11/30/08

Obnoxious and Unprofessional

by sfbarexpert

As sportsbars go The Valley Tavern, and consequently The Dubliner (same owner, same block), try very hard but fail as places to go see the "big game". The televisions, while plentiful, have the distinction of being roughly ten feet directly above your head, making for a very sore neck after three hours of football. In addition, the view from the seating area another twenty feet away is no better, and from there you will also have to wait a century before the waitress will arrive to take your order. For that matter I found the bartenders to be completely obnoxious when I sat at the bar. When the waitress came to take my order (at 11 am) I let her know I would need some water to rehydrate first and would then have a beer. She brought me my water. Immediately following, the second waitress behind the bar also asked me what I would like to drink. I told her the same thing. Within fifteen seconds of that conversation the owner approached me from behind the bar as well. He informed me that there was a two drink minimum and that he was "trying to run a business". This all took place within three minutes of my arrival. Is this really the way to treat your customers?

Suprisingly, the owner decided to utilize this same setup for both of his pubs.

10/13/06

Overpriced, Dysfunctional Management, Too Loud

by metaskeptic

I've been hanging out here for a few years, but only because it's the only decent bar in the neighborhood. The others are a bit scary. The chief problem with this place is the high turnover rate. Just when you get comfortable with a bartender, just when they get to know what you drink etc., BOOM!! They're gone!! I don't know what the management is thinking, but this is a terrible way to run a bar. Furthermore, the beer is generally overpriced, as are the cocktails. There is no happy hour, ever, and the "drink specials" usually only amount to $.50 off a beer that costs too much anyway.

This bar simply wins by default. I wouldn't say it is a cool neighborhood bar. It could be as the atmosphere is generally relaxed, that is when the thirteen blairing TVs are turned off. The smoking room could be nice too, but it tends to be populated by cliquey-yuppie-frat-boy types who act like they are still in high school. And don't even ask about when there is a football game. The Neanderthals come out of the cracks, and that may even be a compliment. They act more like apes.

It is my sincerest prayer that someone who is concerned about their customers will take over and make The Dubliner a truly cool neighborhood bar, one that *respects* and caters to locals as they are the chief source of business. It would be nice for the place to value their employees too and maybe keep them for longer than 6 months. Also, the fact they have cocktail servers every night is completely dumb for a bar this size. They are so bored I feel bad for them. If you can, avoid this place.

• Pros: Nice wood, many good beers on tap.
• Cons: High turnover means no real local feel, overpriced, too loud.

12/22/04

Best Guinesss and sports

by moonlightgrahams

This is one place that actually gets the Guinness right! There are TVs everywhere so its a great place to catch the game you want to see. The staff is very good at switching the TVs over to what game you want to see. Sunday mornings are filled with fans of teams from all over the country gathering to root there team on. A friendly neighborhood place that can be packed at peak times. They also have one of the new fangled Internet jukeboxes which is great!