Pub Guide

matrim · 17-01-2012 6:21am

Looks like the guys behind L.Mulligan Grocer are looking to open a second pub in Dorset St. They hope to be open by March

http://wjkavanagh.blogspot.com/2012/01/rinse-and-repeat.html

BeerNut · 17-01-2012 10:28am

And meanwhile the Against the Grain people are opening The Black Sheep on the corner of Capel and Parnell Streets in a couple of weeks.

AwayWithFaries · 18-01-2012 12:34pm

minidazzler wrote: »

But they really let you know it in the price. They are quite good cocktails, though for a cocktail bar they let it get way too crowded. queues can be 3 deep all around the massive bar at times. Also, they serve very small, a daiquiri in a champagne flute for 8.50 or thereabouts.

Cork Bars
........

This is a pretty good list and what you say is pretty accurate for each pub. Only one I'd disagree with is The Brog, it can be a nice relaxed place but most nights it's too packed, too loud and too messy to have a quiet one. Also kudos on mentioning the The Abbot, its a gem of a place that not a lot of people know about.

Left out a few nice places too (and a lot of ****e ones I won't mention):
Charlies - Nice pints, good for live music but way too small and is often too packed.
Vicarstown - Nice quiet pub, good atmosphere, good staff. Never seems to be too busy either.
Fionn Barras - One of my favourite pubs, great atmosphere, nice selection of beers and a huge smoking area.
An Realt Dearg - Really good place to go on a quiet night, but on a busy night it tends to get a bit cramped and messy.
Cisse Youngs - Great for watching matches, loads of TVs and it tends to draw a Liverpool crowd

.
Tom Barry's - Good pub for the most part. A bit small inside but the beer garden with the roaring fire more than makes up for it. Actually pubs on Barracks Street in general tend to be pretty good.

There's still a load of places I haven't mentioned. Man there's a lot of pubs in the city.

minidazzler · 25-01-2012 10:22am

AwayWithFaries wrote: »

This is a pretty good list and what you say is pretty accurate for each pub. Only one I'd disagree with is The Brog, it can be a nice relaxed place but most nights it's too packed, too loud and too messy to have a quiet one. Also kudos on mentioning the The Abbot, its a gem of a place that not a lot of people know about.

I'd agree they do pack it at night, but it's nice and quiet before 10 on most nights, when it starts picking up the student crowd.

I haven't drank on Barrack Street since I was refused in Tom Barrys when I was 18. I must give it another shot when I am back on the beer in 8 bitter days.

On an unrelated note, and I'm not sure this is the right place to ask, but what the hell, does anyone know bars in Cork that will hire inexperienced staff? (I got a little in An Bodhran because I know Sharon, but I want an actual job in a bar.)

AwayWithFaries · 25-01-2012 12:49pm

minidazzler wrote: »

I'd agree they do pack it at night, but it's nice and quiet before 10 on most nights, when it starts picking up the student crowd.

I haven't drank on Barrack Street since I was refused in Tom Barrys when I was 18. I must give it another shot when I am back on the beer in 8 bitter days.

On an unrelated note, and I'm not sure this is the right place to ask, but what the hell, does anyone know bars in Cork that will hire inexperienced staff? (I got a little in An Bodhran because I know Sharon, but I want an actual job in a bar.)

It's hard to get a job on a bar without experience unless you know someone. There are so many people out there that have experience it's not to hard for the owner to find someone and if not then they are going to go for someone they know.
Best advice is to try and get more experience in An Bodhran if possible, if not just ask every bar in town one of them is bound to give you a break

yknaa · 12-09-2012 1:07pm

Visited the Folk House in Kinsale at the weekend. Lovely spot with tons of craft beers on offer - including cask of Metalman. Yum! Recommend.
http://folkhousevenue.com/

penev10 · 14-09-2012 4:58pm

The Cock

Always a good crowd in but pint quality has dropped in past year or so. Have had some awful Guinness and Heineken in there recently. Great atmosphere mind.

The 44

Best bar for a quiet chat as there's never loud music. Good Guinness too and they do O'Hara craft beers. Can be a bit dead though and no late license.

