Posts filed under 'Bars and Pubs'
Surely the real source of enjoyment on a holiday is to experience something different. Expenditure on air travel and hotel accommodation just to experience more of the same is not the brightest idea for a vacation. Globalisation has standardised many elements in the tourist industry – not all of them bad, mind you – but where do you look for a change that will transport you into the cultural delights of another nation? Paradoxically in Ireland you gravitate towards the traditional. When is the best time? Party time actually. Where? The Irish House Party is the highly recommended venue which is located in the Lansdowne Hotel, 27 Pembroke Road, Dublin 4.
The best tonic on a holiday is a good belly laugh. The craic is the Irish brand name for humour and at the Irish House Party it is interwoven into the song and dance merriment. The hilarity is derived from Irish writers of the calibre of Oscar Wilde and distinctive Dublin stories which come with the guarantee that “you won’t hear them elsewhere.” On a really good night out participation in the fun is a great option. Champion Irish dancers will teach you some simple Irish dancing routines and you can learn a song in the Irish language. Top Irish musicians set the joyous tone of the all embracing entertainment as you wine and dine in style on a four-course meal (menu choices).
Party time is officially from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. but the craic can continue at the late bar. The cost is 48 Euro per head and includes dinner and the show. The Irish House Party is a popular event and reservation is essential. This family owned hotel is a short distance from the centre of Dublin.
November 13th, 2009
Ron Black’s is all about socialising around food and drink.
Its city centre location makes it a convenient meeting place for locals and tourists and the split-level arrangement is exciting. The quality furnishings in Ron Black’s create a comfort zone; especially the lounge area at the rear of the ground floor bar and restaurant area. There is a variety of choice for a variety of moods and needs.
Whether you want to sit at the bar, people watch at the window or recline lazily on one of the couches at the rear, you can at Ron Black’s. You can even invite 150 of your friends to a party with its own private bar.
The restaurant area seats 200, making a lively atmosphere. The quality of the service is exceptional from a Europe-wide staff blessed with extra charm and courtesy.
The lunch menu combines excellent flavours with great value. Nothing on the food menu exceeds €10.50. If you have a soft spot for side orders such as delicious onion rings or cheese and garlic ciabatta. Main meals include beef cannelloni, Thai chicken curry, lasagne and Caesar salads, but even in these sophisticated circumstances, bangers and mash, fish and chips and burgers are also on offer. The younger members of the party will love them.
Sunday brunch comes highly recommended and the prices for evening meals do not drift upwards.
Ron Black’s is located opposite the Mansion House in Dawson Street.
March 4th, 2008
Pub chain Thomas Read has won the Best Multiple Operator award in the Irish Region at the Ireland & UK Theme Bar and Restaurant Awards 2008.
They were also nominated for Best New Bar, Best Drinks Selection and Best Bar Team.
The Best Multiple Operator Award was judged throughout all 32 counties of Ireland and the winners were announced on the 26th February in Belfast
All the winners automatically qualify as finalists for the Ireland & UK Theme Bar and Restaurant Awards Final. This takes place on the 17th June in London.
The Theme Bar and Restaurant Awards celebrates the best in the hospitality industry.
Now in their seventh year, they include four regional nomination parties and culminate in the Ireland & UK Final, where over 800 key professionals celebrate the dynamic and exciting industry.
The winners are chosen through a mixture of online voting, extensive canvassing of opinion from key regional contacts and mystery visiting. At the end of the process a winner for each category in each region is announced, with the four regional winners subject to further scrutiny and mystery visits prior to the announcement of the Ireland & UK Theme Bar and Restaurant Awards 2008 Winners on 17th June.
The four regions are: Ireland, Scotland, the South of England (covering everywhere south of Birmingham) and The North of England and Wales (this covers everywhere north of Birmingham and Wales).
The Thomas Read Group has successfully operated some of Dublin’s finest, cutting-edge and market-leading bars and restaurants.
