Monthly Archive for August, 2006

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The Algiers Inn

Published on August 14, 2006 in Cork. 0 Comments

Have just returned from a very enjoyable night in Baltimore in West Cork. It was my first visit and it is truly a beautiful area. I went down to visit a friend who’s come back from almost a year in New Zealand. Kev gave me a tour of the town and the surrounding areas. We decided to take the opportunity to do some pub reviews while in Baltimore. The first pub we came across as we walked into the village was The Algiers Inn. It is basically a small bar with a decent sized beer garden out the back. We sat at the bar and there was 6 other people in the bar. Two pints of Murphy’s were ordered and were very satisfactory. I found it to be a very cosy bar and enjoyed the pint there. I think that they seve bar food too but we didn’t get any.

The toilets are out towards the back of the bar and they are quite small. They were fine to use though. I liked the look of the beer garden but we just had a glance at it. It is a nice bar to sit and have a pint in. Contact The Algiers Inn at 02820145

Toilet rating: 6.5/10
Pint rating: 7/10
Overall rating: 7/10

Final comment: The Algiers Inn is one of the pubs in Baltimore. For information on Baltimore’s history check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore,_County_Cork

Dunloe Lodge

Published on August 11, 2006 in Kerry. 8 Comments

The final bar that we visited on our whistle stop tour of Killarneys pubs was Dunloe Lodge situated on Plunkett street. We just arrived in after the live music was finished. I was disappointed as i heard a few people commenting on how good the music was. Dunloe Lodge is quite a small bar. When we went in it was very busy and was practically full to the rafters. I ordered a pint of Guinness and glass of Budweiser. To be honest it was my favourite pub of the night. It just seemed to have a good atmosphere and a bit of craic. The pint of Guinness was by far the best i got down in Killarney. It went down very well indeed.

Dunloe Lodge was my favourite pub but their toilets were the worst of the night. They are small and the one cubicle available was in an awful mess. The toilet seat was hanging off. I am very particular about toilets as you will know from some of the reviews. The toilet here hasn’t clouded my judgement of the place thankfully. I would head back to this pub if i was in Killarney again. If you are a tourist looking for a Irish bar with no friils but plenty character then check out this pub.

Toilet rating: poor 3/10
Pint rating: 8.5/10
Overall rating: 8/10

Final comment: Dunloe Lodge is a good traditional bar. It may suit some people, others may not like it but why not check it out.

Courtneys

Published on August 11, 2006 in Kerry. 0 Comments

We headed for Courtneys bar next. It is also found on Plunkett street a short distance away from The Tatler Jack. It was busy inside but not too packed. A Guinness and a glass of Budweiser was ordered. The pint of Guinness was only alright in this bar. We walked through the bar and i found it to be a very dark bar. We saw that there was an upstairs bar available so we headed up for a look. There was music on downstairs but it was quieter upstairs and was nice to have a chat. They advertised that they have trad music on Wednesday and Thursday nights so that might be fun to go along and see. We got a nice table upstairs across from the bar and i found it very relaxing.

The toilets that i used were upstairs and they were in good order when i saw them. I think that i saw a smoking area down stairs but am not entirely sure. I found Courtneys ti be a very relaxed bar and from looking around attracted a variety of different age groups. It is another bar worth a visit.

Toilet rating: 7.5/10
Pint rating: 6/10
Overall rating: 7/10

Final comment: Courtneys is a grand relaxing bar.

The Tatler Jack

Published on August 11, 2006 in Kerry. 0 Comments

Next up we walked to The Tatler Jack bar. It is on Plunkett street in the town. It was packed out the doors the other night. We walked about halfway up the bar and managed to order our drinks. Same again with the Guinness and glass of Bud. The first thing that i noticed was the many GAA jerseys over the bar. They are different county players jerseys. it is very impressive. There was loads of staff serving behind the bar so there was no waiting to get the drinks. There are three televisions behind the bar, a very good idea. The pint of Guinness was spot on and no complaints about it.

