The Paddy Wagon. Richmond, KY

150 East Main Street

Guinness Tag: $6.00 | Overall Rating: 5.95

Today's Dedicated Pint: Menards (save big money)

My day started in Cincinnati, OH and it's ending in Knoxville, TN. After stopping at a few Pubs in Georgetown and Lexington, KY, the Paddy Wagon is my fourth Pub visit before my last pint of Guinness is enjoyed at a place called Clancy's Whiskey House. It's unfortunately my least favorite so far, and I highly doubt Clancy's is going to disappoint me later. I couldn't step inside every Pub in America without plopping my potato on Paddy's Wagon. So, here's what happened.

It has a really inviting curb appeal, and I'm annoyed I couldn't get a good picture of the storefront without heavy traffic involved. The flowers, the windows, the colors, the light fixtures, and the black stripe with gold lettering for the nameplate are what you typically think of when picturing an Irish Pub in your head (here in the states). As soon as you walk in, you have a really neat snapshot of the place that introduces the place's charm and charisma. If you look closely, you'll find a ginormous bottle of Paddy's =)

The Pub has a few awesome traits attached with a bunch of annoyances. Right in the middle of the establishment lies a huge wrap around horseshoe bar, making it easy to chat with everyone at the bar and watch some sports. However, the craftsmanship is very outdated, unappealing, and the type you'll find at a Knights of Columbus banquet hall from the 80s. The drink menu might be pretty boring, although the prices are phenomenal. $3.00 Tully's every Wednesday and $7.00 domestic pitchers on Fridays. Now those are prices you can't complain about! Speaking of drinks, the Guinness was poured in "eh" fashion, and it came with a smile. The staff seems friendly.

A big knock about the place for the everyday traveling Irish Pub enthusiast is that The Paddy Wagon is a huge EKU bar, so you're most likely going to find a bunch of college kids in here. A lot of the staff look like they are either in college or fresh out of it, and I just saw a Facebook post from the Pub's page asking the community to stop getting upset with them for not allowing people under 21 to drink at the bar. So, take that with what you will. I can say, however, that there was a good mix of blue-collar workers and people over the age of 50 when I stopped in, which was nice. I think I managed to experience the place just hours before "welcoming students back to school."

There are pool tables in the back, high top tables and booths surrounding the bar, and a stage for live music in the corner. You'll find really old and unique tchotchkes on the walls along with a butt ton of police/fireman patches. The more I sit and look around, the more things I find, but a lot of it is dusty and kind of gross.

This Pub has what I call "The Kerry" effect, whereas it's an Irish Pub, yes, but the owners could easily turn this into a German Haus in a matter of 48 hours if they wanted. There's a really neat Pub down in New Orleans called The Kerry. It's a snug little spot with thousands of dollar bills hanging from the ceiling that allows you to have a fantastic time. It has a pinch of Irishness to it, which is nice, but all they'd have to do is replace the two or three Irish flags into German ones and just like that, they could get away with changing their entire bar theme in a nanosecond. There's nothing wrong with it, as everyone needs to cater to their immediate audience and do what works best to keep them in business. I'll never knock a business owner for doing what's right for them, however, that "Kerry Effect" will always knock some points of your rating. You know what? That's ok.

Despite having such a fun name like "The Paddy Wagon," I can't really go out and tell you to drive out to Richmond for the place. If you're driving along 75 and looking for a fix, you're better off waiting until Lexington, KY to pop into McCarthy's. If you're really looking for a good Irish Pub as you drive through KY on 75, then you need to stop at The Slainte House in Georgetown, trust me. Take a look at article from The Slainte House, it was awesome!

I'm off to Knoxville, TN. Sorry Paddy Wagon, I enjoyed my Guinness and the few chats that I had amongst your staff and guests, but I'm not so sure I'll be back again. Good luck to you in the future! Slainte.