Buskers

Halloween.........

2008-10-06T08:27:00.003Z

So the winter season is certainly creeping up on us more and more! Before I mention the big C word (Christmas), we have Halloween to look forward to first! I think its safe to say I am extremely excited!

Only once a year this day rolls around when we can all head out on the town dressed as Tinker Bell and Bob the Builder and not be shunned by the Irish Public! Halloween is fast approaching so I hope you all have your costumes ready as Buskers are all set to have a blast this Halloween!

Watch this space for news and updates on our Halloween event! We are going to have fab drinks promos and even hotter competitons! I hope everyone is ready to dress to impress!

Nearly the weekend!

2008-09-24T11:56:00.003Z

Well with the cold winter days slowly creeping up on us its time to take advantage of the last few warm days we have left and head on down to Buskers this weekend.

Why not celebrate the weekend with a few cocktails or cold beers out on our heated terrace......

I know this is only September, however have you started thinking about your Christmas Party yet? Whether its your office get together or a girls night out pop me an email for all our party information, on meeting@tbh.ie.

Our dates are filling up fast so to get the best out of the Christmas Season this year contact me for a brochure. HO HO HO HO HO!

Congratulations - Competition Winners!

2008-09-09T08:20:00.002Z

I need to say a big CONGRATULATIONS to the following people:

Bronagh Butler
Sarah Doyle
Mark Byrne
Cian Smith
Robert Kelly

The above are all winners of our fantastic competition for Buskers Bar......

If you weren't one of this months lucky winners, well why not enter this month???

We have decided to run our competition for a second month so all you guys who didn't enter in August, why not enter this month and be in with a chance to win a great night out in Buskers!

Visit buskersbar.com for all the information on how to enter!

Yuk! Monday Mornings...........

2008-08-25T09:29:00.002Z

I think it is safe to say the majority of us out there really hate Monday mornings.
But, at the end of the day we all need to earn a few bob to see us through our crazy weekends!!!!

It was my birthday last Friday, so it was a 3 day long celebration! I was thrilled to see I was not the only one celebrating this weekend, as town as been a little quiet these last summer months. However, the dublin party atmosphere was certainly back.......

Buskers was booming this weekend, with the cocktails flowing and the music thumping everyone was certainly in the party spirit.

Guys, there is only a few days left to enter our competition on www.buskersbar.com, make sure you are in with a chance to win our fantastic prize!

2008-08-11T10:43:00.002Z

This was certainly a weekend for the record books! Torrential Rain, Flooding on Dublin's Motor Ways, cars deserted in water 2 foot deep......Is this really our hot summer in Dublin?

I can say for myself I was not brave enough to tackle the elements this weekend and head out with my dancing shoes, however, I can say fair play to those of you who did! I was home, warm & dry with my cup of tea. Yes, like a little old woman.......and proud of it!

For those of you who have not already entered our fantastic new competition, why not?

Entries are flying in, and with such an amazing prize be quick, if you have not already entered!

To enter our competition log on to buskersbar.com, and Good Luck!

Bank Holiday!!!

2008-08-05T07:39:00.003Z

Well im glad to say its been a fantastic bank holiday weekend!!! The crowds came in high spirits and showed the kind of enthusiasm that nulified any affect that the new licencing laws threatened to bring with them. With the temperamental weather, the people showed that dampened spirits are still spirits that can easily be dried off with the help of Dublins' top dj's and plenty of dancing!!! The array of sport on in the day provided a great atmosphere. I can only look on in excitment as the new Premiership season creeps up on us with its many unanswered questions that the 6 High Definition screens will be tackling this season in Buskers!

Thanks all for a great bank holiday weekend, we will see you all soon!!!

Woooooo Hooooooo

2008-08-01T11:48:00.002Z

So the August bank holiay weekend is finally upon us!

I am sure everyone has heard about the new licensing laws that came into affect at midnight on Wednesday. Well don't let these new laws get you down this bank holiday weekend......

