The Ginger Man

The Ginger Man
39-40 Fenian Street, Dublin 2
facebook.com/pages/Gingerman/168539229827554



I popped in here one Sunday evening for some dinner and it ticked many boxes. The food was fairly solid pub grub - highly recommend the fish and chips - and it wasn't massively expensive. As soon as we sat down, a bus full of American tourists came in so it was very busy but I'm sure they enjoyed its twee old country pub thing and eavesdropping on our conversation.


What has it got?

Seating:  They have high stools and low stools for tables of all heights and sizes. A few of the tables have benches with arm rests and some are tucked away in snugs.

Doors:  The doors are wide and easy to open.

Ground:  The floors are wooden which could make them a bit slippy when it's wet.

Stairs: There is an upstairs but everything you need is on the ground level.

Bathrooms: They have a wheelchair bathroom - rejoice! It's very spacious and in an easy-to-get-to location. The mirror is up way too high but everything else is in check.

Spaciousness: If a bus full of American tourists pulls up, it is definitely tight for space but the tables aren't piled on top of each other.

Helpfulness of Staff: Incredibly sound bunch. Chatty, friendly and helpful but not in your face.

Parking: There is plenty of on street parking around here. I couldn't suss out a particular wheelchair parking spot right beside it but there are spaces available on Merrion Square which is just down the road.


Rating: 10/10
Why did it lose points? It didn't. I didn't expect this pub to have the proper facilities but it did.  I'm glad I finally got to visit one of Dublin's famous pubs that actually has proper wheelchair access. Fair play. 

Bell and Pot Café Kitchen

Bell and Pot Café Kitchen
3 Mercer Lane, Dublin 2
bellandpot.ie

I was really excited about visiting Bell and Pot. It had sandwiches GALORE, had a twee theme to it and wasn't too far from my bus stop. It had it all. Sadly, my expectations were not met in terms of access. I shall reveal ALL below.


What has it got?

Seating:  The tables all have moveable chairs but not many of the chairs have arms to help you get up. Some of the seats are quite low but they all vary in height and size.

Doors:  The front door was quite heavy to open - had to ask someone to come and push it open for me.

Ground:  Wooden floors.

Stairs: The restaurant space is flat but the ladies and gents are downstairs.

Bathrooms: The wheelchair bathroom is in the Travelodge Hotel, which is attached. You have to go through two rooms and it is there. Sadly, I could not fit my wheelchair in. And believe me, I tried every which way. My wheelchair is not big but if you're without a wheelchair, they have bars and railings a-plenty.

Spaciousness: Other than not fitting into the wheelchair bathroom, there was plenty of space in the seating areas.

Helpfulness of Staff: The staff were helpful with picking out food and with the door.

Parking: There are two wheelchair parking spots outside the Royal College of Surgeons and two more in front of Stephen's Green Shopping Centre, which are just around the block. There is plenty of other on street parking available.


Rating: 5/10

Why did it lose points? Sadly, the Bell and Pot lost points because of the wheelchair bathroom and the difficult door to open. The fact that it was a specifically designed and planned wheelchair bathroom and yet totally failed to serve its - eh - purpose was quite disappointing. The food is fine and I probably won't be returning here myself but if you wanna try it out and see if you can slither into the bathroom, by all means, be my guest. 

Diep Le Shaker

Diep Le Shaker
55 Pembroke Lane, Dublin 2
diep.net/leshaker


Diep is known as one of the finest places in  Ireland to get Thai food with a separate noodle bar and a great takeaway service too. Diep Le Shaker is their swanky restaurant and I was lucky enough to be given a voucher for their 6 course tasting menu so instead of eating like a pig, I ate like pig royalty for an evening. The food and cocktails were incredible and I just salivate thinking about the grilled pork dumplings.


What has it got?

Seating:  The tables have moveable chairs as well as fixed couches to the wall. There are no arms on the chairs.

