The Brew Dock — Local services in Dublin

Just across from the bus station is The Brew Dock which used to be known as Kate’s Cottage. The old rustic style décor is more or less the same as the old bar, but the beers on tap and on offer are totally different. Gone is the Guinness, the Smithwicks, the Bud, and all the mass produced beer and in its place is some of the finest craft beers you can find in the capital city. Their selection is boundless, 21 taps, with craft beers from both Ireland and the USA. They have a sign outside that reads “No cr*p on tap”

Anyway it’s a handy pub for a pint before heading home. No Smithwicks this time round so we went for Boston’s finest, a pint of Samuel Adams. A decent pint and it was refreshing to be in a nice relaxed bar with no loud music or a TV as an unnecessary distraction.

Now Kate Cottage’s was a good pub that was relatively popular, so it’s a big step for The Brew Dock to set up a trendy craft beer pub this side of the town. I am guessing that they are hoping to attract a lot of attention from the office types that work in the nearby Irish Financial Services Centre (IFSC). But that’s the thing, I found the atmosphere a little dead to be honest. Nice and relaxed and calming, but not really a place that you would meet someone new, have the “craic”, or a place with some serious true Dublin character. A little bit contrived, but heh, these places are supposedly popular nowadays so it remains to be seen if it works out for them in the long run. Having said that though, I would like to have a good taste of all those exciting looking beers...

Had a very poor experience at this establishment and I have been going there for over 7months. I arrived and wanted a quick beer and a take away chicken wings as Wednesday is buy one get on free. I specifically told the bar man , my train is leaving in 21mins so is that possible or maybe I buy another time! He assured me I will get them out for you in 10mins, I relaxed and finished my beer within 15 mins but the wings didn’t come? So I decided to leave and it started raining and now I had 3 minutes to catch the train, he had the rudeness to call me as I am running to the train, come get your wings and I said no I’m already across the street ! I got to the train and it left as I got there, now I have to wait one more hour! I came back and told him this is not right, you waisted my time you could have said it’s not possible! So you owe me a beer while I wait cause I had paid for the wings, my Guinness and had bought take away cans. He made it such an issuie and I asked for the manager, he said I am the manager and I won’t but you a beer I would rather refund the wings than buy you a beer! Afterwards now shut up about this issuie! All I wanted was a beer cause he did cost me my train and what was I to do for an hour! Very unprofessional Brazilian manage who thinks he knows anything about customer service. It’s a pity it was my favourite spot after work but I will not be treated like that , it’s...

So disorganised, we had booked a table for 6pm. When we arrived nobody was there to greet us, we weren't told where to go or sat to a table. When we eventually got the staff's attention we sat at a table and nobody took our order for 20 minutes. It was so hard to get any service.We had to get our own menus from the server's area! There was one waitress working and she was absolutely run off her feet so I don't blame her. Food was mediocre. No COVID regulations were being followed, they didn't check our certs, nobody was wearing masks walking to the bathroom and people were ordering from the bar. Not to mention on a menu board it literally says 'covid 19 fake news' on the top. There was a table of about 10 people beside us who were screaming and shouting at eachother. We actually left early as they started standing on chairs and tables shouting at people at other tables in the bar. I've never seen anything like it even in a nightclub. So disappointing since I really liked the this bar...