Update July 2017 - Revenue serial number assigned.
Recently reopened after many years, this pub is not yet on the register again and has been gone for so long that I do not have a number for it.
The reopening was with relatively little fanfare and I wasn't entirely certain it was open until I walked in the door.
Regulars spot - except on match days, if the old form is continued, when it used to be packed to the rafters.
This is the first pub I've visited since starting the blog without a Revenue number if not the only one as I've got numbers for many that have since closed. It'll appear soon enough and improve my completion stats I'm sure!
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Wednesday, 31 May 2017
N0028 Cusacks
An interesting maritime themed locals pub.
Interior features much nautical brasswork, model ships, and an illuminated navigation chart of Dublin Harbour. Cheap by Dublin standards.
Due to timing or other issues this isn't currently on the licence register (so doesn't count for my stats yet) but is definitely trading. The licence register is a snapshot in time and does not reflect all licenced premises.
Interior features much nautical brasswork, model ships, and an illuminated navigation chart of Dublin Harbour. Cheap by Dublin standards.
Due to timing or other issues this isn't currently on the licence register (so doesn't count for my stats yet) but is definitely trading. The licence register is a snapshot in time and does not reflect all licenced premises.
1008947 Wiley Fox
Situated next door to Liberty Hall (and its own quite hard to visit pub, N2918) this pub was formerly The Pint and a variety of names beforehand.
Middlingly busy on a Wednesday evening with seats easily available to watch the hustle and bustle at the various bus stops outside. Didn't get to spend a huge amount of time here as I was waiting for someone to arrive, but nothing would stop me going back.
Middlingly busy on a Wednesday evening with seats easily available to watch the hustle and bustle at the various bus stops outside. Didn't get to spend a huge amount of time here as I was waiting for someone to arrive, but nothing would stop me going back.
S0040 Ruin
Formerly MacTurcaills, Ruin is one of the most recently opened bars in the city, having opened less than a week ago after some years of closure. Its also possibly one of the most expensive - the price list on the tables showed no pints under 6.30 although it did exclude the macro brewers from which they have some selection.
This pub has a decent atmosphere and friendly staff but I suspect it'll have to reign in the pricing slightly to bring in any of the old MacTurcaills crowd, or Trinity students for that matter.
This pub has a decent atmosphere and friendly staff but I suspect it'll have to reign in the pricing slightly to bring in any of the old MacTurcaills crowd, or Trinity students for that matter.
Wednesday, 10 May 2017
May 2017 licence update
Tiny update. No additions. Of the tiny number of pubs that were not on last month, one has a new licensee - that's about it.
One removal, which I suspect is a temporary omission as the venues name has changed in the past weeks
S1447 Stage 19, Francis Street - this was the Tivoli Backstage until recently
One removal, which I suspect is a temporary omission as the venues name has changed in the past weeks
S1447 Stage 19, Francis Street - this was the Tivoli Backstage until recently
Monday, 8 May 2017
Future closings & openings
Revenue haven't got the May licence update out yet (suspect someone had a well-earned week off last week!) so I decided to witter on about pubs that have limited remaining lifespans, should there be someone else trying to tick them off a list. There's also a few scheduled to open or re-open soon.
The Long Stone on Townsend Street, nestled in amongst some of Dublin's ugliest buildings, is likely to get the chop when they come down for an office and retail scheme in the next few years. Planning has been tortuous on this site though, so there's still time for a pint or two.
Just down the road, one of the cities few remaining early houses, Neds has similar hanging over it - it is to be subsumed by a hotel. I'd imagine there's a good chance its licence will live on in said hotel, but its unlikely to bear much resemblance to the current pub.
Over the other side of the river and there's another hotel planned, to replace Howl at the Moon on Mount Street.
Its not all closures though. The former Mother Kelly's on Talbot Street is nearing the end of a refit, with the name "74 Talbot" visible on some signage inside. Nearby, Wetherspoons has planning permission to convert the former church on Abbey Street, and it has also received permission to put a hotel in the former Camden Hall hostel on Camden Street.
Most interestingly (to me, anyway) is a new pub in premises which have not had one before (that I'm aware of). "Token", a video arcade bar, is to open on Queen Street near McGettigans. Their website currently redirects to a Kickstarter (fully funded and then some, at that) but their Facebook page shows work on the fit-out. There hasn't been a new bar in new premises in the city centre for some time, and realistically very few in a decade bar the cluster in the Docklands.
The Long Stone on Townsend Street, nestled in amongst some of Dublin's ugliest buildings, is likely to get the chop when they come down for an office and retail scheme in the next few years. Planning has been tortuous on this site though, so there's still time for a pint or two.
Just down the road, one of the cities few remaining early houses, Neds has similar hanging over it - it is to be subsumed by a hotel. I'd imagine there's a good chance its licence will live on in said hotel, but its unlikely to bear much resemblance to the current pub.
Over the other side of the river and there's another hotel planned, to replace Howl at the Moon on Mount Street.