Along with the original Thomas Read & Oak Bar, the group’s portfolio has expanded into different markets and includes popular venues such as Ron Black’s, The Bailey, Searsons, Lincoln’s Inn, The Globe, Ri-Ri, Pravda, Harbourmaster, Floridita Dublin, Thomas Read Smithfield, Thomas House, TRG Airport, Bodega Wine & Tapas Bar and Kingswood Country House.
They also run the Dawson Lounge, famed as the smallest bar in Dublin.
Recent additions including The Champagne Bar and The Winding Stair Restaurant & Bookshop prove the company’s commitment to leading the way in the food and drink sector.
The award winning Winding Stair Restaurant & Bookshop is situated on Lower Ormond Quay. Specialising in simple Irish cooking with an organic direction and extensive wine list, their latest award is the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand.
Its ‘unique’ atmosphere has been maintained and it still attracts many regulars who visit daily. The Winding Stair establishment is widely seen as one of Dublin’s hidden gems.
The Champagne Bar, located on the 1st Floor above Ron Black’s, is renowned for its large selection of Champagnes & Wines and its beautiful décor.
On the back of this, the Thomas Read Group has secured the ‘exclusive distribution’ rights for Henri Abelé Champagne in Ireland. This excellent Brut Traditional NV is true, highly-spirited champagne with distinctive floral aromas and a pleasing crispness.
With an expanding selection of venues, the Thomas Read group should expect even more success in the future.
February 29th, 2008
If you are looking for a traditional Dublin pub, there are few better choices than the Lower Deck. Situated canalside at Portobello, the Lower Deck has benefited from the infill operation at the harbour.
The pleasant paved civic area that has been created enhances the Lower Deck’s environment and also provides some shelter if you are a smoker.
While the harbour may have changed dramatically outside, inside the ambience in the Lower Deck is just as gracious, homely and comfortable as ever.
The black and white pictures of old Dublin at the entrance to the pub set the scene. The panelled mirrors and the dominance of timber have resisted the advance of modernity, but for one important exception – the TV screens. This intrusion is allowed because the clientele love their sport – especially the GAA teams Tipperary and Dublin.
It is an ideal venue for visitors seeking a live music scene and a party night out. A great range of musical tastes is catered for, with sing-along cabaret shows, plenty of rock music and traditional Irish music.
Inside or out life is good on the Lower Deck.
January 31st, 2008
Perched comfortably on the banks of the river Dodder, Ashton’s is the restaurant you’ve been looking for.
By combining a quality menu with excellent atmosphere and convenience you won’t believe, Ashton’s seems almost to good to be true.
Ashton’s unique selling point is its address. Unlike other restaurants amid the jostle and traffic of the city centre Ashton’s is on the Clonskeagh Road; right in the heart of D6.
Convenience is the order of the day at Ashton’s, lying as it does within easy reach by many bus routes and the luas, or maybe even within the reach of a leisurely stroll – which you’ll certainly feel the benefit of after sampling their wonderful menu! There’s no better time to enjoy hearty local produce, especially since the food is so excellent.
When dining al fresco, you’ll find Ashton’s beautiful riverside garden to be one of the most unique, relaxing and atmospheric outdoor locations in the city.
Having recently refurbished their bistro and introducing a new seasonal menu, Ashton’s are a restaurant that is sure to be talked about for years to come, in fact, it’s already becoming quite the place to be seen among the city’s bold and beautiful, so you never know who you will be seeing propping up the bar or sitting down to dinner - unless you are there first.
For added convenience, you can reserve a table at Ashton’s with DublinEvents.
November 12th, 2007
On Wednesday 22 August, Bud Rising commences in Dublin at 17.30 bringing three rebellious acts to whip your Wednesday into shape. The line up:
- Silversun Pickups 17.45
- Nine Inch Nails 18.45
- Foo Fighters 20.30
Silversun Pickups (also known as SSPU)
A well thought out opener to a well thought out festival – SSPU open the live music event at Dublin’s Marlay Park blasting out favourites such as Well Thought Out Twinkles and Kissing Families.
