Monthly Archive for December, 2004

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The Fishermen’s bar

Published on December 23, 2004 in Kerry. 0 Comments

The Fishermen’s bar is in Waterville Co Kerry. It is the the pub in the Butler arms hotel in the village. The Butler arms is regarded as a very up market hotel and has attracted celebrities galore. The pub itself is very comfortable. As you walk in the door which faces the main street there is a seating area immediately on the left. If you walk to the right you will go into another seating area. Turn to the left and the bar is there. If you walk down left again by the bar there is more seating. There are some interesting pictures and some fish mounted on the wall. The pub does very decent bar food during the day. I have been in there a few times and the stout is very good. Guinness is what you should be aiming to have.

The toilets are over past the bar and are quite small but are clean enough. Waterville is a renowned fishing village with sea, lake and river fishing all available. The Fishermen’s bar is a comfortable spot with a nice fire for a few pints. They have live traditional music during the summer and during the off season it can get be quiet. Waterville is a great town and the Fishermans is definitely worth a visit if you’re down that direction.

Toilet rating: 6/10
Pint rating: 7/10
Overall rating: 7/10

Final comment: This pub looks very small from the outside but isn’t a bad size at all. It is a very cozy kind of pub and is nice to pop in for a nice chat over a few pints of the black stuff.

O’ Suilleabhains

Published on December 22, 2004 in Cork. 0 Comments

Update March 2007) This pub has been extended and is open at present.

O’ Suilleabhains is a pub located in on the back Douglas road into the city. It is across from the South County pub. I have been in there just the once and i liked it. It has a front and a side entrance. If you go in the front entrance there are seats on the right. As you walk down there are seats to the left and the bar is on the right. It is a long pub and the bar goes to the right but there are also seats straight down. As you go to the right there is another seating area here. There appears to be a nice area outside for smokers that was very busy the night i was there. The pint i had was very decent and i enjoyed it. The staff were quite professional and we didn’t have to wait long. It was a Saturday night and it was quite busy in the pub. We sat on some high stools and it was comfortable.

I was very impressed with the toilets in this pub. They are located across from the bar and were very clean on my visit. There was a sign on the wall to say when they had been cleaned and the sign encouraged you to report any problems with the toilet to the staff. That was a good thing to see. Overall i thought that it was a good pub and full of character. If i lived in Douglas i think that i would choose here as my local as it’s my sort of pub. There are plenty of pubs to choose from in Douglas and this is my pick of the lot.

Toilet rating: 9/10
Pint rating: 8/10
Overall rating: 8/10

Final comment: I will pop into O’ Suilleabhains for another drink soon. It has it’s own clientele and it seems to be a fairly nice pub.

Bunnyconnellans

Published on December 22, 2004 in Cork. 1 Comment

Apparently they are knocking this pub and putting apartments and a new modern pub and restaurant in its place. I haven’t been down in that direction for a while so i don’t know if it is presently under way. (8/2/06)

Update (25/8/09) The pub and restaurant is opened again and is supposed to be great.

Bunny’s is a pub and restaurant located in Myrtilleville Co. Cork. It has an idyllic location facing the sea. It is a super place to go for a drink or a meal and to enjoy the remoteness of the world. I went there for a family dinner last week and we had the restaurant to ourselves and it was great. The food and service was brilliant. To go into the pub you go in the side door. As you go in there is seating in front of you. You then take a right and there is a bar on the right. There is more seating off to the left and then you take another right around the corner and you are then in the main part of the pub. There is another bar on the right and seating all the way down on the left. The pints of stout are very good in Bunny’s. The pints are reasonably priced as well. For a place that is pretty out of the way Bunny’s does good business. At weekends it can get very packed and they normally have live music at the weekends.

The toilets are down near the back of the bar and are on the left up a few steps. They are quite small and have a long trough and one cubicle. They are the kind of toilets that will always be smelly!! One bit of advice, don’t try and wash your hands as the sink has a most dangerous position. If you have a good few pints in you, you are likely to have a bad accident! They have a smoking area outside that has heaters. There are spectacular views from Bunny’s out over the Atlantic that can be seen during the day. Take a spin down to Myrtilleville and check the place out.

