The Spirit Store

bob04

Was here the other night

50cent charge to use laser card ???

What is that about ??????

They said "coz we get charged, you get charged"

Is this illegal ???

Fuhrer

Yes

TommyT

I dont blame the Spirit Store at all, legal or not. Using a debit card in a pub? WTF are there no cash machines in town?

bob04

TommyT wrote: »

I dont blame the Spirit Store at all, legal or not. Using a debit card in a pub? WTF are there no cash machines in town?

Now that is just silly

What is the point in having a laser card?????

So that you dont have to carry cash

And where is the closest cash machine to the spirt store ?

You would have to walk/taxi to it ???

petes

bob04 wrote: »

And where is the closest cash machine to the spirt store ?

You would have to walk/taxi to it ???

Around the corner in the Londis. Five minute walk there and back.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

bob04 wrote: »

Now that is just silly

What is the point in having a laser card?????

So that you dont have to carry cash

And where is the closest cash machine to the spirt store ?

You would have to walk/taxi to it ???

I think using a Debit Card like Laser in a pub is nonsense. Fair enough if you get accidently caught out without cash and so 50cent is worth it, but to think it the norm or reasonable is a bit much. It's a debit card and not designed for small purchases and never intended to replace cash. The cash replacement version was piloted a few years back in Ennis and failed.

bob04

Albert Immense Pianist wrote: »

I think using a Debit Card like Laser in a pub is nonsense. Fair enough if you get accidently caught out without cash and so 50cent is worth it, but to think it the norm or reasonable is a bit much. It's a debit card and not designed for small purchases and never intended to replace cash. The cash replacement version was piloted a few years back in Ennis and failed.

Having the cash/not having the cash is not the issue

Getting charged 50cent for the transaction is the issue

Nowhere else have I ever been charged

And walk around the corner to a machine ? when you never know if it even has any cash in it ????

Question - Is it illegal or not to charge ????

Also if it is nonsense, why does the pub offer the service ???

I use my laser all the time, because i know way to many people who got scammed at cash machine and lost money

Talula

Don't think it is illegal. Ticketmaster charge for cards as do some airlines and travel agents - you hear more about credit card charges than you do debit card charges. I think small business are charged about 50c per card transaction - I've seen signs in filling stations/shops stating that you had to be at least spending X amount for them to accept a debit card.

DundalkDuffman

Out of interest what amount was your transaction for? Did you get cashback with it? Personally if any local bar tried to charge me anything on top of my total amount it would be my last visit. The mark up on 1 bottle would cover that charge.

TommyT

Does anyone other than my mate Kev actually go to the pub with no cash in their pocket? You dont magically end up in the Spirit Store with empty pockets. If you know that you are going out take a few quid with you. If you are too tight to bring some cash dont blame Mark Deary for charging you 50 cent for a debit card transaction, he is running a business after all, if you want charity try the Simon community round the corner.

doncarlos

I use my laser all the time in pubs and have never been charged for using it. Normally get cash back and spend that cash in the pub anyway.
Haven't been to the Spirt Store in a while, has the work started on the extension yet? Great pub terrible location.

falipo

The 50c charge in the store is for when u get cashback without a purchase...chance's are a staff member got mixed up at the time...

That_Guy

I agree that there's not many ATM's near the Spirit Store. Someone made a suggestion that there's one in Londis but that probably doesn't stay open that late.

As for the debit card issue, unless you came from the harbour straight into the Spirit Store then you have no excuse as to how you could not have passed an ATM. There's a good few around the town. Even if you got a taxi on the way there you could ask the driver to stop off at one for you. They'll always stop for you.

50 cent isn't the end of the world. You wouldn't be complaining about this charge if you were buying something big. Paying for a pint with a laser card is ridiculous in all fairness mate. You wouldn't pay for a bag of crisps and a bottle of coke with a laser card would you? No.

petes

That_Guy wrote: »

There's a good few around the town. Even if you got a taxi on the way there you could ask the driver to stop off at one for you. They'll always stop for you.

And most of the feckers will charge you for it!!

Teeth

isnt there a cash machine in Ridley`s?
you get charged a fortune for that. and yeah, businesses can charge you for using your card.

why would you pay with card in a pub? makes no sense.take cash out and theres an ATM in londis. theyre open til 11, last orders are 11.30 or 12.30.

