this is one of those chain irish pubs with the dumb names. not that james joyce is all that dumb; if it isnt brothers with stuff like "the dogs bollocks" or "the cock and bull" then it sure feels like it.
i got there around ten or ten thirty at night, and it was mildly busy with ample seating available. there was also a one man band playing in front of the perspiring window at the front, where they often have people perform. he was very energetic, did a particular irish ditty i heard growing up, and mildly butchered other rock classics. but that wasnt the problem. ive always found that even if i sit as far back as i can from the stage i have to yell at my beer mate for him to hear me and cup my ear for me to hear him. this is to be expected somewhat, but its overkill here.
they have caffreys. thats at least half the star count there.
finally, when i went to pay, i had only ordered one beer while i was there, and i wasnt allowed to put it on credit card - not enough for them. that was crap, but then i was directed to go to the atm machine by the bar. fine. but that wasnt working and they had no debit. if you are going to be unorganized or if you have problems like that, acknowledge it and take credit cards until you get that fixed.
if im in the area and its convenient id come back just like ive come here many times before. just cuz.