The Irish Pub: 20+ Awesome Tips for Enjoying the Craic

Oh, the Irish pub.

It’s one of those iconic places that’s on everyone’s list as they travel to Ireland.

“We do want to go to the Dingle Peninsula, but we also want to be sure we go to a pub,” folks say as we plan their trip.

This is soooo not a problem.

For those of you that have been to Ireland, you know — the pubs are everywhere!!

Why is that?

What’s the history behind the pub?

And is there an etiquette to pub culture?

Are there some tips for visiting an Irish pub?

 

First a little history on the Irish Pub

Irish pubs have been around a very long time, like 1000 years.

They were, and still are to some extent, considered public houses — a central place to meet with family and friends.

And yes, to have an adult beverage.

The pub became the working man’s place to have a drink.

You see, the upper class had these fancy-shmancy drinking establishments.

They were pricey and discriminatory.

The pub was not.

While the English, who were busy keeping the Irish in their so-called place, were partaking in their expensive bottles of French wine, sitting in wing-backed chairs, the Irish — being tough and scrappy folks — were sitting on their wooden chairs by a peat fire with a wee dram of Irish whiskey or a pint of ale.

And probably making fun of the English!

Or complaining about the bloody English — or the weather.

It’s just an Irish thing.

A lot of Irish pubs were part of small grocery stores in the 19th century.

You could buy your flour and tea in the front of the building and have a pint in the back.

Some of these still exist.

But mostly the pubs are now simply pubs.

 

 

So why is the pub so special in Ireland?

As I mentioned above, the Irish pub was — and still is — a place to meet up with your family, friends, neighbors and fellow townspeople.

The pub was that central meeting place, just like the church.

Well maybe not just like the church.

I’m pretty sure you’re not going to find the church serving up pints of Guinness!

But you get what I’m saying.

The pub is part of the Irish social culture — one that has been around now for generations.

It’s where you’d catch up with your community.

It’s where the local musicians would gather and play traditional Irish songs.

This is where community dances would take place.

It’s where local gossip would be shared.

And it’s where people fell in love.

Even though it has changed a bit — pubs now offer food and may have spruced up a bit on the inside — it’s still the meeting place for the locals.

It’s why — as a traveler — you should go to the pubs.

This is where you can observe, and perhaps be a part of, local Irish life.

 

So, what should you expect when you go to a pub for the first time? Is there pub etiquette?

A few basic tips for the Irish pub

• There’s no hostess waiting to seat you. Just grab a seat — at the bar or at a table.

• If you’re wearing a hat, please take it off. It’s simply not polite to wear a hat inside a building.

• Unless food is being served and you see a waiter/waitress, you’ll have to go to the bar to order your drink. You’ll most likely be expected to pay upon getting that drink as well. No need to wave that money around. It’s seen as tacky in Ireland. Depending on the place you may have to pay once you get that drink. However, you may be able to open a tab, like you would in the US. I’ve seen both. It varies from pub to pub. But be prepared to pay right away as this is the more likely scenario.

• Yes you can use your credit card in many pubs. But don’t buy just one drink with that card. I know many of us Americans tend to do this. I’m guilty as hell of buying one coffee at Starbucks worth $4 and putting it on my debit or credit card. Just don’t do this at all in Ireland. I tend to use cash in the pubs unless I’m also having dinner.

• Be polite. I think this goes without saying no matter where you are in the world. Say “thank you” and “you’re welcome”. Don’t be loud and obnoxious. Be respectful. Be kind. You are an ambassador of your country. Put your best foot forward as the saying goes.

 

The tasty part — the drinks!

• If you want a Guinness, simply ask for “a pint”. If you want a half pint, ask for “a glass”. Then — wait. Guinness is a practice in patience. And worth every second. Your bartender will pull the pint, filling it about three-quarters full, waiting for the foam to settle. Then he’ll top it off. It may take three to five minutes. I know you’re thirsty. But I promise it’ll be worth the wait. And don’t take a swig of it right away. Because even after your bartender has topped it off and handed that beautiful black liquid over to you, it still needs to settle. You’ll know when it’s ready.

