Handel Bar on Thomas Street

corrigar

Hi,
Anyone know the story with Handel(s?) reopening on Thomas street. I work in the area and looking for a decent place for lunch or coffee besides Mannings bakery. Still no starbucks/costa/insomnia etc. in the area

Miguel_Sanchez

Handel's has been closed for years.

I haven't heard anything about it reopening.

corrigar

I'm not sure but there has been alot of work going on there the last few weeks. Looks like they are getting ready for a reopening so i thought id put the feelers out to the all knowledgable boards posters to see what i could find out.

Travel is good

Yes, I noticed a bit of activity there over the last week or so. I drove by there this morning and they were painting the outside. I'm a bit hopeful, as like yourself, I'd like to see more good lunch places in the area.

There are a few cafes up the Thomas St./Francis St. end, but very little around this part of Thomas St. apart from Subway and Mannings.

Though they have nice chips in the Italian chipper beside Subway!

cosmic

Yeah, I was cycling past the othe day and I saw work men working away on it. I wonder what they're up to. I cycle past it most days, if I see someone working I'll ask them.

Miguel_Sanchez

Hope it does reopen. I used to pass it every day but I've moved Northside now so am not up there as much.

corrigar

It looks like it could definitely be an option. Weird though if I was reopening a pub I'd definitely throw up a web page or post somewhere online about it. I googled and can't find anything.

briandun

Yep I asked the builders and it will be open next week..prob in time for Paddys day

corrigar

Any idea what kind of place it will be or what kind of place it was?
I'm hoping more like a bull and castle than a hilltop.

briandun

no idea to be honest..I'll be passing by again today, if there's someone about I'll ask and post later...hopefully something daycent!

Yillan

Arthur's it's called. Walked past it tonight on the Hill Top side. I don't know if the Hill Top crowd will migrate over. Looks a bit like the capitol on george's st. Crowd seemed good enough. One trendy enough chap outside smoking. Hope Thomas St is a Berlin Wall between it and the Hill Top. I wouldn't get my hopes up though.

edit: on re-examination today, it's nothing like the capitol. Looks like something of a wine bar. Still haven't been in. Looks to be a nice spot though.

Gavin "shels"

Went past it tonight about 10 after the Shels match, looked fairly empty, granted I was driving past but didn't look to be much happening.

murrayp4

Good to see it open again. It was a shame to see such a fine place lying idle.

Travel is good

Yes, happy to report it's open. it's called Arthur's now, very clever, to capitalise on the passing tourists.

They are serving food now, the menu will be extended over the coming weeks.

You're right though, they should have an internet/social media presence. I do hope it stays a nice place, somewhere safe to go for lunch and drinks after work. My colleagues in work are delighted, we are hoping to test it out for lunch soon.

Deflector

corrigar wrote: »

Hi,
Still no starbucks/costa/insomnia etc. in the area

Eh - and that's a bad thing? Mercy...

Thomas Street a wonderful and growing array of indigenous food service providers. Support them.

Dudess

I used to love that place - I'm guessing, given the Arthur's thing, it's not what it was like back then. Pity.

Travel is good

What is Arthur's like? Has anyone been in yet for food or drinks?

mvt

Thought it was a bit disappointing. 4.70 for a pint of Swithwicks from a surly barman was a bit hard to take,as bad a pint I've had in a long time.
Was hoping it might be something a bit different but felt it was bland and boring.
Didn't see any food but don't think I would go back again to check.
There are much better bars with-in walking distance,like the royal oak,ryans or the lord edward.

Gavin "shels"

Went past it last night about 10.30pm, didn't look like there was one person inside.

Travel is good

We just went here for lunch earlier, as we were dying to try it out for food. I had popped in about a week or two ago and the menu looked pretty good.

Though today all they had available was toasted ham & cheese sandwiches. So we had to send someone over to Morellis to get a few chips also as we were still hungry.

Overall the pub is fine, clean and comfortable. We are planning another trip next month so hopefully the food situation will have sorted out by then. The bar person said that there would be a full menu available from Monday.

bandia

Have been keeping a close eye on this as used to live around the corner and be a regular regular )
NOt living there anymore but spend my days in the DSA, so was very excited to see work going on again at it.
We popped in the other evening after class to have a wee meeting of minds.
The bar man was lovely, real chatty telling us about the remaining work thats to be done, kitchen opening etc etc. Lovely selection of herbal tea (my friend not I) I went for a pint of Arfur instead, sure you couldnt really order anything else.
It was flat, and I only had one and suffered the wrath of Arthur the next morning.:eek::eek: I'm sure this was down to dirty lines or first pint of the day but if they are going to play/capitalise on the whoe Arthur thing, the Guiness is the FIRST thing they need to sort out, the factory is just round the corner, so get someone in to sort out the lines, give the lesson on how to pull the perfect pint (almost no head on mine and I love head ;o))

The place looks nice, was a few knocking about and nice music at a level that was good enough not to intrude but enough to induce. There's still that weird odour of new paint and old boarded up damp, but that too will pass after a few busy nights.

