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Post by Maolsheachlann on May 27, 2019 10:47:40 GMT
I thought it might be nice to have a discussion about Irish pubs and Irish pub culture. I have one friend who is very conservative, very patriotic, and very religious, and who takes a very dim view of alcohol and pubs. John Waters is also quite withering about our drink culture.
I must admit I'm very attached to pubs and Irish pub culture. I don't spend a lot of time in them, and I'm exhausted by long pub sessions-- I've no idea how people can spend hours upon hours in them. But their existence makes me happy. There is a book called Doyle's in Dublin's D'Olier Street and it has a sign outside which reads: "There is a good time coming, be it ever so far away". It's nice to see all the light and comfort of a pub, something that exists entirely to make people happy. I understand why Samuel Johnson wrote: "There is nothing which has yet been contrived by man, by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern or inn."
"Old man pubs" seem to be the preference of most Irish people, whereas I prefer something cleaner and brighter and more comfortable, but still with a patina of nostalgia (even painted on-- I don't care).
I'm not sure what to make of the phenomenon of the "Irish" pub abroad. I think people should celebrate their own cultures, not those of other countries.
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Post by Séamus on May 27, 2019 13:18:26 GMT
I thought it might be nice to have a discussion about Irish pubs and Irish pub culture. I have one friend who is very conservative, very patriotic, and very religious, and who takes a very dim view of alcohol and pubs. John Waters is also quite withering about our drink culture. ..etc.... I'm not sure what to make of the phenomenon of the "Irish" pub abroad. I think people should celebrate their own cultures, not those of other countries. Balance with everything, I suppose. The continuing homogenisation of hospitality and tourist attractions is disturbing of course, but seeing that pubs are very much a 'grafted' thing in countries like Australia, it stands to reason that themed ones will exist. In fact half of restraunts and cafes would be ethic themed in Perth I'd say,some unconsciously , as when a Vietnamese family take over a lunch bar and it inevitably effects the menu. As I'm not a drinker, I'm not actually sure what the ratio of Irish immigrants visiting Irish pubs actually is. One broadcasts Setanta Sports station which would be of interest mostly to Irish people. At one stage,apparently, the only Irish-owned one in Perth was(among all the 'RosieO'Grady's and 'Fenians') rather un-Irishly called TheCure (as in "whenever I'm alone with you..") A breakfast bar closed recently which seemed to attract ex-patriots, but, although western Australia does get cold mornings, I'm not sure if black and white pud is generally suitable to the climate. Most Australians express disbelief when told what the black variety is made of. |
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Post by cato on Jun 8, 2019 12:23:51 GMT
I spent several years living in several Dublin pubs and at the time imagined this was living a bohemian existence. Now I see I almost toppled into alcoholism.
I can see the attraction of pubs if you have the ability to be temperate and have your couple of pints and enjoy the witty cross fire of bar room conversation.
Pubs have become very expensive driving many people to visiting the off license and stay in with Netflix instead. When I do go out I prefer somewhere with no huge TV screens . I make an exception for Dublin's Flowing Tide across from the Abbey Theatre were I had my first pint of Guinness many years ago. It has a nice mix of regulars, characters and people drifting through. The staff are Irish and friendly too.
I was up in Donegal recently. The newest bar in town is an expensive retro 1920s lookalike pub filled with old photos and antiques. The ear blasting music and gigantic TVs were completely out of kilter with the decor.
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Post by Séamus on Jun 9, 2019 7:03:30 GMT
I spent several years living in several Dublin pubs and at the time imagined this was living a boheminian existence. Now I see I almost toppled into alcoholism. I can see the attraction of pubs if you have the ability to be temperate and have your couple of pints and enjoy the witty cross fire of bar room conversation. Pubs have become very expensive driving many people to visiting the off license and stay in with Netflix instead. When I do go out I prefer somewhere with no huge TV screens . I make an exception for Dublin's Flowing Tide across from the Abbey Theatre were I had my first pint of Guinness many years ago. It has a nice mix of regulars, characters and people drifting through. The staff are Irish and friendly too. I was up in Donegal recently. The newest bar in town is an expensive retro 1920s lookalike pub filled with old photos and antiques. The ear blasting music and gigantic TVs were completely out of kilter with the decor. Rather moving and intimate reflection |
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Post by cato on Mar 24, 2020 23:32:30 GMT
RIP Passed away after an unexpected recent illness. House private. Funeral strictly family only.
Missed by a wide circle of family and friends at home and abroad.
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Post by cato on May 4, 2020 12:29:27 GMT
The Irish pub is due to reopen , all things working to plan in mid August. However there will be strict restrictions and crowded bars will be a thing of the past. Table service will be introduced and social distancing maintained. How this will be policed is any ones guess. Getting drunk is a normal aspect of pub culture but it is hard to see that being tolerated in the new regime. Small pubs will be unable to maintain social distancing. Will people need to queue for pubs , have assigned periods after which you leave or have to make appointments to access the premises?
Some of those who gloated over the Good Friday pub openings may be feeling rather thirsty by now. Another 14 weeks of drought to go.
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Post by cato on Sept 24, 2020 11:02:29 GMT
Watched an interesting documentary on Old Irish pubs their owners and customers on TG4 last week. Search The Irish Pub and you can see it on YouTube.
Funny watching it now knowing some of those pubs are gone forever especially small ones that cannot provide meals or social distancing. I was intrigued by the amount of religious paraphenalia on display in some and the amount doubling as undertakers. One to watch with a drink by the remote.
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