The Irish Pub

Did you know that Ireland is the country with the highest number of Irish pubs per square kilometre? And for good reason! They are absolutely impossible to miss: you find them everywhere, whether in cities or in the smallest villages on the island! There are sometimes even more than 3 or 4 per street! But why is there so much fuss about this type of establishment?
Basic rules of an Irish Pub
Order at the bar and pay in cashThe Quays in Galway – Irish Pub

Widely frequented by Irish people in general, the Irish Pub (short for “public house“) operates on a principle quite different from the one we know. There is no point waiting for a server to come and take your order. Everything is done at the bar when you arrive. As soon as you have placed your order, you must pay in cash, and you can take your glasses with you to your table… There is no negotiating to pay for everything later: in a pub, drinks are served and payment is collected immediately, which avoids problems…

Once seated, you can enjoy the charm of an Irish Pub. Most often, you will find a setting made up of wood panelling, antique objects and advertising posters promoting several major Irish alcohol brands. A few photographs, articles and instruments may also be hung on the walls, making the place even more picturesque…

An Irish Pub opens its doors around 12:00 for the lunchtime meal. It welcomes customers continuously until 00:00, closing time.

Drinks are served throughout opening hours, but are no longer available shortly before 00:00. If your pint is not yet empty at closing time, the staff will usually be kind enough to let you finish it without throwing you out.

In addition, some pubs tend to extend their closing hours in order to prolong the enjoyment.
What to consume in an Irish Pub?
What to drink on site?A Guinness – © venge – stock.adobe.com

The pub counter will inevitably feature a series of beer taps from different brands. Let us not forget that Ireland’s national sport is serving Irish beer! And served by the pint, please! Most pubs will offer beers from major brands such as the famous Guinness, Beamish, Caffrey’s, Kilkenny and many others!

In any case, expect to pay an average of €4.50 for a pint, or around €2.50 for a half-pint…

There is also quite precise vocabulary that will help you avoid potential misunderstandings when ordering your beer… To begin with, beer is ordered in two formats: the pint (called a “pint“) and the half-pint, known as a “half-pint“. (It is worth noting that ordering two half-pints is less cost-effective than ordering one pint…)

Finally, be aware that Irish Pubs also offer Irish whiskeys. Order a “half-one” and give the brand of whiskey you would like to drink.

IMPORTANT: alcohol is dangerous to your health. Drink in moderation.
What to eat in an Irish pub?Fish and chips with Guinness – © grinchh

The Irish Pub is also a place to eat. The cuisine is simple, convivial and particularly generous.

Affordable, it caters to everyone’s tastes. You can try:

the traditional Fish and Chips
Irish Stew (a kind of Irish stew)
sandwiches made with Brown Bread
homemade burgers
Irish breakfasts known as Irish Breakfast
seafood soups (seafood chowder),
chicken wings,
seafood platters,
smoked salmon,
…etc.

Do not hesitate to order food there: the quality is guaranteed. (Allow around €8 per person).
Music in PubsA fiddle in an Irish pub © dermot

Another aspect inherent to Irish Pubs is music. In the pub, people listen to it, dance and sing. Musicians play there for an evening and bring the pub an incomparable atmosphere, where customers eat, drink, dance, laugh and chat. During these evenings, Irish musical and cultural heritage is celebrated: traditional pieces are performed in a warm atmosphere.

The fiddle, bodhrán, tin whistle, accordion and Irish guitar are the instruments of the moment. The busiest pubs often offer live music every day from 21:00. Do not hesitate to ask the bartenders for information…

Note that it is possible to watch broadcasts of rugby, football or hurling matches on certain evenings…