IAMA Bar owner in Dublin, Ireland on St. Patrick's day.

Do you ever feel like there was a missed opportunity to call it Gar's Bar or GarBar?

Every day

What is the most disturbing misconception about St. Patrick's day you see/hear every year?

That all Irish people enjoy it. I don't think I know any Irish people that go out on St Patrick's day.

Is it harder to be taken seriously as a barman when you’re so good-looking?

It's my cross to bear unfortunately.

Roughly how many litres of Guinness will you go through, throughout the day?

We are a small bar on the edge of the city centre so our volume would be tiny compared to the giant bars in the heart of town. I ordered in an extra 500 litres for today on top of what we had in stock already.

How many liters per keg?

50

I love your bar! Visiting every time I go to Dublin <3

Thank you!

What percentage of your patronage will be Irish vs tourist on this day?

Probably 80% tourists today. Maybe more.

How respectful are Americans who visit your bar?

Americans and Canadians will make up a large percentage of our customers today and generally will be great to deal with. Rarely any hassle.

Who causes the most problems?

Young Irish people

Which leprechaun movie is most accurate.. " Darby O'Gill and the little people" or "Leprechaun 5: In the Hood"?

Leprechaun 5 for sure

What's your favorite drink to have, and what's your favorite drink to make for someone else?

I'm a powers whiskey guy. Been laying off the beer etc for a few months now but I'm partial to Ambush by Trouble Brewing or anything by Lineman. Nothing beats the satisfaction of pouring a good looking pint of Guinness for someone and handing it over.

Powers lady here. The whole family drinks powers whiskey, we have to, it’s in our name.

It's the best domestic Irish whiskey by far

Did you prefer the older Powers recipe or the new one when Jameson bought them?

Irish distillers own both powers and jameson.

Any chance of two pints and a packet of taytos?

Of course

Is it worth the money?

For us it is. We are a small independent bar and venue so we basically survive from week to week. As much hassle as today is, it comes at the end of a bad period for hospitality, post new years.

My wife and I do corned beef and cabbage every year. Is that a thing for you guys or is it just bullshit to make Americans buy cabbage?

This is a weird one cause when I was a kid that was a normal enough meal from time to time but it's kind of disappeared over the years and become a joke.

How late are you going to stay open or are you not going to close?

What are the pub laws?

Pub laws in Ireland require a 12:30 closing time (most pubs close around 11:30 on weekdays, not sure if that's law or choice). Late licenses can be purchased which allow for service up until 2:30.

Yeah so it's 11.30 Monday-Thursday. 12.30 on Fridays and Saturdays and 11 on Sunday. Late licenses will grant you an extra two hours on top of those times if you apply and pay on time to get them.

How whacked do people get, what kind of precautions do you take for it?

We've got security on the door from later on in the day and I'm usually running back and forward from the door to the bar. The main objective is to stop people who are too drunk from getting in the door as its ten times harder to deal with them when they are inside. The vast majority of people out today will be drinking for fun and will know when it's time to go home but there's always a few who don't know when to stop and will be intent on ruining everyone else's day out.

How do you deal with the "undesirables"? Do you have any fun stories regarding the matter?

Hundreds of stories. I'd need an AMA for those alone

What do you think old St.Patrick would make of how his day is celebrated in Ireland these days?

He'd have a prayer for all us sinners.

Tops off?

For life

Do you have the craic with the customers or are you too busy?

Wish I could be there today, always appreciate bar staff and what they have to put up with. Hope you have a great day yourself and thanks for all the hard work you do

Happy St.Patrick's Day 💚🤍🧡☘️

There's craic to be had with them for sure yeah. Paddy's day on our street tends to come in waves so we get a little time to talk with people. If we were in temple bar, that's a different story completely. Those poor swines will be smashed against the rocks for the duration.

Am I right in my (English) assumption that Irish people don't really care much about St Patrick's Day and they think the way Americans are obsessed with it is a bit mad? I can't imagine anywhere in Ireland is dying their rivers green or anyone is eating cabbage today

It's 100% become more of a tourist thing over the years. Parents bring their kids to see the parade etc but not that many Irish people venture outside today.