Its not all closures though. The former Mother Kelly's on Talbot Street is nearing the end of a refit, with the name "74 Talbot" visible on some signage inside. Nearby, Wetherspoons has planning permission to convert the former church on Abbey Street, and it has also received permission to put a hotel in the former Camden Hall hostel on Camden Street.
Most interestingly (to me, anyway) is a new pub in premises which have not had one before (that I'm aware of). "Token", a video arcade bar, is to open on Queen Street near McGettigans. Their website currently redirects to a Kickstarter (fully funded and then some, at that) but their Facebook page shows work on the fit-out. There hasn't been a new bar in new premises in the city centre for some time, and realistically very few in a decade bar the cluster in the Docklands.
Wednesday, 3 May 2017
1002171 Merchants Arch
This is a bit touristy too (see last entry) but the building itself is worthy of a review. One of the few guildhalls left in Dublin - I believe there is only two still standing - this was an Abrakebabra for years but now has a much more sympathetic use and seems to retain much of its original architecture.
The large domed stairwell leads up to a high ceiling bar/restaurant with good views out on the city - but bloody awful table placement that makes it impossible to see them. In the interests of saving space, I presume, the toilets are in the basement which makes the trip from the mezzanine on the upper floor to them more than a bit taxing.
There's another bar downstairs which had live music in it - which, I think, was being played upstairs. If it wasn't, they were playing a clearly live recording of someone else which would be a bit strange.
The large domed stairwell leads up to a high ceiling bar/restaurant with good views out on the city - but bloody awful table placement that makes it impossible to see them. In the interests of saving space, I presume, the toilets are in the basement which makes the trip from the mezzanine on the upper floor to them more than a bit taxing.
There's another bar downstairs which had live music in it - which, I think, was being played upstairs. If it wasn't, they were playing a clearly live recording of someone else which would be a bit strange.
N0198 The Cobblestone
Possibly the most traditional, if that can be used as metric, of the pubs I've visited so far. Cheap, tiny bit dark in the back and a seisun going up front. It does, however, have a selection of craft beers on tap which many similar pubs would not. The little bit of darkness in the bar is entirely cancelled out by a large, sunny (weather depending!) beer garden in the shell of a derelict building next door.
Noted for its Irish traditional music - both free in the bar and some paid for gigs in a rear room - they sell CDs recorded live on site at the bar.
Noted for its Irish traditional music - both free in the bar and some paid for gigs in a rear room - they sell CDs recorded live on site at the bar.
1002655 Generator
A youth hostel with a bar - not a common combination! Generator are an internal brand of "trendy" youth hostels, but the presence of a bar predates them operating here as this was once Chief O'Neills Hotel and briefly a Park Inn. When Chief O'Neills, they operated sightseeing trips up the adjoining chimney which was once part of the Jameson Distillery, but this no longer operates as the chimney is apparently no longer safe
The Jameson connection is reflected in the decor inside - there are chandeliers made from Jameson bottles - but it does feel a bit like you're drinking in a school dining room at times (which I've actually done at an event in Portugal...) but without the kid sized chairs.
Its an interesting addition to the drinking venues of the city none the less; and they do definitely invite custom from outside - there were massive signs advertising their burgers, which I unfortunately didn't get to try as I'd had one some hours beforehand.
The Jameson connection is reflected in the decor inside - there are chandeliers made from Jameson bottles - but it does feel a bit like you're drinking in a school dining room at times (which I've actually done at an event in Portugal...) but without the kid sized chairs.
Its an interesting addition to the drinking venues of the city none the less; and they do definitely invite custom from outside - there were massive signs advertising their burgers, which I unfortunately didn't get to try as I'd had one some hours beforehand.
N0219 Walshs
In contrast to the previous entry (L Mulligan Grocer), this pub both looks like and actually is a traditional Dublin boozer. Large lounge, small bar, one shirt and tie wearing barman and change from a fiver for (some) pints. Nice place to spend a bit of time
N0222 L Mulligan Grocer
Almost certainly the most gastro of Dublin's gastropubs; L Mulligans is located in Stoneybatter which is more generally a haven for traditional Dublin pubs. It still resembles one inside, having been one for many years, but a quick look at the food menu - or even the taps - changes that perception.
One wild boar burger and a pint of 9% Trouble Brewing Fresh Prince of Kildare later and any ideas that this is similar to nearby pubs (see next entry for one) are gone. The food menu is mostly Irish sourced and everything has a beer or whiskey pairing suggestion; and the beer selection is good and varied.
It doesn't have the market for craft pubs entirely to itself in the area - nearby N0196 The Barbers (which I tried to visit the same day, but it appears to have limited opening hours on bank holidays) would be somewhat similar;
One wild boar burger and a pint of 9% Trouble Brewing Fresh Prince of Kildare later and any ideas that this is similar to nearby pubs (see next entry for one) are gone. The food menu is mostly Irish sourced and everything has a beer or whiskey pairing suggestion; and the beer selection is good and varied.
It doesn't have the market for craft pubs entirely to itself in the area - nearby N0196 The Barbers (which I tried to visit the same day, but it appears to have limited opening hours on bank holidays) would be somewhat similar;