Waterford's Favourite Bar (City & County)

c - 13

Partially because the weekend is upon us and also partially because of the "Favourite Shop In Waterford" thread I have been thinking, what would be classed as waterfords favourite bar ?

Unable to come up with a definitive answer myself I put it to you. Whats your favourite bar in the County, and more importantly why ? (I wont include a poll because its too limited).

Formerly I would have said Egans, a nice bar, the pints were reasonable and on a Summers day it was nice to sit in the beer garden and just watch what was going on, since they've closed (a good while now) I guess ill have to nominate somewhere else.

I quite like Geoffs, except for the fact it gets so crowded everyone is shoving everyone out of the way because its so narrow.

Roen

Downes.....
....cos it's dark and quiet, the staff are sound and the locals are friendly. They also do a killer whiskey there as well. I've been drinking there as long as I've been drinking.

merlante

Downes, no question, for all the reason Roen said.

Honourable mentions:
Geoffs
Jack Meades

Haven't been in too many pubs around the county in recent years...

shapez

Don't really have a favourite but I go to Uluru & Oskers frequently because I live close by.

Minto

Bit of bias here cos I work there, but the Baldyman in Tramore is good, mainly cos its really the only place in Tramore to go (after the other pubs close).

But, in town, I don't think ya can beat Revolution(s?). I love that place.

angry_fox

t&h's and the mansion aint to bad.

Fajitas!

Downes.

fricatus

Geoff's, no contest... like all the best things about Waterford; Dunmore East, Blaas, Mount Congreve, Waterford Treasures, L'Atmosphere, the Book Centre; we need to pinch ourselves sometimes to realise just how lucky we are.

I love the beer garden in Harvey's too.

looksee

I'm interested to know what you thought of L'Atmosphere, only heard of it recently and was thinking of booking for a group, what did you think?

fricatus

looksee wrote:

I'm interested to know what you thought of L'Atmosphere, only heard of it recently and was thinking of booking for a group, what did you think?

I went there just on spec with a mate of mine because we were hungry and saw the early bird menu for €20. I'd never been before.

Portions were smallish, more to French than Irish tastes, but we stuff our faces too much in this country. I lived in France for a while and people never stopped telling me I'd lost weight

Either way, I didn't leave hungry. The starter was a lovely frothy soup, then cassoulet (beans, chicken and sausage - a real toulousain dish) for main course, and a lovely custardy/forest-fruits thing for dessert.

I loved it but if you're about tomorrow evening and don't mind eating a bit early, drop in for the early bird - it won't empty your pockets and you'll form your own opinion.

I couldn't praise it highly enough though. It's more like a restaurant in France than a French restaurant in Ireland, if you know what I mean.

Dan133269

where exactly is l'atmosphere? I'm out of country at moment, France as it happens Fricatus, I know what you're saying about the food, sometimes it's ridiculous though, went for dinner with work one time, had 3 course meal, some wine and water, overall around 50 euro at least, paid for by work, and I came out of the place more hungry than I went in.
Still though, nothing beats the "coziness" of a French restaurant.

As for bars, Geoffs is alright, in heart of drinking area in town, and thankfully the 18 year old scangers stay down in Masons and wherever. No offence to those who drink in Masons

tonc76

Fat Sam's and Trump's in town

Haughton's in the country (its the tiny place on the left on the N25 before you get to Carroll's Cross)

kano476

Minto wrote:

Bit of bias here cos I work there, but the Baldyman in Tramore is good, mainly cos its really the only place in Tramore to go (after the other pubs close).

But, in town, I don't think ya can beat Revolution(s?). I love that place.

maybe i'm biased because im barred from there minto but the baldy is a steaming heap of cack. there is not atmosphere, the bouncers are tossers, downstairs is dead and the drink is overpriced and gets more expensive as the night goes on. and the fact that they charge you to come in when its clearly 11.50 and not 12 o clock. its true that there is no other alternative in tramore really at the moment, hope they do a good job on storm and make a decent nightclub. The grand has a late bar but its a weird crowd in there.
The vic is the best pub in tramore but theres a bit of snobbery going on some nights in there.

my Favourite pub in waterford is geoffs but i also like the bank(when it was open), three shippes (for the grub) and the uluru.

kano476

Dan133269 wrote:

where exactly is l'atmosphere?

its just next to the wine vault, down from christchurch cathedral. havent been yet.

