Board — Restaurant in Dublin

I reserved a table here as I was looking for a place with a pub atmosphere, without necessarily needing the alcohol. When we arrived on Sunday at 1:30pm there was no staff downstairs where the pub is. We waited for 10 minutes unsure of what was going on, as we could see all the tables were reserved but no one was there. We then went upstairs which is nothing like a pub, but is a very bright cafe. We tried to get the staffs attention to confirm our booking and ask where to sit, but this was a struggle, even though there were a umber of staff standing around not doing much other than chatting. We were eventually seated upstairs in the cafe. This was disappointing as the KSP was that Board is a no-alcohol pub. We sat at our table, read the menu and decided what we wanted. We tried to scan the barcodes on the table to order, as per the instructions. The barcodes didn't work. No staff approached us to take our order or to explain that the bar codes don't work and to order at the counter. When I eventually asked at the counter, I went to place my order only to be told that 1 of the 2 meals we wanted was not available, and the 2 drinks we wanted were not available. We took some time to read the menu again before re-ordering. The food we got (2 Irish breakfasts) were tasty and there portions were large. It was relatively good value at €13.50 each. I paid when placing my order as I had already decided I wanted to leave immediately after eating as we were in a cafe rather than a pub. The best advice I can give is to have an option for patrons when booking a table to choose between the cafe and the pub. If were sitting in the pub and there were enough staff on to keep things moving, we likely would have stayed longer...

I was there for the pub quiz with the office, as an after dinner Xmas drinks. When I arrived I knew my colleagues were already there so I was looking to join them but I couldn't see them so I asked for help. In covid times, I also knew I would be asked to show my covid vaccination cert. The first contact I had with anyone seemed friendly enough, they asked me if I needed help and I explained the situation. I had at that stage taken my mask off because it's hard to be understood with mask in a pub environment with music. The lady then said she would look after me in a bit, but when she walked past me she told "put your mask, will ya?". That shaked me to bits, such a rude way to speak to a person, never mind a potential paying costumer. So rude. I went on defense, but tried to be nice about it until the person asked for my covid cert, which I showed the HSE vaccination paper given (it is a bit worn down as it has been in my wallet, but it still shows dates and my name!)... she looked veryyy annoyed at me. If a eye contact could kill, that one would have done job perfectly! Was asked for my ID to confirm , totally understandable, but just the way she requested this and spoke to me, it was like a fighting match at this stage! I was so surprised by the rudeness. I worked in hospitality business in Ireland , including Temple Bar area, where we saw a lot of footfall/people coming in, never in my life treated a costumer like that. Just rude manners. Basic knowledge: if one is working with people one just needs to have skills to talk to/deal with them and not scare them off; please be kind and treat everyone...

Went to Board for a non-alcohol get together for my niece's 15th birthday. The venue was comfortable and well stocked with board games. The staff were pleasant, attentive and friendly. Food was tasty and well presented.

TEMPERATURE However, the ambient temperature was icy cold. It was far below a comfortable setting. I say this as someone who often wears shorts through winter and am first to remove a sweater at gatherings.

We asked if the heating system could be turned on, and were informed that it was already so.

DRINKS Notably, there were also options on the menu to order alcohol drinks. The main reason we chose Board was for the non-alcohol environment. Particularly because we were taking a minor with us.

As it turned out, it didn't seem anyone ordered alcohol, but it was precisely a 'pub' environment we were trying to avoid. If it had become a boozy atmosphere, it would have soured our experience further.

Further, the 'hot' drinks were tepid upon serving. This could be attributed the over all frigidness of the room. It could also be blamed on the soup-bowl style cups in which they are served.

OTHER Beyond that, there are some minor gripes. The toilets were not dirty, but the surfaces could do with being cleaned a bit more. Particularly around the window. The toilet cubicles are horribly small, having to pin yourself to the wall in order to close the door. This could prove beyond an a minor issue if there were a need to leave in...