Archive for the 'Cork' Category

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The Laurel Bar

Published on December 13, 2007 in Cork. 2 Comments

Myself and Ryan headed into this bar on the same night. The Laurel Bar is on Mary Street in the city. This is a pub i have passed a couple of times over the past few months and said i would check it out. It is just off Georges Quay in the city. It is a small bar with a pool table bang in the centre. We both found it to be very much a locals haunt but no notice was taken of us as we sauntered in. There is a seating area on the right as you walk in across from the bar and that is where we pirched ourselves. We enjoyed two pints of Murphy’s although Ryan did comment that his was very cold! We sat under a television in the corner and i noticed another tv too. There was a good crowd in the bar but it was not packed.

The toilets were very well kept i am pleased to say. Both of us agreed that this is a very welcoming little pub in the city centre. It was an enjoyable visit and if i was living in this area of the city i would consider heading into this bar on a regular basis.

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

Final comment: The Laurel Bar is not somewhere that most people that head for a night out in the city would know about. I am glad that we found it.

The Bierhaus

Published on December 13, 2007 in Cork. 2 Comments

Recently myself, Ryan and Sandy headed into town in search of some nice pubs. We headed in the direction of Popes Quay in Cork City. We went ino the Bierhaus bar. This was formerly ‘The head of the river’. There was a good number of people sitting outside the front of the bar as we entered. We took a seat to the left and i went to the bar to order the drinks. I decided on a pint of Hoegaarden. It was certainly the right choice as it was a beautiful pint. It came in a proper Hoegaarden glass and i got a slice of lime. The bar itself is small and there was a crowd of people sitting just up from us. We noticed that two of the people sitting outside had ordered a pizza from the restaurant next door, a very good idea!

There is a great selection of foreign beers available in this pub and it is nice to have so much of a choice of draught beer. I know that they host a table quiz every Monday evening so that might be worth checking out. The toilets in this bar are small but were well maintained on the night. This is a very nice pub that is well worth a visit.

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

Final comment: The Bierhuas is somewhere i will definately head back to.

Martin’s Pub Knocknagree

Published on October 27, 2007 in Cork. 0 Comments

Another impresssive establishment in this fine village. Lots of space and atmosphere. The “divider” in the middle of the bar is unique. Has two well postioned tellies, so if you want to watch a match you’ll miss nothing. If poker is your game, there’s a good Texas Hold ‘em school here most nights. But it’s always a friendly game. Jukebox needs updating. That aside the beer is very good and Martin himself is a sound gent.

Toilets 7/10

Beer 9/10

Atmosphere 10/10

 

 

 

Podsie O’ Mahony’s

Published on July 10, 2007 in Cork. 0 Comments

Across the road from Dan Sheehans bar on the main Cork to Macroom road is Podsies bar. As far as i am aware it is owned by former Cork footballer Podsie O’ Mahony. We walked into this pub at about half six on a Sunday evening. I think it was the bar section we were in. It was busy with a guy on guitar up playing where the pool table is. Myself and Jen got a seat and took in our surroundings. I ordered a pint of Murphy’s and a diet Coke and i was served by a very pleasant lady. We sat and enjoyed the music and there was good craic amongst the people inside. The pint of Murphy’s i had was very enjoyable and couldn’t complain about it.

The toilets that i used out the back are small and were not in great condition. There is a car park out the back and i am not sure but i think there is a smoking area available here as well. I didn’t head out because of torrential rain! It appeared to be very much a locals pub and attracted a good crowd on a Sunday evening. I saw a notice behind the bar that was advertising live music that will be in the pub in the future.

Toilet rating: 5/10
Pint rating: 7.5/10
Overall rating: 7/10

Final comment: Podsies was a nice place to stop off at for a drink. It enjoys a prominent road side location.

Dan Sheehans

Published on July 10, 2007 in Cork. 1 Comment

Dan Sheehans pub was our next stop. Again this pub is on the main road between Ballincollig and Macroom. There is a huge parking area available at the back. We walked in through the beer garden and into the pub. It was very busy with people dining. It is obviously a very popular pub for food and we were gave into temptation and decided to have a meal. I ordered my usual pint of Murphy’s and Jen had a soda water and lime. It is a very relaxing pub and we spotted the owner talking with customers. It was a good pint of stout. Jen had the roast of the day which was beef and i had roast chicken. The fodd was real quality home made fare and we both enjoyed it very much. It was quite reasonable too.

The toilets i visited were small but well maintained. If i was peckish passing here again i would stop off without hesitation. It has an ideal location on one of Cork’s busiest roads and i’d say it does well every day of the week. Definately one to check out.

Toilet rating: 7/10
Pint rating: 7.5/10
Food rating: 8/10
Overall rating: 7.5/10

Final comment: Dan Sheehans is a traditional Irish bar with character and good food.

Barry Murphys

Published on July 10, 2007 in Cork. 0 Comments

This pub has closed down. September ’09

We went next door to Barry Murphys bar after we left Hannie Macs. This pub is in the Farran area on the main Cork to Macroom road. Sunday afternoon was our time of visiting. There is a good area available for parking outside. As we walked in we met a very pleasant man and discussed the awful weather we area enduring. As soon as myself and Jen stepped inside we knew immediately that this pub is very much a locals bar. We were noticed as strangers but that was about it. We got the odd stare but none that seemed unfriendly. I ordered the pint of Murphy’s and a diet coke and we sat near the front of the pub under the tv. There was a big crowd inside and i have to say that there was a great atmosphere inside. The pint of Murphy’s was excellent, very good quality. Some of the customers that we saw in Hannie Macs had come into this pub when we arrived. It is quite a good sized pub and there is a pool table down the back.