Sully

kano476 wrote:

maybe i'm biased because im barred from there minto but the baldy is a steaming heap of cack. there is not atmosphere, the bouncers are tossers, downstairs is dead and the drink is overpriced and gets more expensive as the night goes on. and the fact that they charge you to come in when its clearly 11.50 and not 12 o clock. its true that there is no other alternative in tramore really at the moment, hope they do a good job on storm and make a decent nightclub. The grand has a late bar but its a weird crowd in there.
The vic is the best pub in tramore but theres a bit of snobbery going on some nights in there.

Im not barred, and iv been down there a good few times for partys, work etc. and I was never that fond of it myself. Although, I find most of the bouncers are grand. Depends if you like their sense of humour I guess!

You summarized it nicely but failed to mention the fact its under-age-heven (amount of kids at 14 iv seen in there is pathetic) and there is an awful scummy crowd down their dealing etc. The baldy man takes in anyone. Iv also heard of staff going around pointing out people they dont like to bouncers and asking them to remove them etc. Sad really! Nightclubs in Tramore are pathetic. Dont mind the Forum or the Bowery in Waterford for nightclubs. Pubs in Tramore:- The Vic. Worked there, always enjoyed the crack and atmosphere. Probably one of the better pubs in Tramore, but I agree on the snobbery.

rogue-entity

The Old Ledger in Tramore wasnt too bad, though I was only ever in their the odd time.

counterpointaud

Nells (good vibes, good music, no bs)
Downses
Geoffs
Murphs (tramore)

If you want some 'old waterford charm'

Caulfields (pool table)
the Ritz tramore (pool table)
Barrs
the tap Room

Nathan

run_Forrest_run

Downes but I haven't been there in years...was always something special..there was something more to it than just a pub. If u are heading out towards Uluru then keep going a little further on to Jack Meades, a lovely spot...avoid the summer Sunday evenings though..nightmare.

merlante

run_Forrest_run wrote:

Downes but I haven't been there in years...was always something special..there was something more to it than just a pub. If u are heading out towards Uluru then keep going a little further on to Jack Meades, a lovely spot...avoid the summer Sunday evenings though..nightmare.

It's only packed on those evenings because it is most pleasant spot you could possibly be within a mile of the city. Bottle of cider & glass with ice outside in Jack Meades on a summer's evening (weekend) is a must, imho.

Roen

Anyone remember Micky Kent's out in Newtown, near Kilmacthomas? Was a bit special to say the least!

fade2black

Dan133269 wrote:

where exactly is l'atmosphere? I'm out of country at moment, France as it happens Fricatus, I know what you're saying about the food, sometimes it's ridiculous though, went for dinner with work one time, had 3 course meal, some wine and water, overall around 50 euro at least, paid for by work, and I came out of the place more hungry than I went in.
Still though, nothing beats the "coziness" of a French restaurant.

As for bars, Geoffs is alright, in heart of drinking area in town, and thankfully the 18 year old scangers stay down in Masons and wherever. No offence to those who drink in Masons

This from a 20 year old :rolleyes: I see very few scangers get into masons to be honest.


I like Geoffs but it tends to be full of pretentious wannabes who think they're better than everyone else.

There are no decent bars in this town. I used to like shefflins, egans and the old stand but they went by the wayside. wacky apple is too small....

run_Forrest_run

oh yeah, on a warm sunny day the beer garden is stunning in Jack's but I love the cold winter nights with the fire roaring etc..mind U I only ever to get down there now over the Christmas period.

c - 13

fade2black wrote:

I like Geoffs but it tends to be full of pretentious wannabes who think they're better than everyone else.

I agree with you on this but almost every bar/club can be stereotyped as having a certain set of drinkers
Masons - Scumbags
10 - Underage
Rubies/Masons - Old Women
and so on.

