Firstly dive-bar isn't a bad label, I mean it in the best way possible (see here). Having grown up in Ennis town, I couldn't resist writing about Brandon's Bar. Located next to renowned secret townie-bar O'Dea's and the Cathedral Church on O'Connell Street, it has its doors open to the public for nigh on three decades. And as time has passed, oh how it has hardly changed! A few benches, extensions, lights, TVs etc have been added, and a lick of paint here and there. I think perhaps the appeal is in the familiarity. What would the clientelle do if things changed? Change is scary. Real change in Brandons, would be wasted on us. Why bother redecorating if we're just going to make a pigs arse of the place anyway? Give us new picnic tables and chairs periodically and we'll be satisfied, and even if we aren't we'll still turn up on weekends. It's not the beer, it's not the décor: we go there out of habit, and a what a wonderful habit it is. Brandon's has always supported local bands, having the monopoly for years. If only there was a proper PA and a bigger stage. But if that changed, we'd have one less thing to nark about! We make it what it is: a proper bar. 
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sounds epic, must check it out when i'm up
ReplyDeleteIt is an experience :-P
ReplyDeleteThey did sort of update two years ago in fairness. It was starting to get a bit dingy before that. Only problem is it made the pokey stage that bit pokier, but having the band half way into the crowd is half the fun. Plus if a drummer can't keep rhythm with his elbows over his head he's probably not a very good drummer.
ReplyDeleteShapey Fiend
true dat. need to stage some rap battles in that intimate venue :-) JCB-hugger
ReplyDeleteMy aul lad says i was raised in brandons..i just sort of gravitate towards it..(half thinking bout going in for the bbq tonight..lazt though..
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to an ice-cold can from Brian and a mosh on the dancefloor on Saturday night :-) X TER
ReplyDeleteBest bar in Ennis by a country mile - I wouldn't be seen anywhere else :D
ReplyDeleteBrandons is great, in winter you can see you're breath it's so cold. Lepping around with scarves and hats on, allfeckinright
ReplyDeleteBrandon's must have been going for more than''3 decades''!!
ReplyDeleteI used to pop in there way back in the late 1970's.Maybe the name has changed ,but I do remember being with my Father,Tom Eustace.It was during the Ennis Fleadh,He was on the ''Fiddle'' and I was on lemonade,as I was driving his old light blue VW Beetle.
Music and Guinness was flying that night.I met a lot of Germans,students and tourists.I remember the little barman,Paddy or Johnny,he was also flying about,trying to collect the empty glasses.It was August,and people were very thirsty that night--I reckon it was ''The Craic''!!
I wonder what year it actually opened as Brandon's ? Was it another bar before that?
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