The Old Boro

3 separate bars but usually half empty. Good value on Fridays with the special offers and pints are usually decent. Some craft beers.

The Lord Mayors

Possibly the worst pint in Swords. Low on atmosphere also.

The Slaughtered Lamb

Full of kids. Avoid.

The Old Schoolhouse

Good mix of a crowd and decent pints. Sports bar upstairs is allegedly the place to watch any big matches.

Wrights Cafe

Poor pints and jammed at weekends. Dark and loud.

Wrights Wine Bar

Probably the best place to get a late pint as it serves til 2+. Small and cosy but can fill up after 10.

_blank_ · 24-09-2012 1:04pm

penev10 wrote: »

The Old Boro

3 separate bars but usually half empty. Good value on Fridays with the special offers and pints are usually decent. Some craft beers.

Just out of interest, which craft beers are available in The Old Boro, I think I'll be in there this weekend.

Cheers

irish_goat · 24-09-2012 4:36pm

Des wrote: »

Just out of interest, which craft beers are available in The Old Boro, I think I'll be in there this weekend.

Cheers

http://www.beoir.org/index.php?option=com_sobi2&sobi2Task=sobi2Details&__%20%20%20%20catid=0&sobi2Id=325&Itemid=80

Draught: O'Hara's IPA, Curim, Galway Hooker

Bottles: O'Hara's IPA, Curim, Leann Follain, Galway Hooker, Howling Gale, Sunburnt Red

Let us know if there's anything new.

the beer revolu · 08-10-2012 11:45am

Was in Athlone during the week and my Beoir Finder app brought me to Maguire's on Connacht St. It's nice to know that there is an oasis in the beer desert that is Athlone. Very nice pub - maybe a little too clean!, friendly knowledgeable staff member, couple of Irish beers (Porterhouse Plain on tap and some PH bottles), and a good very good selection of International beers. What a lovely surprise!

A few more Irish beers and this would be a serious beer spot.

My gripe!!:rolleyes:
Why did I pay €2.20 for a glass of plain when a pint is €3.80?
€0.60 more a pint to drink it in halves ???!!!
I wish this habit of charging would die out or be made illegal.

Saruman · 08-10-2012 2:41pm

Funnily enough, a year or so ago, Brownes bar on the same street was up for sale. It's large with a large residence and it was only going for €200 and I seriously considered buying it until I decided I just don't have any savings to get any consideration. No bank would give me a loan to buy a pub.... Ah well.

Plan was to turn it in to a craft beer pub and perhaps brewery.

lang · 14-01-2013 6:23pm

Hey,

Trying to get some ideas on some nice pubs in or around Dawson Street in Dublin. There will be anything from 10-20 people and it'll be a Saturday evening. Know it might be hard to get but looking for somewhere that would allow people to have a chat and the music isn't too loud. Would be good if there was some live music (nothing OTT or anything, just something to have in the background).

I don't know that area of Dublin City at all so would take any suggestions you have.

Thanks in advance.

Rosen · 08-02-2013 1:39pm

Upstairs in Keoghs on Sth Anne Street might suit you. Or the Duke is decent - again they have an upstairs part that will enable that count of people to stay together.
Also, The Duke serves Hoegaarden......
Both these places are just off Dawson Street. There are a few places in fairness within a five min walk from Dawson street that would suit what you are looking for to be honest - Kennedy's (Westland Row), The GingerMan (Fenian Street), Neary's (Chatham street)

Leslie91 · 08-02-2013 5:07pm

Howdy... I'll be in Dublin city for the Scotland rugby match (sunday 24 feb at 2PM). Friends of mine in Dublin tell me Mulligans in Poolbeg Street is a great place to go for Guinness. But we're also looking for a fry up before the match somewhere about midday. Will Mulligans do you a fry on a Sunday?, if not can someone recommend somewhere not too far from there?

babaracus · 08-02-2013 5:14pm

Leslie91 wrote: »

Howdy... I'll be in Dublin city for the Scotland rugby match (sunday 24 feb at 2PM). Friends of mine in Dublin tell me Mulligans in Poolbeg Street is a great place to go for Guinness. But we're also looking for a fry up before the match somewhere about midday. Will Mulligans do you a fry on a Sunday?, if not can someone recommend somewhere not too far from there?

