The Irish Rover. Louisville, Kentucky

2319 Frankfort Avenue

Guinness Tag: $6.50 | Overall Rating: 8.10

Today's Dedicated Pint: WVLG, the radio station of The Villages, FL

The Curb Appeal of The Irish Rover of Louisville, Kentucky

This Pub stands out to me in a few ways that differ from most. It delivers on almost everything, yet it still leaves me a bit deflated overall. I think this is a Pub that defines the meaning of, "If you build it, they will come, and if you do it the right way, they'll come back." The Irish Rover may have done everything correctly, but I guess what I'm ultimately saying is they didn't hit a homerun in regard to anything. It's sort of like when a single guy sees a cute, funny girl at the bar. Just because she's cute and funny, does that mean he has to try and marry her? There's nothing wrong with her, and her company is surely pleasant, but she's no Olive Oyl. Am I going into this article as a pessimist or an optimist? I still don't know.

The name "Irish Rover" derives from a fun tale/song that's been told by many storytellers throughout thousands of Pubs over the last hundred years (some say since the 17th century). It's about a massive ship that slowly reaches its demise due to sinking, with the narrator of the song being the only survivor. I find Pubs much more appealing upfront when they have names like these, rather than the stereotypical ones like, Mulligan's, O'Shea's, or O'Leary's. If I look at a map with just two Pubs on it and I can only pick one solely off its name, I'm choosing the one with a story behind it vs the typical family name. Unless the name is something awesome, like "McNuggets." Also, to play Devil's advocate, society doesn't need another "Blarney Stone."

The Pub's geographic location isn't bad, as it's a 10-minute drive from downtown and it sits on a street with a few interesting shops, such as a cookie shop called, "Please and Thank You, Frank," a NY style pizza joint, and a few different ethnic restaurants. They provide complimentary parking and an inviting curb appeal. The patio tables overlook the road underneath huge umbrellas which are surrounded by shrubbery. You'll enter through a tiny foyer, which spits you out in front of the bar area. As you look for a barstool, you'll notice a little library and piano to your right, and fun booths to your left. The booths are cozy, they hug the windows, and they offer ample space.

The music was perfect, the Guinness pour was perfect, and the locals bending the elbows at the other end of the bar were friendly. The bartender during my visit today may have been having an annoying day, as he made me feel more of a nuisance for grabbing a pint from him rather than a valued guest. I didn't mind it too much though, as we all have those days where we say, "Nah, f8ck this." I've been in the industry since I was 16 years old, and I know how annoying the vast majority of society can be. People have almost no manners, they are inconsiderate, they're loud, they're entitled, they're stupid, and they're cheap. Not everyone, of course, but I understand that not all of us bartenders can be "on it" every single minute of every day. If it weren't for a bar's regulars to keep us sane, then the bartending position would be even more of a revolving door than it already is, as nobody could possibly cater to nothing but unfamiliar faces behind the bar every day for years on end (I'm convinced). Sometimes you'll hear someone jokingly say, "You're like the son I never had." Anytime I grab a barstool, I do my best to replace "son" with "barguest." It's simple: be nice, be patient, and don't complain.

As you sit at the bar and look around, I think you'll appreciate the walls like I did, as they are painted with green and white colors and they're accompanied with many family crests. The building itself is over 170 years old, and it used to be a saloon, to then a grocery store, to now an Irish Pub. If I were to knock the place a bit, then I'd say the ceilings are pretty bare. I believe if they spruced them up with either color, decor, beams, crown moulding, or anything of that nature, then the atmosphere would really pop. There are also a bunch of children's high chairs stacked in front of your face as soon as you walk through the door, and I think it's safe to say that nobody wants that eyesore before their first sip of the black stuff. If I may request... find a more appealing home for those things (I know I sound like a grump. I don't dislike children, I just dislike seeing ugly things that are made for children while I'm at an establishment made for adults).

They pledge to stay committed to the "Pub" of "Public House," which I love. A lot of people in this day of age often forget what the Pub was even built for; to be a spot where locals learn what's going on within the community and share conversations with friendly, unfamiliar faces. This Pub seems like they're doing that nicely, especially with their big, bright dining room overlooking the patio.

I stayed away from the light beer, so I didn't have to use the bathroom today. This might be one of about nine Pubs where I didn't at least enter the toiletry to even wash my hands to witness the stinker's beauty. I've been told, however, that The Irish Rover does have functioning toilets for those who choose to eat the Spicy McHaggis. Haggis is an old Scottish dish that's actually banned in a lot of the USA as its main ingredients are sheep lung, sheep heart, and sheep liver.

If this was one of the first Pubs that I ever walked into, I probably would have raved about it. After experiencing so many other Pubs that sort of just blow you away on every level, like The Kerryman in Chicago, The Dead Rabbit in New York, or even Pat O'Shea's here in Louisville (aside from their pint glasses), the Irish Rover may be great, but there are greater Pubs out there. Whose fault is that, though?

I'm off to another barstool across the river in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Slainte!

Do you pronounce it as LOO-E-VILLE or LOUH-VILLE?

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