Dublin bar staff

Crooked Jack

I was in Dublin for the weekend there. Had a great time but there was just one thing i noticed. Are bar staff in Dublin known for being rude and unfriendly?
Perhaps I was just unfortunate but in every pub we were in on Saturday the bar staff were cold, unwelcoming and just generally acted like your presence there was a massive pain in the arse.
I love Dublin, so I really dont want this to be some sort of country pub V city pub daftness but are there perhaps parts of the city or bars that are known for this type of thing? Really took me by surprise

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Same in any town or city around the world. Some nice staff, some not.

yabadabado

what pubs were you in OP?

glued

Usually people are friendly to you if you're friendly to them and bar staff are no different.

Maybe you're expecting too much...

Crooked Jack

yabadabado wrote: »

what pubs were you in OP?

I couldnt tell you their specific names but they were all in and around O'Connell Street

arayess

they can be unfriendly but they do prompt service.
I've cried (almost literally) in the Uk waiting on bar staff to process an order.

Crooked Jack

glued wrote: »

Usually people are friendly to you if you're friendly to them and bar staff are no different.

Maybe you're expecting too much...

Well i was so taken aback by it in the first two places that I actually went out of my way to be extra friendly in case I'd said or done something I didnt realise.

And I'm hardly expecting to be fanned with ferns and fed grapes; this was borderline hostility. Like, the fact I even thought to make a thread on it should show how taken aback i was

Crooked Jack

arayess wrote: »

they can be unfriendly but they do prompt service.
I've cried (almost literally) in the Uk waiting on bar staff to process an order.

Aye I suppose I'd take a prompt, perfect pint from a grumbling wench over a pint of piss from an affable airhead

harry Bailey esq

Crooked Jack wrote: »

I couldnt tell you their specific names but they were all in and around O'Connell Street

Pubs in and around o connell St would generally be busy all day long, staff don't really have time to be chatty.If you want something a little more homely and intimate I'd recommend Mother Kellys on Talbot St or the ha'penny bridge inn.Two of the best boozers in town imo

Crooked Jack

harry Bailey esq wrote: »

Pubs in and around o connell St would generally be busy all day long, staff don't really have time to be chatty.If you want something a little more homely and intimate I'd recommend Mother Kellys on Talbot St or the ha'penny bridge inn.Two of the best boozers in town imo

No it wasnt anything like that, I wasnt looking to have craic with them, they were unfriendly and rude. Two places we left after the first drink because the bar staff were borderline hostile.
Could have been just a case of not being in Dublin all that much and going into places that prefer their regulars or a certain clientele or something.

I'll definitely keep an eye out for those places next time I'm down though

harry Bailey esq

Crooked Jack wrote: »

No it wasnt anything like that, I wasnt looking to have craic with them, they were unfriendly and rude. Two places we left after the first drink because the bar staff were borderline hostile.
Could have been just a case of not being in Dublin all that much and going into places that prefer their regulars or a certain clientele or something.

I'll definitely keep an eye out for those places next time I'm down though

Ah,i see.Some people are just c@nts,no two ways about it.That said I rarely encounter rude staff in pubs in town and l spend a lot of time in them believe you me
As a dub it pains me to say this,but the best bar staff in Ireland, possibly the world practice their craft in cork city.

Useful.Idiot

In all my years of living and drinking all around Dublin I don't think I can recall a single memorable memory of bar staff being rude.

MrMorooka

One of the reasons I haven't been to a pub in years is that the staff have always been standoffish in my experience, and you have to forcefully push your way to them to order or they will ignore you.

Useful.Idiot

MrMorooka wrote: »

One of the reasons I haven't been to a pub in years is that the staff have always been standoffish in my experience, and you have to forcefully push your way to them to order or they will ignore you.

Well, isn't this is the only way to get staffs attention in a busy pub, almost anywhere in the world?

jamesbondings

Ah come on. We all know what she means. Probably grunting to her instead of asking what he could get her. No please or thanks outta them either id bet. Its the new breed of dublin barman. They need punters to keep the job but resent you when you are there.
Have been a barman most of my adult life on and off and manners are the one thing that keep punters coming back. Problem is the bars in and around the city centre couldnt care less if you ever come back. They aee mad busy and they dont care.

