Francis Bogside is a great bar. The bartenders here are nice, and they serve some damn good cocktails. Though they have a Happy Hour, prices are still kind of high. They have cocktails ranging from $8-$12. Which is standard for Cocktail Bars, especially in this part of the City. The atmosphere is very chill, reminiscent of an Old Fancy Pub.
I've come here on two separate occasions, once the place was packed on a Tuesday. PACKED. On a TUESDAY?!? It wasn't the bars fault, some office or something decided to make that their place to inhabit for the night and unwind, for some strange reason. The crowd was loud, and drunk. The bartenders seemed mildly annoyed, but there wasn't really anything that they could do about it, except be friendly to all those that were int he bar and offer great service to everyone, which they did. It was just weird for a Tuesday. On this occasion was when I ordered some of their food, they have AMAZING poutine fries. I've heard a lot of the other things on their menu are also hits, but this was the only thing I got that night. Besides the Crowd, the way the Bartenders interacted with one of the bar backs was very strange....at first it seemed like they were joking and picking on the bar back in a friendly way......then the bar back got mad and retaliated, which was when one of the managers/bartenders, put the bar back in his place. It was also very awkward to watch.....while the manager tried to keep voice levels down, (and the large crowd there that night did assist in that), this interaction occurred right in front of me at the bar.....The drink was good though, the food was good, other than that interaction the servers were nice to me, so I couldn't complain. A place I would for sure come back to.
Which I did. The next time I went into the quaint Irish Pub was about a month and a half after the first experience. It was a Monday, I was in the area, and I knew from my last visit that they had Happy Hour all day! So i stopped in.
This time I was pleased to find that there was not a large office party occurring in the bar, though it was kinda of busy, it seemed to be mostly couples and small groups of friends that kept to themselves. I took a seat at the end of the bar, ordered an Irish Old Fashion, and for the most part kept to myself. I looked around, seeing if I could find the bar back from the previous visit, I didn't see him. Which could mean that he wasn't scheduled, or that he for some reason or another was no longer working at the establishment. The bartender was very nice. The Old Fashion with an Irish Twist, was good. I've had better, but i'm not the biggest fan or Irish Whiskey (I prefer Bourbon) so maybe that was why. The drink, I have to mention, came with the Maraschino Cherry, and instead of having it served on a Skewer, typical of Bars, it was served on a PLASTIC SCREW! I loved this twist (get it? get it?) and thought it was very unique and fun. At first, I was going to have just that one drink (a girl has to eat after all!). Then, while sipping my old fashion, a couple started talking to me. It was nice, they were friendly and talked well of the bar and the area. We enjoyed a couple of laughs together and thanks to the extra conversation i decided to stretch my wallet and my time a little further and I ordered a Well Drink, since that was also part of the Happy Hour.
They left shortly after, I finished my drink, asked for my bill, and realized that a well drink costs 6 dollars! Which....is pretty expensive for Well when the Craft cocktails are the same price during Happy hour. (And Jameson is ALWAYS $4!) So after being a little shocked, I tried to pay my tab. I say try, because for some reason the bartenders disappeared.....It took me about 5 minutes to finally see one of them poke their had from out of the back, and come swipe my card and close out my tab. A great manager once told me that you can have the best experience, but if you stand around when you are done waiting to pay, it can turn the whole visit sour.
All in all, Francis Bogside is a a good bar. They need to work a little on the mannerisms that the staff gives off (dont be in the back for 5 minutes, dont reprimand staff members right in front of guests). They also might want to look at well prices? But they do have a beautiful bar, in a great location,, with friendly people, good food, and quality drinks and cocktails going for them. So if you want a chill place, with good ambiance and drinks, pay them a visit. Just make sure there isn't a large business party, and if its Happy Hour? Stick with a cocktail or a Draft.
Price:3
Atmosphere:5
Staff:4
Happy Hour: 3
(Monday All Day Tues-Fri 4-7 get $6 Irish Old Fashion, Ivy Gimlet, or Pimm's Cup and $1 off all wells and drafts)
Food: Yes.
Drinking in SA.
(Menu)
(Irish Old Fashion)
(Happy Hour Menu)
There are lots of things going on around this bar, and happenings at the bar itself. Make sure to follow them on Instagram so you can stay up to date on all they have! (i'm talking Patty's Day celebrations, Goat Roasts, and much more!). If you want something sweet while you are there, you should definitely check this place out on Sunday afternoons were a local Baker is serving doughnuts at this lovely establishment!
Everything Ranges on a scale of 1-5!
Overall: 4
Would I go back? Yes.....I already have.....
Website
Tavern Wench. OUT.
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