No Place like Pub

Who says Ireland, says Irish pubs!

Recently, the winners of the 2017 Irish Pub Awards were unveiled. The happiest of them all is The Porter House of Castlebridge, Co. Wexford. The proud pub owners Myles and Sharon Doyle took home two awards out of nine: “Best Local Pub” and the most important one – “National Irish Pub of the Year”. The competition is open to any member of VFI (Vintners Federation Ireland) and LVA (Licensed Vintners Association), 500 pubs were competing this year.

LVA Chairman John Gleeson said, “We are very pleased with the success of our first awards programme. These awards will now be recognised as the definitive awards programme within the industry as it is set up to reward all pub sectors right throughout the country.”

The Stag’s Head in Dublin received the “Best Tourist Pub” award, other winners are listed below:

• Innovative Pub of the Year: The Roadside Tavern, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare
• Best Music Pub: Matt The Millers, Kilkenny City
• Best Outdoor Space: The Terrace at Dinn Rí, Co. Carlow
• Outstanding Customer Service: The Bog Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois
• Pub Personality of the Year: Johnny Quilty – The Goat Bar & Grill, Clonskeagh, Dublin  
• Best Food Pub: Mickey Finn’s, Redcross, Co. Wicklow  

Even the most traditional old-style pubs in Ireland are constantly innovating, finding new ways to satisfy their customers’ changing tastes.

If you have a sudden desire to grab a pint or two while you walk your dog on Sunday evening, Drop Dead Twice in Francis Street in Dublin is for you. The pub has just launched a “Yappy hour” – from 4 to 7 pm every Sunday, you can come in for a drink, and bring your pooch with you. Adelphi bar on Middle Abbey Street went even further: it stocked up on dog-friendly beer. The alcohol-free beverage Snuffle is comprised exclusively of natural ingredients and is offered free of charge to anyone coming in with a dog.

Two pubs from Ballsbridge – Old Spot and Chop House – upped their cuisine to retain their places in the 2018 Michelin ‘Eating Out In Pubs’ guide.

The Hill Pub in Ranelagh in Dublin 6, too, upgraded its services. The cocktail maestros  partnered with Deliveroo, and now you can have delicious cocktails delivered straight to your doorstep, if you don’t want to leave your home. Mind you, we think it’s way more beneficial to go out and do some pub-surfing yourself. When in Ireland, do as the Irish do, or you’ll miss out on all the fun!