Siog-Alainn

Sorry if this is in the wrong place, this seems to be the most logical place to post this

I'm hoping to drive to a gig in Spirit Store on Thursday night and was wondering where would be the closest and safest place to park (and preferably free)?

You can park at the Spirit Store.

Stephentlig

bob04 wrote: »

Was here the other night

50cent charge to use laser card ???

What is that about ??????

They said "coz we get charged, you get charged"

Is this illegal ???

The spirit store need to pay the laser company to use their laser services, therefore they get charged so you get charged in order for them to cover costs.

I was abroad and never got charged in Scotland for using my debit card there in a pub. I remember though I used to get charged £1.50 for using an ATM :eek: but never in a pub.

irishwarrior

yeah would get charged but defo not that amount as far as i can remember it between 12 and 21 cent depending on the volume of transactions that go through!!!!!

Maybe there's a hiden "green tax" in the amount

Funglegunk

Anybody know what the story is with the Spirit Store getting done up? Thought that was supposed to happen months ago?

Stephentlig

Funglegunk wrote: »

Anybody know what the story is with the Spirit Store getting done up? Thought that was supposed to happen months ago?

If the Spirit Store staff took even a broom to that place it would fall apart, as its the dirt thats keeping it together. :pac:

Even Elvis thinks thats funny.

Funglegunk

Stephentlig wrote: »

If the Spirit Store staff took even a broom to that place it would fall apart, as its the dirt thats keeping it together. :pac:

Even Elvis thinks thats funny.

Kudos for the gratuitious Elvis usage. But leave the poor Spirit Store alone! One of my favourite pubs, recently overtaken by the Phoenix though.

Ab roller plus

Funglegunk wrote: »

Kudos for the gratuitious Elvis usage. But leave the poor Spirit Store alone! One of my favourite pubs, recently overtaken by the Phoenix though.

Your must be a girl and have the benefit of "nice" toilets upstairs. Fellas have a urinal only so if one needs to drop the kids off at the pool one must use the capper jax which does not have a lock.

Many a poo I've interupted!

Funglegunk

Ab roller plus wrote: »

Fellas have a urinal only so if one needs to drop the kids off at the pool one must use the capper jax which does not have a lock.

I'm a fella and have used the "capper jax" loads of times, the lack of a lock must be a recent thing then? (Haven't taken a ****e there in ages)

Stephentlig

Funglegunk wrote: »

Kudos for the gratuitious Elvis usage. But leave the poor Spirit Store alone! One of my favourite pubs, recently overtaken by the Phoenix though.

Oh I'm just playing lovely pub, but many people I know dislike it, they claim it just to be a place one would go every couple of months to see a good live act and not something they would claim their local as such.

I dont know about you, but recently I was in it, and saw they changed the coloring and the seating area too, and it looks like and feels like a heavy metal pub or trashy place to me and most people I've encountered. no offence to heavy metal fans but its bad business for the store to only appeal to one particular crowd.

as usual my what could be a very poor observation is ever ready for correction.

Teeth

how does it look like a heavy metal pub?i`ve never heard any heavy metal on the stereo (slayer dosent even count so dont go there) and yes they have metal bands sometimes, but then theres folk, punk, ebm, darkwave,african...its open for everything.they dont cater for one particular crowd ; far from it.


if anything, mc manus` round the corner is more of the kind of bar that Stephentlig was on about. i was in last night and it was mostly metal on the jukebox,

yes its a bit scuzzy but if it was all chrome and glass then people would still complain.

Stephentlig

Teeth wrote: »

how does it look like a heavy metal pub?i`ve never heard any heavy metal on the stereo (slayer dosent even count so dont go there) and yes they have metal bands sometimes, but then theres folk, punk, ebm, darkwave,african...its open for everything.they dont cater for one particular crowd ; far from it.


if anything, mc manus` round the corner is more of the kind of bar that Stephentlig was on about. i was in last night and it was mostly metal on the jukebox,

yes its a bit scuzzy but if it was all chrome and glass then people would still complain.

I dont go to Mc Manus and its been many years since i've been there but I can imagine your assertion to be somewhat correct about it.