Slydice

There are hundreds of pubs in Dublin.

Google has a bunch of lists people made of "best pubs".
https://www.google.ie/?gws_rd=ssl#q=best+pubs+dublin

Try some of them the next time yer down and see how you find them.

nosietoes

It will vary from pub to pub... Some bigger pubs won't be friendly as the staff are so busy. I don't have much experience with pubs down that end of town - the only places near O'connell st I would drink in would be the oval bar on abbey street or brew dock near Connolly station.

Having said that, I have loads of pubs in Dublin I visit where the staff are lovely and polite and chatty!

MrMorooka

Useful.Idiot wrote: »

Well, isn't this is the only way to get staffs attention in a busy pub, almost anywhere in the world?

Yeah true- I just don't like it though! Hence why I don't really engage in the pub scene.

yabadabado

I have drank in most pubs on and around O'Connell St. and don't think I can name any place were I had a bad experience.
Granted it can be hard get served in some places because of the crowds but that is the same the world over and Irish bar staff are better than most.I was in London at the weekend and it was a nightmare getting drink it some places, some of the bar staff were ****in pathetic.

harry Bailey esq

nosietoes wrote: »

oval bar on abbey street or brew dock near Connolly station.

Both good choices.The brewdock is a good spot couldn't fault it the lads there are sound,very popular with the 'neckbeard brigade' but its good none the less.The oval is a gem.My words couldn't do it justice.

anncoates

Probably too busy serving pints to stand around gossiping about who's getting married or has died in the parish.

harry Bailey esq

anncoates wrote: »

Probably too busy serving pints to stand around gossiping about who's getting married or has died in the parish.

You nailed it there,everything's on the clock.

killbillvol2

Crooked Jack wrote: »

I couldnt tell you their specific names but they were all in and around O'Connell Street

If staff were rude to me in a pub I'd be pretty sure I'd remember the name of the place.

triple nipple

Crooked Jack wrote:

I was in Dublin for the weekend there. Had a great time but there was just one thing i noticed. Are bar staff in Dublin known for being rude and unfriendly? Perhaps I was just unfortunate but in every pub we were in on Saturday the bar staff were cold, unwelcoming and just generally acted like your presence there was a massive pain in the arse. I love Dublin, so I really dont want this to be some sort of country pub V city pub daftness but are there perhaps parts of the city or bars that are known for this type of thing? Really took me by surprise

No, I agree op most of them are pure and utter a**wipes. Can't imagine what service would look like if it bit me. I'm a Dub.

FloatingVoter

Only pub near O'Connell St. I'd drink in is the Oval. Friendly staff (unless they're mobbed which can happen).
Last weekend in particular probably took some pubs by surprise. I know the Stags Head was prepared for the Yes vote celebrations but even there they weren't expecting the day to be busier than Paddys Day (the till does not lie). So maybe just a bad weekend to base a theory on.
Oh...and if one of the pubs off O'Connell St. was a Madigans, yup - it's an unfriendly dump designed for people who want to play with their phones.

GLaDOS

I was in the Parnell Heritage Bar not too long ago and found the we were treated very well. Granted the place wasn't too busy at the time but left with a good impression of the place.

The Oval is a great spot alright, as is the Brewdock, though it's a bit of a stroll from O'Connell Street.

colossus-x

Useful.Idiot wrote: »

In all my years of living and drinking all around Dublin I don't think I can recall a single memorable memory of bar staff being rude.

Do you have any memories at all ?

Baron Kurtz

harry Bailey esq wrote: »

Pubs in and around o connell St would generally be busy all day long, staff don't really have time to be chatty.If you want something a little more homely and intimate I'd recommend Mother Kellys on Talbot St or the ha'penny bridge inn.Two of the best boozers in town imo

There's always some toothless hags puffing about that Mother Kelly's door not too long after the morning when I pass by. Not attacking your recommendation but some of the heads about it don't imbue a feeling of welcome, calm or the good idea of dropping into a tavern for a swift one.

