mean.
I'm not going to post photos, just wait until you see their bathrooms. GORGEOUS
Errol C.
Jul 23, 2021
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Marguerite W.
Jul 21, 2021
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Wayne E.
Jun 19, 2021
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Understand it's a Friday night the place was hoping. Waitress wiped down our our table after sitting took our drink oder left some menus then 15mins went by drinks arrived and order was placed. Two small plates and two large plates. Then the true wait happened, ruffly 45 to 50mins and the food arrived. We ordered mussels, which were either over cooked or just sat for 30mins under a heat lamp, same goes for the rest of our order. My lemon seafood pasta was a soup sauce flavorless mush. The calamari was like eating leather. The medium well lamb chops were burnt and tasted like unseasoned
Melissa H.
Mar 19, 2021
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L. M.
Feb 13, 2021
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Stopped by for lunch on a cold winter day. Atmosphere was inviting - old pub-style, with lots of dark wood and cozy fireplace. I was pleasantly surprised to see so many gluten-free items on the menu. Hubs and I split the gluten-free calamari - fantastic! I had the shepherd's pie and hubs had the hot turkey sandwich with fries. Everything tasted great and portions were huge! Great service too - our waitress was very friendly and attentive. We will be back!
Karen M.
Sep 02, 2020
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I'm really glad this bar is still open. My favorite is the loaded potato soup. A must get.Never tasted any as great as theirs! Fried Brussels sprouts are delicious. Drinks are relatively inexpensive. They are strict in maintaining Covid guidelines and are not super crowded. Trivia is great and a fun and safe way to see friends. A fun way to spend a Tuesday night.
Marc F.
Jul 05, 2020
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Great service, great food, great atmosphere.
Dinner prices were reasonable with high quality and good portion size. The fish and chips were really good: thin batter, not greasy, with lots of thin fries and vinegar-based cole slaw that was crispy.
Full bar with a nice selection of beers on tap including imports and micro brews. Decent wines as well.
There is normally music on Fridays but with Covid it's not going on right now. They did follow good social distancing practices and there is outside seating, so it felt safe.
A nice place that has been around a long time for good reason.
Dinner prices were reasonable with high quality and good portion size. The fish and chips were really good: thin batter, not greasy, with lots of thin fries and vinegar-based cole slaw that was crispy.
Full bar with a nice selection of beers on tap including imports and micro brews. Decent wines as well.
There is normally music on Fridays but with Covid it's not going on right now. They did follow good social distancing practices and there is outside seating, so it felt safe.
A nice place that has been around a long time for good reason.
K. P.
Feb 23, 2020
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Nicole E.
Jan 22, 2020
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This is a great pleased to meet large groups of friends.
The food is decent and these to have some of the best wine tasting here. So much fun and lots of good memories here.
Come for the lively spirit here and make sure to bring a friend or two. It's an Irish bar after all.
You can get your standard Irish fare or American fare too. Portions are pretty generous here too. The best part of this place is the chilled atmosphere but definite energy too.
The food is decent and these to have some of the best wine tasting here. So much fun and lots of good memories here.
Come for the lively spirit here and make sure to bring a friend or two. It's an Irish bar after all.
You can get your standard Irish fare or American fare too. Portions are pretty generous here too. The best part of this place is the chilled atmosphere but definite energy too.
Li S.
Dec 26, 2019
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My review of John Cowley & Sons is solely based off the dinner and wine pairing event. This was my first time going, but it sounds like this is a monthly event. Future dates are posted on their website and Facebook page.
A friend had signed up/ reserved a table for us, and it sounds like that was easy to do. We were seated as soon as we had arrived. Seating was a little cramped, which was a little disappointing as we were seated next to an empty table. Had they just pulled that table, it would have been perfect.
Wines were poured a new wine before each course to pair with the next food
A friend had signed up/ reserved a table for us, and it sounds like that was easy to do. We were seated as soon as we had arrived. Seating was a little cramped, which was a little disappointing as we were seated next to an empty table. Had they just pulled that table, it would have been perfect.
Wines were poured a new wine before each course to pair with the next food
Steve P.
