The Emerald Isle, a land known for its pubs and famous black beer! While we do enjoy a well pulled pint of Guinness, you know our true hearts desire lies in the depths of a well-hidden speakeasy flowing with luscious libations and a sultry atmosphere.
A reservation is necessary for this tiny bar not only to secure your space, but to obtain instructions for how to find the venue itself. And there are a lot of steps: a code, an alley, a sign, and a password. It was the most fun entrance we’ve had in a long time, and the nature of a true speakeasy!
The Blind Pig in Dublin continues this tradition as a fun basement bar found behind a bookshelf underneath an Italian restaurant. The establishment is narrow and dark creating the feel of secrecy without feeling in any way pretentious.
This little hole in the wall is a dark rustic room on the lower level for walk ins reminiscent of a castle dungeon mixed with a knights of templar secret pub. While this level is plenty enjoyable for the drinks alone, to truly experience Peruke & Periwig you need to make a reservation to be seated upstairs.
Headed South to Cork, we find a really neat hidden bar called Upstairs, and you guessed it, you can find it above it’s parent establishment – Arthur Mayne’s. This intimate bar had a funky vibe that gave off a relaxed groovy atmosphere. The two tiny rooms that make up the space provide a few tables for intimacy among guests and friends.
Now the Prince of Wales bar is not a true speakeasy – but you have to know its there to find it, and it has a vintage atmosphere from a bygone era that we also appreciate spending an afternoon sitting in.
Margot was an excellent start to our Emerald Isle tour, they were open for lunch and allowed us an early pop in to gain sustenance in the form of both alcohol and fantastic food. This bar does not offer typical pub fare – the menu was as culturally diverse as it was intricate.