Will check it regularily for ye, as I would really love to see it take off again.

To ARTHUR!!!!

enda1

To be fair the location is really poor and difficult to sustain a passing trade.
Handles was great for the cheap pints. Is Arthur's similar?

It would be cool if they also went the direction of the craft beers to make a kind of craft beer cluster in the area.

The first report doesn't look too promising. Its funny to hear of the terrible pint, cause I went there to watch a Champions league match before and on the first pint my friend was getting sick upstairs in the toilet. It must've been a dodgy pint cause his reaction was anything but normal (and we'd eaten the same food).

boneless

I used to drink in that bar when Paddy Ryan had it as The Robert Emmet. It was a good old Dublin bar then. I am sorry they changed the name from Robert Emmet considering the location!!

I don't think I will be rushing off to sample a brew going by the reports above though.

FloatingVoter

Handels was a kip beforehand. The nearest thing to a decent boozer on Thomas Street is the Lord Edward which is a classic (even though its in Christchurch). Even in its glory days Handels was just a franchise pub.

Any boozer thats been open longer than 30 minutes and is unable to pull a pint without poisoning someone is likely to be closed again very soon. Esp. if its beside James Gates as another poster pointed out.

Dionysus

corrigar wrote: »

Hi,
Anyone know the story with Handel(s?) reopening on Thomas street. (

Is Handel's a new name for Robert Emmet's pub (next to St Catherine's Church, in front of which Emmet was executed in 1803)?

Gavin "shels"

Dionysus wrote: »

Is Handel's a new name for Robert Emmet's pub (next to St Catherine's Church, in front of which Emmet was executed in 1803)?

Yup, one of many names it's had in the last several years.

faigs

Deflector wrote: »

Eh - and that's a bad thing? Mercy...

Thomas Street a wonderful and growing array of indigenous food service providers. Support them.

Insomnia is an indigenous business too

enda1

Dionysus wrote: »

Is Handel's a new name for Robert Emmet's pub (next to St Catherine's Church, in front of which Emmet was executed in 1803)?

Its was called Handel's because it is next to where Handel's Messiah was first performed. There's a statue commemorating the event behind the pub in the courtyard of the appartment block there between Fishamble Street and Cow's lane.

Guitarman2u2

Popped into Arthur's for a pint after work yesterday..I was impressed. Really chilled atmosphere..Candles on the tables..chilled music and a big open fire going with real "turf" ..Bar staff were friendly ..punters having a pint there seemed cool too. Tried out a burger and chips on the new menu.It went down well with the "perfect" pint of Uncle Artur..Will be going back soon:D

boneless

enda1 wrote: »

Its was called Handel's because it is next to where Handel's Messiah was first performed. There's a statue commemorating the event behind the pub in the courtyard of the appartment block there between Fishamble Street and Cow's lane.

I think you are in the wrong street ... the pub in question is half a mile away...

boneless

Guitarman2u2 wrote: »

Popped into Arthur's for a pint after work yesterday..I was impressed. Really chilled atmosphere..Candles on the tables..chilled music and a big open fire going with real "turf" ..Bar staff were friendly ..punters having a pint there seemed cool too. Tried out a burger and chips on the new menu.It went down well with the "perfect" pint of Uncle Artur..Will be going back soon:D

A very interesting first post !! Would you declare a vested interest by any chance ?

Yillan

Guitarman2u2 wrote: »

Popped into Arthur's for a pint after work yesterday..I was impressed. Really chilled atmosphere..Candles on the tables..chilled music and a big open fire going with real "turf" ..Bar staff were friendly ..punters having a pint there seemed cool too. Tried out a burger and chips on the new menu.It went down well with the "perfect" pint of Uncle Artur..Will be going back soon:D

I'm sold

FloatingVoter

There used to be Handel's on Dame Street too. Closer to the original performance of the Messiah (Google it). They went into receivership around the same time as the "Celtic Tiger" got its' credit card reposessed.
As for the location of Robert Emmets unfortunate end, yes...the church referred to is next door. Calling the same boozer "Emmets" would be more historically correct.
Glad to hear the drink and food are back in order. I pass it most weeks - I'll be drunk and well fed in the corner

enda1

boneless wrote: »

I think you are in the wrong street ... the pub in question is half a mile away...

Ah yes.

I just saw Handel's and replied like an idiot.

In fact now that I think about it it was called Karma, no? Also Handle's I think. Hmm...

Gavin "shels"

boneless wrote: »

I think you are in the wrong street ... the pub in question is half a mile away...

I was going to post that last night, but thought I'd lost the plot tbh.:D

enda1 wrote: »

Ah yes.

I just saw Handel's and replied like an idiot.

In fact now that I think about it it was called Karma, no? Also Handle's I think. Hmm...

The Handels Pub down on Fishamble St was called Karma at one stage, closed down now mind you, was a good spot.

Travel is good

Anyhow, back to the subject - Arthurs. I think you're right, calling it after Robert Emmett would have been more appropriate.

It's not sounding good for the Guinness....maybe drink something else instead?

We are going to try it out again for our next night out next month. I'll report back on the food/drinks situation then.