I know the spirit store when it comes to live acts, appeal to everyone in town, respectfully, but I pointed that out when I qouted the people who call it just a place one would go just to see a live act and then leave and never come back again for months until something pops up that is to their taste.
Perhaps I should of made myself more clear but failed to do so, my apologies for such a bad presentation.

I've heard the heavy metal music been played a lot by some of the very heavy metal staff that work there, yet it may be a case that when I'm not there they get out their shell suits and chav out to some Euphoria.

anyhow I wouldnt say both of us will agree on such a topic, but thats my (be it narrow minded ) view of it, take it or leave it as you please.

Teeth

the spirit store dosent have heavy metal staff!

and i understand what you mean about the whole "go to a gig then never come back for months". each to their own. every pub is like that.

Stephentlig

Teeth wrote: »

the spirit store dosent have heavy metal staff!

and i understand what you mean about the whole "go to a gig then never come back for months". each to their own. every pub is like that.

As for the place not having heavy metal staff, presumably the only way for people to find that out is to give it a visit sometime.

Every pub is not like what you mentioned above, at least not in my experience. each pub has its different theme and athmosphere and they have a constant flow of people who come to it. People have told me that the athmosphere Dundalks spirit store generates is one of a ... dark and gloomy Trashy inn.

I dont mind the place though, never have really, and I certainly wouldnt wanna put anyone off going down there, but if the Spirit store wants to make good business its got to appeal to everyone. but you know there are pubs in the town that dont cater for everyone either, and thus they do bad business also so we musnt just pick on the spirit store. not every pub is like it, but there are some out there similar to it, if not worse than it but as you say each to their own.

I'm only going off what I hear, so I propose that people go there and get it for themselves.

Waitsian

The Spirit Store should be left well alone. It's for people who want a quiet drink and listen to good music. I'm sure Mark doesn't want it to be the sort of place where everyone goes just to be seen. The day it becomes that place, I stop going. Posers stay away please.

Stephentlig

mod9maple wrote: »

The Spirit Store should be left well alone. It's for people who want a quiet drink and listen to good music. I'm sure Mark doesn't want it to be the sort of place where everyone goes just to be seen. The day it becomes that place, I stop going. Posers stay away please.

well in that case nobody would be able to attend, as thats why the musicians go there, to be seen on stage posing with their songs.

Funglegunk

Stephentlig wrote: »

I dont mind the place though, never have really, and I certainly wouldnt wanna put anyone off going down there, but if the Spirit store wants to make good business its got to appeal to everyone. but you know there are pubs in the town that dont cater for everyone either, and thus they do bad business also so we musnt just pick on the spirit store. not every pub is like it, but there are some out there similar to it, if not worse than it but as you say each to their own.

The spirit store does plenty of business without having to appeal to everyone, they've cornered a nice wee niche in the Dundalk pub scene: decent, eclectic live music, good pints, comfortable pub (in my view at least. It used to be a somebody's house, which is why it has a 'cosy' feel). I know somebody earlier said the location is terrible, I actually think it's an advantage!

Can you think of anywhere else in Dundalk that gets live music of the quality that the spirit store get? And I'd also be curious which pub in Dundalk you think appeals to everyone? I can't think of a single one.

EDIT: after reading that I'd just like to clarify that I don't work for the spirit store. :P

Stephentlig

The spirit store does plenty of business without having to appeal to everyone, they've cornered a nice wee niche in the Dundalk pub scene: decent, eclectic live music, good pints, comfortable pub (in my view at least. It used to be a somebody's house, which is why it has a 'cosy' feel). I know somebody earlier said the location is terrible, I actually think it's an advantage!

of course fungle if you feel that the spirit store does plenty of business without appealing to everyone then we shall permit you to do so, and call it your own personal opinion for now. but the contrast is that people view it differently within the town.

Can you think of anywhere else in Dundalk that gets live music of the quality that the spirit store get?

not a single one Fungle not a single one.:)

And I'd also be curious which pub in Dundalk you think appeals to everyone? I can't think of a single one.

When it comes to locality, a lot of pubs in the centre of town have a nice flow of different customers from all walks of life, regulary attending them.

