89) The Swan (Lynch's) of Aungier Street, D2
One of Dublin's genuine Victorian pubs with impressive arches and carved figures in wood. Especially glorious by sunset and in the earlier afternoon when sunbeams and shadows slant the lengthiest and show up the glory of the woodwork. The interior of the bar remains largely unchanged since 1897 and there has been a Tavern on this site since 1661. Thankfully, tracksuits are prohibited - probably wise given the proximity of the flats on York Street - which provide excellent eye candy for peeping on people when taking a tipple here. A bust of one of the Lynch’s can be spotted in the corner - a fine rugby player of his time.
A onetime favourite of Nuncle Richard O'Carroll, not surprising since it serves an excellent pint of Beamish, albeit at increasingly exorbitant prices (a fiver at the last glance) – and can be hard to get a seat to sip the stuff. A handsome young barwoman is perhaps of the family. She’s very proficient, witty and takes no prisoners. It seems she can be seen photographed behind the bar as a child and sitting on the knee of presumably the previous owner (all conjecture).
Moving with the times they allow the ‘woke’ and the ‘hipster’ to bring pizza to eat tableside as long as they’re drinking, of course. Complementary newspapers may be borrowed while at sip. They let a certain barman become overworked which results in a particularly deep-seated hatred for card payments as it slows down service. A lush fire at the back of the lounge is welcoming on a winter’s eve. The false snug is remarkable with its round table - it’s against the Aungier Street entrance, and while it’s not private it has access to the bar and is irradiated by bright window light. All in all, a fine place to park your fanny.
Original cash box still stands
Sorrowful update as of August 2021: We can sadly report that The Swan is no longer a Beamish Bonder. For an alternative stout one can purchase Island’s Edge - the watery stout made by Heineken which is aimed at completely replacing Beamish (the original Irish stout). Shame on you Swan. Management here succumbed to the pushy reps who convinced the pub of ripping out Beamish for a couple of colorful stickers and a few free kegs of the new and vastly inferior Island’s Edge. Patrons who purchased Beamish here for decades can just fuck off, apparently. If looking for a pint of genuine alternative stout in this neck of the woods we recommend The Long Hall just a stones throw away who proudly procure a deliciously creamy Beamo.
Felicitous update as of June 2022: The Swan have done the right thing - they’ve put their tail between their legs and reinstated the Beamish tap. Well done to the Lynch’s and to all those at the Swan! May they be the first of many to do so. A great time-honoured commodity returns to a great time-honoured house.
On-Off, On-Off Update as of 2023: Not doing Beamish, again! Perhaps loyal customers went else where?
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