Barfly: 3 Crown Alley
Temple Bar Square, Dublin 2. 01 6799114
For most Dubliners, the prospect of a night out in Temple Bar is about as appetising as an afternoon trapped in a lift with the Grimes twins. Amid the riot of tourist bars, psychotically chirpy chuggers and fast food restaurants, Eamon Doran's always stood out -- it was essentially a dingy rock venue masquerading as a pub.
Well, now the owner has moved and Eamon Doran's has become 3 Crown Alley. Structurally, things are basically unchanged but the New York dive-bar ambiance has been replaced by one that is more contemporarily European and minimalist.
Incidentally, if you're alarmed at the recent closure of the neighbouring pizza joint, the good news is that the space will be incorporated into an expanded Crown Alley. Whether or not the revamped premises will command quite the same loyalty among "the kids" remains to be seen -- management says it will be following in the tradition of its predecessor by putting on gigs in the downstairs room. One thing's for sure, though -- it still stands apart as the only Temple Bar pub where you are unlikely to find yourself jostling for a space at the bar next to someone sporting a 'Kiss Me I'm Oirish' hoodie. For that alone, let us give praise.
In the glass: Pint of stout €4.20
Pint of lager: €4.90
On the stereo: Indie Rawk
At the bar: Fashionable young things
And? Check out the website: 3crownalley.com for details of upcoming performances
- Ed Power
Irish Independent