Mulligan's don't do food at all so you best get a feed before you get in there.
As for fry recommendations you will have to go the cafe route if you want it at 12 as pubs do not open until 12-30 on a sunday. As for recommendations I think there was a thread on this recently on this forum so maybe have a search. As a Dubliner my sunday morning fry up is consumed at home so I can't help you out there! My apologies.

Whatnuclearsub · 04-07-2013 2:27pm

The Lounge in Balbriggan is positioned in a unique location overlooking the harbour and is a pretty cool place to visit. It is a lively pub with famous radio DJ’s providing the entertainment at the weekends and on Fridays there is live music from very good bands. In terms of entertainment this is the best your going to get in Balbriggan but not necessarily the best pub. There is 2 pool tables and large screen televisions. There are also 2 interconnecting nightclubs upstairs which the lounge does some superb deals with. So value is also very good. What lets this pub down and the nightclubs upstairs is the quality of the drinks. Personally I would avoid the Guinness and some of the other tapped beers can be questionable, but get a bucket of bottles and you can’t go wrong. Cocktails are actively promoted, they vaguely resemble what they should be but the strawberry daiquiri I ordered was undrinkable. One more negative and this review is near done, the toilets are not up to scratch even though the toilets are manned by a toilet guy who actively requests tips or rather begs for money for a poor service that I personally don’t even want but thats another blog post altogether! To sum it up The Lounge has the best entertainment in Balbriggan and is good value if you intend on going clubbing upstairs afterwards but the drink quality is below average.

harry Bailey esq · 04-07-2013 2:48pm

Whatnuclearsub wrote: »

The Lounge in Balbriggan is positioned in a unique location overlooking the harbour and is a pretty cool place to visit. It is a lively pub with famous radio DJ’s providing the entertainment at the weekends and on Fridays there is live music from very good bands. In terms of entertainment this is the best your going to get in Balbriggan but not necessarily the best pub. There is 2 pool tables and large screen televisions. There are also 2 interconnecting nightclubs upstairs which the lounge does some superb deals with. So value is also very good. What lets this pub down and the nightclubs upstairs is the quality of the drinks. Personally I would avoid the Guinness and some of the other tapped beers can be questionable, but get a bucket of bottles and you can’t go wrong. Cocktails are actively promoted, they vaguely resemble what they should be but the strawberry daiquiri I ordered was undrinkable. One more negative and this review is near done, the toilets are not up to scratch even though the toilets are manned by a toilet guy who actively requests tips or rather begs for money for a poor service that I personally don’t even want but thats another blog post altogether! To sum it up The Lounge has the best entertainment in Balbriggan and is good value if you intend on going clubbing upstairs afterwards but the drink quality is below average.

agreed on the piss poor pints,o sheas as its still known locally is a lovely spot on a summer day when the tide is in and the seals are swimming around just below,good live music sometimes.when the tide is out the place has a rank smell permeating the place though.

Whatnuclearsub · 04-07-2013 5:00pm

harry Bailey esq wrote: »

agreed on the piss poor pints,o sheas as its still known locally is a lovely spot on a summer day when the tide is in and the seals are swimming around just below,good live music sometimes.when the tide is out the place has a rank smell permeating the place though.

Yeah it is a nice place in the summer and the tide is in and there is good music, pitty about the pints though. I don't know why they are so bad, maybe its because they only ever seem to get business at the weekend.

Whatnuclearsub · 04-07-2013 5:28pm

An Brog is a bohemian style pub in Cork City, whenever anyone described An Brog to me they always mentioned the distinct smell of the place. I have to admit I didn’t get this whiff the last time I was there and the toilets were much improved and clean. This pub attracts students and foreign students. Its an interesting place alright, during the day they have the larger pub area closed off, this makes for an awkward shifting of tables around come the time to open the shutters to the other part of the pub. We were asked to move tables twice, but it didn’t bother us too much but they should have a better arrangement. They also put candles in bottles, it seems to be a trend amongst most of the bars in Cork!

