311) Copán of Rathmines Road Lower, D6
(As of 2021 it’s permanently closed, and as of Sep 2022 is operating as ‘Kodiak’ - another bland, unoriginal cocktail/craft beer/pizza bar from the same owners as Bonobo).
‘Cop on!’ Irish slang. Imperative. Meaning: to acquire common sense. ‘Would you ever stop acting the bollox and bloody cop on to yourself!’ Indeed one could pronounce this bar Copán as the Irish slang, the implication being that one would need some of ‘it’ if wanting to come here for a pint - and yet, we went there for a pint! Not to be completists, but rather to enjoy the sweeping view it affords while seated outside.
OMG, you’re like trying too hard, you need to cop on, like
It looks an ordinary size from the exterior but don’t be fooled, this is an 8000 square foot, multileveled café bar and nightclub with a capacity of up to 800 dancing dickheads. It takes its name from the ancient Mayan city ruins of Copán (circa 1000BC according to their sign overhead) in western Honduras. On a historical note, high above the exterior sign can be seen written in stone ‘The Leinster House Est. 1843.’ The interior design is inspired by Mayan art and hieroglyphics, the most impressive of which is the giant Mayan stone god that stands at the back of the Garden Terrace. Guarded by a conspiracy of bloated bouncers it stays open until 3am at weekends when the nightclub is in full swing. An Indian barman works here, and has been known to enjoy an after-work scoop down the road at the Portobello.
We took a pint of Guinness one Sunday evening when it was deserted. The stout wasn’t bad, and the price was lower than anticipated. We put ourselves at some modest stools outside where the street view is panoramic. It stands directly opposite the glorious Four Lamps of Rathmines. This freestanding cast-iron lamppost has four lanterns, one on each of its four decorative arms. The highest central lantern is surrounded by three lower lanterns, one for each street it stands in junction with: Rathmines Road Upper, Rathgar Road and Rathmines Road Lower. Albeit not as fine as the famous Five Lamps of Amiens Street, it stands luminous and delightful. And as the evening gave way to night, we saw the lanterns come to light. We didn’t dare stay for another, for it was turning all too dark indeed, and monsters were coming to club.
The glorious Four-Lamps of Rathmines (with Grace’s pub in the background), as seen from outside Copan.
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