Pennsylvanians Drive Over An Hour To A Neighborhood Pub For What They Call The Best Wings

Some people will drive an hour for a concert or a ballgame. In northeastern Pennsylvania, some folks will drive that far for a plate of chicken wings.

A couple saw a small-town pub on the news a few times, heard the words best wings, and decided to find out for themselves. They made the trip, and they say they will be back.

The spot sits on a quiet street in Swoyersville, a borough tucked into the Wyoming Valley near Wilkes-Barre. It is not flashy, and it does not try to be.

It is a neighborhood pub with a long local history, a screened patio with heaters, and a kitchen that keeps wing fans coming back. Read on to learn where it is, what to order, when to go, and what to expect before you make the drive yourself.

A Corner Pub on Slocum Street

Every great wing story needs a home base, and this one belongs to Murphy’s Pub at 347 Slocum St, Swoyersville, PA 18704, in the United States.

Swoyersville is a small borough in Luzerne County, part of the Wyoming Valley in northeastern Pennsylvania. The pub sits right in the neighborhood, the kind of place that blends into the street until you notice the steady stream of cars out front.

Murphy’s is listed as an Irish pub, but locals mostly think of it as their local bar. It holds a strong 4.5-star standing across roughly 400 opinions, which is a lot of chatter for a neighborhood spot.

The menu goes well past wings, with pizza, sandwiches, appetizers, and comfort sides. Still, wings are the topic that comes up again and again, mentioned nearly 50 times in public feedback.

That number says a lot about why people point their cars toward this address. It is a pub that earned its fame one basket at a time.

So where did this place come from, and why do longtime locals remember it under another name?

The Pub That Used to Be Boylan’s

Here is a fun bit of local trivia. Anyone who lived around the Wyoming Valley in the 1990s may know this building by a different name.

Murphy’s Pub is the former Boylan’s Pub. Some longtime regulars admit they had been coming here for years before realizing the connection.

That kind of history matters in a small town. A pub that has been serving neighbors under one name or another for decades becomes part of the local map.

Some folks return after a very long gap, even 30 years, and find the food and atmosphere still worth the visit. Others found the place more recently while searching for a solid wing option and kept coming back a dozen or more times.

The owner is known to thank guests personally for their feedback online. It is a small touch, but it fits the hometown character of the place.

A building with that much backstory deserves a closer look at the people running it today, and one name pops up more than once.

Wings Worth the Highway Miles

Local TV news has featured this pub several times, and the message was simple: best wings around. That claim was enough to send one couple on a drive of a little over an hour.

Their verdict after the trip matched the hype. They called them the best wings and said they plan to return.

Wings are easily the most talked-about item here. Guests often call Murphy’s their go-to spot for wings, and some leave already planning which flavors to try next time.

Crispy wings get their own spotlight too. One longtime fan orders them extra crispy and dry with hot sauce on the side, so they stay crisp through the whole meal.

On one Thursday night, that order came out cooked just right, not mushy and not overdone. The plate even came with two sides of blue cheese and celery, which is a nice bonus.

There is a whole lineup of sauces to work through as well. A lineup that deep rewards repeat trips, which may explain the loyal following.

Fans of a fork-free experience have one more option worth knowing about.

Boneless Bites for the Napkin-Shy

Not everyone wants to deal with bones, and Murphy’s has that crowd covered. The boneless wings, also called bites, have their own fan club.

Some guests call the boneless wings a must try. Others pair the bites with pizza and call the whole meal one of their favorites, even good enough for date night.

Bites come by the pound, which makes them easy to share at the table. They work well for groups that want something to pick at while deciding on the main event.

To keep things honest, one takeout order of mild bites did not land well, with the sauce falling flat and the food arriving cold. Another longtime family of customers has noted that food tends to be better eaten in house than taken out.

That is a useful tip for anyone making a long drive. Sitting down and eating right away seems to be the best way to enjoy what the kitchen does well.

Wings may be the headliner, but the opening acts on this menu are surprisingly strong.

Appetizers That Steal Scenes

Cheesesteak rolls might be the quiet second star of Murphy’s Pub. They come up again and again, and some regulars name the cheesesteak egg rolls as their personal favorite.

The couple who drove over an hour ordered them alongside their wings and called them a great appetizer. That is high praise from people who came for something else entirely.

The appetizer list stretches further. Cheesesteak fries, egg rolls, and shrimp tempura appear on tables, and guests note the portions are generous and come with plenty of sauce.

Fried pickles are another popular pick. They arrive lightly coated and come out fast.

Portion size is a running theme here. First-timers often seem surprised at how much food lands on the table, especially after ordering several starters.

A loaded nachos order once fell short for a takeout customer, so the safer bets are the house favorites mentioned above. Those are the ones regulars keep reaching for.

After the starters, it is time to talk about a pizza that sparks real debate.

The Great Thin Crust Debate

Few things split a room like pizza, and Murphy’s thin crust pie proves it.

Fans of the New York pizza say it is the closest thing to New York style thin crust in the area. Families order it alongside wings and quesadillas and call it great.

Plenty of first-timers notice pies heading to other tables and make a note to order one next time. It is clearly a popular choice in the dining room.

Not everyone agrees, though. Some have found the crust thin but soft rather than crisp, and a few were not fans of the browned cheese style.

That mix of opinions is actually useful. Anyone who loves a thin, crispy pie may want to give it a try, while those who prefer a thicker crust may want to stick with the wings.

