This is what this pub was called when I visited. I think. As far as I can tell, this premises has had more different names than any other in Dublin and it has had two other names very recently - Stage 19 and Tivoli Backstage.
I have issue with the current name - although I doubt the operators are aware as to the reasons. Many years ago, this premises was known as the Green Lizard and was the scene of an IRA related murder - inside the pub, not on the doorstep as is more common in pub killings in Ireland (the strange but extremely detailed Dying For A Pint will educate/scare anyone about this topic). Only a minor thing, really.
The current incarnation is a fairly standard Dublin craft pub. Drop Dead Twice itself upstairs seems to be going strong so hopefully the co-branding of downstairs may give it the push it needs to keep going for more than the ~18 months it has taken for a closure and rebrand since the early 2000s.
As an aside, this ended up being my 300th pub tracked. I had intended for #300 to be something notable and, well, it is notable enough really. Not in the same way as the historic pubs I had for #200 and #250
Saturday 24 February 2018
N0060 The Legal Eagle
Reopened in late 2017 after a lengthy closure, I had initially avoiding coming in here when vaguely nearby as all the reviews suggested it was basically a restaurant with a pub licence. It isn't.
It is undeniably food-centric, but the first thing you see on walking in the door is a large and varied row of taps (awkwardly, unbacklit), and the seating area in front of that is set up as a pub, not a restaurant. It's definitely still a pub - a craft beer pub - and well worth a visit if in the area.
It is undeniably food-centric, but the first thing you see on walking in the door is a large and varied row of taps (awkwardly, unbacklit), and the seating area in front of that is set up as a pub, not a restaurant. It's definitely still a pub - a craft beer pub - and well worth a visit if in the area.
N0061 M Hughes
This is a rather odd pub, in a good way. Originally a markets early house (it still holds that licence, I believe) which now mostly serves and feeds the legal trade during the day, with trad sessions at night. Generally traditional Dublin pub setup, including a snug.
Food offered seems to be toasties, and only toasties - a fine Dublin tradition and rarely done to the level here. Every table was equipped with mustard and brown sauce - not the condiments you'll see in a gastropub but perfect for what was offered.
The pub has one, small, CRT TV mounted on the wall which was off when I visited. The radio was on, quietly, but otherwise the only noise was the discussions of the other drinkers.
There was a large group meeting to play a paper-based RPG of some description - I assume Dungeons and Dragons - which is an interesting if likely unplanned sideline for a premises. As something that requires relative quiet it can't be done in a busy pub or a music bar and it did bring in a decent number of people for a weekday evening
Food offered seems to be toasties, and only toasties - a fine Dublin tradition and rarely done to the level here. Every table was equipped with mustard and brown sauce - not the condiments you'll see in a gastropub but perfect for what was offered.
The pub has one, small, CRT TV mounted on the wall which was off when I visited. The radio was on, quietly, but otherwise the only noise was the discussions of the other drinkers.
There was a large group meeting to play a paper-based RPG of some description - I assume Dungeons and Dragons - which is an interesting if likely unplanned sideline for a premises. As something that requires relative quiet it can't be done in a busy pub or a music bar and it did bring in a decent number of people for a weekday evening
Tuesday 20 February 2018
N0210 The Back Page
The first of Bodytonic's sports bars and now sister to S0145 The Square Ball over on the Southside, this is a rambling premises in Phibsboro.
Bodytonic were originally known for music promotion and their more music themed bars, and at least one element has come over from those - the food option here is pizza from the Big Blue Bus who operate from an actual bus in the carpark of S0208 The Bernard Shaw, albeit with the pizzas named after various Irish sporting heroes instead.
Bodytonic were originally known for music promotion and their more music themed bars, and at least one element has come over from those - the food option here is pizza from the Big Blue Bus who operate from an actual bus in the carpark of S0208 The Bernard Shaw, albeit with the pizzas named after various Irish sporting heroes instead.
1013026 Dominick Inn
A fully refurbished traditional city centre regulars pub. Significantly more spacious than it looks from outside.
