[haven]

Billyireland inspired this thread for me with his Dublin bar suggestion in the beer thread. It occurred to me that the subject deserves its own thread.

What're the best bars in your home town? I'm not much for the club-like bars - much prefer pubs.

If you're ever in Austin, visit (a) The Draught House, (b) Opal Devine's, and (c) the Dog & Duck. If you want a great burger with your beer, check out The Posse East.

People who frequent Austin, but don't live there, usually check out the bars that are more famous for live music - and those are great, too - but if you just want a nice place to drink a great assortment of beers (including many home brews) - those players are better.

[lamu202]

I live in suburbia stripmallville. All the bars suck. One of the local "Irish" bars doesn't even have Guinness on tap. However, if you are in Yorktown, hit the Yorktown Pub by the waterfront. Last time there after a football game we apparently stumbled across a horny lesbian internet chat room gettogether.

[Bluto11]

too many in Chicago to count!

The Globe Pub for football, rugby, and other sports.

hangout bars: Messner's, Durkin's, McGee's, Hidden Shamrock, Cullen's, Barlycorn, Brownstone, Schoolyard, Kincaid's, Red Lion, Irish Eye's, Casey Moran's, the list goes on and on.

[Leto]

Letterkenny - McGinley's in my favourite pub in the whole world. Depending on whether you're upstairs or downstairs, it's either a great student/young professional pub, or somewhere to mingle with the older folk. Either way, it's got that relaxed, we're-all-friends, varnished wooden tables, 'old man pub' feel. Great staff, best Guinness in Ireland (some rating actually named a pub in Ramelton, a village a few minutes away from Letterkenny as having the best pint in Ireland - and thus the world - but I'm happy with my McGinley's pint).

For a more clubby night my personal choice is the Fubar, in the Orchard - the funky/rock/general alternative music (although I hate that phrase) place. People who like clubby dance music clubs would love the Grill - repeatedly voted the best in Ireland by clubbers' groups - or Milan.

Belfast - The Katy Daly's/Limelight/Spring & Airbrake combo is hard to beat. KD is the 'old man' style pub, the Limelight is the rock club section, and the S&A is more pop/jazz/dance. They're all linked, so as long as they're all open you can move freely throughout the night. S&A is also a great intimate gig venue.

Auntie Annie's and the Duke of York are good places to chill out, and both do good Guinness. The Parlour has its moments, although I've also had fairly boring nights there, same with the Eglantine and the Botanic Inn. Recently-opened club Stiff Kitten is apparently good, although I haven't been there yet.