For the past few years it has been well documented that both Smithfield and neighbouring area Stoneybatter have been two of the most up and coming areas in Dublin with young creative types choosing to relocate to the area and avail of the cheaper rents just a short bike ride away from the city centre. As a result there has been an eruption of artisanal coffee shops and trendy restaurants, but one that stood before most is L. Mulligan. Grocer.
I first learned of the gastro pub and what they were doing many moons ago at a craft beer banter talk hosted in what was then the Twisted Pepper. The Mulligan’s crowd shared the stage that night with Gráinne Walsh of Metalman Brewing Co. and a young Alex Lawes who, at the time, was considered to be one of the best home brewers in the country and has since gone on to win the Alltech brewers cup with Rye River Brewing and launch his very own Whiplash range. The night was an informative success and made it known to all in attendance that a trip to Stoneybatter would soon be needed. It’s superb to see that, years later, all speakers on the night are continuing from strength to strength in their respective sectors of the ever expanding Irish craft beer industry.
The core trinity that makes Mulligan’s is great quality craft beer, a fantastic and expansive selection of whiskeys and good quality seasonal Irish food. All of this is clearly in abundance as you flick through their old novel menus and what more can you ask for really? Well, they have gone that extra step further and with every dish available on their seasonal menu there is a recommended beer, cider or whiskey to pair with your course. Then, when your quite reasonable bill arrives in an old-fashioned steel pencil case, surely designed to pull on nostalgic heartstrings, a little added bonus of some complimentary jellies can be found inside to help round off the entire meal. Perfect.
The selection of whiskey available here is immense, with over one hundred and forty varieties available to try and the wealth of knowledge around the product really is impressive for a gastro pub. They even have their very own 9 year old whiskey available to buy by the bottle, if your purse strings can stretch that far. They also hold a monthly quiz night and just recently hosted a tap takeover event with English brewery Beavertown that was an absolute rip-roaring success of a night and hopefully the precursor for many more similar events in the future.
Having previously devoted every ounce of his spare time to music, Tony is more commonly found these days in a kitchen than on a stage. With experience in writing on festivals and shows around the country he has recently turned his pen to more culinary exposés. With a particular penchant for craft beer he can often be spotted travelling from one bar to another in search of the latest brew to hit the market.