Yeah my brother asked me to go into town for drink today, said 'fuck that' lol

Sitting in line for 20 minutes to get a drink, packed pub, people fighting and other people wearing the nation's flag as a cape, then come around 3 o clock there are people fighting and boking up in the street. I actually loved it when I was young but sounds like an awful day out now.

It's pretty dreadful

I live in Chicago USA and don’t venture out on St. Patrick’s Day. Can’t imagine what it’s like in Dublin

I've been to Chicago for paddy's day. Crazy

If you wasn’t working how would you be doing on this day?

Staying in bed most likely.

What's the worst drink someone's asked you for on Paddy's Day, and why was it Guinness with syrup?

It usually is yeah

Im opening a pub in Trogir, Croatia this summer. This is my first time doing something like that, any tips?

The hours you put in at the start will help you survive later on . Make sure you figure out the most efficient way of getting jobs done and train your staff accordingly

Are there any Irish ciders you particularly enjoy? Or is that more an English thing?

Tempted cider from the North is really good. Dan Kellys also.

Shouldn't you be running the bar instead of doing an AMA on Reddit?

I'm just messing. This is a really interesting AMA, and I thank you for the education.

I'm running back and forward!

I’m an American visiting Dublin next month for the first time. Do you have any general advice for someone like me???

Do as the locals do. Tipping isn't required but appreciated!

What do the locals do? Also, I look forward to this AMA every year for some reason. I think I've asked a question each year since you started.

Some will come into the city and visit a few pubs but most will chill at home

Does it bum you out that the most recent google street view photo of your bar has a bus parked in front of it?

I'll survive

Do you care what irish whiskey someone orders?

Kind of. Some are just bad whiskeys that are good at advertising.

You can't just throw that out without naming names!

I can't!

During our time in Ireland one bartender said that Jameson is basically rail level over there. Not sure if that was fact or opinion.

Jameson is huge but looked at like a tourist whiskey.

I’m no expert but thought Red Breast 12 year old was very good for my unrefined taste buds.

Great whiskey

Is your pub still standing?

We haven't even opened yet. I'm currently at home getting ready to head in. Have to walk as the city is effectively shut down to public transport.

Any craic lad?

Zero so far champ

How are your fish doing? The week I spent in Dublin we ended almost everyday with a pint by the Aquarium.

All good! Pictures of new babies on our IG

Last time I went to Dublin the bartender scoffed at me and my friend for throwing two credit cards down (to split our whole tab down the middle). Is that considered rude?

Most places won't run a tab for these days and only larger places would be equipped to split tabs

There's been a big movement lately in bars on the american West Coast to start having 0 ABV options for beer and cocktails. Is that a thing over there too?

I ask mostly because Guinness makes probably the best non-alc beer on the market and I'm wondering if that's an anomaly.

Alcohol free options are huge right now. Because people can go out and hang without looking "weird" without drinking and also people are having one or two in the middle of a drinking session to balance out.

What are you pouring more of, beers or whiskey?

Guinness all day mostly

How do sales on this day compare to sales on all other days of the year?

It's up on most average days but not that much

My boyfriend and I are headed to Dublin in two weeks, first time visiting. Other than your own, are there any pubs/bars you recommend we visit?

Hope you have a great St. Patrick's, from Canada!

Really depends on what you want to experience. There's a great cross section of traditional and modern here. DM me a few days before you get in and ill send you a list

Gar, what's the craic with the voluntary alcohol ban for today or at least earlier today? Did you and the staff have a good chuckle when it was proposed?

Anywhere on the parade route was asked not to serve alcohol until 4pm

Do you or your staff dress up in anything particular today? Or decorate the pub?

Absolutely not

Say hi to Nikki and Terry, will ya? 🙂

Of course!

How king have you owned the bar?

Myself and my business partner have had it since 2011.

What are some leaser known Irish brews out there? Over here in the USA, Guinness seems to have the market covered (and I enjoy a dark thick beer), so what are some leaser known brands that I should keep an eye out for?