Buskers are proud to say we are open late every night, and ready to party with some of Dublin's finest DJ's

Our opening times are: Monday to Saturday til 2.30am

Sunday til 1.00am

Hope to see you all this weekend!

2008-07-29T07:40:00.003Z

Well its about time that we finally got a hot summers weekend! I think we were all getting sick and tired of the wet humid weather, it is Dublin after all, not the tropics.........

Everyone had such fantastic weekend in Buskers & Boomerang!

With the summer time upon us all hen & stag nights are in full swing. The atmosphere was electric this weekend, so these girls certainly had a fabulous night with us.........

If you guys have any pictures of your nights in Buskers & Boomerang send them in to meeting@tbh.ie and I will post them up on our sites! Looking forward to seeing them all (,")

Dublin 3 - 23, Wexford 0 - 09..........

2008-07-21T11:13:00.005Z

Well I think yesterdays final score really says it all! Dublin certainly showed Wexford the proper way to play GAA yesterday afternoon in Croker!

The Hill was alive with proud Dublin supporters yesterday, as Dublin simply stole the game away from Wexford. Point after point, and three goals scored I think we should all be pretty confident in Dublin taking home the All Ireland this year.....

Lets just all cross our fingers and hope that half the Kerry team break a few legs! (,")

Only 2 weeks away til the August Bank Holiday weekend, I am counting down the days, and practising my sun dance so we have nice weather......

Oxygen Weekend

2008-07-14T09:18:00.004Z

Well I am so glad I was not the only sinner left in Dublin this weekend as half the country's population desended on Punchestown Racecourse for the Oxygen Festival.

I said it last year, but this time I actually mean it......I am definitely going along next year, with my tent and pink welly boots!

There was a great crowd in Buskers at the weekend who clearly did not have Oxygen on the mind........

End of Wimbledon

2008-07-07T10:39:00.003Z

I don't know about you, but I can say for sure I am delighted the tennis finished up yesterday. I am not a big sports fan but give me a soccer game any day, when at least us girls can keep our eyes fixed on Stevie Gerrards legs!

All this huffing and puffing hitting a ball back and forth and back and forth just isn't for me......

Buskers has been jam packed all weekend, watching the finals, with Nadal winning the tital!

Countdown is now on for some desent sport, in the form of the Leinster Final on Sunday 20th July. Yes Dublin are playing, and yes they will win! (fingers crossed!!!!!)

2008-06-30T08:01:00.004Z

Buskers cocktail bar and new front is now finished, check it out below!

So its the last day of June.....hard to believe yet another month is behind us, tomorrow is the beginning of July and still no sunshine!

What a weekend of celebration in sports! Not only did our Dublin team beat Westmeath in the semi-finals in Croke Park with a 2 point win, Spain took home the tital of Euro 2008 Champions. Beating Germany 1-0. Now us soap fans can get back to our regualr viewing of Home & Away and Corrie now that Euro 2008 is over!

Dublin glide into the Leinster football semi-finals

2008-06-09T11:00:00.002Z

Well as a true blue dub myself I must say I was thrilled with yesterdays fantastic win. As the crowds cheered from high up on Hill 16 Dublin stole the game from Co. Louth.

What a great game, with Dublin running riot in the second half to finish with a 1-22 to 0-12 win. Theres nothing quite like heading to the match in Croker on a Sunday afternoon and hitting the beer garden afterwards to celebrate.

Buskers was a sea of blue Dublin jerseys yesterday as the crowds came out to support Dublin with a cool pint in one hand, and the other hand in the air cheering on the Dubs......Up the Dubs!!!!

June Bank Holiday Weekend

2008-06-05T09:57:00.002Z

So another bank holiday weekend behind us, and what a great bank holiday it was.
Now we will all be counting down the weekeds til the August bank holiday, on 4th August!

Not only was the weather amazing, but every one who has a back garden was out with the barbeque, leaving your mouth watering with the smell.

Buskers cocktail bar was packed, with the weather so hot and that extra day off why wouldn't you want to relax on our terrace sipping a cool cocktail or a cold beer.........

