The Irish Pub & A Dirty Old Town...
The pub I visited this week is quite different than the other ones in this series. For number 15 on my tour of Dublin's Pubs I visited Blackbird of Rathmines.
The Irish Pub is an institution. To this day it is very much part of Irish life. Every aspect of life's journey is celebrated here, from wetting the baby's head to waking the dead. In recent times it has been (in)famous as a place where brown paper envelopes have been exchanged but also much loved for; the lockins, the stories, the music and the great craic. A version of the Irish pub has been exported all over the world and from Mozambique to Shanghai you can visit a "Molly Malones" or "Murphys". Each incarnation will have an Irish sounding name and be distinguished by Celtic writing above the door but there is no substitute for the real thing.
Join me as I visit some of the great pubs of Dublin, discover some secret watering holes, and help me bring Steemit to the masses!
The first post in this series will fill you in on why I have started this journey, The Irish Pub & A Dirty Old Town
Blackbird
This bar is located in cosmopolitan Rathmines, a lively suburb of south Dublin. Blackbird is a sister bar of P Macs in the city center, so I was expecting a quirky vibe and hip ales but I had a few pleasant surprises.
The Stout Bar
This public house has had many incarnations in recent years, previously known as Bradys, Quinns and the Rathmines Inn. The side bar through which we entered is called the Stout bar (another former name) but it's not your traditional old mans pub.
The lighting and candle light give the place a distinctive air, an increasingly popular modern take on a Irish Pub.
The Empire Strikes Back
As we entered the main bar through a curtain we had to duck to avoid the TIE fighters and X Wings hanging from the roof.
I wasnt expecting to see people playing 45 or Bridge in her but the arcade machines and ducks on the wall were a surprise.
The bags of Meanies and Monster Munches were another blast from the past along with the music by bands such as Nirvana from the 90s playing in the background.
Of course the pub doesn't follow the traditional layout and it has a larger selection of beers than just the usual for Irish Bars. There has been an upsurge in craft beers and IPAs in recent years in Ireland.
How does the Beer taste?
Only three pubs so far have gotten a 4 for the Guinness. How will Blackbird do?
I was pleasantly surprised, not expecting much considering I was in a new age Craft Beer pub.
The Verdict
I am going to give a rating to each pub in this series based on the Guinness. There is a scale of 1-4, 4 is exceptional, 3 is very good and 2 is acceptable, 1 is muck.
Blackbird gets a 3.
Join me to talk about Steemit.
Each week I will be visiting a new pub in Dublin. I am inviting anyone that is in Dublin to join me. If your new to Steemit and you want to learn more about it bring your laptop and we will get you set up. If your free on a Monday evening send me a message @eroche on Steemit Chat and I will let you know where I will be.
On my journey I also am also hoping to get at least one bar in Dublin to try STEEM as payment. You never know they might develop a taste for it. :)
You are likely to meet anyone in a Dublin Pub. From John F Kennedy to Barak Obama there have been 7 American Presidents spotted in Dublin Pubs. I am unlikely to get to talk to President Trump if he visits but if I meet any other celebrities in my travels I will be sure to introduce them to Steemit and get a Selfie.
Can't wait till next Monday!
If there is an Irish Bar near you, send me the name or a photo of the outside and I will include Irish Pubs from around the world in a monthly roundup.
“There is no such thing as bad publicity except your own obituary.”
― Brendan Behan
Thank you for reading this. I write on Steemit about Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Travel and lots of random topics.
Mmmmmm BEER.
Not seen any Irish pubs in Mallorca so far but will be on the lookout
Oh you must be on holidays, nice. The Irish hang out in Santa Ponsa in Mallorca. I am sure there is one or two there but not sure you will get the traditional experience. There is a different take on it over there.
If you do pass one send me a photo :)
Will do
Thank you for taking part in this months #culturevulture competition. Good Luck
Amazing post thank you so much for sharing
This post has received a 3.41 % upvote from @booster thanks to: @eroche.
Nice, finally another pub. Happy to see Lagunitas there! How do you judge the Guiness?
There is a pub I've been going to in Tokyo for over 15 years that serves Guiness and black & tans with Guiness, but it's not an Irish pub. I'm wondering how they would fare on your scale? When I am back in town I'll seek out 1 or 2 Irish pubs and shoot you over some pictures or write up a post about them.
That sounds great.
I have to admit my judgement for the Guinness is a bit subjective but generally its either good or bad, so it gets a 3 or a 2, but in some places it just tastes really great, really fresh and refreshing. It would have a lovely colour and go down easy. This doesn't happen too often but when it does you know. :)
Cant wait to see what Irish Pubs in Tokyo look like :) You know in the last 20 or 30 years they have been shipping parts of Irish pubs around the world. The old bar, old barrels and and other decorations. Maybe some ended up in Tokyo? I think most went to America though.
I'll have to remember that next time I have a Guiness on tap.
I wasn't aware that Irish pubs were doing that? Not that there is any reason I would be, but that's another thing I'll be on the lookout for, authentic pub furnishings. I'll have to think of some newer pubs both here and in Tokyo to check out to see if they received any.
A fine pint of Guinness always makes me feel thirsty. But I cant really finish one whole pint because of the strong smell of it.
Lovely - I have fond memory of Dublin, in particular, the pub food. There are plenty of Irish Pubs in Toronto and will be sending you some pics. Cheers!
Hey @eroche !we talked on steemit.chat
a resteem would help greatly also
Thanks for the support.
Resteemed you to once again verify it's me and to show some support.
Fantastic. I'll get it added later today 😀
My dad is Scottish and while he sticks to his homeland whiskey, he is a huge fan if Guinness, and he passed his love for the draft on to me. I can't stand beer, but I love the milky and almost smokey taste of Guinness.
I just found out that their is a Molly Malone's in Johannesburg, adding it to my list of things to do when I am there visiting my sister!
Enjoy your "pub" hopping!