The gents toilets are small and there was quite a bad odour in there to be honest. There is a seperate smoking area available for patrons wishing to use this. Barry Murphy pub was another enjoyable visit and its your typical locals spot.

Toilet rating: 5/10
Pint rating: 8.5/10
Overall rating: 7/10

Final comment: I am not sure if the owner of this pub is Barry Murphy but who ever owns appears to do a very good trade from what we saw.

Hanny Macs

Published on July 10, 2007 in Cork. 1 Comment

This pub changed name and has since closed down. I saw a for let sign outside so may open again. September ’09

The pub reviews are coming in thick and fast! We were down in the Kerry at the weekend and on the way back decided on a small detour but not off the beaten track. Hanny Macs is one of the pubs i have often said ‘I’l have to head in there some time’. Myself and Jen did just that on Sunday. This pub is located on the Cork to Macroom road in the Farran area. There is ample parking available outside. It is quite an impressive looking pub. I noticed that it is up for sale at present. We walked in and there was a good crowd watching the munster final. It is a good sized bar and the bar man was friendly when he took my order. The pint of Murphy’s was grand, no complaints there. There is a Ronan O’ Gara signed shirt above the mantle piece. We were sitting next to an interesting fishing picture. There is a games machine near the back of the bar and there is a seperate restaurant area.

The toilets were in good condition when i checked them. I saw a small smoking area near the toilets. They serve food in the bar and we saw other people eating and it looked like good food.
Hanny Macs is a very decent pub that is well worth stoppin at.

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

Final comment: We both enjoyed Hanny Macs.

Mc Daids

Published on July 6, 2007 in Cork. 0 Comments

The last pub that we visited on our visit to Midleton was Mc Daids pub on the main street. This was certainly the biggest pub that we visited and it wasn’t a bad place to end up. It was relatively quiet, seeing as it was a Monday night but there was people out enjoying a few drinks. I had my last pint of Murphy’s and it was a good one. In fact all the Midleton pubs visited had decent stout. We sat in a kind of booth/snug across from the bar. It is a spacious bar which would attract crowds of all ages i would say. I noticed a few different flags from Countries around the world. It is a very nice pub to have a drink in and we both enjoyed it.

The toilets were most definately the best visited out of all the Midleton pubs. The were impeccibly clean and there was a lovely smell of some kind of air freshener. Jen said that the ladies toilets were without fault as well. I didn’t see a smoking area but there most likely is one that i didn’t spot. Overall a very enjoyable visit to east Cork’s most thriving town.

Toilet rating: 9/10
Pint rating:7.5/10
Overall rating: 8/10

Final coment: Mc Daids is a fine pub that i would head back to again.

Murphys

Published on July 4, 2007 in Cork. 0 Comments

Murphy’s restaurant and bar was the next pub we decided to head into. It is also on the main street in Midleton. This is a small pub and very much a regulars spot. We went in on a Monday night and there was 8 other people inside and that made the place busy. We sat in a seat across from the bar at the front facing the window outside. There was some people playing darts in the pub and it looked like this was a regular occurance. The lady behind the bar was very friendly and had a great rapport with the locals. I had the usual pint of Murphy’s and Jen had a soda water and lime. The pint of Murphy’s was definately the best one of the night. Many would argue that this pub is outdated and needs modernisation. I, however love this kind of pub and think every town needs a good local where youy could walk in, in your pj’s and no-one would bat a eye lid.

The toilets are upstairs and there were not too bad. I noticed the restaurant area upstairs but i couldn’t see in because it was closed and the lights were off. This pub has plenty character and would certainly a place i would go if i was living in Midleton.

Toilet rating: 6/10
Pint rating: 8.5/10
Overall rating: 8/10

Final comment: Murphys is a pub that wouldn’t be everyones cup of tea but i enjoyed the visit.

Wallis

Published on July 4, 2007 in Cork. 0 Comments

The next Midleton pub we visited was next door to Finins on Midleton’s main street. Wallis is a big pub with a traditional feel. There was a good few people in the bar the other night but it was by no means busy. I was served promptly by the bar man who was chatting with other customers. It was quite dark in this pub with impressive lanterns hanging from the ceiling providing the light. The pub is on two levels, there is plenty of seating all around and i can imagine the place getting very busy. The music being played was in the background and was a good selection. There are a few plasma screen tv’s scattered around the pub. The pint of Murphy’s i had was fine, not great but ok. Jen checked out the smoking room and said that it was big with plenty heaters available. I noticed an advert for a U2 tribute act so live music is available here.

The toilets are up the back of the pub near the smoking area. The gents were ok. I was glad to see that there was a wheelchair accessable cubicle. The best time to head to this pub would be the weekend when i’d say it would be great.

Toilet rating: 6.5/10
Pint rating: 6/10
Overall rating: 6.5/10

Final comment: Wallis is a nice pub, check it out.