Buskers Bar - New frontage

2008-05-15T15:33:00.003Z

Cocktail Bar frontage nearly complete.....

New Cocktail Bar Frontage...a work in progress!!

2008-05-13T13:42:00.002Z

Well admittedly it doesn't look like much at the moment but it won't be long now before the cocktail bar frontage is finished. It will give the bar a great cafe bar feel...perfect for these sunny days! We will keep you posted on the progress.

The Stretch in the Evenings!

2008-04-16T10:33:00.002Z

As a culchie I'm always being slagged off by Dublin colleagues! The latest slagging being for my observation of the 'stretch in the evenings'!! I love this time of year when suddenly your evenings are a lot longer, people are out walking, running....playing football in the many parks around Dublin. And the non-sporty types are to be found in a beer garden soaking up the rays of the late Spring sunshine! There is great excitement here about the opening up of the front of Buskers cocktail bar. The new design will allow guests to sit out and people-watch on the cobbled streets of this quaint area of Temple Bar while enjoying a cool beer or sipping a cocktail. The area lends itself to this European style bar while maintaining its Irish feel.

Champions League!

2008-04-04T11:45:00.002Z

There has been much hype around the fact that 2 of England's biggest teams were to meet 3 times! Liverpool seemed happy enough with a draw on Wednesday night as they managed to avoid defeat. The game lacked pace & intensity. Let's hope they up the ante to give us some real entertainment. See picture from last year's Champions League Party!

Paddys Weekend & Easter!

2008-03-27T16:58:00.003Z

Well now that Easter and Paddys weekend are over, it's time to start the count dowm to the next bank holiday weekend!

Paddys weekend in Buskers Bar was hopping and the craic was savage! Easter weekend was another great weekend, Boomerang Night Club was full every night.

Only 5 weeks until the May bank holiday!

Paddy's weekend Opening Hours!

2008-03-13T08:41:00.002Z

Come along to Buskers Bar & Boomerang Night Club, Temple Bar this Paddy's weekend where the atmosphere promises to be the best in town!

Buskers Bar
Friday, 14th March - Music & Bar until late
Saturday, 15th March - Music & Bar until 3am
Sunday, 16th March - Music & Bar until late
Monday, 17th March - Music & Bar until late

Boomerang Night Club
Friday, 14th March - Music & Bar until late
Saturday, 15th March - Music & Bar until 3am
Sunday, 16th March - Music & Bar until late

Paddy's Day Celebrations!

2008-02-26T10:47:00.003Z

Things to do before you die...........celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Dublin!

There really is a great atmosphere in Dublin on St. Patrick's Day, when the Irish celebrate their Irishness. The bars are teeming with locals and visitors, everyone with a token bit of green to symbolise the occassion. The parade in Dublin is fantastic and it can be difficult to find a good viewing point.

Buskers Bar in the heart of Temple Bar will be one of the few Dublin pubs open until late that night. We also promise a great Irish welcome!!

Where has January gone??

2008-01-28T13:05:00.000Z

I cannot believe how quickly January has gone this year. With February just around the corner, it's scary to think how quickly 2008 is going!

Some of us are just getting the first pay packet of 2008 and paying off the credit card bill, while more of us are thinking of those distant new year's resolutions.

Most of the sales are now over, however Boomerang Night Club is continuing the sale into February with free entry before midnight on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights. No wonder it's hard to believe January is nearly over!!

January Blues??? Well you do now!

2008-01-11T10:09:00.000Z

Have you noticed that a lot of adverts in January presume that the majority of the nation is in a state of depression? Advertisers want to offer their product or service as a comfort to 'get through January'. Are we all that depressed at the beginning of a new year? Are we not full of hope & optimism at the beginning of a new year, full of anticipation of the year to come? I feel in the minority for not moaning about it being January or for not complaining about the January Blues!

Come on people, cheer up! It's January! Take advantage of the January sales and make plans for the year to come.

SALE! SALE! SALE!!

