- Colm Dalton outlines the essential elements for an ideal Irish pub.
- Discover which authentic U.S. pub located in a strip mall stands out as the top choice, along with the finest UK venues.
- READ MORE: As a woman traveling alone, this place is an undiscovered treasure that you absolutely must see.
I visited an Irish pub in Corsica, and it was named Loch Ness Irish Pub.
Traveler Colm Dalton spoke with MailOnline Travel regarding his quest to visit all the Irish pubs around the globe. He shared details about some of the more unusual establishments he has checked off his list when questioned about whether these pubs must meet a certain standard of "Irish authenticity."
Are there those who cannot rightfully be called an Irish pub?
There are certainly those that fall into a gray area," he states. "Take Loch Ness, for example—it’s notoriously not located in Ireland.
What are the standards for an ideal Irish pub?
Colm, hailing from County Kerry, shares his insights: "One way to gauge quality is through the name. If it’s named after an Irish family, such as Quinn's or Keane's, you can bet it's likely top-notch since these names often honor their founders. Conversely, establishments labeled as Shamrock Pub or Guinness Pub typically won’t meet high standards."
The specialist notes that 'live music is a significant indicator of a great Irish pub since a genuine establishment will feature quality live performances.' Additionally, patrons would like to observe elements of Irish culture, for instance, watching Irish sports on television at an authentic venue.
However, the true indicator of finding a gem lies in the quality of the staff.
Colm remarks: “The bartenders in an Irish pub typically excel. They manage up to 20 orders simultaneously and even pour drinks using their elbows. Despite being incredibly amiable, they’re highly skilled professionals. It’s often evident when the employees have received training from an Irish proprietor. If the servers ask, ‘What would you like to drink? We’ll bring it right to your table,’ this epitomizes the top-tier service akin to valet parking at a Rolls-Royce dealership—an unmistakably refined touch. This level of hospitality is standard for an Irish public house. The warm reception here sets the expectation.”
The enthusiastic traveler has thus far visited 94 pubs spanning 45 countries – yet where can you find the finest bars?
He suggests visiting Patrick Foley’s in Ghent, describing it as "a charming bar along the canal featuring a large mural of Celtic art in its outdoor seating area." Additionally, he highly appreciates Kelly’s in Austin, Texas, noting that “despite being located in a strip mall, it resembles an Irish cottage and offers an genuine experience.”
Colm comments, "The atmosphere matters significantly as it can greatly differ, altering your experience entirely. For instance, I visited a place named O’Gillins in Lisbon on a Wednesday evening. Despite being crowded, with a live band performing and everybody joining in song, it perfectly captured the essence of Portuguese nightlife within the setting of an Irish pub."
In the United Kingdom, he adores The Auld Shillelagh in Stoke Newington for its appealing mix of trendy atmosphere with an authentic Irish touch. Mc & Sons , featuring a couple of charming wooden pubs serving authentic Irish pub-style Thai cuisine in Vauxhall and Borough.
High-quality Irish pubs often turn up in the most unexpected locations.
Colm mentions: "In Jakarta, Indonesia, I spent two hours in a tuk-tuk until it left me at a mall. The place had a shoe store and a barber shop, followed by a small doorway leading into an excellent Irish pub."
'The Minas Tirith,' an unexpected Lord of the Rings-inspired Irish bar located on a dilapidated side street in Palermo, is also included among the surprisingly delightful places mentioned.
Are there any Irish pubs travelers should exclude from their itinerary?
Surprisingly, it’s not Corsica’s version of Loch Ness, described as ‘a nice pub but somehow mixed up’. Nevertheless, he warns travelers to avoid Belgrade’s Gecko Irish Pub. According to Colm, “The place features a lizard in its logo and seems to ask, ‘Ever visited Ireland? Lizards aren’t common there.’ Additionally, it had a pirate theme, mixing up what it means to be Irish with piracy. The walls were decorated with ship rigging.”
However, the sole Irish pub from which Colm has walked out is the Guinness Pub in Sarajevo. He elaborates: “The place had no customers and not a single employee inside; we waited alone in a room for about 20 minutes wondering what was happening.” Just then, an attendant was spotted smoking a cigarette right outside. It seemed they weren’t inclined to assist.
Colm typically opts for a Guinness during his visits "as an experiment," yet he remembers a particular instance where he decided against trying a distinctive twist on the classic beverage. He recounts, "While in Bilbao, the residents enjoyed what they call a Frankenstein—a mix of half a Guinness with half a Heineken. It appears quite dark on top and has a greenish-yellow hue below. However, I wasn’t able to muster up the courage to taste that concoction."
What does Colm believe contributes to the global popularity of Irish pubs?
He elaborates: "Many nations have cafes and nightclubs but lack a third space. An Irish pub seems to serve this purpose. In certain urban areas, these pubs act as alternatives for those who wish to experience being a disillusioned bard. There’s certainly a trend where people observe charming pubs and decide to replicate them."
According to Colm, the most frequently adopted name for an Irish pub is Molly Malone's, notably favored in Southeast Asia. On the other hand, James Joyce also ranks high as a preferred title, possibly because of the renowned Irish writer’s "very stylish profile," notes Colm.
The Irish Pubs Global Federation approximates that there are over 6,500 Irish pubs worldwide; however, Colm remains ‘hopeful’ as he aims to visit all of them.
He managed to visit nine pubs in a single day while on vacation in Rome, moving between 'museum to pub to museum to pub.' This devoted patron of pubs often takes his companion with him on these adventures, noting that she has become quite the enthusiast herself and now appreciates a good Guinness.
Which pubs are coming up next on the expert's wish list?
Colm mentions: "There’s one in Namche Bazaar located at the base of the Himalayas that seems quite impressive, and I believe it's the highest-altitude Irish pub around."
There's another one in Kampala, Uganda, known as Bubbles O'Leary, which was dismantled and rebuilt stone by stone from Ireland to Uganda.
Recently, I came across something intriguing online; apparently, there’s an Irish pub located in Guantanamo Bay. While I’m unsure about the practicalities of reaching such a place, it certainly sounds like an fascinating endeavor worth exploring.
To track Colm's adventure, check out his Instagram profile at @publicanenemy or website - publicanenemy.com .
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