McGonigel's Mucky Duck
Houston, TX 77098
Phone: (713) 528-5999
- Cross Street:
- Park Street
- Specialties:
- Dessert, Outdoor Dining
- Best of Citysearch:
- After-Work Bar 2004, Live Music Venue 2004, Outdoor Bar 2004
- Hours:
- Mon-Sat 11am-2am
Editorial Review for McGonigel's Mucky Duck – by Citysearch Staff
In Short
Big-time Texas folkies like Alejandro Escovedo and Toni Price frequently play here (Lyle Lovett even popped in once as surprise support for Terry Allen and Guy Clark), as well as national acts like Dar Williams and Gillian Welch. Don't miss the open mic on Monday and the Irish jam session on Wednesday.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Save MoneyStuff your face for free during happy hour, 5pm-7pm, weekdays.
The ExtrasMcGonigel's also has a full menu which you can order from while enjoying your folk-music faves. Add the shepherd's pie and the fish-and-chips to the top of your list.
User Reviews for McGonigel's Mucky Duck
08/04/2008 Posted by Tacoamerica
Mucky Duck is a double-edged sword as far as local venues go. It's been around a long time, successful and popular, books good acts, especially folk and Celtic, some country, blues and light rock. The acoustics have always been excellent in my experience. Some would call it an intimate environment, others would say it's crowded with poor service, so arrive early if you can. Get your tickets as far in advance as possible. I always get attitude from the big brunette lady doing the booking. One time she wrote my name on a good table, then she asked me if we were eating. I said I didn't know, and she said, "Well then your seats might move." When I arrived and asked where our table was, she said, "Did you forget?" Whatever. Also I notice they padded these comments pretty well (in June 2002, 28 five-star comments in one day), and the rest of the 5-Star comments seem fawning and hyperbolic. But notice there's a couple people who just gut the Duck in their comments. They sound more honest. The padding tact is smart, but you've been warned. The Duck is okay, but ain't all that.
07/26/2008 Posted by SquintyEyes
And that's a listening room. It's not a dancehall or a rowdy bar. It's one of the premier listening rooms in the country. Rusty and his wife have consistantly brought in some of the most talented - even if sometimes not best known - songwriters and musicians in the world. The Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis Christmas shows have been a must for me for years. I'll admite the waitstaff can be a bit snooty at times and the bartenders could really care less about whether you get a second beer or not...even thought they must make a fortune on booze markups there. And you are packed in pretty tight for the sold out shows. But if you know all this coming in - and most regulars do - you won't find it a bad place.
Pros: some terrific music in an intimate setting
Cons: slow and indifferent service
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