2008-01-02T12:21:00.000Z

Well it's that time of year when all you hear is Sale, Sale, Sale!! It is indeed music to the ears of every bargain hunter in the country. Although it seems that this year a lot of stores started their sales before Christmas!! So you have to wonder if there's anything left in the shops at this stage to have a January sale with!!

The real bargain savvy people are booking their hotels at really good January sale rates (check out www.templebarhotel.com and celebrating 2008 with free into Boomerang night club on Wednesday & Thursday nights and free before midnight on Fridays!

January is no longer a month to stay indoors and wait to get paid! People are out and about and making the most of the real sales!!

Christmas Opening Hours

2007-12-20T10:46:00.000Z

Just to let you know the opening hours of Buskers & Boomerang over the Christmas period!

Buskers will be open every night except December 24th & 25th.

Booomerang will be open on December 20th, 21st, 22nd, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th & 31st!

Boomerang's NYE Party
Access to Buskers & Boomerang all night....2 great venues under one roof!
€15 entry before 10pm
€20 entry after 10pm

Midweek Celebrations!

2007-12-11T11:34:00.000Z

One of the things I love most about living in Dublin is you can go out any night of the week and there will be something happening somewhere! Having grown up in the country and confined to Friday & Saturday nights out, I still love heading out on a week night...just cause I can!!

When I came to Dublin first, Monday nights were a favourite but a few years on I'm just not as able for the Tuesday hangover so 'Wednesday is the new Monday' for me! Just to celebrate being more than half way through the working week. There's always plenty of life in town on Wednesday nights...especially on the run up to Christmas. Boomerang offers free in before midnight and drinks promotions all night so it's great for a cheap night out!

We're walking in the air!

2007-12-03T12:45:00.000Z

As the saying goes 'You can't please all of the people all of the time' and it seems like this is the case when it comes to Christmas music! Do people want to listen to Christmas music in bars so early? I was out on Saturday night with a group of friends and we were only dying to get in the festive mood with a bit of Mariah Carey!! Needless to say it was a group of girls. But I do think guys love the Christmas music as much as us girls! But the DJ in the venue of choice was having none of it. So much for the Customer is always right!! Bah humbug!!

Here in Buskers though, I think we have got it right with a good mix of Christmas tunes and our regular music. It's amazing the see the effect of Christmas music and the atmosphere it creates in a place. With just 3 weeks to go the place is buzzing with festive cheer, there is definitely something special about Temple Bar at Christmas time.

Let it snow, let it snow.....let it snow!!

5 weeks today...the run up to Christmas!

2007-11-20T11:20:00.000Z

5 weeks today!! Yes this day 5 weeks the smell of the turkey will be wafting around the house, although these days it is likely to be the smell of goose, duck or whatever the bird of choice is!

The best thing about Christmas is the lead up to it. The constant going out, parties, shopping and just the general buzz. The 8th of December is the traditional invasion of the 'culchies' in the cities and towns. But as we all know Christmas has started earlier than ever this year. Buskers is already buzzing with the start of the party season. It's funny the way people have to meet up with everyone before Christmas, almost as if they won't see each other for months again! But it's great to catch up with a gang of friends for a drink and bite to eat after the late night shopping...which usually turns into a late night (it's just so difficult not to get caught up in the buzz).

I was talking to a group of ladies yesterday in Buskers who got cheap flights over from London for a days shopping trip, they came in for lunch and a few glasses of wine so I doubt there was going to be much shopping done after that!

But as the mornings get darker than I ever remember them getting, it's just so good to have Christmas to look forward to...it makes getting out of my snug bed a bit easier :)

Green Army

2007-10-13T14:53:00.000Z

Come on you boys in green!!!!

Cowboy Eddie

2007-09-28T07:15:00.000Z

Buskers on Youtube

2007-09-26T12:23:00.000Z

We've recently added a Youtube channel you should check it out. Hopefully over the next couple of weeks we'll expand it to show you some of the videos we like. Check it out here.

Below is one of the videos we've put on. It's our latest radio ad....... Enjoy

Rugby World Cup

2007-09-04T09:29:00.000Z

The Rugby World Cup is fast approaching. This weekend we take on the might of Namibia!!!