It is a long bar and up near the toilets i saw a band setting up. Sadly the toilets were not good. They were small and were messy on the night in question. You will find a smoking area out here as well. I was suitably impressed with this pub that appeared to have loads of character and is very popular. Check out their very own website at www.tatlerjack.com

Toilet rating: 5/10
Pint rating: 8/10
Overall rating: 7.5/10

Final comment: The Tatler Jack is most certainly a pub worth visiting if you are in Killarney.

Mustang Sally’s

Published on August 11, 2006 in Kerry. 2 Comments

Yes it is the name of a popular song but it is aso the name of a bar and restaurant in Killarney, Co Kerry. We headed into Mustang Sally’s on main street in Killarney last Saturday night. You will find it across the road from the AIB. We met two bouncers on the way in and then climbed the many stairs. It is quite a big bar with a couple of sections. I ordered a pint of Guinness and a glass of Budweiser. I was served by a nice girl. It was busy where we were so we went up a few steps to another area and got a seat. There was generally a young cowd in this bar and i did notice a hen night enjoying themselves. Two of the bouncers came through the bar with a guy that they were obviously throwing out. There was loads of world flags in this section.

The toilets were not too bad at all, fairly good condition to be honest. The music was very modern and loud. The pint of Guinness was a nice one but i wouldn’t head back to this bar again and Jen agreed. It would not be my kind of pub. Saying that it attracted a good crowd and it may be nice for a bite to eat.

Toilet rating: 7.5/10
Pint rating: 7/10
Overall rating: 6.5/10

Final comment: Mustang Sally’s has a real American look from the outside and is one of Killarney’s vast number of pubs.

Café Du Parc

Published on August 7, 2006 in Kerry. 1 Comment

Café Du Parc at the Killarney Plaza hotel was our first stop on our night out in Killarney. As we were going in there was a good number of people sitting just outside the door. It is a very modern bar inside. The front area was quite busy so we walked down to the right and sat at the bar here. We were served by a very polite bar man and i got a pint of Guinness and Jen got a glass of Budweiser. The Guinness was the new Toucan brew and i have to say that it was an excellent pint. There was good music playing in the backround and i could see that this is a very popular bar. I was reading the hotels website and it says that Café Du Parc is ’5 bars spread over 4 levels’. I didn’t get to see the whole bar but it sounds like its very big overall.

I didn’t check out the toilets pretty much because i forgot to! I am sure that they are there anyway. I was considering staying for another pint here but decided to head on. It seemed to attract a good mixture of people and age groups. It is a place that i would head back to again. If you want to contact the Killarney Plaza hotel phone: 06421100

Pint rating: 8/10
Overall rating: 8/10

Final comment: Café Du Parc is a modern bar situated in a very modern hotel.

The Punch Bowl Bar

Published on August 7, 2006 in Kerry. 0 Comments

We stayed in Killarney on Saturday for a night away. The fantastic Great Southern hotel was our choice of accomodation. We stayed in a very comfortable room and found the general service in the hotel to be very good. As i was walking around the hotel on arrival i strolled into The Punch Bowl Bar in the hotel. The high ceilings and comfortable couches caught my attention. I oredered a 7up and a glass of red wine at the bar. Even though it was about 5pm i felt under dressed for this bar. The bar man was very official, not the friendliest but he was efficient. I walked around the bar and took in the surroundings. It is a magnificent building and the bar certainly has that WOW factor to it. There was a few others in the bar at this time as well.

The toilets were in a very good condition when checked. I didn’t head back to the bar for a pint but from my short visit i could tell it would be hard to find many faults. I would definately stay at this hotel again as it is very central and historical hotel. It is situated next to the train station and across the road from the Killarney outlet center. There is complimentary car parking available for guests.

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

Final comment: The Punch Bowl Bar is worth a look. If in Killarney check it out.

Request for review

Published on August 1, 2006 in Announcements. 0 Comments

Ernest, former manager of Cleavers bar has opened a new pub ‘Sober Lane’ and he e-mailed me asking Munster pubs to review it. We will complete this soon.