1016228 The Mayson

Known to most Dubliners as "Vallence & McGrath", this historic pub - documented extensively on East Wall For All - lay derelict for about a decade and was the scene of a horrific murder when being used as a squat, so I had assumed it had a very limited chance of reopening.

But it has,as the main bar of The Mayson Hotel, constructed inside the shell of a warehouse next door.

A faux-Victorian interior has been presented here; with some distressed elements that may be from the original pub; or are more likely from a pub interiors firm. But the look works. There's also a real open fire, so it definitely gives the feel of a "traditional Victorian pub" and I theorise that plenty of people will suddenly decide that its Guinness is good for reasons they can't quantify!

They've done a good job with the fitout here; so those unaware of its recent history may actually think its been like this forever. They need to improve the soft offerings, however. I actually got a Guinness - by mistake, as the barman misheard me - and it's not bad. I can't say the same for the service (mistake made, poor floor service) or the food (they stopped serving at 6 rather than the advertised 7, so I never got to order!) however. And there's an extremely limited range of taps, all Heineken Ireland except for the solitary Guinness.