Yep, pretty much the only place in town for wide variety of craft beer on tap in Sligo anymore. Plus they've a big fridge of cans / bottles if stuck.
Brees in Strandhill is fantastic but awkward to get - not many regular buses. Regularly see Beavertown and the like on tap out there (in every pub in the UK but not often seen in the West). Incredible pizza too!
Connollys used to be far better for craft beer. But tends to be one floating tap now - typically RustBucket. Rest is one or two ciders, Lough Gill rebranded IPA / Red Ale as Connolly's own, and either White Hag Little Fawn / Ninth Wave.
Cheers lads! Strandhill is possible as I have a designated driver. Last time I was drinking in Sligo I was on Labatts ice back in the 90's!
Definitely get to Brees if you can so..
.. for pizza and pints, it's put everywhere else in town to shame!
The worst kept secret in Irish beer is official. Underdog taking over the old taco libre/paddle and peel/beerhouse/weird Lithuanian pub.
Ha, I thought there was talk of Galway Bay taking over that building. Glad to hear that it's actually Underdog.
I've never been to the old Underdog but that Legal Eagle place was a very sterile uncomfortable spot. Even the great beer couldn't make me like the place.
It was very specifically designed as a restaurant, when it first opened they were awkward about people sitting at the bar unless they were waiting for a table, so it was never gonna feel like a pub.
Paddle & Peel and Taco Libre were Galway Bay, so they've already done their bit on that particular Corner of Death.
If anyone can rid it of that particular hoodoo, I think Paddy can - he's spent long hours down there over the last few weeks, so it's somewhat of a labour of love for him too I think.
I hope he gets his sign back.
The end of Capel St. cant be that bad a spot.
Maybe the problem for Galway Bay was having another pub a stones throw away.
I like the location, it's the opposite end of Capel/Parliament to where they used to be and certainly more "central" than the legal.
one of the problems with the legal is that it was perceived to be a bit too much out of the main action of the CC, it's kind of a no-man's-land between Smithfield and Temple Bar
That, and the place had a dreadful reputation in its pre-Winding Stair incarnation. It would have been worth their while changing the name when they bought it, IMO. I agree that UnderDog should be able to make a go of things at the new location. Bonobo seems to have done well up there -- I've never seen it empty.
Speaking as a tourist I find all of Smithfield to be a bit dead.
I ventured out a few times to the Eagle and then Fidelity and you lose all the buzz of the city. Any part of Capel St. is better in that sense.
I have been to Smithfield a few times recently and found it very buzzy with Frank Ryans and Token, Cobblestone, Mcgettigans, plus Fidelity and the Generator.
Plus Underdog and Sin è only round the corner.
Certainly Smithfield seems busier than it ever has been.
I think the new hotels have helped. Easy Hotel only opened recently.
I feel the same as breezy about Smithfield, I've a friend living there and when I've been over to his place, we never hang around the area for very long, we have a few beers on the roof of his apt block watching the square/plaza below then head into town proper.
I like Stoneybatter, and I like Capel/Parliament Street, I just feel there's a dit of a disconnect between the two with Smithfield a sort of nebulous blob in between.
I agree re: Smithfield. It's a bit soulless, possibly as a result of all the derelict buildings in the area.
It was always quiet when I was in (always midweek) and it lacked a bit of atmosphere as a result, but it was clean, bright but not too bright, and really comfortable.
Well, it clearly has been a bad spot, for Taco Libre, Paddle & Peel (ok, COVID), the Beer House, and the other pub that was there before. I mean, I'd never think of going to whatever pub was on the corner when the Black Sheep was literally across the road and has a load more room. I hear Paddy is completely re-doing the place, so hopefully he'll be making it into a more comfortable/useable space for groups.
I wouldn't be a fan of the type of pub Legal Eagle is or Galway Bay pubs for very different reasons. I would certainly travel for good beer but not if it's in a boring or bad pub.
If Underdog is worth it's salt anywhere on Capel St. is accessable and it should blow Black Sheep out of the water.
Have Sin è started doing a good craft range again yet ?
Last time I was in was semi Covid and the staff said it was a conservative menu for that reason.
They were charging €10 on the door the last couple of times I wanted to pop in for a pint.
Underdog is definitely "worth it's salt" - the choice was, is and will be exceptional.
Paddy knows how to run a good shop, fair enough the Legal might not have looked the part, or been very comfortable (I think I know what you mean here) - but none of that was down to him really, he was only leasing the place short term.
Looking forward to trying it out.
I've got 2 friends visiting Ireland soon that I know from my former life working with craft beer and we are staying just off Capel St.
Perfect, no excuse now.
If that's aimed at me I never need an excuse to try a new craft beer pub 👍
I assumed beer house just couldn't pay what Galway Bay would. I felt it did alright any time I was there?
Beer House closed down separately to its future use as far as I know
Paddle and Peel tried to do what BoCo across the road already did - and I suspect the Bodkins might not have rent to pay there as well as having regulars. Taco Libre opened during COVID. Both had to deal with their bigger, longer established sister across the road.
I think beer house dug itself a hole it couldn't dig itself out of when it finally started making money, along with the owner being a "personality". They were doing €4 pints of a Tuesday and I'd often be the only person in there, shame because it was a decent spot by the end.
Didn't realise Brennans was still going. They've a new Irish stout coming out that's going to be made in
*checks notes*
...Yorkshire
There's no shortage of American Pale Ales brewed in Ireland, amongst other "geographical" beees. We even have an Irish "Kolsch".
This isn't really any different, is it?
It is different because Brennan's claims to be a brewery from Wexford and it's no such thing, nor ever has been. White Hag doesn't pretend that its "American Pale Ale" comes from anywhere but Sligo.
