Last year, for our Thoughtful Thursday St. Patrick’s Day Version I noted how the day always sees me browsing through one of my favorite Irish exports: the poetry of William Butler Yeats.
For this year’s post, I’m turning to another beloved aspect of Irish culture: the pub (which you might think couldn’t be exported, but you’d be wrong it turns out).
My best memories of Ireland are nights spent in pubs filled with and fueled by fiddle, flute and Guinness; banjo, bodhran and Guinness; pipe, tin whistle and Guinness; reels and jigs and songs and Guinness. Did I mention they have Guinness? (and no, it doesn’t travel well…).
It’s hard for me to imagine a place better than the pubs of Doolin, but that isn’t to say I might not tip a pint or two in, say The Green Dragon or The Prancing Pony.
What about you? Where might you want to bend an elbow for a while in the fantasy/sci-fi world of pubs, bars, and other such drinking establishments?
One lucky commenter will chose a book from our stacks.
I wish I could find such a place near me.
I always wanted to drink with the hobbits of the Shire!
A fictional pub/bar I always wanted to hang out at was Munden’s. Yes, I know its from a comic, but being located in a pan dimensional city that meant characters from anywhere could pop in for a pint (or something else). And, Munden was so good at handling the customers.
Plus, how mamny establishments have a watch lizard?
I’d go to Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon! That was an easy question. A place with regular pun competitions, joke telling competitions, and of course all the stories and people you’d meet!
I would love to hang out at The Restaurant at the End on the Universe
Callahan’s definitely, and Strangefellows in Simon R Green’s NIGHTSIDE series.
It’s a TV show, but I’m partial to Pree’s bar in the Syfy series KILLJOYS.
MIkes from the Mercy Thompson series or the Cantina from Star Wars
Definitely the Green Dragon Inn is the best place to have a pint or cider, which is exactly what we did when we visited Hobbiton in Mata Mata, New Zealand back in 2015!
I’ve got 3, maybe 4: The White Hart (and it’s successor, the Fountain), Callahan’s Place, and the Draco Tavern.
If I’m feeling particularly bleak, the Vulgar Unicorn or Stormwatch/Planetary’s The Last Shot.
And one more – Tai Tastigon’s Res aB’tyrr. I’ll let other folks go when Talisman dances though.
The Eolian from the Name of the Wind!
I can picture myself very happily being a fly on the wall in Callahan’s or McAnally’s.
So many to choose from. Aces High from Wild Cards in it’s heyday. Hasn’t been said yet…
I would like to visit The Dandelion, that pub restaurant in Philadelphia that looks very authentically English and serves pub grub!
In fantasy–let’s say the Three Broomsticks Inn, in the Potterverse. With luck, there will be some lurking evil lurking about.
Granuaile serves a mean drink in Hearne’s early Druid novels. Fun to drink with!
Anywhere Thom Merrilin is telling stories!
Wow, lots of great choices.
Becky Aswell, if you live in the USA, you win a book of your choice from our stacks.
Please contact me (Marion) with your choice and a US address. Happy reading!