Whatnuclearsub · 05-07-2013 1:05pm

Nealons in Skerries is a genuine family run pub. This is the real deal that hundreds of irish pubs around the world try to replicate. It is warm, comfortable and the divided off areas create a cosy atmosphere. The place is especially inviting on a cold winters day when the fire is lighting. There is a large covered smoking area in the back with a large television and heaters to keep the smokers happy. The toilets are clean, the staff are excellent and if its not too busy will even drop your pint of Guinness down to your table for you. And thats probably the best thing about this pub, the Guinness is excellent! Possibly the best pint of Guinness in Skerries although that is up for debate, the Malting House also serves an excellent pint of Guinness. Every Wednesday there is trad music night which is great! Over all a great pub to visit if you ever find yourself in Skerries!

The Hill Billy · 05-07-2013 3:38pm

I agree - Nealon's is a fantastic pub (established by the absolutely legendary John Nealon Sr, RIP). It is my local when I am home in Skerries. Great pint, super staff (I used to be one of them back in the day

).

As mentioned - The Malting House does a great pint. Ollie's Bar & The Snug are also worth checking out if you are in Skerries. Likewise Blue Bar on the harbour stocks a good selection of craft beers.

Whatnuclearsub · 05-07-2013 3:53pm

Yeah it is a fantastic pub alright, one of my favourites in Skerries. Skerries will be packed out this weekend with Skerries 100 on! Not a big fan of Ollies or The Snug myself but Blue is another favourite of mine!

The Drunken Destrier · 07-07-2013 11:35am

minidazzler wrote: »

Cork Bars

An Brog - My favourite bar, cheep and cheerful, relaxed as hell

Surely you're joking. Went there on a non-event Tuesday night and it was like a nightclub for 17-year-olds. Horrible place!

Is it nice during the day??

Whatnuclearsub · 07-07-2013 11:37am

The Drunken Destrier wrote: »

Surely you're joking. Went there on a non-event Tuesday night and it was like a nightclub for 17-year-olds. Horrible place!

Is it nice during the day??

No, I wouldn't recommend it. There are far better pubs in Cork for a drink during the day. Its really just a student bar.

The Drunken Destrier · 07-07-2013 11:42am

I thought so. I think it was literally the worst bar I've been to in my life. On the upside, An Bodhrán sounds good for an early afternoon. The problem with the Abbots, Fran Well, Porterhouse etc. is that they don't open til around 3-5.

Whatnuclearsub · 07-07-2013 11:46am

I don't know what time An Bodhran opens, but I had a great time the last time I was there! The music was great too, pints were decent enough too! Staff very good, much better than an brog!

Whatnuclearsub · 07-07-2013 11:50am

The Drunken Destrier wrote: »

I thought so. I think it was literally the worst bar I've been to in my life. On the upside, An Bodhrán sounds good for an early afternoon. The problem with the Abbots, Fran Well, Porterhouse etc. is that they don't open til around 3-5.

Is it craft beers you are after?

The Drunken Destrier · 07-07-2013 11:52am

Yes, but a Beamish for 3 squids during the day is a solid deal.

The Drunken Destrier · 07-07-2013 11:54am

Actually, the Vicarstown Inn is nice, they have a beer garden and all the usual suspects on tap, as well as Rebel Red and the Seven Windows stuff.

Whatnuclearsub · 07-07-2013 11:57am

Is that what An Bodhran does? 3 euro for a Beamish? thats very good!

The Drunken Destrier · 07-07-2013 12:00pm

Before 6 o'clock, yeah. All other pints are 3.50. Great deal, and Beamish is not a bad drink at all.

Whatnuclearsub · 07-07-2013 12:02pm

The Drunken Destrier wrote: »

Actually, the Vicarstown Inn is nice, they have a beer garden and all the usual suspects on tap, as well as Rebel Red and the Seven Windows stuff.

Thanks, never been there, but will definitely be giving it a go now.

Whatnuclearsub · 07-07-2013 12:04pm

The Drunken Destrier wrote: »

Before 6 o'clock, yeah. All other pints are 3.50. Great deal, and Beamish is not a bad drink at all.