Toilet rating: 6/10
Pint rating: 8/10
Overall rating: 7/10

Final comment: Bunny’s a nice place to go to have a drink or a meal. On a nice summers day it can be especially pleasant.

Cogans (re reviewed)

Published on December 22, 2004 in Cork. 2 Comments

If anyone has read these pub reviews then you will realise that Cogans is my local pub and it has also been reviewed extensively. Recently Carrigaline village got badly flooded during the stormy weather and Cogans lounge got hit particularly badly. This spurred the owners into action and the’re decorating’ began. It was covered with two feet of H2O and the carpet was never going to survive. Subsequently the doors shut and work began. It took quite a long time to complete. I waited patiently and somewhat apprehensively for the re opening. When it opened its doors i had lots of plans to call down but didn’t get a chance to until last night. I decided that i would pop in for one drink. Not too much different about the outside except some jolly Christmas decorations hanging on the walls! The first thing i noticed was the new door into the lounge. I opened it and walked in and i honestly didn’t expect what i saw. They have painted the place, have new tables, covered all the chairs with leather that looks really modern, have a new bar top, a fancy pretend fire across from the bar etc etc. I walked down along and saw four lads sitting around a table that would be more at home in the corner house.

As i walked down to my area down the back i was a little taken aback again. Wooden floors are the order of the day, fancy lights and more LEATHER seats! Anyway i sat down and contemplated what the hell was going on. The layout of the back section is the same which returned some normality. In fairness the pint of Murphy’s was exactly the same which reassured me some bit. I have been going to Cogans for nearly 7 years and i felt as though i had lost something last night. As i looked around i could see that they didn’t exactly splash out and change the whole place but i just felt that a lot of character has been lost. There were a couple of lads sitting across the way and they were the kind that would have never come in before.

In the back of my mind i knew that Cogans had joined the 20th century. Sad as though it is, it has happened and i have to accept it. Me writing this now is a very knee jerk reaction and i’m sure that the changes will grow on me. The toilets have been retiled but other than that they are the same. Martin and Margaret were serving and Colette was hovering. Of course i lied and said “Oh it’s great” and “about time” but in the back of my mind i knew i didn’t mean it. One funny and truly great addition is four clocks that hang on the wall of the former alcove. There the kind of things you expect to see in an airport or a travel agents. They have time in Sydney, New York, another and then a clock that says ‘Cogans Time’! Above the clocks is the quote that will stick with me always ‘Cogans time around the world’.

I’m going to finish by saying that although i was impressed with what they’d done i think it was better as it was. The leather isn’t half as comfortable as the previous seats but is much more modern and probably clean. They still have the big projector and screen in place. Since my last review they have also extended their smoking area at the back and it’s fairly big now. Anyone who has been in Cogans before must pay a visit to see what you think. As i said i might change my mind after settling in to the new place but i don’t know. I was glad to see all the oul lads by the bar looking trendy. I wonder suspiciously if Colette and co have bought them new modern clothes. Watch your back!!

Cogans on Google Earth

Le Cheile

Published on December 21, 2004 in Cork. 2 Comments

Le Cheile has closed its doors for the moment at least. 20/7/06 (Update March 2007) Le Cheile has reopened after renovations)

North main street near the gate cinema is where you will find Le Cheile. Let me start by saying i have never gone in just by my own choice. Any time i have been there i have gone in to a party or for some specific reason. They nearly always have bouncers at the door. It is a very trendy pub and as you walk in you take a left. There is seating along on the left and as you walk up along the bar is on your right. There is usually very loud music playing. There is more seating on the left as you go up a few steps to the back section there is another bar there. There is more seats and standing room around this area. In fairness it is a nice pub and is very comfortable. It can get very busy and be packed. The pints are surprisingly good. I would normally try it once and leave the stout in similar pubs but it was good stuff here.

The toilets are situated up the very back of the pub and they are very small. You go down a step to get to them and they don’t accommodate too many patrons. They were clean enough but way too small for a relatively big pub. There may and i can be put right on this be other toilets down the front. I think there could be but am not sure. Overall Le Cheile is an up market pub and it does well with a handy position in the city. If you’re looking for a pre or post cinema drink, this is your place.

