Monthly Archive for October, 2005

RubyJones

Published on October 30, 2005 in Cork. 2 Comments

This pub has been closed for a long time. September ’09

At least I think that’s how they want it spelled… Towards the end of our stay in this new Douglas “cafe bar” (almost seems like a buzzword), a woman walking in made a comment about the majority of the downstairs seating being somewhat like McDonalds. I would agree; or rather say it’s like McDonalds on acid. Those that were familiar with this building when it was “Ryans” will see that it hasn’t changed much. The entire rear section has been converted into what I can only presume is a kitchen and the previously very rarely used upstairs is now a restaurant. The great circular bar that lived in the middle of the floorspace is now gone and has been replaced by a smaller operation.

That’s probably not a huge problem because at ?4.20 for a half litre of Murphys or any other beer, I doubt anyone will want to stay in there drinking. Oh yes, I said half litre. Pints are so last season dahling! Anyway, onto the food. As a fan of ceasar salad, I naturally went for a garlic chicken ceasar salad. The presentation & service were flawless, however I have to say I’ve had a nicer ceasar salad in KFC. Yes, Kentucky Fried Chicken. Down there in Little Island. Thats the one…

The whole RubyJones experience seems overpriced to me but that’s to be expected for a brand new, super sophisticated eatery. It seems like a wise move to run a cafe bar in this location rather than another pub because as happened with Ryans, Barrys across the road would eat it alive. It could well last, if only for somewhere to meet friends and have a bite to eat before going out on the town for the evening. As I’ve already said, you aren’t going to be in here all night. You might as well be in Barrys or the East Village saving some money on each half litre. Sorry, I mean pint.

Food’s not too bad, price is a bit steep, the staff are friendly, the service is quick, the decor may leave you hoping you run into someone from “About the House” to do a bit of a makeover. What more can I say? Go in there for a bite with a few friends and check it out yourself.

More Changes

Published on October 29, 2005 in Announcements. 0 Comments

I’ve finally got around to moving the site to WordPress after much procrastination. The layout is still a little raw at the moment but we’ll get there eventually.

Two significant changes with the upgrade are;

Category pages are now (finally) sorted alphabetically. No more searching around aimlessly to find out what we’ve been saying about your local.
We are now accepting reviews from anyone with the ability to express an opinion. Register an account and write a review. It’s as simple as that. Guidelines/instructions are available.

More changes to come, including a bit of design on the theme side of things.

On new Guinness

Published on October 26, 2005 in Announcements. 5 Comments

Where to stick a topic with such potential for wildly varying opinions.. Announcements will have to do for now.

While in Dublin last weekend I chanced upon sampling a variation on the well worn Guinness theme. In a Santry pub I first managed to drink the entire contents of a pint of regular Guinness, much to the protesting of my taste buds, before I pondered on which direction I should take my evening of mild alcohol abuse. To the safe option and with the likes of Smithwicks or Carlsberg? Perhaps something a little more risque; like drinking Beamish outside the Cork border? No, instead to more Guinness!

The Brewhouse Series; something I’d heard in passing on national radio in the few days before visiting Dublin but now stuck out in my mind. If the reverse of the beermat is to be believed:

The Guinness Brewhouse Series is a range of new and different stouts from the Master Brewers at St. James’s Gate, each available for six months only in selected bars. Inspired by other stout recipes of Arthur’s time, and brewed to an exceptionally high standard, each stout in the series looks just like Guinness – but tastes just a little different.

First in the series is Guinness Brew 39 – a naturally smooth stout with a distinctive finish from the later addition of hops. We trust you’ll agree it’s a taste worth acquiring.

I, for one, agree! The stout as smooth Dean Martin wrapped in velvet has arrived. I could almost defect away from Murphys and consume Brew 39 for the rest of my days. It’s that nice. Surprised? I almost thought I was drinking God’s own private stash. I equally cursed and blessed those wonderful fools at St. James’s Gate for creating this liquid, if only to taunt us by destroying it in a few short months time.

