First of all, as a regular at this establishment when the previous comment was posted, I feel as if a formal apology is in order. I'm sorry you had a bad time, I'm sorry you thought the service and selection was lacking, I'm sorry you aren't assertive enough to grab the bartender's attention, and I'm sorry you aren't talkative enough to make any friends at a pub.
As a patron of pubs in multiple states and countries I can assure you that assertiveness and friendliness are two qualities that pub goers must possess in order to have a good time. Anyone choosing to visit Barnett's in the future must keep this in mind- if you walk up to the bar and sit meekly you will be ignored for a bit, if you shake the bartender's hand and introduce yourself you may eventually end up with your own seat and a mug ready for you when you sit down. As for the "clique-ish" feeling experienced by the other reviewer, I can assure any other patrons of Barnett's that people of all races, creeds, religions, and political persuasions are welcomed openly by the staff and regulars. Please, sit at the bar, strike up conversation with a stranger and have a beer.
Barnett's features a wide selection of beers an liquors for any palate and persuasion as well as a menu small menu of pub food. However the size of the menu and kitchen do not speak as to the quality of the food. The shepherds pie is wonderfully hearty and the sandwiches are absolutely tops. However it is the side dishes and desserts that make this pub stand out as a restaurant. The two I am speaking of in particular are the Irish Nachos and the homemade Bread Pudding. The nachos are made of potato crisps in a Guinness cheese sauce covered with bacon, chives, and sour cream- best served as a side to a Dublin Club (ask for the sandwich special). The bread pudding is made by the cook, and wonderful woman that we at the pub call "Mum" and it is absolutely to die for. The pain of having had Mum's bread pudding is that it appears infrequently and in limited supply.
In the interest of giving a fair review it is my unfortunate duty to report on the decline of Barnett's Pub I have recently noticed.
There was a time when Barnett's had +50 quality beers available, the atmosphere was more cheerful and friendly, and uniquely for Waco patrons could bring a beer out to the street while they had a smoke.
Due to what I understand began as a desire to offer quality liquor as well as quality beer the pub's owner applied for a liquor license, and with that came new rules prohibiting street side consumption and the inevitable inclusion of a fruity cocktail menu at the bar.
Going in there recently I have to admit that the atmosphere has changed. Any Friday night there are likely to be the usual compliment of those inebriated young ladies one might expect to find at any other bar in town. The shelves that once held beers now hold cheap liquors, and most of those people that make a pub interesting are nowhere to be seen.
Lamentably this scene has edged towards the norm for Barnett's, I can hardly stand to be there anymore. But every now and then on a quiet Tuesday or Wednesday night the true denizens of the pub come out, and on those rare nights Barnett's turns into something really special.