Yeah it is a great deal, I will be adding that to my blog. Yeah I like the odd Beamish myself, at 3 euro you can't go wrong.

The Hill Billy · 08-07-2013 11:14am

Lads - Less of the chat please & try to stick to the Pub Reviews.

Ta,

tHB

Whatnuclearsub · 08-07-2013 12:53pm

The Old Oak is a large pub located on Oliver Plunkett Street, although you wouldn’t think it from the outside. It suffers the same faith as other large pubs in the way that there is no atmosphere unless the place is packed out. They often have live music and once the place gets going can be good craic. The Old Oak is also home to Cyprus Avenue, one of the most popular music venues in Cork city which attracts some relatively famous acts. I will write a review on Cyprus Avenue another day, but as for the Old Oak, it is ok. The dance floor is covered by a video camera which shows the dance floor on big screens which can be particularly entertaining watching people dance around like your dad. Drinks are cheap, pints are poor, another negative I have noticed about large pubs! Good pub to go to when it gets busy and there is a band on you like, but other than that there are better places to go!

Whatnuclearsub · 09-07-2013 11:33am

The Hi Bar used to be the bar to the Hibernian Hotel, the hotel has since closed but the bar still remained. This pub is small, real small, its more like your grannies living room. They also have rules in this pub, no mobile phones! This does make the place interesting but it’s a bit like being back in school. There is good banter to be had in the Hi-Bar and if you are there on a Tuesday or Thursday you might be lucky enough to see Dick play his electric piano, he does requests and its great entertainment. Someone told me to always check the toilets of an establishment before eating or drinking in it and if you were to follow this mans advice then you wouldn’t dream of drinking in the Hi-Bar because the toilets are nightmareish. They are so bad, its almost famous for it, I was talking to somebody who claimed to have come across the train spotting toilet in Cork, I guessed “Was it the Hi-bar?” Yes, it was the HI-Bar! So what is the moral of the story? Don’t drink pints in the Hi-Bar and if you are drinking bottles give them a good wipe first! I can’t recommend this place to anyone, but it does make for an interesting visit!

the beer revolu · 09-07-2013 1:13pm

Whatnuclearsub wrote: »

The Hi Bar used to be the bar to the Hibernian Hotel, the hotel has since closed but the bar still remained. This pub is small, real small, its more like your grannies living room. They also have rules in this pub, no mobile phones! This does make the place interesting but it’s a bit like being back in school. There is good banter to be had in the Hi-Bar and if you are there on a Tuesday or Thursday you might be lucky enough to see Dick play his electric piano, he does requests and its great entertainment. Someone told me to always check the toilets of an establishment before eating or drinking in it and if you were to follow this mans advice then you wouldn’t dream of drinking in the Hi-Bar because the toilets are nightmareish. They are so bad, its almost famous for it, I was talking to somebody who claimed to have come across the train spotting toilet in Cork, I guessed “Was it the Hi-bar?” Yes, it was the HI-Bar! So what is the moral of the story? Don’t drink pints in the Hi-Bar and if you are drinking bottles give them a good wipe first! I can’t recommend this place to anyone, but it does make for an interesting visit!

The toilets in The Hi B are much improved on what they were some years ago!!

Whatnuclearsub · 09-07-2013 1:15pm

the beer revolu wrote: »

The toilets in The Hi B are much improved on what they were some years ago!!

Really? That review was based on a visit last year. Do you think its an unfair review? Does dick still play the piano there?

the beer revolu · 09-07-2013 5:11pm

Whatnuclearsub wrote: »

Really? That review was based on a visit last year. Do you think its an unfair review? Does dick still play the piano there?

I'm going back 20 years. Fair enough except I'd have no issues with drinking the pints there. Dunno about the piano player - I haven't been in a few years.

Whatnuclearsub · 09-07-2013 11:41pm

the beer revolu wrote: »

I'm going back 20 years. Fair enough except I'd have no issues with drinking the pints there. Dunno about the piano player - I haven't been in a few years.

