COCOA in Cork

12/04/2025: The Southern Star is a lovely little bar. A small front pub area with some secluded tables, an area towards the back with ledges against the wall, a pool table (with terrible cues,) and a nice smoking area sitting above the South Link. It’s a little on the expensive side but what you pay for the booze is more than made up for with the atmosphere and setting. They were happy for me to taste the wine (a Pinot noir) while a woman I met there that night was only delighted to let me taste her rosé. Both wines were superb and it’s telling the people were relaxed enough straight from my arrival to share their drinks. They had the Manchester United game on the TV and I’m sure they show the rugby as well. I was hungry and asked for some Scampi Fries but they didn’t have them. Instead they gave me a free bag of Snax. Some friends (one a Jameson drinker) are interested in going, too, and I told them the burgers looked exceptional value. The only questions are when the food truck is open, if they do chips, and the whiskey drinker wanted to know if you get chips with your burger? I think she wants to dip into her partner’s grub... A warm and cosy bar — with space for a smoke if needed — it’s a pub I’d love to take my nearly seventy year old mother to to watch a Munster game, or my buddies who need a break from their kids (or they could bring their kids knowing it’s a fine family friendly place.) Me Mam would definitely love it and my buddies already do; as did I on my night in there. Patti Smith and Black Sabbath playing on the speakers was just the icing on the cake, me bopping away! I’ll be back, if they’ll have me!

25/01/2025: Traditional Astethic. Original . Bring a friend or 2