Comments on: Dublin’s Burgeoning CafÃ© Culture

By: Brandon

Brandon — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 15:50:46 +0000

Thanks, Dervla. Great thoughts, everyone. I was in Toledo, Spain with my brother over the last few days and noticed that most of the cafes we went into had both great coffee and alcohol on offer. Obviously there’s quite a discrepancy between cultures there, though, particularly in regards to food/meals, restaurants, etc.

I think I’m a little surprised at people’s perspective on pubs. My understanding of pubs here in Europe is that they’re much more social and relaxed than the bars and taverns we have in the States, where people typically just go to get drunk. Stereotypes can be funny things, though.

It seems that there’s plenty of room in the market for more Cafe Modas (thanks for that Karen!), but also for the places that serve coffee exclusively. Variety of choice usually accompanies economic growth – which means there should be plenty of Dublin cafes that don’t have music going, Seoman. =)

By: Dervla

Dervla — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 17:14:22 +0000

Welcome to the dublinblog Brandon. Great post and very interesting question. I’m kind of with Karen on this one. I see cafes as being a haven from the pub scene. A place to go and relax with good fare and atmosphere without the noisiness of alchol fueled customers. And speaking of world domination and O’Briens – I was recently in Delhi and although there are no Irish pubs, there is an O’Briens Irish Sandwich Bar! How impressive!

By: Seoman

Seoman — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 12:49:02 +0000

You can’t beat a good cup of coffee in a decent cafe. One thing that worries me though is Starbucks and the effect they may have on the Dublin Cafe scene. Already I notice that Lucky Coadys in Dame Street is closed which may or may not be a result of Starbucks opening.

On a personal note one thing I cant stand is music in a cafe. Just a small quirk/ pet hate.

I think theres a place for both cafes and pubs in Dublin right now. Can the two mix? No I don’t think so.

To conclude I once heard someone describe a cafe in France as the equivalent of a pub in Ireland. Nice post by the way

By: kevin

kevin — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 16:15:18 +0000

i never seen the point in walking into a cafe to buy coffie. would’nt be easier to make it at home? instead of paying two euro fifty? as they say in america duuuuaaa

By: Karen

Karen — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 13:34:27 +0000

I’m kinda torn on this issue. I love the idea of a cafe culture, where you could get a decent coffee, cake or a sandwich in the same place you could enjoy a beer or glass of wine – but I just don’t know if it would work here.

Maybe it’s because I’m jaded with the pub scene but the idea of even more places where drunk eejits could get their hands on alcohol and cause a nuisance doesn’t appeal to me. Perhaps that sounds old fashioned and prudish, I’m not trying to be, I like a drink or three myself. I just don’t know if the cafe culture such as they have in France would translate here. I fear it would be taken to excess and if I’m honest I like the idea of cafes as being a haven from the pub scene.

In saying that, Cafe Moda in Rathmines has both beer and wine on its menu and it’s a really lovely, excellently run place. I’ve been in it during the day and in the evening and, to the best of my knowledge, there has never been a problem because of alcohol being served. So they have obviously managed to strike the right balance and fair play to them for that.

I love cafes, but I will say there’s room in the market for more really good ones. I’m not into paying a tenner for a coffee and a sandwich to be presented with a cup of instant muck and a hastily slopped together sandwich on stale bread, as I have been in the past.

I’d be interested to hear what others have to say on the matter.

By: Twenty Major

Twenty Major — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 10:14:37 +0000