Baron Kurtz

colossus-x wrote: »

Do you any memories at all ?

I think you're forgetting some words to form a coherent question yourself:)

Stojkovic

anncoates wrote: »

Probably too busy serving pints to stand around gossiping about who's getting married or has died in the parish.

This.

In 30 years always found Dublin bar staff to be efficient and courtious. A thousand times more than most cities in the World.

Has the OP been to Paris, London, NYC or some former Soviet state cities like Riga or Bratislava ?

Crooked Jack

Stojkovic wrote: »

This.

In 30 years always found Dublin bar staff to be efficient and courtious. A thousand times more than most cities in the World.

Has the OP been to Paris, London, NYC or some former Soviet state cities like Riga or Bratislava ?

yeah but like I said, the places were not busy and i was not looking to stand around chatting with them, i was with a group of friends i hadnt seen in ages.

AndonHandon

I used to work in a busy Baggot Street pub back in the day and there were times where you would be so busy that it would be too hard to talk to customers other than to say "€x please" and "thank you" or "cheers".

Different clientele to O'Connell St places though so the basic manners and courtesy were easy to uphold to everyone.

harry Bailey esq

Baron Kurtz wrote: »

There's always some toothless hags puffing about that Mother Kelly's door not too long after the morning when I pass by. Not attacking your recommendation but some of the heads about it don't imbue a feeling of welcome, calm or the good idea of dropping into a tavern for a swift one.

Don't judge a book by its cover.Im one of those 'heads' I'm from close by,once you don't act the bollix you'll make many friends.

Baron Kurtz

harry Bailey esq wrote: »

Don't judge a book by its cover.Im one of those 'heads' I'm from close by,once you don't act the bollix you'll make many friends.

Heh. Sorry fella. I suppose there's plenty of these pubs that fall into the category of undesirable morning houses.

I might take a look inside sometime

Crooked Jack

AndonHandon wrote: »

I used to work in a busy Baggot Street pub back in the day and there were times where you would be so busy that it would be too hard to talk to customers other than to say "€x please" and "thank you" or "cheers".

Different clientele to O'Connell St places though so the basic manners and courtesy were easy to uphold to everyone.

I get that. I worked in a bar myself (albeit briefly, 3 months or so) but this is not, as I have said, what I'm talking about. They weren't busy, I wasn't looking to chat, "Please, thank you and cheers" would have been fantastic had they come.
What Im talking about is 4 or 5 bars in a row where bar staff acted as if your presence in their largely empty bar was a huge inconvenience. Standing chatting to each other while you stood at the bar waiting on them, audible sighs and eye rolls every time you had the temerity to request a drink, not speaking at all except to say "18 euro" or whatever it was and one girl in particular acted like i was shit on her shoe when I asked for Magners instead of Bulmers (despite the fact that their own tap says Magners on it).

Now like I said, Im very fond of Dublin, so I have no problem believing that I was just unfortunate and got a couple of the wrong people on the wrong day. I was just wondering is perhaps that area around O'Connell street always so busy and full of new customers that staff in that area act however they want?

merro10

One night I was in one and it was busy to be fair, so me and the girlfriend were standing as there was no seats. There was 2 bars and for some reason one of them had more people queuing than the other. So I go to the less busy one and eventually get to the counter after one or two were served in front of me. The barman serves the chap next to me. Then goes to the other side of me. Then goes back to the other side where a new customer came up. I called him when he finished with the next customer and he acknowledged I was next by saying "I know your waiting there I'll get you now one min". Fair enough I thought at least he noticed. Then some good looking girl comes straight up to the bar and the barman skips me again for the 4th time and says to her "how are you, what can I get you?". I was actually more surprised than annoyed. Got fed up went back to the girlfriend told her what happened and asked her to go up as he seemed to be serving girls ahead of guys even if the guys where there longer. We walked over together and I waited just behind the girlfriend as she got served straight away and I had to keep sending her up for the rest of the night.