I try to be fair, there is a vote feature on my blog to make it fairer so people can comment and vote their opinion, just in case I get it wrong. I must take another visit, its always an interesting session in the Hi-B. What would be your favourite pubs in Cork?

the beer revolu · 10-07-2013 10:44am

Whatnuclearsub wrote: »

I try to be fair, there is a vote feature on my blog to make it fairer so people can comment and vote their opinion, just in case I get it wrong. I must take another visit, its always an interesting session in the Hi-B. What would be your favourite pubs in Cork?

Abbotts Ale House, Bierhaus, Callanan's, Corner House, The Hub, Porterhouse, Fran Well, Fionbarra's, Tom Barry's all good pubs with some sort of decent beer selection.
Reviewing pubs without mentioning the beer they sell is like reviewing restaurants without mentioning food. And I don't mean saying the guinness is good/bad/poor boloxology.
Have a look at the Beoir finder. My go to pub finder when travelling. I wanna know what beer a pub sells first and foremost. Handy side effect is that dodgy ****eholes never serve craft beer.

carmo13 · 17-08-2013 2:07pm

I see the Hill got a v. good review in the Irish Indo Barfly column.
Was there last thurs night for the trad session and would have to agree with
the 4 star rating. great pint too!

dobman88 · 22-04-2014 2:30pm

Anyone know of any pubs in Killarney with a good craft selection? I live here and can only think of Courtney's bar but I'm not a big fan of the place. I have afriend coming down who recently got into craft beer and would like to take him to a pub with a decent selection.

dregin · 22-04-2014 11:39pm

dobman88 wrote: »

Anyone know of any pubs in Killarney with a good craft selection? I live here and can only think of Courtney's bar but I'm not a big fan of the place. I have afriend coming down who recently got into craft beer and would like to take him to a pub with a decent selection.

Have you tried the beoir app?

dobman88 · 23-04-2014 12:51am

dregin wrote: »

Have you tried the beoir app?

Will download tomorrow, thanks. I'm after getting a couple of suggestions for Killarney so shouldn't be a complete disaster.

Tenzor07 · 28-04-2014 9:35am

Just a quick note on The 57 Headline at the top of Clanbrassil Street at the SCR junction...
Normally I drink at the Brew Dock, or Bull&Castle, nice central pubs in the city..

However, decided to take a stroll up to the Headline bar, a pub I have passed many many times and never dared to venture into..

And found now that it's under new management by the very knowledgeable owner and new staff..
With 26 Craft beers on tap, and not a hint of Diageo in sight I knew I was onto a winner! Tried some Bru Rua, which I'm sure I'd sampled at festivals before, but this was recommended by the bar staff.
Also tried a fresh hot free range chicken pie, nice! And cheap too..
Inside the decor is very "homely" and with big chairs and little hideaway seating areas to the side of the bar, it looks great!
Hip young crowd there so nice and relaxed, not a Tv in sight either so that was perfect also..

I will definitely be back!

yknaa · 21-05-2014 10:49am

Neary's on Chatham Street Dublin have upped their game and added Rebel Red on draught along with the O'Hara's range on offer. They also do smithwicks pale ale and Creans if I'm not mistaken.

thegeezer · 21-05-2014 11:20am

Think you will be seeing a LOT more of Franciscan Wells brews around now :-

http://www.molsoncoors.com/en/News/United%20Kingdom/Corporate/2013/January/14/Molson%20Coors%20UK%20and%20Ireland%20Announces%20New%20Craft%20Beer%20Division.aspx

irish_goat · 21-05-2014 11:32am

thegeezer wrote: »

Think you will be seeing a LOT more of Franciscan Wells brews around now :-

http://www.molsoncoors.com/en/News/United%20Kingdom/Corporate/2013/January/14/Molson%20Coors%20UK%20and%20Ireland%20Announces%20New%20Craft%20Beer%20Division.aspx

That's old news. :P

Their stuff is popping up everywhere now.

kcimd · 21-05-2014 11:41am

kavanaghs(the gravediggers) at the back of glasnevin cemetery. the bar has never changed,no radio,no tv,no music,old wooden tables and benches to sit on. beautiful Guinness,great staff,a place to go to talk and have the craic. small green field outside to bring your drink out and chill out on summer nights. brilliant pub

Pub Guide

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