Dublin’s Auld Triangle goes jingle jangle as it serves up pints at just €4.50

​THERE was no need for the pub-mobile this past week as Pub Spy and the crew headed to Lower Dorset Street on Dublin’s northside.

“I haven’t been to The Auld Triangle since 2013,” the Old Commando informed us on the 15-minute walk from HQ. “Was always a nice pint of stout, to be fair.”

With glorious sunshine finally arriving, the streets were thronged with people and we knew we were going to struggle to even get inside a pub, never mind get comfy seats at the counter.

Both entrances of the pub were busy and had a crowd loitering outside as the customers basked in the warm weather and cold pints. We entered via Gardiner Street Upper and marched straight to the ‘service area’ in the middle of the counter.

We couldn’t believe how quickly we got served despite how busy it was, and the barmaid who served us was efficient and mannerly.

There was little or no time for chit-chat as there was always a queue forming for drinks but we must commend the staff on how quickly they were dealing with the orders.

What shocked us most was when we paid for our drinks. We double-checked and then triple-checked and we even watched the till as other customers paid for their drinks.

We paid just €4.50 for the creamy pint of Guinness and we were left wondering if it was too good to be true.

“Well, I don’t know if it’s a mistake or not but we’re all after been charged the same amount,” the Old Commando said. “I paid with a €20 note and got back €15.50 anyway,” he added.

“Well, I tapped the card and it was the same. Maybe it’s a special offer. We won’t complain. We’ll just drink more,” the Young Commando laughed.

Our designated driver, although not on duty, still stayed with minerals and he paid €3 for his bottle of Club Orange.

There were two barmaids and two barmen on duty and they had a wide variety of drinks available on draught including Beamish, Carling, Five Lamps red ale, Rockshore lager and Birra Moretti and the fridges and shelves were fully stocked.

There are two large-screen TVs at either end of the pub and there was live GAA on both, which helped enhance an already thriving atmosphere.

There wasn’t an empty seat in the house but the red leather barstools looked to be in good condition and everything seems to have been upgraded since our previous visit 11 years ago.

We spotted a dartboard near the side entrance but it was far too busy for anybody to be throwing darts, and the longer we stayed the busier and busier it became.

There are GAA-related pictures throughout the pub but it’s not exclusively Dublin, as we spotted the 2012 Donegal team, the ’91 Tipperary team, ’81 Kerry team, ’59 Waterford team and the Galway team of ’66.

“There’s a photo of Cluxton, don’t worry,” the Young Commando joked to his older colleague. “And a few Mayo banners too.”

There are two ceiling fans on the roof and they were working overtime during our stay as the heat was getting the better of everyone. Luckily the cold beer was cooling a lot of temperatures.

We inspected the toilets before we departed and they were very narrow with an L-shaped stainless steel urinal and one cubicle where the roof height was very low. One of our Commandos had to stoop just to go in.

Overall we had a great time in The Auld Triangle and hopefully we won’t leave it 11 years to call again.

Rating: Three pints out of Five

One for the road:

Juno – Lower Dorset Street, Dublin

THE former Red Parrott pub closed some years ago but Juno launched in its place in 2022 and this was the first time Pub Spy and the crew had stopped off for a pint.

It was extremely busy in both sections at the front of the pub and there is a third section at the rear that was also very busy.

We counted at least nine bar staff on duty during our visit and the manager/owner was clever enough to have a catalogue of Bruce Springsteen songs blasting out on the speakers to keep the revellers happy.

Needless to say there was a brilliant atmosphere and the interior brick walls are a nice feature. The red and cream bench seating was in good condition and the timber flooring was spotlessly clean.

The Young Commando reported that the toilets were clean but extremely tight for space, with just one cubicle and a very small ceramic urinal.

Rating: Three pints out of Five