You’ve found an authentic pub when…

Four Green Fields, Tampa- picture from tampadailyphoto.blogspot.com

Recently, I began to notice the word “pub” popping up at the end of restaurant names all over the place. However, it is to my extreme chagrin that upon entering the establishment it is not what I consider a pub. A pub is a unique thing. When one goes into a pub there is an overall feeling of comfort, home and raucous merriment that settles into your being. This feeling is not easily permeated through patrons in just any mass restaurant chain or dive bar, but is reserved exclusively for the authentic pub.

After extensive research and information-gathering at local pubs, the following list is made up of what I consider the key components to an authentic pub:

1. Either a completely Irish menu or a section specifically dedicated to the food fare of the Isle.
2. An Irish or English flag hanging somewhere in the vicinity of the pub and almost always surrounded by the flags and scarves of various futbol clubs.
3. Many of the best pubs offer at least one or two nights of live Irish music (and again, the best are performed by Irish men and women)
4. They have the following on tap: Killian’s, Guinness, Smithwick’s, Harp and Kilkenny (the Killians is wishful thinking on my part as many places don’t offer it on tap)
5. The owner of the pub must have some affiliation to Ireland or England either through blood or birth

Now, there may be some great pubs out there that do not partake in all these listed items and it’s okay to still call themselves pubs, and indeed they may be, but the best of the best will have all the aforementioned qualities and then some.

Anyone else have anything to add to the list?

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