What will replace it however? Brew 40? I’m intrigued. I may even drive to Dublin to taste the next one. It’ll be the ribwich to my Homer Simpson. But with the Guinness Jazz Festival coming up this weekend, how far will I have to travel for my next 39? The suspense will, in all likelyhood, drive me to drink.

Cleavers Re Reviewed

Published on October 24, 2005 in Cork. 0 Comments

We reviewed Cleavers bar on Liberty Street in the past. We were contacted by the owner to re review this pub. We have been meaning to do this for a good while and eventually got around to it tonight. We went in at about ten o clock tonight. There was a guy playing guitar and singing and i have to say that he was very good. There was a good crowd in here and as far as i know there is live music on every Sunday. I ordered two pints of Murphy’s and was served promptly. The pints cost 3.80 each. We walked up to the back of the pub and found a spot in the back section by the bar. The main reason the owner asked us to come back was to re-test the stout. Both myself and Ryan agreed that the pints we got were very good tonight. We both drink Murphy’s and from our pub reviews can tell a decent pint. It was very lively and was busy considering the miserable night.

Cleavers is quite a small pub and there is a bar in both sections. I also noticed a darts board down the back of the pub. There is also a window over head that i didn’t notice previously. Cleavers is a nice pub that can get very packed but i suppose this highlights that it is a decent pub. I had a look at the toilets and they are small as well but their condition was fine. I enjoyed visiting again and would recommend heading in there.

Reidys Wine Vault

Published on October 23, 2005 in Cork. 1 Comment

A hidden gem in the city is how i’d describe this pub. It is directly across from the old site of Jury’s hotel. Ryan suggested we go in there tonight as he has been there in the past. It boasts an impressive red door and a porch prior to entering the pub. When i walked in i didn’t expect what i saw. The decor is fantastic. There is an elevated area on the left directly inside the door with impressive glass and pictures on show above it. The height of the ceilings in this pub will immediately attract your attention. It is a very authentic pub and you certainly wouldn’t think that you are in a pub close to the city center. There are comfortable seats all the way down on the right. There is also a snug area next to the bar. We sat across from the bar. It was quiet except for a few people scattered around the pub. I was suprised at how big an establishment it actually is. The lady behind the bar was very polite and chatted about the bad weather. The Murphy’s was very good quality and was enjoyable. The radio was playing in the background tonight. The seats are old fashioned but grand and comfortable.

The toilets are situated at the back of the pub and out some doors. There was a bad odour in them tonight but other than that they were fine. This pub won black and white pub of the year back in 1989. They serve food and there is a menu available on the way in. It is a pub that i enjoyed visiting and would most certainly head in there again.

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

Final comment: Reidys Wine Vault has lots of features that i like about a pub. I would say that it enjoys a good local trade and attracts a more mature clientele.

Mountain Bar

Published on October 21, 2005 in Cork. 0 Comments

This was our last port of call the other night. We have reviewed all the other pubs in Turners Cross previously. The Mountain is just down from the evergreen bar. We walked into the lounge the other night. We arrived in at about quarter past 11 and a guy working there didn’t seem too happy. There were just two other people in here. I could see into the bar area and there appeared to be a bigger crowd in there. I ordered the Murphy’s and a glass of orange for Jen. The lounge area in this pub is quite big and there is an extensive beer garden available out the back. The pint of Murphy’s was quite a good one as with all the pubs visited on this particular night. We were asked if we wanted another drink at closing time but we declined. To be honest i wasn’t that pushed about having another pint here.

I paid a visit to the toilet and they weren’t great. They are situated in an area between the lounge and the bar. The Mountain bar enjoys a very prominent roadside location but i wouldn’t be rushing back there if i’m being honest. There are far better pubs in the area that i would prefer to spend my money in.

Toilet rating: 5/10
Pint rating: 7.5/10
Overall rating: 6/10

Final comment: I am fairly sure that this is a lively pub at weekends. Check it out for yourself.

