Blackbird Rathmines

Blackbird
Rathmines Road Lower, Dublin 6
twitter.com/BlackbirdRath

I am pushing hard for Blackbird to become my local. I have never taken claim over a pub before but today, I put my first one forward. Run by the same folk that look after P Mac's and Cassidy's, there's a serious selection of craft beers here and even though I end up guzzling more Brooklyn Lager than I should, I will explore their full collection eventually. The style is kitsch and when they have a bed as a table, you have to ask if it's one kitsch too far. I will forgive them for that though. Their pizzas are pretty decent and the music goes from brilliant to "Did I fall into a 2007 indie vortex?" but maybe the best thing here is the staff. Straight up pack of sounders.


What has it got?

Seating:  The seats are all different here but at least they are moveable. They are all different heights, weights and sizes so, like Goldilocks, you should find one that's just right.

Doors:  They have double doors that are generally kept open but they are light to push open.

Ground:  They have ridged wooden panels throughout the bar and the bathrooms are tiled.

Stairs: There is one small step at the main door but it is easy to tip the chair up to it.  The ladies bathroom is up a few steps and the gents is down a few but the wheelchair bathroom is on ground level.

Bathrooms: They have a wheelchair bathroom! Huzzah! And it is big! However, the mirror is up way too high so if you're in a wheelchair, you'll just have to assume that you look great. Which you always do, you ride.

Spaciousness: When the place is packed, it is difficult to meander your way through but there are a couple of tables that are in direct vicinity of the bar and bathroom so if you land those tables, you will have no problems.

Helpfulness of Staff: The staff here are ridiculously sound. Before I had even found a table, one of the barmen came over to me to say that I could get access to the beer garden through their kitchen. It is near impossible to find an accessible beer garden so this is great news. We had a little bit of trouble finding an easy-to-get-to table that had view of a telly for the World Cup so without a flicker hesitation, they set up a table for us that fulfilled all our needs.

Parking: There is plenty of on street parking across the road on Military Road.


Rating: 9/10
Why did it lose points? It lost one point because of the step at the front door. I will need help with it every time so it means that I have to have someone with me to get in or phone a mate to come out and help. Other than that, it really is a great spot and adds a lot to the Rathmines area. Fair play.