Stop by, it's Irish: Live music plays on Thursdays at Dubhlinn's
By CLAIRE CHOCK
DCN Reporter
Dubhlinn's Pub and Billiards on 1st Avenue and Superior Street is new to town, having opened about two years ago. Judging by the number of people that go there on any given night though, it has quickly become a hot spot to gather with friends for a brew. I’ve gone there about seven times since last April but hadn’t gone to their Irish Music Thursdays, so I figured I’d check it out.
The Dubhlinn has a comfortable atmosphere. In the back, there are leather chairs around a grated fireplace with board games, cards and books. The wood-based furniture for the rest of the pub—bar stools and the bar table itself—and the mellow lighting adds to this atmosphere. It would be a perfect spot to go to on a rainy or snowy day to curl up and read a book.
The live Irish music goes from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Dubhlinn’s fireside room. Nearly all of the tunes played during my visit were upbeat, rollicking pieces reminiscent of the renaissance. Of course, there were drinking songs and there were also a few slower, more pensive tunes that made me imagine they were about Ireland or pining Irish lovers.
The band that played had a drummer, three fiddlers, a guitarist and a piper. They seemed very close knit, laughing and joking for a bit before they would move on to the next song. They would get into the music they played as well; the man playing a hand drum (think of a tambourine, but bigger and without the cymbals) closed his eyes as he played, and the guitarist had her head down, seemingly focused on listening to the music.
In attendance that night was Katie Maxim, wife of Dubhlinn bartender Mike Maxim. The Maxims’ Irish experience isn’t limited to the bar, however, having honeymooned in Ireland. She said she liked it, but the towns they visited were very tourist oriented.
“I didn’t feel like we were getting a feel for the Irish life, but they had good Irish music,� Katie said.
All in all, the Irish Music night was a success for me and I recommend coming down to the Dubhlinn on any night. Some other events at the Dubhlinn are Mug Mondays, where you can get domestic beer for $2 and imports for $2.50, and Shrimp Thursdays with live Irish music.