After suffering two destructive fires, The Hibernian Pub on Glen wood Avenue has opened its heavy wooden doors for diners to experi ence a short getaway in a true Irish pub.
The immediate atmosphere of the long-awaited Hibernian is dark and sultry. The dark varnished wood of the bars and tables is accented with deep red walls and benches. Vintage photos and Irish advertisements adorn the red and green walls con tributing to the homey feel. Instead of a modern steel and simplistic design, The Hibernian welcomes groups big and small to a friendly neighborhood pub where comfort is guaranteed.
Though the beer menu does not offer a great variety of interna tional or Raleigh- area drafts, the bartender can describe the choice of bottled brands behind the counter. Conveniently, the three bars- yes, three- feature the same draft lines, easing the fear of another bar offer ing a different tap. Price-wise, the bottled beers are $3-6 and the drafts range from $4-6. Several televisions in the main dining areas are perfect for watching the NCAA Tourney or other sporting events throughout the year.
The layout breaks down the res taurant into three indoor dining ar eas centered on the three bars. On those few, warm spring days, sliding glass windows open to let in a fresh breeze and some natural light to the otherwise dim décor. If you want to enjoy a beer and a great night outdoors, the pub offers a rooftop deck that wraps the street front. The crackling fireplace entices the cold customer in for a bowl of Irish stew and a stout, and the bookcases serve as a means for privacy in the up stairs booths for date nights. With the entire restaurant decorated by an Irish designer, the authentic feel won’t disappoint.
From the hostess to food runner, the wait staff is eager to make your dining experience exceptional. They are ready to answer any questions and do not disappear into the res taurant corridors for long. It is easy to see the wait staff gets along, and the friendly conversations between bartenders and patrons further em body the inviting feel.
The menu offers a variety of Irish cuisine that does not disappoint. Featuring traditional dishes such as bangers and mash, corned beef and cabbage and Shepherd’s pie, it is easy to find a hearty meal to ap pease the most Celtic appetites. If you are looking for a lighter dish, the Hibernian serves several salads and sandwiches to suit your fancy. I highly recommend the Lamb Burger with pub fries as well as the Mac and Cheese. The prices for entrees are good for a date or special occasion, but may be hefty for those on a col lege budget.
The name of the pub’s mascot, a toucan, is often a source of curios ity for patrons, and, according to the wait staff, an old advertisement for Guinness read, “If one can a day keeps the doctor away, what can two cans of Guinness do?” The play on words created the picture of the namesake bird with a mug of Guinness balanced on his beak. The pub’s website says, “Hibernian de rives from the Latin term ‘Hibernia,’ which means ‘one who comes from Ireland’ or ‘cold wet land.’”
Overall, the reopened Glenwood Hibernian is welcomed back by fre quent patrons. The food is delicious and the friendly staff will hopefully leave you coming back for more. This is not the best place to go if expense is a problem, but the Hi bernian is a great venue for a group outing or dinner with the family.
