Matt Malloy's was my big disappointment in my search for a good session in Ireland. Being a fiddler myself, I know the ingredients of a magical session and the craic required for it to happen. While Matt Malloy's has the perfect setting and pulls a good pint, its popularity and meager size combine to render a logistical burden.
The pub is bright and cheerful from its facade and carries the name and ownership of one famous musician, Matt Malloy, the talented flautist from The Chieftains. The pub is decorated in old knick-knacks and has a wooden furniture and antique flair. Overall, you'll be impressed when you first enter. The problems arise when you head to the back (where the music is and where the American tourists are).
Session musicians can be found at Malloys on almost all weeknights and the back room houses them under a sign that clearly states "reserved for musicians during sessions." This is a great idea, but the room itself is tiny and if you're looking for a seat to listen to the session (they start around 9 pm), you'd better show up at least a half hour early.
Our night of listening was unfortunately dampened by an American couple in their late 60s, the male half of which was just an embarrassing character. He was unable to read the "reserved" sign and tried to sit in the musician seats. The mandolin player was tuning up and said, "Sorry it's for the musicians." The obstinate fool awkwardly persisted and managed to snag a tiny stool that he forcibly relegated his wife to - in the middle of the doorway blocking traffic - even though she tried to persist but, likely knowing the bossy disposition of the poor sod she married years ago, surrendered. Neither the man nor his wife bought a single drink and, when one of the musicians went up to the bar to get a drink, he went back over to the session area and stole another chair. He finally plunked himself down in the doorway next to us with his wife, blocking traffic, abstaining from alcohol (or any other drink) and mumbling, "They're starting late," when the musicians finally got their tunes going (one of them having to sit on his own button accordion box).
The pub could stand to enlarge the back room or else place the musicians in the front room to allow for more space and traffic. On crowded nights it's standing-room only and a line to get into the back room. When you're on vacation, you don't want to work in order to relax! read more