Its a shame because often when i'm walking down the street you hear people saying "Oh you dont want to go to that place, only <Insert General Stereotype> drink there."

Good call on Jack Meades there too.

merlante

c - 13 wrote:

I agree with you on this but almost every bar/club can be stereotyped as having a certain set of drinkers
Masons - Scumbags
10 - Underage
Rubies/Masons - Old Women
and so on.

Its a shame because often when i'm walking down the street you hear people saying "Oh you dont want to go to that place, only <Insert General Stereotype> drink there."

Good call on Jack Meades there too.

Waterford cracks me, there only a handful of nightclubs, but do you think people chop and change, not a bit of it.

kano476

exactly! tramore crew go out in town and go to revo and rubys and then complain about how crap rubys is becasue they have no imagination and wont go anywhere else. sickens me to the core.

merlante

kano476 wrote:

exactly! tramore crew go out in town and go to revo and rubys and then complain about how crap rubys is becasue they have no imagination and wont go anywhere else. sickens me to the core.

And depending on who you ask in Waterford the only nightclubs are either Ruby's & Muldoons, or the Forum and the Bowery.

christophicus

Personally I like Paul Flynns, But thats because its one of the only places that have metals gigs.

merlante

christophicus wrote:

Personally I like Paul Flynns, But thats because its one of the only places that have metals gigs.

Had heard that there was metal in Paul Flynn's. Although I have yet to see any evidence that it is not just a tiny little bar defended by odd tricky looking locals.

christophicus

Right then , if you want evidence, I shall post here in teh waterford forum next time there is a metal gig on and you can come down a check it out for yourself .

"tricky looking locals" what does that mean?

Its actually a good laugh when some of the locals/people not there for teh music ,during the gigs they seem to be intreguied by the whole affair, and some will actually stay and listen to the music, even though it is deafening.:)

fade2black

That pub is full of the dodgiest looking boggies I've ever come across.

merlante

christophicus wrote:

Right then , if you want evidence, I shall post here in teh waterford forum next time there is a metal gig on and you can come down a check it out for yourself .

"tricky looking locals" what does that mean?

Its actually a good laugh when some of the locals/people not there for teh music ,during the gigs they seem to be intreguied by the whole affair, and some will actually stay and listen to the music, even though it is deafening.:)

Good stuff.

Ah ye know, 'tricky looking'...

Deafening would be a bit loud for me, but I likes the 'oul bit of rock.

christophicus

In all honesty ive only been there during the metal gigs that have been on there, but from what I have seen of the locals they seem no worse then any onther pub.

merlante

christophicus wrote:

In all honesty ive only been there during the metal gigs that have been on there, but from what I have seen of the locals they seem no worse then any onther pub.

Ah I'm sure they're grand, I'm only messin'. (They did look tricky though! :eek: )

christophicus

Lol when I asked before I was being sincere I actually dont know what tricky means. I assume it means the same as dodgy?

Sully

fade2black wrote:

I like Geoffs but it tends to be full of pretentious wannabes who think they're better than everyone else.

Thats like the sister pub of The Vic in Tramore. Nice place all the same tho.

Roen

Martha's in Tramore is your only man.

Sully

Roen wrote:

Martha's in Tramore is your only man.

"your only man"?!

Thats my grans pub, and funnily enough - it does attract both young and old!! Espically during the Races.

Roen

As in the only place to go. Love that place.

ToxicPaddy

Ahh fav pubs.. a topic I'm fond of..

Waterford:

Geoffs: During the week is nice and chilled, too packed at weekends
Jack Meades: During those long warm summer evenings, lazing on top of the old lime kilin with a nice cool pint!!! nyom nyom
During the winter with a big blazing fire and the odd time some live music
Tom Mahers: Cant beat a warm large bottle of Carling off the shelf


Tramore:

Marthas: Mad quirky pub, but nice all the same
Crokes: The same, good for a quiet pint
The Vic: Has a bit of life to it during the winter which most of Tramore lacks and a find beer garden during the summer.
Rockets: Class food... nyom nyom

Hissing Sideban

ToxicPaddy wrote: »

Ahh fav pubs.. a topic I'm fond of..