• If you want something other than Guinness, I’d suggest trying a Smithwicks. But, it’s pronounced Smidiks. So don’t be a dorky tourist. Pronounce it correctly and the Irish will love you for it. Or you might like the local beer. So try one of the many craft brews that are popping up over the country.

• If you’re in County Cork, try a Murphy’s or a Beamish. Both are dry stouts and quite good. Each is a little different from Guinness in its own way. I like Murphy’s.

• Whatever you do DO NOT order an Irish car bomb. No one drinks this in Ireland.

• If you’re with a group of friends, it’s common practice to take turns buying a round. Don’t leave until you’ve taken your turn. At the same time, if you don’t feel like having another drink, then don’t. Just be sure you’ve bought a round.

• Tipping your bartender is not customary in Ireland, so don’t. If there’s food involved, then you might leave a small tip like a few coins to your waiter or waitress. But it’s typically not expected. These folks earn a living wage. What a novel idea!

• Be sure to talk to your bartender. Don’t just order your pint. Chat with him or her. Say hello to the man or woman sitting at the bar next to you. But don’t push yourself into the conversation. Wait to be invited in. More than likely this will happen. The Irish are some of the nicest people on the planet.

• If you want whiskey, get some good Irish whiskey. Jameson and Bushmills are the two bigger producers. But you may want to try something like Powers, Teeling or Connemara. Or get a Red Breast (my personal favorite) for a tasty splurge. Order it neat or with a splash of water. You may be offered ice if they know you’re an American. But whiskey is not drunk this way by the Irish. Try it without ice. You’ll be pleasantly surprised!

• The whiskey scene is growing in Ireland. Small distilleries like Dingle and West Cork are making some very tasty whiskies, so give them a try.

• Also there’s a growing gin production in Ireland. So try the Dingle or Gunpowder gin if this is your adult beverage of choice.

• Appreciate the pint. Or the whiskey. Don’t pound it. Sip it. Enjoy it. Cherish it. After all, you’re in an Irish pub!

 

The Craic

No I’m not talking illicit drugs.

This is the term the Irish use to talk about the fun, the good times.

And the Irish pub is a fabulous place for good craic!

• Traditional music is often played in pubs, but not every pub. So don’t expect that there will be a “session” as it’s called. Check with your B&B or hotel or your travel planner to get some tips on finding the pubs that do have music on a regular basis. Typically you’ll find signs outside the pub letting you know if there is music, who might be playing and at what time.

• If there is music, enjoy it. Sometimes it’s a planned affair. Other times, local musicians simply show up and the next thing you know, you’re up dancing. Go with the flow. It’s so much fun to listen to and watch the musicians as they play, to see the locals singing the traditional songs, their faces showing the emotions of the lyrics. Try to catch at least one session. So worth it!!

• You also may find other types of music in the Irish pub. Often you can hear incredibly talented local musicians who might play more rock, folk or some blend of traditional Irish music with a modern twist. You will be amazed by these artists. And they’re everywhere in the country. But I’ve found West County Cork, Kenmare (County Kerry) and the Connemara area of County Galway to be some wonderful destinations to hear some impressive musicians.

• Don’t be afraid to chat with other folks. A simple “hello” and a smile can start a conversation. You may meet locals and/or other travelers depending on where you are in the country and the time of year. Going out of high season is a great time to connect more with the locals. Before you know it, you’ll have made a new friend. Irish pubs are wonderful places to make new friends.

• Have fun! Enjoy the craic!

• Slainte (pronounced SLAWN-chuh) — that’s Cheers in Irish!!

 

One last word on the Irish pub

I really don’t think a trip to Ireland is complete without at least one visit to an Irish pub.

There are all kinds that fit every personality.

Some are old, dark and very traditional.

Some are brighter, newer and more modern.

Many lie somewhere in between.

And you don’t have to drink any alcoholic beverages to enjoy the lively conversation, the music or the ambience.

I’d love to hear about your Irish pub experiences.

Drop a comment below!

 

This is an updated version of the original post that was first published on May 5, 2016.