One more tip: double-check custom orders like half toppings when ordering. A clear order helps the kitchen get it right.

The pizza may be up for debate, but the sandwich side of the menu is calmer territory.

Sandwiches, Burgers, and The Murph

Wings get the headlines, but the sandwich board holds its own. A house sandwich called The Murph sits on the menu, along with a cheesesteak and a ribeye sandwich.

A group that tried all three said everything was good. They were curious about the wings and pizza too, which looked great passing by.

The chicken cheesesteak comes with large pieces of chicken. Servers ask whether you want peppers, onions, and mushrooms, which are add-ons at a small extra charge each.

Burgers are part of the lineup too. A blue cheese and bacon burger comes with homemade potato chips, a nice touch for a neighborhood pub.

Fries also earn praise. The couple who made the long drive called them perfectly done.

There are even quesadillas for anyone who wants something different. It is a menu built for groups with very different cravings.

The side dishes have their own story, especially one cheesy favorite.

Mac and Cheese and Pig Roasts

Mac and cheese shows up often in conversations about Murphy’s, a sign that the sides are more than an afterthought.

The kitchen’s reach goes beyond the dining room. A man named Eric has roasted a whole pig for a graduation party, along with a full spread.

That party menu included fried chicken, mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing, mac and cheese, green beans, and corn. The hosts said everything was a big hit and guests kept talking about it.

Eric and his son served food for more than three hours. There were even leftovers for people to take home.

For anyone planning a big family event in the area, this is worth asking about directly. The website is the best starting point for details.

Food is only half the reason people stay a while, though. The setting plays a big part.

The Heated Screened Patio

Some of the best seats at Murphy’s are outside.

The pub has a screened-in patio that guests often describe as beautiful. It comes with heaters, which helps stretch the outdoor season in a region known for chilly evenings.

Some fans say the patio alone bumps the atmosphere to the top of the scale. It is a favorite for groups, couples, and anyone who wants a little fresh air with their wings.

When the dining room fills up, the outdoor area becomes overflow seating. Some first-timers ended up out there under a tent because the inside was packed, which they took as a good sign.

Outdoor seating appears regularly in feedback, so it is clearly a draw. Getting there a bit early on busy nights is a smart move for anyone set on a patio table.

Inside, the dining room has its own surprise, and it hangs right on the walls.

Artwork That Starts Conversations

Most neighborhood pubs decorate with team pennants and old signs. Murphy’s went in a different direction.

The artwork inside the dining area is described as truly unique. It gives the room a personality that many guests notice right away.

That extra character fits the overall mood. People describe it as exactly what they hope for in a neighborhood spot, relaxed and welcoming.

It works for a family dinner, a casual meetup, or a laid-back date night. Locals call it their favorite local pub, and some couples have been many times over.

Music and atmosphere will not suit every taste, and one or two guests have said the vibe was not for them. Most, however, find the room comfortable and easy to settle into.

A room is only as good as the people working in it, which brings us to the staff.

Friendly Faces Behind the Counter

Good food travels far, but good people make guests come back. Many at Murphy’s describe the staff as pleasant, attentive, and easy to talk with.

Regulars mention that the team takes care of them well and that food comes out quickly. First-timers often call the service extremely friendly.

Even the other customers get credit. Helpful patrons come up in conversations, which says something about the crowd.

To be fair, busy nights can test the team. A few people have run into wrong orders, slow greetings, or staff distracted during rushes.

Those moments seem to be the exception rather than the rule, based on the overall picture. Still, patience on a packed Friday night goes a long way.

Clear communication when ordering helps too. A quick double-check on your order is a simple way to avoid mix-ups.

Now for the part every road-tripper needs: when to go and what to budget.

Hours, Budget, and Planning the Trip

Timing matters when the drive is over an hour, so here is the schedule.

Monday runs 5 to 10 pm. Tuesday and Wednesday run 4 to 11 pm, and Thursday goes from 4 pm to midnight.

Friday stretches from 4 pm to 2 am. Saturday opens earlier at 2 pm and also runs until 2 am, while Sunday runs 12:30 to 10 pm.

Budget-wise, prices feel friendly. A family of four once ordered pizza, wings, quesadillas, and fried pickles for under $75, with leftovers to spare.

Another group had three sandwiches with fries plus drinks for under $70. Those numbers make the gas money feel well spent.

Card users should know that a 3 percent card surcharge has been mentioned. Bringing cash or checking ahead can avoid any surprise.

For the latest details, the pub’s website at murphyspubswoyersville.com is the place to check before heading out.

Is the Drive Worth It

Short answer: for wing lovers, the evidence leans strongly toward yes.

Murphy’s Pub has built a reputation that reaches well beyond Swoyersville. TV coverage, a loyal local crowd, and road-trippers willing to drive an hour all point in the same direction.

The wings are the main reason to go, crispy and sauced the way you like them. The cheesesteak rolls, boneless bites, and generous portions make the trip even easier to justify.

Add in the heated screened patio, the one-of-a-kind artwork, and fair prices, and it becomes a solid outing. The pizza is a matter of taste, so try it with an open mind.

Eating in rather than taking out seems to give the best results. So does showing up a little early on weekends.

This is not a fancy destination, and it does not need to be. It is an honest neighborhood pub with history, heart, and a basket of wings that keeps people talking, and that is a pretty good reason to fill up the tank.