There are about 7,500 public houses in Ireland, which means one public house for every 700 adults. What exactly is a public house? Is it another name for a pub? Where to find one in Paris?
History of Irish public houses
Is a public house a pub?
A public house is an establishment that serves alcoholic drinks such as beer, whiskey, cider, gin and cocktails. You may also find non-alcoholic drinks and hot beverages on the premises: Irish tea or soft drinks such as Lucozade, Ribena or Club orange. Nowadays, most public houses also serve food. The food menu may include chicken wings, pulled pork, fish and chips… or just a selection of peanuts and crisps.
Over the years, public houses haves been called: Irish taverns, inns, alehouses… and pubs. Yes, a public house is a pub. “Pub” is a slang shortening of “public house”, that appeared around 1859.
Note that a pub is not always a free house: a “free house” is a pub, owned by a private publican who can sell beers from multiple breweries or resellers.
In Ireland, pubs are more than just places where you can have a drink. People go to public houses to meet with friends, celebrate weddings and birthdays, but also funerals and wakes. When patrons often frequent the same pub, they call it “the local”.
In the olden days, public houses were designed as a place where men could enjoy a drink. Women were not all the time (it did happen) banned from entering a pub, but they didn’t want to be seen drinking outside their home. That’s where snugs in Irish pubs were handy!
What is an Irish snug?
An Irish snug looks like a “fancy confession box”. The snug of a public house is often located near the main bar, where a small window would let bartenders pass drinks through. It’s a private seating, often decorated with wooden panels and stained glass. Sometimes, a closed curtain or a lockable door allowed people to drink out of sight.
Up until the ’70s, women, priests or police officers would discreetly go into a snug to enjoy a drink or two, or talk business.
Now, you can still find snugs in old or traditional Irish pubs.
The oldest public house in Ireland
After years of confrontation between the publicans of Sean’s Bar and The Brazen Head, the oldest pub in Ireland has been officially named. Sean’s bar is the oldest public house on the emerald island dating back to 900AD.
This bar is located in Athlone, Co. Westmeath.
©Shawn – stock.adobe.com
Public house and lock-ins
If you visit a pub in Ireland and stay until its closing time, you might experience a lock-in if you’re lucky (and nice). A lock-in is a rare thing. But what is it exactly?
A pub lock-in means that the publican (the owner or the manager of the public house) decides to lock the premises and close it. But the few people who are already inside the pub are allowed to stay and consume drinks after hours.
Depending on the premises, people would stay inside the public house or would use the house of the publican if attached to the bar.
Sometimes, people partake in a sing-song or musicians play a gig. All this, while trying to keep it quiet not to alert passers-by or the police. Lock-ins often happen in rural Ireland, but many lock-ins still happen in the capital city, Dublin.
There is no way to know if a lock-in will happen or not as the barman often decides at the last minute, with discreetness. If you’re not a local, you have little chance of being locked in a public house.
Where to find a public house in Paris
Visit traditional pubs
There are many public houses in Paris but they are not all worth a visit. If you are looking for a traditional Irish pub in Paris, we recommend these two establishments:
O’Sullivans Grands Boulevards
A pure Irish public house where you can drink and eat every day of the week. It’s a two-storey pub with comfy booths, a terrace, and two bars (one on each floor). Visit this public house in Paris 2nd to experience the “Irish welcome” and try Irish food.
Rebel Bar
The Rebel Bar is a mix between a public house and an underground bar. You’ll love its retro décor, its Irish wooden bar and the pool table room. It’s the best Irish public house in Paris 4e!
…or modern ones
Like in Ireland, public house settings are changing over time. Now, you can find all the advantages of a traditional public house in a modern bar. When old and modern pub culture meet, that’s where good craic happens!
We recommend these other lively public houses in Paris:
O’Sullivans Franklin D. Roosevelt
This prestige public house welcomes businessmen and international holidaymakers in a chic setting near the Champs-Élysées. You will love the beer garden of this Parisian bar. A cosy snug room is also available on the first floor!
By The Mill
THE public house in Pigalle. This bar is located next to the Moulin Rouge and hosts live music sessions every week. The pub serves a large selection of Irish beers and whiskies and delicious finger food.
O’Sullivans Bastille
This new two-storey public house in Bastille is the perfect blend between a pub and a Parisian brasserie. Signature cocktails in summer or hot whiskey in the winter months, go to this amazing bar and enjoy a drink in the winter garden!
Thanks to O’Sullivans Irish Pubs, there is always a public house near you. Visit one of our pubs in Paris!