In order to enjoy your first trip to the pub it’s important to know the ground rules. You need to follow proper pub etiquette.
Have respect for the Pub, especially in smaller out of the way places. The Pub is a meeting place, a social gathering, if you want to experience the Irish Pub start with respect for this institution and it’s people.
Step 1 -enter the Pub, take off your hat, find a stool and sit down. Now this doesn’t sound hard but the majority of tourist are so exited they turn people off. When you get to your seat relax and stay to yourself.
Step 2 -order a pint of guinness, If you don’t like guinness, order what’s available (smithwicks,harp,carlsberg). The older fellas will be drinking guinness, and the youngsters will be drinking carlsberg or bud or guinness .(My brother ordered a smithwicks and was told it’s a nice drink for women) you also see a lot of people ordering a bulmers cider. My recommendation is order a pint of guinness and wait—-guinness takes time to pull–fill glass 2/3 let it settle—fill to top–settle–perfect pour –then served. Thank the barkeep. Don’t flash your money, do not tip, the barkeeps are professional and are paid as such, if you tip you will be targeted as an ignorant tourist.
Step 3 -enjoy your pint, read the paper, if there is a game on watch the tv, slowly drink your pint and drink in the atmosphere of the old pub that you’re in. The only one who is obligated to listen to you is the barkeep, don’t insert yourself in local conversations without being invited. You are being summed up by the locals, they are trying to figure out if you are a nice tourist interested in the local goings on, or a pain in the ass tourist.
Step 4 -be prepared to listen, I know, what are you being prepared to listen to. If you have entered the Pub and respectfully ordered your pint and didn’t make any one in the bar want to go and hide. Then some local will ask “what part of the states are you from”. Since you are visiting you will be treated as a guest. The chats will be different depending on the parts of the country.
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Do’s and don’ts of Pub etiquette
- Do take your time and relax, hey your on vacation.
- Do buy a round, If bought a drink return the favor, it’s expected.
- Do wait to be invited into conversation.
- Do laugh and enjoy a good chat.
- Do stay at a hotel or B&B with a Pub, customers have access to the bar after hours.
- Do remember you are not Irish, people born in Ireland are Irish. Example I am from Boston, I am an American with an Irish surname.
- Don’t talk about the troubles, do feign ignorance.
- Don’t expect the locals to put on a show for you, you are a guest act accordingly.
- Don’t demand service, be polite. Thank yous are appreciated.
- Don’t expect music in small towns, the tourist spots have trad music to, well, attract tourist.
The Pubs are the best institutions in Ireland, you have some of the best chats with all types of people, and remember, use proper pub etiquette and it never rains in the Pub.
So make the trip over and enjoy Ireland, It’s a beautiful, friendly, fun place to be, now that you know the proper pub etiquette that is. For a good choice of hotels with discount prices, visit Dublin Accommodation for more information.”
Cheers.
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I think in Kilkenny Smithwicks is not just a woman’s drink, as it is brewed here, but yup, when in doubt always have Guinness! And when in Kilkenny City DO go to Cleere’s pub, day or night there is a good chance of a bit of banter, and great value, tasty pub lunch, which at the mo’ they are doing into the evenings. Generally a gig on of some type most nights, Monday is the trad session. Brill place altogether, and keep your eye out for the Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots festival on in May– a truly great atmosphere in town for that, most venues small & intimate, and you often run into the musicians during the days in the pubs and such and can have some craic. Not trad music, but if you like Americanna or roots music you’ll be in heaven, and if you like music and/or a good timein general you will also be very happy
Susan
I’m pretty sure we were in Cork when my brother was accused of less manly drinking, it was his first time over. Though I would have gladly changed places since he was chatting with a golf group in the bar after hours and I and my wife were taking turns with a cranky 1 year old. You do your town well with your information, I’m well overdo for a trip over to my cousin in Wicklow, a nice weekend in Kilkenny, sounds like a plan.
Ok, seen as I personally do my best to avoid ’rounds’, I would suggest you put ‘Do buy a round, If bought a drink return the favor, it’s expected’ as ‘if you are bought a drink, reciprocate’ If you start off a round as the tourist you are goin to be seen as a soft touch.
As for ‘manly’ drinking…. get what you want. Smithwicks is good…. with a Guinness Head
Hi Will,
I would think you’ld appreciate a few soft touches, you point is well taken, maybe change-
Do buy a round, If bought a drink return the favor, it’s expected. to
Do reciprocate if bought a drink, it’s expected.
These dos and don’ts are to help we tourist be a little better prepared, as pub etiquette varies wildly from state to state and country to country. Your fine tuning is greatly appreciated.
What county do you call home, and what’s your local?
And yeah Smithwicks is good but the fella did say that to my brother and I thought it was a funny rank.
Cheers,
Brian.
Hello I am from Istanbul-Turkiye(turkey.) : I dont who come up with this country name… often ı make a joke when ı’m in States..When people ask where are you from ı say I am from the land of gobblers
))
My question is ; Would Irish people mind if ı speak celtic… or do they expect tourists to talk in English rather than Irish…
Hello Boray, I would say after speaking in english and after making a friend or two, you could then speak a bit in the Irish language. If you are seeking to speak in Irish visit Dingle in Kerry or head to Donegal. The biggest tip I could give you is enjoy your surroundings and let the conversation come to you. Once you ask for a cup of tea, or a pint of guinness, your accent will tell all you are a visitor. If you try to force yourself into the conversation you will be just another pushy tourist. One more tip, be wary of political conversations, you can have them just be prepared for a long conversation. Good Luck and Enjoy Ireland.
Brian.