Like a phoenix, Pogue Mahones will rise back out of the ashes and re-open as mysteriously as it opened. And we have a feeling we’re not the only ones excited by this.
A few months ago the news broke that Pogue Mahones, on Seel Street, would close with immediate effect and whole city was in mourning. After 20 great years of business with lots of craic along the way, Pogue’s was sadly over. It came as shock to many, especially ourselves. It didn’t close due to lack of business or for refurbishments, the lease was over and they called it a day. Just as we had began to accept the news, a new Pogue’s Twitter account emerged. Fearing it may be a cruel prank we kept an eager eye on it until it was confirmed it was indeed them with a tweet that stated:
“What are you all doing Thursday? Sounds like a good day to reopen Pogues to us.”
The fire is being reignited, the Guinness is back and the craic can be begin. One of the reasons people fell so hard for Pogue’s was because of how authentically Irish it was. It wasn’t loud, in your face with Belle of Belfast City on a loop – it was subtle, warming and quintessentially Irish. From the accents of the staff to the far-too-easy-to-drink Guinness, it was a place for the people and one filled with laughter. Pogue’s formulae was simple and the offering barely changed for the two decades it was open – testament to a time where trends and novelty are at an all time high. Maybe that’s what makes it so special. Pogue’s is comfortable with who it was and it was refreshing.
It’s the late 90’s on Seel Street and Pogue Mahones, which translates to “kiss my arse”, had just opened their doors. Seel Street today is bustling with bars and it’s the place to go amongst the revellers of the night. A long the strip you can find steins and brines, queues around the block for Heebies and a dark and unassuming pub called Pogue Mahones. Known affectionately as Pogue’s to their many drinkers, short of a flight to Ireland, you’d be hard pushed to find a better pint of Guinness in the city. Not just that, it was much more than a place for a drink. A place for quiz nights, Paddy’s nights and steak nights. A place for live music, live sport on the big screen and late nights. A place for the weird and wonderful, English and Irish, black and white. It was and thankfully still is truly a place for everyone.
Thursday onwards, the Pogue shaped hole in our lives shall be filled again. With Guinness, and lots of it.