Trouble Brewing and lineman

God have mercy on you, how do you keep from hitting someone over the head with a Shillelagh?

I keep that for emergencies

Besides Guinness, what is today's top seller?

Veltins lager

Why did you lot lob Jedward to us today?

Much love, Edinburgh.

We don't want them anymore

I moved to Chicago about 2 years ago and I have to say, I’ve never, ever known a city to take St. Patrick’s so damn seriously. How do folks in Ireland generally feel about the way we do St. Patrick’s here in the States?

What’s your favorite drinking song?

I think there's a general pride that this tiny island is being celebrated far and wide across the globe.

What's the difference between a pub and a bar?

Pubs would be mostly be in reference to licensed premises in Ireland and England. They are pretty much one and the same.

Murphy’s or Guinness?

Guinness for life though I do like a Murphys

Thinking about picking up a nice bottle as a sipper, opinion between Green Spot or Red Breast 12? Can't get powers here.

RB12

Does the Catholic Church in Ireland give special Lenten dispensation to eat meat on St. Paddy’s day, like in North America? Does it make any difference either way?

Hail Satan.

Is the term Irish carbomb not used for the shot in the pint of Guinness? I remember in Ireland that they call it a depth charge.... Is this true everywhere or just the more sensitive PC way to say it?

It doesn't bother me personally

Dub here. Great pub, but my question relates to an experience I had recently up North in Fealtys bar in Bangor. A friend brought me there saying it was the best Guinness in the country, and after initially disbelieving them they were proven to be absolutely right, and if you've not been I'd highly recommend the place. What was different was it was warm and silky in a way the cold filtered isn't. What ever happened to warm Guinness, and would it ever be possible to serve a pint in that style in Ireland given the Guinness quality assurance team?

I don't think so. We offer pint bottles of Guinness both from fridge and off the shelf. Diageo quality teams would have a shit fit if you messed with their gear or temp.

Some of my Irish colleagues look down on craft beer/micro breweries in favor of more mainstream brands. Is that common amongst other Irish people, or just their prejudices?

It'll depend on the person really. The large brewery's will always have the biggest market share.

How often do your regulars stop in for a pint? Is it like every day or definition of a regular has changed a lot over the years?

Some I'd see a few times a week and some could be monthly

Do you think St Patrick's Day is celebrated more in the US than in Ireland? Brit here (don't hold it against me) and it always seems like US folks get into making a big thing of it way more than anyone who actually lives in Ireland or the UK.

It's huge in the USA due to immigrants wanting to celebrate where they came from. There's are more people of Irish descent living in the USA than in Ireland currently so it's always going to be a bigger deal there.

I'm an American with the last name of Ireland but never got introduced to true Irish culture. Any tips on how to explore that?

Book a flight

How is lgbt acceptance in the Dublin bar scene?

99% of places here are welcoming to all

In your professional opinion, what is the best bourbon?

I honestly know very little about bourbon, it's not a big deal here really. We carry a few brands but I've never tasted them

Is my guitar pick (black, says "West Trinity") still stuck in the bass strings of the Phil Lynott statue?

I highly doubt it

Were you born in Ireland? Do you know anyone who speaks Gaelic?

Born here yeah. My Irish language is really bad but I know a few people who speak it well.

In the US "Irish" bars generally have bands playing traditional Irish or traditional adjacent (The Pogues, Flogging Molly, etc) music. I understand Dublin is a metropolis with an eclectic music scene, but is that something you or other pubs/taverns cater on St. Patricks day?

We are an alternative music bar all year round. Today we eilltbe focusing on Irish bands etc moreso.

How can you have time to do an AMA? Isn’t it supposed to be a day with lots of customers?

It is but I'm mostly on the door today

How many gallons do you guys generally go through on Saint Patrick’s Day? Do you guys need a lot of preparation?

I have no idea what a gallon is.

My birthday is St Patrick's day. If I came to visit your pub could I get a pint on the house?

Fuck no

My pal asked me yesterday if in Ireland people get drunk on St Patty's day, and if y'all drink green beer. Do ya?

Some do. No green beer though