The pub is the center of the social universe in Ireland. It's much more than just a drinking place - it's where families mark births, deaths, birthdays and Christenings, and where sports fans come to cheer on their teams. Many an Irish couple first met one another in the pub.
When tourists come to Ireland, they often spend a lot of their time in pubs - so the possibilities for pub etiquette misunderstandings are endless. There are a number of practices to be aware of. With this in mind, Irish Central has come up with a guide to pub etiquette, to help avoid red faces all round!
Rounds Culture
If you're out with Irish people in Ireland, you'll certainly be offered a drink as one person usually goes to the bar for everyone. This is called "getting your round in." But be warned: that offer is on the unspoken condition that you return the favor.
The problem is that no-one will remind you when it’s your turn. And if you forget to get your round in, people will start talking about what an asshole you are behind your back.
This story illustrates the point. A few years back a new guy, Seamus, started at my brother's company. During his first week on the job, Seamus went out for drinks with his new colleagues. He thought they were all being very generous buying him drinks all round. The following morning, word had gotten out that Seamus didn't buy his round. From there on in, his future prospects were dimmed.
The moral of story? Probably the worst thing you can do in a pub in Ireland (aside from singing a few bars of “God Save the Queen”) is shirking from the responsibility of rounds.
Do this once, and it will take years to redeem yourself. When it comes to drinks – and indeed most things – the Irish have long memories. (Even if these memories are somewhat unreliable, dulled as they are by alcohol.)
Which would explain why Seamus is still floundering in middle management.
Couples are TWO Units!
An important point for couples to note: just because you are together, and you love one another very much, doesn’t mean you are a single entity when it comes to drinking. (Unless of course, you are sharing the same drink.) For the purposes of rounds you are two, distinct people. Meaning you both, not just the boyfriend, have to get a round in.
Tipping
Tipping in pubs in Ireland is generally only necessary if you have table service. Even then, it’s not as much as in the U.S. Don’t feel bad about tipping less while in Ireland. Remember the person serving you is probably on a decent wage – the minimum wage in Ireland is over $11 per hour. Certainly, if you go to the bar yourself and order drinks – and the majority of bars in Ireland don’t have table service – there is no need to tip.
Children
Especially in rural areas, where there are music sessions on, the pub is a place that all the family enjoy. So don't bother complaining to the barman if you see kids running around the place.
Closing Times
Ireland’s pub closing times are confusing. During the week, pubs serve until 11.30 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, it's 12.30 am. And on Sunday, it's 11.00 pm. In all cases, there is a half hour "drinking up time." At the weekends, because most of the pubs close at the same time, the towns and cities get very crowded at about 1.00 am - making it a challenge to get a taxi home.
Some pubs have a late license allowing them to serve until 2.30 am, the same time as nightclubs must stop serving.
In additon, pubs actually close completely on Good Friday and Christmas Day so be prepared for long lines at the liquor store on Holy Thursday and Christmas Eve. However, there are exceptions; if you're staying in a hotel or traveling on a train on Good Friday you can buy a drink.
Up until 2000, pubs had to close from 2-4 pm on Sundays – the so-called “Holy Hour.” The bizarre thing was that as long as you were already inside the bar before 2 pm you were could stay – the bar just couldn’t let anyone in during these hours.
Another peculiar law concerning drinking in Ireland, is that technically, it’s an offense to be drunk in public. Just thought you should know.
10 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Liamkeyes | May 04, 2011, 04:32 PM EDT
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!!!!!
sirpeter | May 04, 2011, 03:27 PM EDT
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.
sallyorob | Mar 10, 2010, 07:25 PM EST
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!
MikeRock | Mar 10, 2010, 10:26 AM EST
slainte
Nelliegrace | Mar 10, 2010, 09:55 AM EST
Good information. I have been to Ireland twice and did not know this. Now I do.
rosks304 | Mar 10, 2010, 09:34 AM EST
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
CaliforniaShamrock | Dec 11, 2009, 04:33 PM EST
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.
mccalmontj | Dec 11, 2009, 10:33 AM EST
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?
carrickcourt | Dec 11, 2009, 10:33 AM EST
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.
cathleen | Dec 11, 2009, 09:58 AM EST
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?