It'll take a while for the RWC to get exciting. Obviously our two crunch matches are against France on the 21st September and Argentina on the 30th.

I love this advert from the LVA. Dara O'Brien has a great dead pan voice.

A Career in Hospitality

2007-08-30T15:12:00.000Z

Often when I meet people they will pass remarks regarding my career. “The hours are very long” “The hours are very unsociable” and that’s only me talking. What people don’t realise is the fantastic thrill and excitement that comes from working in hospitality.

For many years I looked on as my friends earned more money than I did. However, while they have reached a plateau in their career, my salary has caught up with them and the potential earning power I have is nowhere near over.

I have worked my way from the bottom of the ladder in a relatively short period of time. 10 years ago this summer, I was working away in the Isle of Man as a banqueting waiter only heading into second year in college. Now I’m a senior manager in one of Dublin’s busiest hotels, best bars and nite club.

That’s the way the hospitality industry is. The opportunities for progression up the ranks are far greater than in any other industry.

If you’re reading this wondering where do I go from here? There’s worse than hospitality.

Barclays Premier League

2007-08-23T07:36:00.000Z

It has already begun. The newly renamed Barclays Premier League is well underway. I only returned from my holidays on Sunday to see Match of the Day and the whole debacle that was the Liverpool Chelsea game.

Lets hope the rest of the season has as much excitement, but on the pitch.

I think we will have unrivalled coverage of the Premier League. I've heard al ot of pubs don't have full access to Setanta Sports there is a problem with Satellite dishes.

We have full coverage of all the televised games!!!

And any of the games that Sky are showing will be in High Definition (HD) I promise you will be blown away when you see a game on in HD on one of our 6 TV's or on our large screen.

Lets just hope its a good season with all the action on the pitch and none of the controversy off it!

GAA Action

2007-08-06T08:15:00.000Z

So Waterford win! A replay of both the Leinster and Munster finals! The Championship is really only beginning now!

August Bank Holiday GAA Action

2007-08-04T18:41:00.000Z

Saturday night of the August Bank Holiday, There's a good buzz around the City. Even if it is raining! (I'm not even going to go there) There is a great collection of people in the bar at the moment, a healthy mixture of tourists, and quite a few people up at Croke Park for one of the matches. I've seen a few dejected Sligo and Tyrone heads around already.

The one thing I love about the GAA is the eternal optimism that there's always be next year. My own county have been saying it for the last 50 years!

Although I'm starting to think that the GAA have gone too far with the "back door" qualifiers. I think they are going to have to decide sooner or later whether it is another league they want or a knockout championship. I know all the arguments, months of training for only one game. But take the Hurling Championship. What was the point in having a Leinster Final. The same teams are in the All Ireland Semi tomorrow. If Waterford beat Cork it will mean a replay of the Munster Final with Limerick. However, even worse than this, if Cork win the replay tomorrow. That will mean they lost two matches and still make it to an All Ireland Semi Final.

If that is the outcome tomorrow, I will predict a major shake up in the Championship.

As a neutral I would love to see a Wexford Waterford Final. It'd be great for the game. There is also a great local rivalry between the two counties.

New look

2007-07-18T07:46:00.000Z

I've changed the look of our blog, I want to make it easier for to read, with as little clutter as possible. I've put a link to the blog on the Buskers homepage, so if you've linked into us from there, welcome to the Buskers Blog.

We started off the blog several months ago just to give our customers a chance to see whats going on in the world of Buskers and to give us feedback.

Over the next couple of weeks we're going to get some of the other managers to post a few blogs on different things that may be of interest, so keep in touch.

You could subscribe to the RSS feed on this blog, so that updates are automatically sent to your desk top. Or, if that's just too far out there technologically, just save us as a favourite or pop back soon.

LVA ad

2007-07-11T10:48:00.000Z

The licensed Vintners Association have a serious of radio ads running at the moment, I really like this one:
http://lva.ie/easyedit/files/tuesday%20night%20pub.mp3

Enjoy!