uch

I'd have waited till he put it on the Bar then told him to stick it up his hole and left

merro10 wrote: »

One night I was in one and it was busy to be fair, so me and the girlfriend were standing as there was no seats. There was 2 bars and for some reason one of them had more people queuing than the other. So I go to the less busy one and eventually get to the counter after one or two were served in front of me. The barman serves the chap next to me. Then goes to the other side of me. Then goes back to the other side where a new customer came up. I called him when he finished with the next customer and he acknowledged I was next by saying "I know your waiting there I'll get you now one min". Fair enough I thought at least he noticed. Then some good looking girl comes straight up to the bar and the barman skips me again for the 4th time and says to her "how are you, what can I get you?". I was actually more surprised than annoyed. Got fed up went back to the girlfriend told her what happened and asked her to go up as he seemed to be serving girls ahead of guys even if the guys where there longer. We walked over together and I waited just behind the girlfriend as she got served straight away and I had to keep sending her up for the rest of the night.

merro10

uch wrote: »

I'd have waited till he put it on the Bar then told him to stick it up his hole and left

I was debating wether or not to get her to order 6 pints and 3 vodkas and mixers off him and then walk away after he placed all the drink on the counter and say we had to leave but said I'd better be mature.

FloatingVoter

merro10 wrote: »

I was debating wether or not to get her to order 6 pints and 3 vodkas and mixers off him and then walk away after he placed all the drink on the counter and say we had to leave but said I'd better be mature.

Easily resold. Next time get her to bat her eyelashes and order 6 Irish coffees.....then a disappearing act. I've known barmen face down killers yet still go home to nightmares about Irish coffees.

a very cool kid

The City Centre pub with the best service is Reade's opposite Store St Garda Station. Couldn't tell you who any of the bar staff are but definitely the best in the city.

Warrior1916

City centre staff are terrible. ..you need to head to the suburbs for better service...I had the rudest manager ever charge €3 for a pint of blackcurrant in The BACHELOR INN but receipt said coke. When I queried the receipt and price he told myself and my bf we could leave.

WealthyB

Warrior1916 wrote: »

City centre staff are terrible. ..you need to head to the suburbs for better service...I had the rudest manager ever charge €3 for a pint of blackcurrant in The BACHELOR INN but receipt said coke. When I queried the receipt and price he told myself and my bf we could leave.

Hahaha I know who you're taking about there and he's an utter tool who shouldn't be in any profession where he's dealing with customers.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Warrior1916 wrote: »

City centre staff are terrible. ..you need to head to the suburbs for better service...I had the rudest manager ever charge €3 for a pint of blackcurrant in The BACHELOR INN but receipt said coke. When I queried the receipt and price he told myself and my bf we could leave.

WealthyB wrote: »

Hahaha I know who you're taking about there and he's an utter tool who shouldn't be in any profession where he's dealing with customers.

I've walked out of the same kip for the same reason.

Other than that its hard to believe the OP was here on a weekend and and found so many bars which were not busy around O'Connell Street, esp last weekend when Dublin city bars (I work in one) had one of the busiest trades due to the YES victory in the Marriage Equality Referendum.

Flipper22

FloatingVoter wrote: »

Easily resold. Next time get her to bat her eyelashes and order 6 Irish coffees.....then a disappearing act. I've known barmen face down killers yet still go home to nightmares about Irish coffees.

Haha this is very true. Hot whiskey/port does the trick too.

nosietoes

Having lived in the city centre for the past 15 years, I can assure you that there are plenty if sound, super polite barmen not in the suburbs!

Crooked Jack

Oliver Bald Uppermost wrote: »

I've walked out of the same kip for the same reason.

Other than that its hard to believe the OP was here on a weekend and and found so many bars which were not busy around O'Connell Street, esp last weekend when Dublin city bars (I work in one) had one of the busiest trades due to the YES victory in the Marriage Equality Referendum.

We initially got down there pretty early in the day. Got the train from Newry at half 11 so by the time we got checked into the place we were staying and all Id say it was round 2 or so