I agree, I love to see new food/drink premises taking off in Thomas St. It will help the local economy and help the regeneration of the area.

ColumnLunch

Just back from having some lunch in Arthurs.

First impression is quite mixed.
On one hand the décor is nice and the candles and turf fire really add to the place. The smell of paint is still there however.

Now to the food. The menu was varied enough but quite small. Think Guinness Stew, Chicken Strips and fries, sandwiches and soup, etc.

I opted for the chicken strips and fries for 9 euro. The serving was absolutely tiny. Around 4/5 Chicken Strips and at most 15 home-made chips. It tasted fine but for that price I expected more. Nash's(Baker's) down the road offer a lot more at a lot smaller price.

I can't comment on the drink as I was on the water due to work but hopefully I will sample a few pints there in the next few weeks.

The place was empty too. Me and my colleague were the only customers.
They really need to have more advertisements outside about the lunch offers.

Hopefully all these teething problems will be ironed out over the coming weeks and months although I worry that if things don't improve soon then it will quickly close its doors.

cosmic

ColumnLunch wrote: »

Now to the food. The menu was varied enough but quite small. Think Guinness Stew, Chicken Strips and fries, sandwiches and soup, etc.

Did you happen to spot any veggie options? Other than soup or sandwich!

ColumnLunch

cosmic wrote: »

Did you happen to spot any veggie options? Other than soup or sandwich!

Yes I did. There was a vegetarian spag bog on the menu. There could have been more but I can't remember

irlirishkev

Me and the better half went there tonight around 11.30pm.

Great music.
Crowd of about 40. Maybe 5 couples, and a group of 20.
Guinness was not as good as the 'locals' such as 'The Clock', or 'Lord Edward'. They do have bottles of Guinness @ 5euro a pop. Pints are 4.20.

Lovely big fireplace, which was on, despite the warm weather.

Overall, I was impressed, and I'd go back... but, what annoyed me was the archaic attitude of come 12.30am, opening ALL doors to blast you out of it with cold air, and to start cleaning the tables with furniture polish despite the fact you're still drinking your pint. I'd expect that if I was a smelly teenager, but not as a 33 year old.

Nice evening all the same. I'll be back.

CiaranC

Any nice import/microbrew beers on tap here or is it just the usual suspects?

Castle2

Didn't know this place was reopened until I happened to drive by the other day so of course i just had to call back in to have a look!! Was generally impressed with what i found..... nicely decorated- still quite similar to the old place, very clean, my other half and our friend had a guinness which they said was 'lovely and creamy' (personally wouldnt be a guinness connoisseur), our other friend enjoyed a glass of pinot noir while i enjoyed a hoegaarden. we had some food which all 4 of us enjoyed, and the young girl that served us was very friendly and attentive. The barman was also friendly and i wasn't at all surprised to hear that both the waitress and bartender have connections to cavan... (biased much?!!!!:D). looking forward to seeing upstairs when it opens too and was happy to hear it was not going to be a greek restaurant!! nice atmosphere and during our 2 hour stay seems to have a nice clientele (i hope this lasts). Worth checking out for yourselves. We will def go back anyways.

jleavy046

Was going to go here this evening and there is a sign on the Window
"Closed Until Further Notice"
Didn't last long, did it?

mariatchi

They might be renovating heard a whisper they bought the old bakery next door (St.Catrines) maybe thats the reason.

jleavy046

You would think they would say close for renovations though?
It's a pitty, I just live behind it!

irlirishkev

mariatchi wrote: »

They might be renovating heard a whisper they bought the old bakery next door (St.Catrines) maybe thats the reason.

Hmm.. I thought the last thing they'd need is more space. I've been in a good few times since it's opened, and on a couple of Saturday nights, there's been me, my mate, and maybe 3 or 4 others.

Really hope it's not closed for good though. I liked it.

A Disgrace

Fear not folks, I was in it today.. which either means it was open again, or I've been on the sauce a bit too long...

Are you all sure you're not mixing it up with the other Handel named pubs in Dublin, as in, Fishamble St?

mariatchi

The one in Fishamble St. "the George Fredrick H."is a hotel , LOL given the fact I worked there for years when it was part of Kennans and I've lived in the Liberties most of me life ,not likly to get mixed up . Of course have been on the soup lately.Glad to see it's still open.

mariatchi

A Disgrace wrote: »

Fear not folks, I was in it today.. which either means it was open again, or I've been on the sauce a bit too long...

Are you all sure you're not mixing it up with the other Handel named pubs in Dublin, as in, Fishamble St?

mariatchi wrote: »

The one in Fishamble St. "the George Fredrick H."is a hotel , LOL given the fact I worked there for years when it was part of Kennans and I've lived in the Liberties most of me life ,not likly to get mixed up . Of course have been on the soup lately.Glad to see it's still open.

By the way ,it's "Arthurs" not Handels.

CiaranC

I walked past this yesterday about 5.30, it was closed.

Sunnyisland

Passed it around 12.30 today and it was opened with signs outside saying Irish food etc.looks very clean and there were a few people in it.