Irish pubs for dummies (Or, how to behave in 'em)

Some Large Pubs in Dublin will have a College kid(male or female) looking after the Tables, a tip is expected there. It serves to keep the lads (Or lassies)seated and prevents them from going up to the bar or wobbling up to the bar. There are many pubs in Dublin that are unionised and the Barmen are making union rate so no tip is needed or expected. Slainte!!! If it's a big time after a Wedding, Funeral, The large crowd is apt to split up. You can't expect a person to order 20 pints (maybe if he's a rich Yank)in a round) You might see a notice "Don't just stand around.... STAND A ROUND!!!!!

You do not have to participate in the round system if you don't want too. Especially if you are in a big round.You just say..I'll stay on my/our own cheers. This is quite exceptable.

I have traveled quite a few times on my own in Ireland and love pubs and pub culture. I usually go with a few friends, and always buy a round or two, especially when my friends' teams are winning! I have read several articles recently that talked about how pub culture seems to be becoming more like American bar culture. I hope not!

slainte

Good information. I have been to Ireland twice and did not know this. Now I do.

Last time I was in Cork Ireland,what was very noticeable and conspicuous by their abscence in the pubs were People,a few standing outside with their drinks trying to enjoy a smoke and a beer in the drizzling rain.In fact at around 5'a clock I needed a taxi to the airport,and I struggled to find one,eventually I did,when I enquired why suddenly the taxis were so scarce,he explained that there was a big football game on that evening and all were rushing home to watch it there,he went on to say that in the good old days,these guys would meet in the pub after work to watch but because of the smoking laws they now preferred to go home.smarock10@yahoo.com

I learned also that when in a pub in Cork do not root for Kerry! A clueless friend and I took refuge in a Cork pub on a cold rainy afternoon and got intrigued by a fast game of Irish football on the telly - we started rooting for one team and were politely told that it was a no-no! Us Americans what do we know.

I have been in pubs in hotels that have open all night rules for residents. All the shutters are down except one. IS this common and within the law of the land?

Rounds, that is one I never got when I was out with my Irish cousins at their local pub. Too late now I am sorry to say as the lads are no longer with us. Children in pubs. Once I went to pub with my late Irish cousins so that they could watch horse races in England and cross the street from the pub to place bets on the races with a local bookmaker. We got our drinks at this pub from a young lad who must have been all of 10 years old or so.

when i was in galway a few years back, a new friend informed me that a woman alone in a pub should never order a pint, just a glass. but if she was part of a couple, it was okay to order a pint. what's up with that?