If you are visiting an Irish pub abroad, there are some clear signs to look out for to determine if it is authentic or if it is in fact a fake Irish pub.
Let’s face it, the world is brimming with Irish pubs. You’ll find them everywhere, even in the most unexpected places. Whether they are tucked into cobblestoned European squares, lining backpacker streets in Australia or situated snuggly beneath Asian skyscrapers, you can almost always stumble upon an Irish pub.
In fact, they stretch as far south as Ushuaia in Argentina, famously known as “the end of the world”, and even all the way up to Everest Base Camp in Nepal. For the Irish abroad, spotting an Irish pub abroad feels like finding home — but behind the dodgy shamrocks and Guinness signs, it’s often more costume than culture.
Here are ten red flags you’ve found a fake Irish pub abroad.
10. The traditional Irish music is a Spotify playlist – If it sounds pre-programmed, it probably is
Authentic Irish pubs are well known for atmospheric traditional Irish music. In fact, many feature their very own in-house trad bands, which set the perfect tone. If you are noticing the same five tin whistle tracks on repeat, then this is a surefire sign that you’ve encountered a fake Irish pub abroad.
9. They serve BAD Guinness – the ultimate betrayal
We all know that pouring a decent Guinness is the ultimate Irish skill, so if you find yourself wincing as you force down a sip of the black stuff, you know it’s bad. A true Irish pub ensures the Guinness is fresh, creamy and perfectly poured.
8. The menu has no Irish food – zero Irish cuisine is a big red flag
One of the biggest red flags you’ve found a fake Irish pub abroad is when you take a look at the menu, and it is 90% burgers and nachos. If there isn’t an Irish stew, a coddle, or a boxty to be found, then you are certainly not in a genuine Irish pub.
7. Nobody is actually Irish – not even a distant relative
An Irish pub doesn’t always need to have Irish staff to be authentic, but if the place loudly claims to be a traditional Irish pub and no one working there has a relative from there or has ever been to Ireland themselves, then that’s a huge red flag.
6. The Irish Flag is backwards/upside down – even the flag gets it wrong
An upside-down Irish flag might seem like a small detail, but it’s the kind of mistake that reveals everything. It suggests the pub wanted the aesthetic of Ireland without taking thirty seconds to check the basics, and often, they are displaying the flag of the Ivory Coast rather than Ireland.
5. No one knows what a GAA match is – sport ignorance is a sure fire sign
GAA and Irish pubs go hand in hand, so if you notice there is no homage to GAA or that no one has heard of Ireland’s beloved sport, then this is a red flag that you’ve found a fake Irish pub abroad.
4. There’s no Irish memorabilia – no posters, no history, no authenticity
Irish pubs are well known for having completely useless but nostalgic memorabilia. In fact, there are probably few Irish pubs in Ireland that don’t have a vintage Guinness poster or rickety road sign on the wall. An Irish pub without these knick-knacks is not a true Irish pub.
3. It’s deathly quiet/no atmosphere – a real Irish pub should hum with life
Even in the quiet Irish pubs in Ireland, you will always hear the faint murmur of chatter, the clink of glasses and laughter coming from the corner snugs. Step into a “fake” Irish pub, though, and you might be met with eerie silence, empty tables and nothing but the hum of the fridge in the galley.
2. They don’t serve Guinness – a crime against the Irish
Sorry, but it should be a crime to run an Irish pub without serving Guinness, yet there are many Irish pubs out there that do not have the black stuff on tap – or even in a can. If that is the case, do yourself a favour and get out of there fast.
1. The staff don’t know where Ireland is – your sign to walk out immediately
If you proudly announce that you are from Ireland while ordering a pint, and the staff reply, “Where’s that?” then you know you are most definitely in a fake Irish pub. Sadly, this happens all too often in Irish pubs worldwide and is the ultimate red flag that it is not a genuine Irish watering hole.
