Bridie O'Reilly's - Chapel Street

How exactly do you rate theme pubs? In this case an Irish one.

Authenticity?
Using the slogan "An Irish tradition" to extol parma and pizza nights and this particularly wonderful picture (inset), you be the judge ;)

Venue/Decor?
A large expanse both upstairs and down with a mix of standing and "cosy" accommodation allied to a rather large front beer garden/terrace all sporting more novelty signs of the "old country" than you can shake a stick at give more than a hint to the theme, making it a formidable proposition.

Offerings?
Food: the usual full Irish Breakfast (curiously missing white pudding?) and Beef and Guinness Pie complete the traditional fare (yes two :))...pizza, pasta, parma and fish and chips all the way after that.
Beverages: Standard Guinness and Kilkenny allied to a mix of local and a few other imported beers. Noteworthy mentions are Bulmers on tap and in pint bottles and Monteith's Golden Lager on tap (a favoured NZ brewhouse) not always seen in these parts.

Crowd?

Twentysomethings strutting their stuff with gusto and the obligatory backpacker brigade trying out their accent on the local talent.

Overall, pretty raucous on the weekends but not too bad on a weeknight for those seeking a quiet scoop or those in need of a not so authentic fix of the black stuff.