Dublin Hall. Grand Rapids, Michigan

100 Iona Avenue SW

Guinness Tag: $8.00 | Overall Rating: 7.65

Today's Dedicated Pint: Mike C. from Darts

People may go to Grand Rapids for the 28 golf courses within the 15-minute drive from the heart of downtown, but I traveled to this nectar to plop my potato inside The Dublin Hall. To be honest, I wish I could have spent more time in Grand Rapids because it did look like fun, however, there were some spots that made me think "yeah... no, this place isn't it". There is a handful of more Irish Pubs in the city that I haven't stumbled into yet, so I'll definitely be back soon enough, though!

The Dublin Hall is walking distance to many things such as the art museum, Van Andel Arena, and a few decent looking parks. The curb appeal is nice and rustic with exposed brick, a cozy patio, and an inviting front door. The patio is enclosed with shrubbery and string lights to give you a fun and relaxed way to drink Guinness when the sun goes down. The parking can be a pain in the ass during a busy weekend or evening as it's on-street parking and you may very well find yourself circling around a few blocks trying to find a spot within reason.

When you walk through the door your eyes lay on the large, horseshoe style bar ahead that's illuminated by a nice touch of natural lighting from the surrounding windows. I always say that the best time to go to an Irish Pub is when the sun is still shining. Dublin Hall offers a plethora of dining tables and areas for large gatherings. You can find incredibly cozy booths throughout the place as well as high-top tables, low-tops, and standing spots for when it gets really crowded. The crowd here is very diverse, although, you definitely get the sense that it has quite its fair share of "bros" which isn't ideal.

The furniture and overall craftsmanship are lovely, offering a good touch of "proper" as well as "used and abused". As you look around, you'll find greenery, semi-authentic decor, decent light fixtures, and an abundance of TVs. The place definitely caters well to the sports crowd.

They poured their first Guinness in 2009 and our Guinness today came in a 16oz glass which is always a big stinker. The pour was average at best and the hospitality that came with it was incredibly "meh". The bartenders here are your typical industry folk who are trying to get through the shift and most likely have poured beers at 5 or 6 different places before working behind this bar. They're not giving poor service but they're not giving spectacular service either. There's definitely potential to find decent Craic here, especially with the horseshoe styled seating at the bar, but I wouldn't count on finding it on any given day.

The beer selection is well above average while their whiskey selection is extremely deflating. They offer moderately expensive food without the option to order a Reuben. If you're feeling up to it, you can purchase an 85oz bucket of sugary vodka and rum concoctions for $25 bucks that comes with a straw for sippage out of the bucket itself. I decided to pass on it this time around as I forgot to bring my Tums to the occasion.

The bathrooms are clean and proper, giving you a run of the mill toiletry experience. Overall, the Pub is worthy of a sit-down. It's not a place that I'd tell anyone to sprint to, however, if you're craving a Guinness and trying to watch a game then why not stop in for a few. Maybe when the place grows some worthy patina over the next decade it'll be more of a showstopper, but for now it's just kind of "there".

Thanks for the pour, Dublin Hall! Slainte.