A (very) brief history of Irish Pub Culture

From Seáns Bar, to Spirit Grocers, to having a pint (or seven) with yer mates after a particularly rowdy footie match, the Irish Pub is a quintessential landscape of drinking culture that has spread worldwide. These pubs haven’t remained in a glassbox since they began to form in the historic record around 1000 years ago however, and continue to evolve to meet the needs of the thirsty patron. 

For centuries, publicans have run the gamut to meet the needs of the community - providing groceries and hardware (especially during the Temperance Movement, where liquor sales were low), to marriage halls and undertakers. Many are still family-owned and independently operated, where even kids of the family may often be found working throughout (the children yearn for the pints).

Being majority family-run, the unique identity of such pubs remain intact over generations. Different family members, and regulars, leave their mark on the space, both physical, be it a well worn seat, a pint pulled without a word, or sentimental, like a scuffed up football jersey hung in a place of honor for a mate no longer around. This is a space where the din of the background is of conversation and comfortable silences, rather than Pitbull’s hit from 2007.

This scene, of comfort and catching up, couldn’t be more different than the typical bar culture we typically find in North America: Thursday-Saturday night binge, with a smattering of karaoke sprawls and wing night specials. While there is some overlap, the culture itself and what the community often takes from it, couldn’t be more different. Pick any Irish pub, worthy of its weight in Guinness (or Murphy’s, you fair weather Corkonians), and you’ll find a space between work and home, chock full of a well-colourful history: family, county, country, house and politics.

Part documentary, part community center, part archives, part concert hall. While the Irish pub now conveys a sense of “Irish-ness” globally, you can’t just slap some good ol’ stained glass and a snug in a corner and make yourself an Irish pub. You’ll need to find that special place, where the decor matches the hearts, and of course the good banter and sing song.