The band have been likened to The Smashing Pumpkins, so you know there’s no need for them to visit the School of Rock - well there wouldn’t be as band member Tanya Haden has already picked up tips from husband Jack Black.
Nine Inch Nails
Industro-rocky sounds and anti-US political messages are to be expected from Trent Reznor’s live ensemble at the gig at Marlay Park.
The release of the latest Nine Inch Nails album, Year Zero, in April is part of a concept album and spin off reality game that aims to capture the imagination of future generations.
Reznor’s album envisages an Orwellian existence and is a reaction against the Bush administration and US Military – so music fans should be prepared for some speeches and stunts dotted throughout the performance.
Previous NIN gigs saw Reznor plant flash drives randomly for fans to find – so who knows what to expect at this live event in Dublin.
Find out more about the Year Zero spin-off game
Foo Fighters
Foo fans will be anxious to hear new material from the Foo Fighters when they play live in Dublin. The band’s latest album Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace, is set for release on September 25, 2007 and marks a reunion for the band with record producer Gil Norton. Gil helped produce The Colour and The Shape in 1997.
Foo Fighters front man and lead vocalist Dave Grohl also has links with funnyman Jack Black as they appeared dressed in drag as frisky rednecks on the video for Low which was banned from MTV! Grohl also played drums on Tenacious D’s 2001 debut album and played the devil in the video for Tenacious D’s song Tribute.
Get a sneak preview of The Pretenders, the first single to be released off the new Foo Fighter’s album
For the latest Foo music news and tour dates, visit the main site
No patience? Book tickets to see them headline and kick off this Bud-tastic live music event in Dublin
August 6th, 2007
Situated canal side in Portobello The Lower Deck in the upper echelons when it comes to the traditional Dublin pub.
A pleasant paved civic area in Harbour Square enhances The Lower Deck’s environment.
The black and white pictures of old Dublin at the entrance to the pub set the scene. The panelled mirrors and the
dominance of timber have resisted the advance of modernity. In fact there is only one important exception - the TV screens.
This intrusion is allowed because the clientele love their sport and especially the G.A.A. teams of Tipperary and Dublin.
The floor area is not like the big pubs in which you could land a jumbo jet no bother. The Lower Deck opts for intimacy, with comfortable enclaves which cater for groups of 8 to 10 people. It is an ideal venue for visitors seeking a live music scene and a party night out.
From Wednesday to the weekends the diversity of music tastes is catered for with sing-along cabaret shows, plenty of rock music and the monthly traditional Irish music showcase.
Tasty sandwiches are available at lunchtime. If you are a smoker, you can enjoy the relaxation of the square which was once a harbour.
Inside or out, life is good on The Lower Deck.
June 22nd, 2007
Dublin is always bubbling with activity during the day and also during the night. There are 100s of different types of pubs in Dublin. Davy Byrnes is one such safe example and is best known as “Dublin’s most famous literary pub”. Situated in the centre of the city and first licensed in 1789, Davy Byrnes is synonymous with the literary giant James Joyce who mentions this proud establishment in both Dubliners and Ulysses.
In the last ten years, Davy Byrnes has been most reputable for its excellent pub food. This Dublin pub boasts seafood as its specialty. Every lunchtime until late evening customers can enjoy and sample a broad range of seafood… Visit Davy Byrnes Pub for complete description about its services and amenities.
March 15th, 2007
The Bleu Note Bar & Club caters for lovers of Jazz every Friday and Saturday from 10.00pm to 2.30am. The Blue Note basement is bringing you the best of Dublin’s Jazz talents and International Jazz names in an intimate club atmosphere. With the best selection of Jazz, Funk, Soul and Blues in town, the Bleu Note Bar and Club is well worth a visit. For further details and queries, visit Bleu Note Bar & Club in the section of Dublin Live Music Venues.
February 8th, 2007
A new section for food and drinks in Ireland has been added to the website. The section lists some popular restaurants all over Ireland.
June 13th, 2006