The Bridge House

Published on October 20, 2005 in Cork. 0 Comments

The Bridge House was our second port of call last night. This pub is located across the road from the previously reviewed ‘Southern Star’pub. Again its a prime location on the Douglas road. We walked in the front entrance and both myself and Jen were very impressed with the set up. The bar is just over to the right on the way in and is not very big. It is quite a small pub and it oozes lots of charm. Jen commented on a very intimate seating area on the left. There are many old pictures of Cork up on the walls. I ordered the Murphy’s and we sat in the middle section of the pub. There was a few people inside and the bar man knew them by first name so it obviously has a strong local trade. The Murphy’s was a very good pint. I enjoyed it a lot. The pub has many wood features. From the moment i walked in i felt completely comfortable and relaxed.

The ladies toilets are located at the back of the pub and the gents are near the middle on the right as you walk down. The gents were fine, they were clean anyway. I would recommend having a pint in the bridge inn as it has a very homely atmosphere. One of the best i have come across in Cork in a while.

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

Final comment: TheBridge House is certainly worth a visit and i am going to head back again.

The Lions Den

Published on October 20, 2005 in Cork. 2 Comments

We decided to review a couple of pubs this evening and firstly headed to The Lions Den It is just up from the entrance of St Finbarrs hospital. Myself and Jen decided to review a few pubs in this area last night. To be honest the name of this pub isn’t exactly appealing but you have to try new places. We walked in and noticed there was a few people inside. Not packed but relatively busy. I waited at the bar to get served but nobody was behind serving. It was a good five minutes until another customer went out to the back smoking area and the girl working there came in. I got a pint of Murphy’s and Jen had a glass of red wine. We sat in the back section. Our seats were comfortable enough but it is not a pub that i like myself. There is a games machine at the back and there is a tv here as well. The pint was quite a good one. There is also an area at the back that they may be doing up.

The toilets are located out the back of the pub and they were ok. I noticed a good few people in a smoking area out the back of the pub. I won’t be heading back to this pub because as i said it isn’t a place that i particularly liked but it has a convenient location and is some where you can go on the out skirts of the city.

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

Final comment: I went here on a Wednesday night so i don’t know what its like at the weekend.

Comments

Published on October 19, 2005 in Announcements. 1 Comment

Make sure to leave comments on the site about the different pubs you are interested in. We appreciate any comments!

Thanks.

Henry Ford Tavern

Published on October 10, 2005 in Cork. 1 Comment

If you are interested in the history of the motor car then you should consider visiting this pub and this area. Ballinascarthy is a place between Bandon and Clonakility. I have driven past this pub loads of times on fishing trips down west. I have always said that it is a pub that i wanted to take a look inside. On our way back from from Clonakilty we did exactly that. We parked at the back of the pub where there is ample space. We went in through the front door. We were the only two people in the pub besides the girl behind the bar. It was mid afternoon when we went in so this wasn’t that unusual. My first impression was that the pub was very cosy and comfortable. I ordered a glass of Murphy’s, glass of coke some peanuts and a bar of chocolate. The main bar isn’t all that big but there is also another room with a pool table, a juke box and a slot machine. We had a game of pool and i admired the various pictures of Ford cars all over the walls. The ceiling is very high in this part of the pub.

The toilets are located at the back of the pub out a corridor. Although they are small they were very clean when i had a look. Jen not being a regular stout drinker was getting sick of the stout at this stage. That is certainly not a reflection of this pubs Murphy’s though. She said that the drink was fine, she just had enough! Overall a very nice pub in an area steeped in motor car history. Just up the road you will find a tribute to the man himself with i think is a model T. If you find yourself driving in this area stop and have a look.

Toilet rating: 7/10
Drink rating: 7/10
Overall rating: 7.5/10

Final comment: I don’t know how busy it gets at night here but from what we noticed there had been someones party there recently.