Back in action

2007-06-27T21:38:00.000Z

Wow, I can't believe it's been nearly a month since my last blog. We've had a strange month in Buskers. The start of the month was fantastic with great weather. The last couple of weeks as I'm sure you are aware have been crap. Don't know what I'm whinging about, it seems like once your older you always think that things were better when you were a kid!!

Although this could just be me getting nostalgic. I'm approaching 30 in the next couple of weeks. On the 16th of July I'll be leaving my 20's behind me!

Bring on the Summer

2007-05-31T07:59:00.000Z

It's been a while since my last blog, I've had loads to say, but no time to say it! Last week we hosted FM 104's Strawberry Alarm Clock for their Champions League Final Party. I'm sure all the Liverpool fans were devastated. There was some rendition of You'll never walk alone at the end. For some pictures take a look at the Strawberry Alarm Clock Blog.

So with the conclusion of the season I'm at a loss at what to blog about for the next couple of months. Although we do have the All Ireland Championships underway. And what a cracker this weekend. The old rivals Dublin V Meath on Sunday. Anyone for bets on a replay????

It's a quiet enough summer in Dublin this year. There isn't as many concerts as there was last year. A City like Dublin needs events and big events. They're the lifeblood of a City. When there is a big event in Dublin the City comes alive for it. The buzz that is created is fantastic. As we all know the Irish love to party, not sure what we'll be partying for this summer.

Although I'm sure we'll find an excuse, we usually do. Sure, isn't it the bank holiday this weekend!!! Won't that do. See you all in Buskers. You know it's going to be great!

FA Cup Final

2007-05-18T18:47:00.000Z

FA Cup final tomorrow. It's one of those special days in sport. Tomorrows match has a real grudge match element to it. Who'll come out top???? Utd. or Chelsea. Course I'll be watching it on our huge High Definition Screen. Will probably have a better view than most of the suckers in Wembley!!!

It's all over Now!

2007-05-08T08:47:00.000Z

So that's the premiership decided for another year. In all fairness it was one of the most exciting in years. The Manchester Utd. V Chelsea saga has been enthralling. Even though the title is decided, this Wednesday night should make for an exciting game. Chelsea at home receiving the new champions. There is bound to be a few sparks flying!

I know over the last week the sparks have flown between the team here in Buskers. We have a hefty mix of Man Utd. and Liverpool supporters. So as you can imagine the slagging has been fierce. Although it was nothing compared to the abuse one poor Bar man got, a Leeds Utd. supporter.

It always amazes me the passion people have for sport. I think it's an Irish thing, a few weeks ago we were all watching cricket, before that it was Rugby. In the next few months our attention will move to GAA and the All Ireland Championship's. You name it and the Irish will watch it...... I'm still very tired after sitting up well past my bed time to watch John Higgins win the Snooker World Championships at The Crucible in Sheffield

On to the Final

2007-05-03T13:20:00.000Z

Well, the dream final will have to wait. For people of my generation (don't ask!) a Liverpool and Manchester United Champions League (European Cup) Final would have been the ultimate. I remember a time when Liverpool won everything and Utd nothing. Still the prospect of a Milan Liverpool final is mouthwatering. Don't think anyone will leave the stadium or walk away from their TV's this time!!

AC Milan V Liverpool, last time out

Living for the weekend

2007-04-27T18:13:00.000Z

It's just after 7pm on a Friday, and I'm off for the weekend. Happy Days. Obviously it is unusual for me to be off on a Saturday and Sunday. It doesn't really bother me, there is always a great atmosphere in Buskers at the weekend. When the place is full everyone enjoying themselves its great for us workers. I suppose when your surrounded by happy people you become happy. There is nothing better than sitting down at the end of a busy night knowing you've done a great job and that people have really enjoyed your bar. As my boss said to me yesterday, you can get a pint of Guinness in any pub in Ireland and it'll taste the exact same. The real difference is the person that serves the pint. It's something I probably don't say enough, but we've got a great team here in Buskers. I truly can say I am very proud of them

Two Big Days of Football

2007-04-24T18:39:00.000Z

I'm just about to finish work now, 'twas a long day. Although I've decided to stay and watch the match Manchester United versus AC Milan. This will be the first match I'll see on our new HD Projector. I've been told its so good you can read what's written on their socks!!!! Not sure what'll be written on their socks!!!

