A loud late-opener on George’s Street [1], formerly a favourite for the reluctant militant few unwilling to call a halt on a college night out. It once had a subterranean smoking area, since bricked up, which had a certain seedy charm and was the only place in the venue that was audible. Upstairs at the main counter, barmaid Amna was especially friendly, and had a warm smile for everyone, not least for those beguiled boozers besotted by her beam. This is also the home of Rí-Rá, the underground nightclub which has a sneaky door around the back onto Dame Court.

Every Arts student from TCD was here at one stage or another, even the odd lecturer, too. One thinks of the insufferable Elaine (self-styled 'Crusher') McGovern [2] (inexplicably adored by Ronan Murphy and hailed as one of his thousand best friends) who was seen pontificating here on several occasions. In 2012, on his way towards the smoking area, Sam Coll, hat on head, cool and coy, with a lengthy beard in flow for the role of ‘Captain Shotover,’ was accosted by a drunken punter who shouted: ‘HEY, ARE YOU AN ORTHODOX JEW MAN?

Update as of November 2020: Sadly it was reported (but not confirmed) that it will never reopen its doors post Covid-19 as it has been contracted to soon morph into yet another hotel/retail venture. R.I.P.

September 2021: It’s back open for business!

FOOTNOTES

[1] Bars to stay away from on this street include: The Chelsea Drugstore (cocktails, craft, etc.), NoLIta (once a gay bar called ‘The Dragon,’ cocktails, craft, etc.), J.T.Pims (cocktails, craft, etc.).

[2] ‘Elaine McGovern’ - a cocksure TCD lecturer of something akin to horror-porn (whose department has been rightfully rendered obsolete) who uses her puffed-up status and self-importance to mandate herself invariably correct on all worldly matters. A radical feminist with an obese ego suffering a chip on both padded shoulders. Passive-aggressive par excellence. A despot to poor ‘Pete’ (her submissive sidekick), the receiver of many a whip and a lash, and who very likely takes it up the ass whenever she deems it fit to strap one on. Like many a lady of her stripe, McGovern is an active despiser of the Male Gaze, but full of nothing but adoration and praise for male gays.

DISCLAIMER: The contents of this blog represent personal opinions and perspectives only. Read more.