The hallmarks of a great sports bar are a great beer selection, a good burger, and lots and lots of TVs. If we're judging CJ Mahoney's in Troy by these three traits, they pass with flying colors. Located in a strip mall off Livernois Road in Troy, the bar and restaurant is the laid-back answer to a work lunch, a carry-out on your way home, a place to catch the big game, or even spend the night out.
Stroll into CJ Mahoney's and the first thing you'll notice is that the place is enormous. Straight ahead is a large bar that serves as the interior's centerpiece. There are tap handles, glowing, back-lit liquor bottles, shimmering pint glasses, and all the accoutrements that add up to the perfect bar. On either side of the bar is ample seating. The right wall is lined with booths, each outfitted with its own TV and the space to the left is open to accommodate bigger parties, plus pool tables, Golden Tee, Pop-A-Shot Basketball, Big Buck Shooter, a digital jukebox, and a spacious dance floor on which to embarrass yourself once you've had too much to drink.
A complement to CJ Mahoney's interior girth is the size of its menu. Pages upon pages of deep fried appetizers, nachos, sandwiches, burgers, salads, pizzas, soups, flatbreads, entrees, gluten-free options, desserts, and sides are available to order from until midnight Sunday through Thursday and 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. There's also a smaller, cheap happy hour menu that's available seven days a week, although the time it is available varies.
In terms of beer, you'll find all the standards. There's Bud Light, Coors Light, Miller Lite — we could go on, but you get the picture. They also carry selections from New Belgium, Bell's, Griffin Claw, and Axle Brewing. You can also sip on a bottle of the much sought after Not Your Father's Root Beer. Liquor goes much the same way with all the standard bottles. A chalkboard declares a list of ever-popular party shots — Washington apple, pineapple upside down cake, lemon drop, Johnny Vegas, butter crown — are available for $3 or $4. Their list of available whiskeys and bourbons also impresses. Woodford Reserve, Johnnie Walker, Oban, Maccallan 12 Year, and Glenlivet 12 Year are available alongside Crown Royal, Gentleman Jack, Knob Creek, Redbreast Irish Whiskey and other respectable bottles. The point is whether you live a nice scotch on the rocks or want to shoot back a white gummy bear shot, this place can accommodate.
