196) The Old Orchard Inn of Butterfield Avenue, Rathfarnham, D14
Pricey very and character void. A sewer with a fake smile. Faps for food. Surrounded by restaurants. A cold hexagonal marble bar is misplaced. Previous manager and part-time baldy barman ‘Tim’ is an arsehole. Atmosphere reeks of affluence, pretentiousness and champagne farts. To keep amused one may doodle on a napkin. The aforementioned Peter Conlon was recently forced to drink in this little pisshole due to there being no other local during Covid-19. His remarks expounded our experience: insufferably slow service mixed with undrinkable pints of Guinness. So untakeable was the stout that he switched to a costly gin and tonic.
Michael Coll, father of the aforementioned Sam, used to come here annually on December 18th/19th, having just played Santa Claus for the benefit of his college chum Kay Towey's creche – as a reward, she would treat her Father Christmas to a pint and a slap-up bacon-cum-cabbage dinner (the latter of which, to be fair, this establishment makes a decent, if financially ruinous, fist of). This is, let it be known, very much a Charlie Chawke bar. In 2018 they reported earnings of 1.1 million. One is born every minute.
DISCLAIMER: The contents of this blog represent personal opinions and perspectives only. Read more.