EDIT: after reading that I'd just like to clarify that I don't work for the spirit store. :P

after reading it fungle I'm assured of your love for the spirit store, and perhaps it will draw more people there.:)

Waitsian

Stephentlig wrote: »

well in that case nobody would be able to attend, as thats why the musicians go there, to be seen on stage posing with their songs.

Different thing entirely old bean, and you know it.

Funglegunk

Stephentlig wrote: »

of course fungle if you feel that the spirit store does plenty of business without appealing to everyone then we shall permit you to do so, and call it your own personal opinion for now. but the contrast is that people view it differently within the town.

Since I don't have access to Mark Deary's books, it is my personal opinion. But an informed one, I have spent a lot of time in the Spirit Store.

Stephentlig wrote: »

When it comes to locality, a lot of pubs in the centre of town have a nice flow of different customers from all walks of life, regulary attending them.

I notice you still haven't named one! and the sentence 'different customers from all walks of life, regularly attending them' easily applies to the spirit store as well.

Stephentlig

Since I don't have access to Mark Deary's books, it is my personal opinion. But an informed one, I have spent a lot of time in the Spirit Store.

I'm sure you have, and I'm sure its an informed one too, so we should allow the people to go down to what most people call ''dark, gloomy and trashy'' to find out for themselves.

I notice you still haven't named one! and the sentence 'different customers from all walks of life, regularly attending them' easily applies to the spirit store as well.

I think centre of town pretty much tags a lot of them. you also missed my ''regulary'' attending part too. although the spirit store does good business on the venue side of things, its attraction to bring a regular local crowd of all sorts (according to the town) is a failure. I felt that should such a presumption be proven correct, then it is bad business for the store to only appeal to one particular crowd in that respect. as for naming one of the pubs if you must, didnt you already do that work for us when you mentioned in a post previous that the spirit store has recently been overtaken by the phoenix? or perhaps my interpretation of such a post was a rather poor one?

Stephentlig

mod9maple wrote: »

Different thing entirely old bean, and you know it.

I know what other type of posers you mean, but unless they admit they are posing I cannot bring down false judgement upon them.

Further, if you want all posers to stay away from the spirit store, then presumably one can only assume that your post proves the towns current presupposition that the spirit store only appeals to one particular crowd would it not?

Ab roller plus

Stoners, gotts and rockers frequent this classy establishment to exchange views on current best practice for wrist slicing! Oh, not to mention the odd alcoholic.....

I think the mix of artists and music on offer is generally very good, but its just a bloody dive. Doesnt necessarily mean a bad atmosphere.

Funglegunk

Stephentlig wrote: »

I think centre of town pretty much tags a lot of them. you also missed my ''regulary'' attending part too. although the spirit store does good business on the venue side of things, its attraction to bring a regular local crowd of all sorts (according to the town) is a failure. I felt that should such a presumption be proven correct, then it is bad business for the store to only appeal to one particular crowd in that respect.

What is this monolithic entity known as 'the town' that whispers in your ear? :P There is no one pub that appeals to everybody. The spirit store doesn't have a TV for example. That would put a lot of people off straight away, though I view it as a definite plus. As for it feeling like a heavy metal pub...I just disagree. Fireplace? Candles? There's plenty of metalers around when a metal band are actually playing alright, I wouldn't say the same when Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Damien Dempsey or Gemma Hayes are playing. Go to fibbers on Parnell St. in dublin if you want to see a heavy metal pub. Easily washable surfaces, essentially. Or the back area of McManus' a few mins away from the store, same idea.

Stephentlig wrote: »

as for naming one of the pubs if you must, didnt you already do that work for us when you mentioned in a post previous that the spirit store has recently been overtaken by the phoenix? or perhaps my interpretation of such a post was a rather poor one?

Your interpretation was a bit off alright. I mentioned the Phoenix as being my new favourite pub, I didn't claim it appeals to everybody.

Funglegunk

Ab roller plus wrote: »

Stoners, gotts and rockers frequent this classy establishment to exchange views on current best practice for wrist slicing! Oh, not to mention the odd alcoholic.....

