Really loved our time in this little pub. We stopped by in the afternoon one day because we were cold and tired and wanted to sit for a bit. It was warm with a fire in the grate, and mostly empty, and the young gal working the bar was super friendly. She had a younger boy with her (a neighbor or friend of the family?), and she helped him with homework when it was quiet and told him some of the finer points of mixing drinks when she had an order to make for a customer. The younger boy was precocious and charmingly innocent (the excitement in his face was palpable when he earned a small tip for carrying something to a customer - he took the coins and showed his father and everyone else he knew there). It was entertaining, tranquil, and felt like life has been this way for a long, long time in Dingle. This was perhaps the most fun thing I experienced in this area (which is saying something because I got to hold a little lamb earlier that day; ladies, this is just as awesome as it sounds - we did it on the Slea Head drive).
We came later in the evening to listen to music and had a fun time. To be honest, what mostly spoiled our enjoyment was the clumps of tourists. They stood in front of other patrons (and us), blocking our limited views of the musicians and clogging the hallways. They'd have to move every minute or so because nobody could come in otherwise, but they didn't let that stop them. Half of them never paid any real attention to the musicians and frankly could have been at any bar with music playing from speakers. They just talked over the top of it like it wasn't even happening. Oh well. Once we decided to simply enjoy the sound of the music instead of trying to see the performers, we were much happier. It was so pleasant to sit and hear the fiddle, drum and guitar. Occasionally, they'd do a number with singing, but it was mostly Irish folk music. Ironically, the fiddle player was a transplant from the US (though her music sounded authentic).
This place has multiple rooms, restrooms in the back, and supposedly a nite club upstairs. We didn't see that part open. Music in this area starts at about 9:30pm, and this place is one of the pubs that stays open the latest. Our set went to about 11:30pm. It's a quiet old town. They like their pubs, and they like their music, but they still plan on being in bed by midnight. They don't serve food here, but they have plenty of beer on tap, whiskey options, and even soda. Go to the bar to get a drink, there's no table service. read more