Toilet rating: 5/10
Pint rating: 7/10
Overall rating: 6/10

Final comment: This is not a pub i would spend a whole night in personally but it is a nice pub. It is generally lively enough and a bit of fun.

Kenmare Rooms

Published on December 21, 2004 in Kerry. 0 Comments

Kenmare Rooms is the traditional pub in the Killarney Avenue hotel in Killarney Co. Kerry. I stayed in this hotel earlier for three nights. It is a really luxiourous hotel and i would highly recommend staying there. The hotel is located just on the Mucross road by the cinema in the town. It is a big white building. They have seats outside the pub to cater for people wanting fresh air and also for the smoking population. As you walk into the pub the bar is straight in front of you and it goes around in a circle. There are seating areas to the left and to the right and you can walk up to left around the bar or to the right. There are a lot of wooden features in the pub which are nice. This pub caters for hotel guests and regulars who are on the mature side. There was a man playing a guitar when we were there and i went and sang a couple of songs which was fun. I was drinking Smithwicks for the weekend and the standard was very good. It is a relatively big pub and it got fairly busy when we were there.

The toilets are located out a door in the main reception and as you’d expect from a nice hotel they were very spacious and cleaned regularly. I cannot honestly tell of a fault with their toilets. The Kenmare rooms are nice for a couple of drinks but it is not really a very lively place. It’s somewhen to chill out and unwind and not to party! I am a big fan of Killarney and have stayed in a lot of the hotels down there. This would have to rate as one of the best. The rooms were great and the general service was second to none.

Toilet rating: 9/10
Pint rating: 7/10
Overall rating: 7/10

Final comment: As said the Killarney Avenue is a great hotel. It’s certainly not the cheapest around but it is good value. I would definately go back there.

The Auld Triangle

Published on December 21, 2004 in Cork. 0 Comments

The Auld Triangle is a pub and restaurant nestled in Macroom in Co Cork. I had to go to Macroom today to get uniforms for work and myself and Jen decided to pop in there for lunch. It’s very distinctive from the outside. It reminds me of an old cottage. The stonework on the outside is fantastic. It is on the main road between Cork and Kerry and they get a lot of people stopping off as it’s very convenient. As you walk in the main entrance to the pub the bar is directly in front of you and there is seating on the right and on the left. If you walk up a bit you will notice the bar winds around to the right and there are more seats here and also a little snug on the left. If you keep on walking you’ll come to the toilets and the restaurant is also at the back. There is a door at the back that leads out to a pleasant seating area outside the back. Unfortunately because of driving restraints i did not test their stout. We had a great lunch that was very reasonably priced and great homemade cooking. We sat in the snug and i admired the paintings on the wall and noticed how low the ceiling was.

I had to make use of their toilet facilities and vacated the ‘fir’ toilet. You will see a hat to indicate the gents if your not up to date with the Irish language. The toilets were very clean and they have a trough, two cubicles and they even sell toffee poppets!! The staff were friendly and the place was starting to get busy as we were leaving. I’d say tourists would love this place as it is very Irish. It has traditional music and i’d say you wouldn’t get near the place in the high season. The auld triangle is certainly worth a visit.

Toilet rating: 8/10
Food rating: 8/10
Overall rating: 8/10

Final comment: I have always wanted to pop into this pub as have past it several times. I don’t really like Macroom as a place because it is one big bottleneck, however this place is on the outskirts. It’s a really nice traditional Irish pub.

