Monthly Archive for March, 2005

Page 3 of 3

Old Bar (UCC)

Published on March 8, 2005 in Cork. 0 Comments

University College Cork has two bars on Campus. These are the ‘old’ bar and the ‘new’ bar. I have heard lots of debate as to which of the two is the best. The old bar is situated between the big science building and the library. I have been there for lunch a few times and it is a nice place to relax. It’s located up a stairs and to the right. As you walk in the bar is on the left hand side. There is an area at the front where you can sit or you can walk down past the bar and there is plenty of seating all around. There is live music regularly here and it plays host to some very talented musicians. I have only ever had the one pint in there after a lecture and it was only alright. It was a pint of Murphy’s and i would be inclined to have something else if i go there again. The old bar’s soup and sandwiches are very reasonable and very tasty. It can be very busy especially at lunch time but is certainly worth heading to.

There are many public toilet facilities available around UCC and they are all pretty much the same. In the newer buildings the facilities are better but overall they are not too bad. It’s not somewhere i can imagine myself having a lot of drinks but some people head there a lot. Keep on the lookout for the various live entertainment that is available or pop in for a bite of lunch.

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

Final comment: The old bar still appears as popular as ever even with the presence of competition. Students during their UCC days will probably have been in here at some stage.

Bridgies

Published on March 5, 2005 in Cork. 0 Comments

It is very close to the fore mentioned ‘Paddo’s’. There is car parking available at the front. As you walk in the door there is a section off to the left that i didn’t see. The bar is straight ahead and is quite small. We sat over to the right where there is comfortable seating next to a very welcoming blazing fire. It is a much more modern pub than i expected. I had a glass of coke and Jen had a wine. Almost every other customer in the pub was drinking stout so it is probably of good quality. It was a Thursday night and was relatively quiet but there was still some bit of a crowd. We got a few stares coming into the bar but we are becoming accostomed to these from regulars!

The toilets are a good size. They have three individual urinals and one cubicle and all was well maintained. There is also a room at the back where they have a pool table and a juke box. I expect that the younger people of the town head to Bridgies. It is a grand pub to call into and with the population of Ballygarvan growing rapidly, both pubs should see an increase in business.

Toilet rating: 7/10
Overall rating: 7/10

Final comment: Bridgies is a nice pub for a drink, although i prefer Paddo’s personally. If you happen to be in the area these are your options.

Paddo Daly’s

Published on March 4, 2005 in Cork. 0 Comments

Paddos has been closed down for a while now (25/0809)

Head to Ballygarvan and you will discover the gem that is Paddo Daly’s. It is a pub that i went to after i got my leaving cert results. On that occasion i didn’t have any alcohol but had a great cup of tea! I was very sensible then. I decided to pay a return visit last night. It is very dark along the road at night and there is some parking at the front and a bigger area to the back of the pub. We entered through the lounge door and into the first part. The first thing i noticed was the red seating that old pubs have often retained. We then walked through an archway and the bar is directly ahead. We sat across from the bar on the comfortable red seats. This area is half tiled half carpet. A pint of stout will cost you 3 euro 20 which is reasonable. It is very much a locals pub and we got a few “who are you” stares from some punters. There is a glass door dividing the lounge from the bar section. The pint of Murphy’s was of excellent quality and i was very impressed. Shorlty after our arrival some traditional music started and really livened the place up.

As you walk from the lounge into the bar section, the bar is on the right and there is seating on the left. Continue walking and there is another small section with a dart board just before the toilets. The gents are on the left and are very small. You have to stand on a step for the urinal. There is also one cubicle and it seemed to be in good condition. Paddo’s is a great bar to come and have a drink in and Jen commented it was like drinking in a pub from Ballykisangel! This one is most definately worth call to.

Toilet rating: 7/10
Pint rating: 8 and a half/10
Overall rating: 8/10

Final comment: Paddo Daly’s or Paddo’s as it is more affectionately known is a grand pub that has a country feeling even though it is very central. I will call back again.

The Wharf Tavern

Published on March 3, 2005 in Cork. 0 Comments

The Wharf Tavern is the pub of The Trident hotel in Kinsale Co Cork. It’s on the ground level of the hotel and commands scenic views out over the harbour. There is limited parking outside the hotel and is often full with cars. As you walk into the pub there is seating to the left and right and the bar is straight ahead. It is a very modern pub and comfortable as well. It is a decent size and any time i have been there it has been very busy. They do very tasty pub grub and their sunday lunch is especially good. It is all wheelchair accessable which is a big plus in my book. I have brought my grandfather who has limited mobility there and we encountered no problems getting in and around. There is a very good restaurant upstairs and the views from the windows there are breath taking. There is a small bar off the restaurant and i presume it is the residents bar but have had drinks in there post a meal. I tried a pint of Smithwicks there and it was flat. We ended up going to the bar downstairs for the drink and bringing it up. This bar is very cosy and great for a chat.

The toilets are down to the left as you come in the main door. They have always been very clean and useable any time i have been there. You can catch live music in there regularly and have a bit of craic. It’s a place i enjoy frequenting when i make a trip to Kinsale. It is worth heading to the Wharf Tavern.

Toilet rating: 8/10
Pint rating: 6 and a half /10
Overall rating: 7/10

Final comment: The Wharf Tavern is a very decent hotel bar that serves decent food. I have never stayed in a hotel in Kinsale but this will be the first i will head to if i do.