An Tain Bar, Ballinasloeback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
R.E.anonymous - 29 Dec 2006. Its been 3 years since An Ta�n expanded and as far as I can see, the old bar downstairs hasn't changed a bit. I can't see where the extension has "taken away from the craic agus ceol". The Wednesday night trad sessions are as popular now as they have ever been. I still find the place nice and warm for a pint after work and I don't understand what you mean when you say the staff are at a loss. I agree when you say its the little things that count but you won't find much lacking here. The staff in An Ta�n go out of their way to look after their customers. You say that the extension to An Ta�n may "also be the downfall after the first burst wears off". Over 3 years on and no sign of any downfall yet.
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been goin to an tain since it was revamped 3 years ago,its a great pub,the staff are usually very good,a bit hard to get around when its packed,very friendly door staff,particularly adrian i think is the doormans name,the music is generally good,a good mix of stuff played,dj jim certainly knows what he is at,my only real criticism is the draught beer isint great upstairs,great pub,probably best in bsloe
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This is my favourite pub in Ballinasloe. I've been drinking in An Tain since it opened 10 years ago & unless something drastic happens (i.e. redecorating the "old" part downstairs) I will continue to do so.
It's a good, comfy, friendly pub with a generally favourable atmosphere. I'm partial to the original bar (downsatirs on the right hand side of the building), which is decked out in a traditional pub manner, with beautiful murals depicting various scenes from the Irish folk tale that gives the pub its name. The rest is a bit "new-fangled" for my taste (a fairly minimalist feel to it, all sharp lines & corners) but I suppose the younger/trendy/contemporary crowd have to be catered for, and upstairs is perfect for it; colourful (with a nice nod to the previous incarnation's paintings above the bar) & well laid out for the crowd it gets, there's a DJ booth & small dancefloor area for the more energetic punters, room for bands to set up too, though that's not a regular thing. The staff are all friendly & good at what they do, ranging from The Good (ladies, take a bow) to The Ugly (sorry, lads!) - no Bad, you'll notice. The pint is great if priced a few cents over the town average, but I suppose the recent(ish) refurbishments have to be paid for somehow. Trad on Wednesday nights is a long-standing & enjoyable tradition (no pun intended) here, but some new faces once in a while would be welcome. It's always, ALWAYS my first stop when I arrive in the town & will be for the forseeable future.
A couple of minor crticisms: the toilet facilities are woefully inadequate when there's a crowd, at least twice what's available is needed, upstairs and down. Also, better acces to the downstairs toilets from the "new" bar is badly needed - that archway between the 2 bars is sometimes tough to get through when the inevitable crowd gathers at the end of the old bar. The smoking area upstairs is ridiculously small, and surely dangerous in case of fire. As a non-smoker, this doesn't directly concern me but you can see what I mean. I don't know if this is still the case but up until recently at least, a pint cost 10 cents more at the upstairs bar than at the downstairs bars - this is inexcusable. Though I rarely venture upstairs unless there's a band or group of people I want to see, I can't see how or why this should happen.
Those things aside, it's a hearty "thumbs up" from me. Long may it continue in its course as the finest drinking establishment in Ballinasloe.
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Reading your newsletter on the net. Well done Tony. Must drop in next time I'm in Galway. See you in Belfast again soon.
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Ive been in both minds over here,I have ventured to bsloe many a time between yourself and the neighbours but like with other pubs in the town Ive seen a drop in the last 5 years.. One major thing Ive seen here is the extension maybe it was worth going for but it has taken away from the craic agus ceol ;-) In my mind they should have kept it the way it was I dont feel relaxed when I drop in as before it was nice and warm for a pint after work but now I feel even the staff are @ a loss.. It can be great to move up the ladder but it can also be the down-fall after the first burst wears off....... I hope maybe you & others remember that its the little things that count..
anonymous - 29 Dec 2006 05:49 |
This Pub in the centre of Ballinasloe is soon set to treble in size with an extension being added into the building nextdoor. When completed in the coming weeks it will feature a live music venue upstairs and an additional two new bars. As it is, An Tain is among the best pubs in town. All the staff are excellent and the beer is always in prime condition. All major sports events are shown. The clientele spans all age groups and there is an open trad session every Wednesday night. There are beautiful works of art in the shape of hand painted murals along the walls depicting scenes from Irish folklore. The newly installed toilets are spotless and it seems no expense was spared on them. I give An Tain a 7 while the extension work is taking place but that looks set to improve when the new look pub completed. Watch this space.
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