Waterford:

Geoffs: During the week is nice and chilled, too packed at weekends

D

I always thought to myself "fair play to Geoffs for having a sound system that didn't dominate the pub" Most other pubs downtown are all 'boom boom' bass and 'teesh teeesh' shower of razorblades treble.
Impossible to have a converstation - (although some say that this is a deliberate ploy as the less people talk, the more they drink!)
I think that part of the reason that the Geoffs sound was mellow, subtle, but not dominating is because most of the speakers in there are Hi Fi speakers, not PA speakers.
However, lately I have noticed that the sound system is creeping up in volume, and it seems to have got worse since they got rid of the Minidiscs and got a computer playout system - no doubt someone has all the bass and treble boosted.
I was in there yesterday afternoon, and it was noticably more empty than it used to be for this time of day, possible one contributing factor could have been that the sound level wouldn't have been out of place in Masons! (OK, slight exaggeration, but you get my point!)

Had to leave after one drink, and I was going to get some food, but it was not relaxing enough atmosphere there.

I always assumed Geoff himself must have stopped the natural inclination of pub bar staff to turn up the music too loud (so they can hear it OK behind the bar)

Progress? Nah!

ec18

Geoffs and Electic Avenue for me.....Harveys ain't bad either

Moro23

Roen wrote: »

Anyone remember Micky Kent's out in Newtown, near Kilmacthomas? Was a bit special to say the least!

I sure do remember it I brought some friends from England there, the look on them when they walked in was priceless. It was after the fire the whole place was black you had to sit on crates the only drink was large bottles. I have photos of the place I look at them now and its hard to belive I was drinking in there.

Roen

Moro23 wrote: »

I sure do remember it I brought some friends from England there, the look on them when they walked in was priceless. It was after the fire the whole place was black you had to sit on crates the only drink was large bottles. I have photos of the place I look at them now and its hard to belive I was drinking in there.

Great stuff, I was there after the fire myself. We had to wait until the main man was finished his plate of mash til we got served. There was a cat eating on the counter as well. I think he may have had a bottle of whiskey as well as the bottles.

pommers

the vic is a great pub but i also have to agree on the snobbery aswell!!
o neills is ok for 1 on way home if ya live past the church,they sometimes have a good band! murphs in tramore is ok.

Junior

Roen wrote: »

Great stuff, I was there after the fire myself. We had to wait until the main man was finished his plate of mash til we got served. There was a cat eating on the counter as well. I think he may have had a bottle of whiskey as well as the bottles.

I used to drop in occasionally it's not that far away from me, haven't been in there since it was redone.

To be honest there's very few pubs in town that aren't full of w*nkers. I always thought queing up to get into Geoffs was a bit gay. That and those who used to want to be in the window.

I liked Haughtons before they changed to using gas to pressurize the system, the kegs used to be under the counter, almost a run of three feet to the taps best stout ever. It's still a good pub.

Downeys in dungarvan used to be a good spot.

SUNGOD

anyone remember the graffiti on the side of trumps ."davy mac lives " classic and on pub names i call muldoons "fat sams "but my father has me beaten he calls it "the coach man" .not much i can add on best pubs above but when i started going to pubs first (early nineties) i did like " the royal " and "the queens " they are now called alfies lombard st (closed) and kathy barries

ROCKMAN

for the amount of lunatics/colourful characters that regularly attend the early morning worship... SALS on the quay deserves a mention.

Also used to love the lay out of the Royal..

B&stard

Electric Avenue for the quality of the live music they are bringing to the town on a regular basis. Most of its free if in by 10 as well. Hotty bar staff a plus too

Chochese

The Yellow House.

Nuff said.

Sully

Chochese wrote: »

The Yellow House.

Nuff said.

Whats that place like? Looks like a right tip from the outside.

Sully

SUNGOD wrote: »

kathy barries

Katty Barrys(?) is that pub located in an alleyway that was recently sold? Strange taste in pubs there..