Monthly Archive for August, 2005

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The Motor Arms

Published on August 26, 2005 in Cork. 0 Comments

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This pub has been closed for a while now (25/08/09)

This pub has been closed down for a while now. September ’09

We walked next door to the Motor Arms to see what it has to offer. It is a real regulars pub and you can see that from the moment you walk through the door. We chose a seat over to the left and took in our surroundings. This pub has very old decor but a very homely feel to the place. It really is refreshing to see a pub like this in the vicinity of the city. It has remained true to itself and its customers. This place could easily be turned into a new trendy and very profitable bar but hopefully that won’t happen. The seats are outdated, some of the people there were too but it has a certain charm about the place. I ordered a 7 up and a glass of white wine. The bar lady appeared to know everyone there by name. A couple of lads sitting at the bar were settling down to watch a film on RTE and they looked very pleased with themselves.

The toilets are at the other end of the pub. They were ok but i didn’t expect them to be great. It is quite a small pub overall and i’d say that you could walk in, in your PJ’s and nobody would bat an eye lid. It is the kind of pub that i enjoy going to and it will be on my list to return to.

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

Final comment: If your looking for a mad night out in the city then avoid this pub. If on the other hand you are looking for a cosy spot to enjoy a drink then pop in!

Market Tavern

Published on August 26, 2005 in Cork. 0 Comments

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We went for dinner in Il Padrino’s on Cook street during the week. It was a very enjoyable meal and afterwards we decided to review some pubs. The first chosen was The Market Tavern across from Anglesea street garda station. This pub has been renovated in the past few years. It is one of those i have passed loads of times in the car but never stopped to go in. Apparently it is a very popular spot for lunch. There is ample amount of seating available in this pub. It is pretty much open plan and the bar can be accessed from various areas. I ordered a pint of Murphy’s and a white wine. The polite bar man gave me a choice of wines and Jen made the decision on that. The pint of Murphy’s was poor. I thought it would be better as there was a few other lads drinking it. It was quiet in the bar on the night we went in but to be fair it was a week night and i am very sure that it would be much busier at the weekend. There was plenty of advertisments for events around the pub. It is a very comfortable place to sit and have a drink in.

I had a look at their toilets and there was two cubicles and the place appeared to be in a good state. To be honest this is a pub that i would normally not think of going to when out in the city. It is not that far out but there is too much choice a lot closer to the city. I think that a weekend visit would tell a lot more about the place. Certainly take a look, its a nice pub.

Toilet rating: 7/10
Pint rating: 4/10
Overall rating: 7/10

Final comment: The Market Tavern is a place to consider if you want to drink in a trendy pub just outside the city center.

Master Mc Grath Bar

Published on August 12, 2005 in Cork. 0 Comments

If you are up for a good night out then you can’t beat a night at the dogs! We were up at the dogs last night and it was an excellent nights entertainment. This was my third trip to the park. It has very extensive facilities to cater for all tastes. There is a drinking area
downstairs and up stairs is the main bar. The one upstairs is known as Master Mc Grath Bar. There is often live music in the here. Of course to gain access you have to pay the 7 or 8 euro entrance fee. Any time i have been there, there has always been a good crowd present. Anybody and everybody can be seen having a few drinks in this bar. There are commanding views out over the race track and also down below is the Laurels restaurant where you can enjoy a great meal and a great night. I had a pint of Murphy’s in the bar last night and it was a very good one it has to be said.

There are plenty of toilet facilities all around the park. They are generally well maintained. If you are looking for a fun night out where you can get a meal and a few drinks then this is your place. I would highly recommend a visit if you haven’t been. There is a minimum of 1 euro per bet and there are 10 races. You can also bet on races at Shelbourne park. Get yourself down to Curaheen park, it is open on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturdays.

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

Final comment: Curraheen park is centrally located just off the new Ballincollig by-pass.

Ferry Arms

Published on August 12, 2005 in Cork. 5 Comments

The Ferry Arms, Passage West, Co Cork

This was the last pub we visited on our whistle stop visit to the area. It is the next pub up from the previous one. The first thing that struck both me and Jen was the amount of Celtic stuff all over the pub. It is literally everywhere. The bar is just the one room as you go in and it is very small. The bar counter is straight ahead. I ordered a 7up and another white wine. There were a good few lads playing darts in the pub. To be honest both of us didn’t feel that this was a pub for us so we didn’t stay too long. We were getting stares from one or two people and they weren’t friendly stares so that made us a bit uncomfortable. The guy behind the bar was sound but this is very much a place where most people know one another.

I didn’t check out the toilets, presume they are there though. To be brutally honest this is not a pub that i will return to in the future. It is just not my sort of place. By all means check the place out for yourself.

Overall rating: 4/10

Final comment: Ferry Arms is another pub to consider if you are in the Passage West

Hourihans

Published on August 12, 2005 in Cork. 0 Comments

Hourihans, Passage West, Co Cork

Hourihans bar and bistro is a bar and restaurant in Passage West overlooking Cork harbour. We were there recently for a drink and have been in there in the past for dinner. It is the first pub you meet in the town when coming from Monkstown. It has a very modern interior and is very comfortable. I was driving so had a glass of 7up and Jen had a glass of white wine. The man who served us was polite and efficient. There is plenty of memorabilia on the walls and also some very interesting and thought provoking sayings! There was a crowd of mature patrons on our visit and there was music playing in the background. To be honest it is quite a small bar but combined with the bistro its not a bad size.

Hourihans, Passage West, Co Cork

The toilets are up stairs in the bar. They are a good walk away. As you walk up take a look at the walls for some more memorabilia. The toilets are quite big but were smelly when i checked them. Hourihans is a grnd bar for a drink. You can head there for a drink or a bite to eat so have a look.

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

Final comment: Hourihans is certainly worth a visit. I will go back again.

The Ensign

Published on August 8, 2005 in Cork. 1 Comment

Ensign Tavern, Monkstown, Co Cork

The Ensign bar and restaurant enjoys a fantastic spot overlooking Cork Harbour in all its beauty. We popped in there for a Sunday night drink last evening. This is one of these pubs you pass and say ‘i have to head in there sometime’. There was a good crowd of people sitting outside the front of the pub in the smoking area. There are seats and tables available here. From what i noticed the bar is split into two. We were in the part where the pool table is situated. I ordered a pint of Murphy’s and a white wine. Jen commented on how this pub has changed so much from her memories there as a child. It was extremely busy inside but we managed to get a seat. The pint was very decent it has to be said. There was a mixture of young and older people present. We both felt that there is an unfinished feel to this pub. Its decoration leaves a lot to be desired. There was a good atmosphere last night.

I didn’t use the toilets so no comment on them. The Ensign has competition in the immediate vicinity from the very popular Bosun. It is very much a locals haunt and even though i thought it was fine i wouldn’t be rushing back. Saying that it has nice views and on a warm Summers day i’d say it would be really pleasant.

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

Final comment: The Ensign is one of three bars available to you in Monkstown. Check it out.