The Goat Broke Loose

Published on December 20, 2004 in Cork. 1 Comment

This pub has closed down. It has been that way for a while. I don’t know what the future plans are for the building. (22/3/07)

The Goat Broke Loose, known as ‘The Goat’ is on the Grand Parade in Cork. For those of us interested in Cork’s heratige and songs this sounds like a really interesting pub. Two words ‘it’s not’. The goat is a very big pub that certainly caters for the younger generation. I used to go in there a lot but haven’t been there in about 3 years. Funnily enough the last time we were there we were pretty much told we were too old to come in, at 21!! Anyway you will always see bouncers at the door, who seem to like taking the piss! As you walk in there are seats to the left and the right and as you walk up a few steps the bar is on the right. If you continue walking up there is seating to your left and the bar takes a turn to the right and there is another area that’s kind of enclosed that you can sit in. Another few steps will bring you up to the back section. There is plenty of seating here too and on my last visit they had two car racing arcade games. Not very cultural!! The one redeeming feature are the lyrics of ‘The day the goat broke loose on grand parade’ which are on the back wall. The pints of Murphy’s are not to be sampled, although they used to do some great cocktails. There is a balcony at the back where the dj vacates.

The toilets are relatively big but lacking in privacy. Girls going to powder their nose can take a free glance into the gents as they pee! They may have changed that now. The toilets used to get extremely manky. The Goat is a pub i will probably never go into again but you never know. There are so many possibilities with a pub of its size, its a pity. Don’t let me put you off going in. Make your own judgments as i’ve made mine. I used to think it was a nice pub.

Toilet rating: 2/10
Pint rating: 1/10, Cocktail rating: 10/10!
Overall rating: 3/10

Final comment: It’s been a long time since i’ve been in this pub but i still pass the place and it looks like the same situation as three years ago. It’s a prominent Cork pub that enjoys a great location but it ain’t my scene anymore.

The Quad

Published on December 20, 2004 in Cork. 1 Comment

The quad is a bar also on Tuckey street in Cork city. As you walk in the door there is seating on the right. As you walk up along the bar is on the right and the main seating area is located across from the bar on the left. As you walk past the bar there are more seats on the right and there are also comfortable sofas to lounge about on. The quad is small enough and can get fairly packed inside. It is a late night Cork venue and you can also get reduced admission into Fast Eddies upstairs. The pints can vary in quality and the stout is only ok. It is an alternative kind of pub and they are liable to play any sort of music. It’s popular with college goers and also weekend thrill seekers.

The toilets are located at the back of the bar and they are quite small. They can get messy when the pub is busy. They have a projector which has an excellent picture for matches. I always find the quad very dark. It creates a nice atmosphere. It is a far nicer pub that the one next door as previously mentioned but it also faces stiff competition from some great surrounding bars. I can recommend the quad to anyone who likes something different. If your in the area pop in for a look around.

Toilet rating: 5/10
Pint rating 6/10
Overall rating: 7/10

The quad as is affectionately known in UCC is a good pub that offers something different from the main stream pubs. It appears to do very well. Take a look.

Bar Rumba

Published on December 15, 2004 in Cork. 1 Comment

This bar is gone and has been replaced by a bar called The Slate.

Bar Rumba (formerly Mollys) is situated in Tuckey street in Cork city center. You can normally expect to see bouncers at the door. As you walk in the bar is directly in front of you and it takes an oval shape. To the left and left again there is a seating area. You can walk down either side of the bar and there is seating along there. There is a bigger area down the back and they have one of those football tables for peoples amusement. Bar rumba is a young peoples place and does well from the student population. It is downstairs from Fast Eddies nightclub and i think you get reduced admission upstairs if you go in here. The pints are not very good. I have had a few in here and i just didn’t like them to be honest.

For such a trendy looking pub the toilets are small and dirty. As can be gathered from reading these reviews i can base my whole opinion of a place on their toilet facilities and cleanliness. I think it is so important but often neglected. I think this pub is a bit over rated. I heard great reviews after it opened but for me it lacks any sort of atmosphere even when very busy. On my last trip in there, a good year ago, i found the bar staff to be very ignorant. If i acted that way in my job i would be told ‘you’re fired’. Courtesy costs not a dime but can leave a lasting impression. Thats just my personal experience, i am sure they have decent people working there too. It’s not often that i have this complaint, thank god.

Toilet rating: 2/10
Pint rating: 4/10
Overall rating: 4/10

Final comment: Bar rumba is a pub that could do with an attitude change. The bouncers can start your misery before you even go in. I have been in there a few times but am not inclined to return.