N0062 T O'Brennans
This claims to be Ireland's smallest craft beer bar. I can't confirm of deny that, having been to less than a third of the pubs in Dublin let alone Ireland - but it is relatively small.
A nicely restored (or replica) 1980s or so pub interior is coupled with a good range of beers. The door is quite heavy so you may, as I did the first time (in January) think the bar is closed but I've been assured that if the lights are on and the sign is out you just need to pull harder.
A nicely restored (or replica) 1980s or so pub interior is coupled with a good range of beers. The door is quite heavy so you may, as I did the first time (in January) think the bar is closed but I've been assured that if the lights are on and the sign is out you just need to pull harder.
S1449 The Jug
A new-ish, hipster-ish venue on Francis Street - formerly the Dean Swift with its infuriatingly spaced sign, this was closed for a while before reopening in 2016. A very extensive refit preceded that reopening - flick to the 2017 date on Street View to see the completely new facade for instance.
The layout of the pub is a bit awkward, being quite long and quite narrow, meaning that if it is semi-full there are no seats available anywhere near anyone else but loads available nowhere near anywhere else.
The layout of the pub is a bit awkward, being quite long and quite narrow, meaning that if it is semi-full there are no seats available anywhere near anyone else but loads available nowhere near anywhere else.
S1468 The Thomas House
A (deliberately) dark and (slightly) dingy alternative music venue and bar, which had quite possibly the oddest table I've ever sat at - the top being a fully laid out ouija board.
The drink lineup here is quite eclectic, being one of the few places I've seen Macardles on tap outside of Louth ever. It also has a fishtank, with fish in it (rather than the aviary with no birds in the previous pub)
The owner did a Reddit AMA back in 2014 which is worth a read if you want to see some insights in to the running of a small venue.
1007228 The Clock
A traditional Liberties local, renowned for its aviary... except there were no birds in it on the day I visited. Plenty of stacking chairs in it however! I would imagine that the cold weather may make it unsuitable for the birds at this time of year. As one of the most famous "things" known about Dublin pubs it would be a shame if it had ended.
Cheap pints, toasties, multiple sports feeds and a LOT of clocks lining the walls define the atmosphere here.
Cheap pints, toasties, multiple sports feeds and a LOT of clocks lining the walls define the atmosphere here.
S1516 Arthur's
A pub that could have been transplanted from D2 - a well restored early 20th Century bar with a lineup of mostly craft, and Diageo products on offer to ensure that any tourists from the nearby Guinness attractions aren't left disappointed. Likely to be full of said tourists on any Summer day.
S3953 JK Stoutmans
I'm a little behind in posting updates, so please don't assume all the next lot were done on one day - they're actually across the entirety of February!
This is a recently re-opened pub on James Street which has a fairly lengthy history - recently a long closure after a decent period of being opened as The Tram. Longer ago, there were actually two unconnected premises side by side here.
The larger lounge area was hosting a Christening afters when I visited, and while it may have been open to the public, I decided to visit the bar instead. This is a fairly traditional Dublin bar, with the addition of a few rarer taps and a ceiling covered in framed photographs - ranging from what I presume are regulars through to newspaper front pages of momentous events
It was the day of an Ireland rugby game and there were no seats available, so I took my leave at half time in search of somewhere else.
This is a recently re-opened pub on James Street which has a fairly lengthy history - recently a long closure after a decent period of being opened as The Tram. Longer ago, there were actually two unconnected premises side by side here.
The larger lounge area was hosting a Christening afters when I visited, and while it may have been open to the public, I decided to visit the bar instead. This is a fairly traditional Dublin bar, with the addition of a few rarer taps and a ceiling covered in framed photographs - ranging from what I presume are regulars through to newspaper front pages of momentous events
It was the day of an Ireland rugby game and there were no seats available, so I took my leave at half time in search of somewhere else.
Wednesday 7 February 2018
February 2018 licence update
The February Revenue update came out today
There is absolutely nothing of interest in it, for once. No adds, no valid removals, no renumbers.
There is absolutely nothing of interest in it, for once. No adds, no valid removals, no renumbers.
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