(All of the above are stock internet photos)
Pubs, Fish 'n Chips, and Guinness. That pretty much sums up our favorite parts of social life in the U.K. and Ireland. Take a look through those photos above. As a tourist or visitor to the U.K. or Ireland, every single thing about the typical pub screams "Hey! Come relax here, this is your home away from home!" From the flowers and warm colors outside, to the comfy chairs and burning fireplaces inside, and especially all the friendly locals who are engaging and ready to welcome you in to their conversation and give you space at their table. There is not one thing about the pub scene that is not inviting.
I already knew about pubs and how they fit into British/Irish lifestyle before this summer vacation, due to my many previous business trips to London and friends/coworkers from the U.K. It was, however, an eye opener for the rest of my family, including my in-laws. We Americans typically equate a pub to a bar. There's a difference, and a significant one. The U.K. and Ireland have bars and nightclubs too, just like in America. A pub is not that. The history of how the pub became the heart of English social life is too long to detail here, but it's a good read. Suffice it to say that it goes back to the Roman Taverns, then Anglo-Saxon Alehouses, then Inns, and on to today's modern pub. The word "pub" is short for "public house" and that truly captures the spirit of a pub. It is a gathering place for locals, neighbors, and friends. Pubs are usually full of folks who live within walking distance and know each other. They are usually built out and decorated like a turn of the century home, and they almost always serve a decent menu of homestyle comfort foods, like Shepherds Pie or Burgers, and Fish 'n Chips. Some pubs happen to be the best dining venues in town, with amazing menus!
It's fun to walk through a pub and look at the antiques, photos, and elaborate decorations they contain. Each pub has its story to tell. You can usually see one a block away, because they are decorated on the outside with large overflowing flower pots and a dark wooden facade with warm, inviting colors. Pubs are frequently at least two stories tall and resemble a finely decorated home on the inside. With leather sofas, fireplaces, coffee tables, high-backed chairs, large family-style dining booths, winding staircases, and all the trappings of a 19th century European home. I think all of this ambiance was the thing that caught my family most by surprise. This isn't a stinky, stale beer and last night's puke smelling drunkfest venue more suited to college frat parties than families. No, the pub is a very inviting and popular dining and social destination for young and old, and that's something you really don't find much in America.
Most pubs serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner and close by 10pm and therefore are not the lively spots for nightlife, rather pubs are the focal point of daytime meals, coffee, and casual beers among friends. So, much to the contrary of the typical reaction an American brain has when someone says "let's go to the pub" at 11am, in the U.K this is not cause for an intervention for your friend with "a drinking problem". LOL. No, in fact, it's a very normal and healthy social thing to do, and part of British and Irish daily life. And yes of course, most Irish and British folks will have a beer or two with their meal, be it during the workday at lunch or for dinner. No need to belabor the point here about the different views between Americans and Europeans as it regards to alcohol, but suffice it to say that pubs are not places built around binge drinking, but rather good meals, good friends and family, but most importantly, enjoying life. And we thoroughly enjoyed our time in the pubs we visited. I don't think there is a single town we stayed in or visited where we did not visit a pub. And the family loved it.
Some of our favorite pubs:
London: Hung, Drawn, and Quartered - Right next to the Tower of London
Wales: The Cove Inn, Tenby - on the main cobblestone street of the cutest seaside village you'll ever see
North Yorkshire, England: The Coach House Inn, Rosedale Abbey
Edinburgh, Scotland: The Albanach, right in the middle of the Royal Mile by the Edinburgh Castle. Great place to relax and eat as a family.
Galway, Ireland: find your way to the pedestrian district in the city center and enjoy pretty much all of it. The oldest pub is the King's Head which is over 800 years old and has an amazing atmosphere.
Dublin, Ireland: The Guinness Gravity Bar (part of the must-see Guinness Storehouse tour), is an absolute must-do stop off for anyone visiting Ireland. It doesn't even matter if you like Guinness beer. Get the tour and you'll see. This is not your typical brewery tour. It's an amazing 7 story walking tour of the history of beer and Ireland and the Guinness family! Trust me, even if you're an avowed non-drinker, this is a museum/amusement venue that will entertain you! And the Gravity Bar is the highest point in Dublin, giving you stunning 360 views of the entire city.
Also in Dublin: Make sure to visit the Temple Bar district. This was the saving grace for the last couple of days we had on our trip. We had thought that Dublin was just another big city that was going to exhaust us and we were so ready for peace and quiet and rest. Dublin surprised us, and particularly this lively ancient pub district of the city was really a perfect cherry on top of the cake of our trip. We spent a lovely few hours at the Fitzsimons bar and watched a traditional Irish band perform as well as Irish dancers. It was another bucket list item for us. All along this large section of the historic downtown area of Dublin, you can find great food and entertainment. We highly recommend it.
