O'SHO in Cork

06/09/2025: On my last Friday night in Ireland, I arrived alone at JH & Sons to a large crowd both inside and out. I ordered a Guinness and found a spot to sit around back where there were three groups enjoying drinks and lively banter. Feeling somewhat out of place, I relocated to a stool at the end of one of two bars, next to where patrons were ordering drinks. I ordered a Beamish and occasionally engaged in brief conversation with those waiting on their drinks. The beers were exceptionally fresh and delicious. The crowd was expectedly boisterous and loud and the bartenders were quite busy. Rising above the din of the crowd was the recurrent laughter of assumably drunken female clientel - earily remiscent of the Wicked Witch of the West leaving on her broom. I was enjoying myself up until it was time for me to order my third pint. I had decided that I would have a Murphy's to complete my comparison of available Irish stouts. I don't quite know why, but I found it impossible to get the attention of either of the female bartenders. Patrons to my left and right were being served, but the bartenders chose to ignore me, and would not even make eye contact. I started to wonder what I had done to put them off. Was it my thick Brooklyn accent, or was it my NHL NY Rangers t-shirt? After what seemed like an eternity (15-20 min), a third bartender came over from the other bar and took my order. I drank my Murphy's (my favorite of the three) and left with the feeling that I was unwelcome.

31/08/2025: Great local boozer, even during the week It was busy!!