See? plenty of variety :P

Stephentlig

What is this monolithic entity known as 'the town' that whispers in your ear? :P There is no one pub that appeals to everybody. The spirit store doesn't have a TV for example. That would put a lot of people off straight away, though I view it as a definite plus. As for it feeling like a heavy metal pub...I just disagree. Fireplace? Candles? There's plenty of metalers around when a metal band are actually playing alright, I wouldn't say the same when Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Damien Dempsey or Gemma Hayes are playing. Go to fibbers on Parnell St. in dublin if you want to see a heavy metal pub. Easily washable surfaces, essentially. Or the back area of McManus' a few mins away from the store, same idea.

I dont have a TV either,

I understand what you feel about the whole heavy metal thing, but I disagree with you, I feel that your just talking about the venue side of things which I previously stated does appeal to everyone respectfully but thats not what we are discussing, we are discussing the other side to it, which is its regular custom and athmosphere, again ( repeatedly )people must go there and see it for themselves, I've had people tell me places where terrible and when I got there, it was the complete opposite and I loved it, its all about personal opinion/taste or whatever.

Your interpretation was a bit off alright. I mentioned the Phoenix as being my new favourite pub, I didn't claim it appeals to everybody.

I see what you mean, thank you for clearing that up, however seeing as I've made quite clear the understanding that we are not talking about the venue side of things, which is ''come for a gig every few months and never come back again'' end of it, could you please inform me on how the phoenix does not appeal to everyone on the local regular side of the coin?

Funglegunk

Stephentlig wrote: »

I dont have a TV either,

I understand what you feel about the whole heavy metal thing, but I disagree with you, I feel that your just talking about the venue side of things which I previously stated does appeal to everyone respectfully but thats not what we are discussing, we are discussing the other side to it, which is its regular custom and athmosphere, again ( repeatedly )people must go there and see it for themselves, I've had people tell me places where terrible and when I got there, it was the complete opposite and I loved it, its all about personal opinion/taste or whatever.

So what we're talking about boils down to this:

• You think it looks trashy/metal-ey.
• I don't.
• You think the spirit store's atmosphere limits their clientele.
• I don't.
• For people to decide, they should see it for themselves.

That sum it up? Seems fair to me. :P

Stephentlig wrote: »

I see what you mean, thank you for clearing that up, however seeing as I've made quite clear the understanding that we are not talking about the venue side of things, which is ''come for a gig every few months and never come back again'' end of it, could you please inform me on how the phoenix does not appeal to everyone on the local regular side of the coin?

If I had to say, the kitschy decor. But I have no idea, I didn't claim anything about the Phoenix except that it's become my favourite pub. You're the one saying the majority of pubs in the centre of town appeal to everyone! Which i would certainly disagree with. Some people I know wouldn't set foot inside the beerkeeper/parkes/the fane/gormleys/brubakers. Especially the beerkeeper, very love/hate pub that one it seems.

Stephentlig

If I had to say, the kitschy decor. But I have no idea, I didn't claim anything about the Phoenix except that it's become my favourite pub. You're the one saying the majority of pubs in the centre of town appeal to everyone! Which i would certainly disagree with. Some people I know wouldn't set foot inside the beerkeeper/parkes/the fane/gormleys/brubakers. Especially the beerkeeper, very love/hate pub that one it seems.

Any of those people you know frequent the spirit store?

I know I would agree, but my little narrow minded view of it at the moment is when I go into pubs I see a lot of different people in it, I only speak from what I experience. there are a lot of pubs round town though who even refuse people at the door, such as brubakers ( shiver ) and good time charlies ( feeling sick ) and they only appeal to the more finely dressed ( if you could give it that name :rolleyes: ) crowd. I did feel though that the bartender appealed to people from all walks of life, but you ( and your friends who dont go there ) seem to harbour a different view of that.

no matter what we say within this discussion, neither of us carry any real evidence as to support our premise.

so, we have come to the end of a rather nice and informative discussion, and I have learned a lot from it.

God bless and take care
Stephen.

petes

Courtneys ftw. I also have an odd few in Tolaes.

I used to drink in The Spirit Store a fair bit. It was okay.

theexis

Albert Immense Pianist wrote: »

The cash replacement version was piloted a few years back in Ennis and failed.

Well its coming back and running in the UK already - new Barclays Cards have an RFID proximity type design, so you don't need to put it into a reader, and don't need to enter a pin for transactions less than 15 pound.

http://www.barclays.co.uk/Helpsupport/Barclayscontactlessdebitcards/P1242561764200