Eating in an Irish pub: a practical guide

In many Irish pubs, you find a table, check the menu and order either at the bar or from a server, depending on the place. It can be confusing the first time, because the rules are not always posted. This guide explains how it usually works and how to choose a pub where the food is as good as the atmosphere.

Do you wait to be seated?

It depends. In a pub with a restaurant area, you may be shown to a table. In a bar area, you usually find your own seat. If you are unsure, ask at the bar or look for a sign. A server will tell you.

Ordering at the bar or at the table

Some pubs take food orders at the bar, with a number or your table name. Others send a server to your table. Look for a menu on the table, a board or a sign. If in doubt, ask.

What the menu usually offers

A pub menu often covers soup, sandwiches, burgers, fish and chips, a roast, a stew and a couple of salads. A food-led pub may have a more extensive menu with daily specials. Look at photographs from recent diners to see what the kitchen does well.

Kitchen hours

The kitchen often closes earlier than the bar. A pub may serve food from lunchtime to early evening only, or have a break in the afternoon. Check the hours before you go, especially if you plan to eat late.

Paying

Some pubs ask you to pay when you order. Others run a tab. Ask. If you are in a group, tell the bar whether you want separate bills.

Children

Many pubs allow children with an adult during the day or early evening, with a cut-off time. Rules vary. Ask. A family friendly pub will have high chairs and a children's menu.

Dietary needs

Tell the server or the bar if you have an allergy. Do not assume that a simple dish is free of an allergen. Ask how it is made.

Music and noise

Some pubs are quiet at lunchtime and loud in the evening, with live music at certain times. If you want to talk, go earlier or ask when the music starts.

Choosing a pub for food

Look for a short menu, specials on a board and recent photographs of the dishes. Read ratings for comments on the food and the service. Check whether the pub takes bookings, which is helpful for groups.

A worked example

Suppose you walk into a pub at one o'clock with a friend. Look for a table and a menu, or ask at the bar whether to order there. Choose soup and a sandwich or a plate of the day. Order at the bar if that is how it works, give your table name and take a seat. When the food arrives, ask for water, and for the bill when you are finished. If you want another drink, order it at the bar.

Eating with a group

For a group of six, ring ahead and ask whether the pub can seat you together. Ask about food service times, and whether there is a set menu. Pubs are better with large groups when they know the numbers in advance. A call of two minutes can save a stressful hour.

Tipping

Check whether a service charge is included. For good table service, a modest tip is normal. Our guide to tipping in Ireland explains.