Gotta go, kick off in a minute (Not telling who I'm shouting for).

2007-04-23T08:31:00.000Z

It's been a while since my last post. We've been very busy here at Buskers. On Friday just gone, we got our HD TV all set up. Unless you've seen a game of football on HD TV you couldn't possibly believe how good it is. It seriously is fantastic. The picture quality is as close to the real thing. In fact it's probably better than the real thing. You know when your at a match and you end up at the back of the bloody stadium..... You spend the match squinting to see which player is on the ball! The worst thing of all though is when you miss a bloody goal or something controversial on the pitch. There's NO replays.

You can't beat sitting down, enjoying a pint and a bit of a laugh (although the way the league is going at the moment, there won't be many laughs over the next few weeks).

So who's it going to be?????

Happy Easter and all that Jazz

2007-04-11T19:39:00.000Z

So, another busy Bank Holiday weekend!!

We've had a great weekend at Buskers. I'm just back after a few days off. Seeing as I work in the bar trade I had my Easter drinks on Monday night. In pubs all over Ireland on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night you'll find bar tenders and hotel workers all out having a ball.

Only last week I was down in Kenmare and on the Monday night we met some of the young waiters and bartenders from the hotel. Of course we bought them a drink. In fairness to them, they were still there when we left. And the next morning there they were, smiling away as they served us breakfast. It was great to see the "next generation" isn't so different.

Good Friday, A day of rest

2007-04-05T18:57:00.000Z

Well, tomorrow is Good Friday. Buskers like every pub, bar, nite club in Ireland will be closed. It's typically a day when Bar tenders get a day off. I don't think it'll change for a long time. I know people would like to see it changed, but anyone in the trade wants to keep it. After all there is only two days in the year that you can't buy booze.

Of course there is the argument that we are a secular society now and our laws shouldn't reflect a Christian Bias. Well I ain't going to get into that. All I know is I'm off tomorrow. Yippee!!

See you all Saturday, should be a great night, you'll all be gasping for a drink after a dry Friday.

Happy Easter!

Football on the big screen

2007-03-27T08:56:00.000Z

Were you watching the football on Saturday? Wasn't exactly the best game I've ever seen. But suppose 3 points is 3 points. I never really agreed with the FAI appointing Steve Staunton, but yet I still cannot agree with the level of abuse he's getting.

If anything it just seems like sour grapes from all sections of the media, because he won't give them the time of day. Don't get me wrong I ain't defending his tactics (what tactics?). I just don't think it's right the treatment Staunton, and his family are receiving. Anyway, if your around on Wednesday Buskers will be showing the match. Talk about make or break!

City Centre Bar - a first

2007-03-20T15:50:00.000Z

When we were at the design stage for the new bar I was sitting at home one quiet Friday night (sad I know), I saw that guy who makes all the Dyson stuff. Mr Dyson I think his name is. Anyway he was showing his new Airblade. It's amazing how such a simple thing as a hand dryer can get peoples attention so much!

Although I will admit it's well worth a go!!!

Calm after the storm

2007-03-19T21:52:00.000Z

Buskers has survived the hectic St Patrick's Festival. It was a mad busy weekend in Dublin City Centre. I was reading in the paper today that there was trouble in Dublin and in particular in Temple Bar. Well I didn't see any. Although I suppose we're on the edge of Temple Bar, so our crowd will be different anyway.

We had loads of people in to watch the Rugby. It was tough to take losing the way we did. The atmosphere was so tense as we all watched the French match. Waiting for the TV official to say whether it was a try or not. I'd say you could here a large groan from every pub in Ireland!