Dec 07, 2019
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I can only repeat what many others have said: an impressive menu on paper that transforms --at best--into mediocre food on the table. And yes, for what you get and what you pay, it is waaaaay over-priced. Service was also slow and neglectful. This is not a destination restaurant, but if you are in downtown Farmington and have to get some edible food somewhere, this place is a viable option. Just be ready to pay $17 for a salad or $15 for a thin Reuben sandwich with fries...and possibly remind waitstaff about utensils, that you ordered the salad without blue cheese crumble, that the pop is flat
Kayla C.
Jul 14, 2019
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On Sunday morning before 2pm in Downtown Farmington, almost nothing is open. We finished having brunch and were looking for a place to catch a drink or a beer before heading home. We stopped by this pub which was the only open place in town. We grabbed a Guinness and a fruity drink and the bartender was great company!
Sindy W.
Jun 30, 2017
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Was craving some good fish & chips and this may be this best I've seen in the area so far!
The place is close to basement burger in downtown Farmington. There's a parking area behind the pub that they share with basement burger and some other restaurants.
Spacious inside, I heard there's live music upstairs at night/over the weekend?
Came for the fish and chips and they were 4.5/5! The fish was really good! Freshly battered and fried!! The fries were not amazing but not bad. I may substitute them with sweet potato fries next time! They also give you a small side of cabbage
The place is close to basement burger in downtown Farmington. There's a parking area behind the pub that they share with basement burger and some other restaurants.
Spacious inside, I heard there's live music upstairs at night/over the weekend?
Came for the fish and chips and they were 4.5/5! The fish was really good! Freshly battered and fried!! The fries were not amazing but not bad. I may substitute them with sweet potato fries next time! They also give you a small side of cabbage
Liz T.
Jun 26, 2017
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Irish? It's an Irish pub? Couldn't tell. Looks like a lot of other bars around.
I had the Famous potato soup. I am still trying to determine why it's famous. It wasn't that good. Along with that we shared the artichoke dip, which was okay. My corned beef sandwich was okay. It's pretty sad that I don't really remember anything except that the soup was mediocre. Although I don't think that Mediocre potato soup will sell much soup.
Lot's of other great places to eat at in the area that I would try before going back here.
I had the Famous potato soup. I am still trying to determine why it's famous. It wasn't that good. Along with that we shared the artichoke dip, which was okay. My corned beef sandwich was okay. It's pretty sad that I don't really remember anything except that the soup was mediocre. Although I don't think that Mediocre potato soup will sell much soup.
Lot's of other great places to eat at in the area that I would try before going back here.
Gerry C.
Apr 26, 2017
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Stopped by here because they have an outdoor seating area and it was a very warm Sunday. I didn't get to really see the inside, But it look like your typical bar restaurant. The patio umbrella was not very sturdy as it kept moving around due to the wind and actually hit me on my head so beware of the patio when it's too windy.
The waitress was pleasant, she didn't refill our Water but she was pregnant so I was not too upset but overall she was decent and she smiled and seemed to have a positive attitude.
They have a pretty big menu with some variation of items, the steak and
The waitress was pleasant, she didn't refill our Water but she was pregnant so I was not too upset but overall she was decent and she smiled and seemed to have a positive attitude.
They have a pretty big menu with some variation of items, the steak and
Carolyn E.
Apr 15, 2017
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I've been here several times. The food and service is consistently good, though prices are slightly high. This time, I ordered the veggie pizza and my Mom ordered a half Reuben and side salad. The pizza was good, not great, a bit bland and bready, but definitely satisfying with a cold draft beer. The salads are always super fresh, and the corned beef was tender and savory. My favorite thing about this place is the patio seating.
Chelcie W.
Apr 11, 2017
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I experienced the most amazing wine tasting here last week. A friend of mine, who also happens to be an Elite, won tickets for it at a silent auction and invited me and a few others along. This was my first real wine tasting, I mean I do them all the time at home but I had no idea what to expect. So I did what any sensible human would do before drinking and ate like two sandwiches, just to be sure. But as it turns out it was also a pairing, so each wine we tasted was paired with a gorgeous plate of food.
I couldn't eat everything since there was meat in some of the dishes but the ones I
I couldn't eat everything since there was meat in some of the dishes but the ones I