Later that night we put on the Cricket. As anyone will tell you, cricket isn't the most popular sport in Ireland. I had caught the highlights of our game against Zimbabwe, the first match I have ever watched. Damn it was exciting. So I put the Pakistan game on on St. Patrick's Day. What a result for Ireland. Roll on Windies and then the Super 8's. (Amazing how quick we pick up the lingo)

2007-03-16T22:41:00.000Z

Tis the night before Paddies Day, and all was still..... Yea right. Buskers is heaving at the moment. The craic is great. We've changed the bar so much, It's not the usual Temple Bar experience anymore. As one of our customers said to me last week, Buskers has grown up!

We're starting to see alot of faces that used to come here back when it was the original bar. People that haven't been here in 7 or 8 years. The age group has increased, I'd say the average age now is somewhere in the late 20's rather than the early 20's.

The music is more alternative rock etc. No more thumping music. Believe you me my ears are testament to the improvement. Although we've changed the music and reduced the volume, the atmosphere is brilliant. At least now you can have a chat and enjoy the music. Think we've all come to the stage of going to pubs in Dublin City Centre and being blasted out of it. For one, I was sick of it. So I decided to change it!!

Thought I'd show a few more pics of the bar as it is now.

2007-03-15T14:01:00.000Z

Above is a shot of the new bar. As you can see it's a bit different form the old Buskers that we all loved! Getting ready for St. Patrick's Day now. What do you think??? Will it be busy???? It's just one of those days that is fantastic. The crowds in town, everyone in great form. Before I moved to Dublin I used to hear all the crap stories about Dublin on a Paddies Day. I think the media just try their best to wind things up.

Yea everyone gets drunk, but I sure didn't see any trouble last year. And I'll bet there won't be any this year either.

Of course aswell as St Pat's Day, there's also a small matter of the deciders of the RBS Six Nations. Come on Ireland. I reckon they'll do it. Of course their history in Rome isn't the best, but I think we have enough in the squad to show what we're made of!

New Bar, Wow

2007-03-01T20:37:00.000Z

Welcome to our new blog!

Seeing as everyone is getting in on the act, I thought I'd put together a blog for Buskers Bar, Fleet Street.

We've spent the last couple of months consulting, coming up with concepts, designing and finally building a new Buskers. It all started way back before last summer. Twas a hard job but someone had to do it. We started with some market research. Sure we had to go out and about and see what going on out there. Course I wasn't driving so it was great for me. The faded memory of standing round lots of different bars discussing the merits or otherwise of the particular bars we were in. Think I knocked about 10 years off my life and did some savage damage to my liver!

Once we had an idea what we were looking for we got a few designers/contractors together, gave them their brief and away they went. This was my first time involved in such a big project, budget inexcess of €1million and I couldn't wait to see what they would come back with.....

Jesus, some people don't listen to what you've told them. Some of these guys are off the wall, seriously, cracked. One of them came back with a design that looked like something out of Star Treck. Now, we did say modern, not flamin space age!

Anyhow, we agreed on a design by a crowd called Janus they seemed to get just what we were looking for. This was in August. Little did I realise that the fun was just about to begin! Even though we had agreed on the "concept" we had to get down to the nitty gritty of the detail.

So after months of talking (arguing) over furniture, colours etc. it came to the 1st of January. Buskers as it was closed, all say ahhh! To be honest, I was delighted to see the back of it. I was sick of the weird colours and crap furniture. i wasn't popular for saying it, but I reckon it was crap! Problem was the place was flying. Hard to argue with that.

Sure the place was closed, happy days. The builders went in and ripped the place apart. They were class, no hassle, no problems with them.

We also started to have a look at the website to change it and update it. It went live at the same time as the bar opened. Buskers website looks the business. You should check it out.

We had set the refurb to take 6 weeks. Believe me, that ain't a whole lot of time to get massive amount of work done. At one stage the building contractors were working 24 hours round the clock.

Low and behold the bar opened late!!! One hour late. Instead of opening at midday on 14th February it opened at 1pm. You can't beat that.

At leave it at that for the moment, I'm waiting for pictures to come through of the opening night...worth waiting for