Doors:  The entrance has double doors that are light to open and the rest of the doors are wide and easy to push open.

Ground:  The floors are wooden panels, which could be a bit of a hazard when wet.

Stairs: The entrance is flat. There are tables upstairs but everything you will need is on the ground floor.

Bathrooms: They have a wheelchair bathroom that is big enough for an average sized wheelchair with bars and handrails too.

Spaciousness: It might be a bit tight making your way through the restaurant if all of the tables are full.

Helpfulness of Staff: The staff are very attentive here. Not only will they help you with your order if you're bad at making decisions, if you need assistance, they will clear the way for you and also open doors. Very helpful. 10 points for the staff.

Parking: There is a lot of parking available around Fitzwilliam Square with a number of wheelchair parking spots. However, the path is a little bit uneven to and from.


Rating: 9.5/10

Why did it lose points? It lost half a point simply because some of the tables are quite close together so you will have to ask people to move chairs if you are going through the restaurant. Other than that, fantastic staff with even better food. 

P Mac's

P Mac's
Lower Stephen Street, Dublin 2
twitter.com/Pmacspub

P Mac's is a great spot. Free Banshee Bones, lollipops, all the craft beers going and a completely unpredictable music selection from Snoop Dogg to Queens of the Stone Age. It's an incredibly busy pub for a very good reason but this means that it can often be uncomfortably packed.


What has it got?

Seating: A lot of the tables have moveable chairs of different shapes and sizes with some fixed couches. 

Doors: The front doors are double doors which can sometimes be difficult to push open but they fit a wheelchair. 

Ground: Wooden flooring. 

Stairs: The entrance is flat in but there are a few steep steps up to the toilets.

Bathrooms: They have no wheelchair bathroom here BUT the Drury Court Hotel next door has a wheelchair bathroom that you can use. To the right of the bar, there is a snug which has doors that open directly into the hotel. Ask at the desk for the bathroom and pee freely, my friend. 

Spaciousness: This is a very, very tight spot because it is always rammed with people. If you use a wheelchair, I recommend that you sit in the snug to the right of the bar so that you can get to the bathroom easily without skinning the ankles off of everyone in there. 

Helpfulness of Staff: They are top notch. And if you are nice to them, you will get extra crisps. 

Parking: There are two wheelchair parking spots down the road. They are opposite Break for the Border. 

Rating: 5/10

Why did it lose points? P Mac's lost points because it is really tough to get around when it is busy. The lack of wheelchair bathroom is also a massive pain because you have to leave the pub, through the sea of people, to get to the nearest wheelchair toilet. The path outside is also quite tight because their smoking area blocks off a lot of room. 

I really like this pub but I wouldn't go unless I know that it's not too busy or if the table in the snug is free. 

Against The Grain

Against The Grain
11 Wexford Street, Dublin 2
galwaybaybrewery.com/againstthegrain

As far as pubs go, Against the Grain is a sturdy choice. With its handy location on Wexford Street, you can treat your palette to beautiful beers and beautiful burgers before you head on over to Whelan's for a gig or a good aul bop. And if this is properly up your alley, visit its totally wheelchair accessible sister pub The Black Sheep on Capel Street and The 108 in Rathgar.


What has it got?

Seating: All of the chairs are moveable here with tables at the perfect height for a wheelchair. 

Doors: The doors are wide enough to fit a wheelchair. 

Ground: Hello wooden, non-slip flooring!

Stairs: They have one flight of stairs up to another room which is often used as a venue for private parties. 

Bathrooms: Sadly, they have no wheelchair bathroom but the ladies and gents are on the ground level. I often do the hop job from chair to cubicle with no problem but that's not for everyone. 

Spaciousness: Other than the masses of people, there is plenty of room here to move around. 

Helpfulness of Staff: The staff here are particularly great. Good craic and accommodating. 

Parking: There is a wheelchair spot across the road, just outside Bunsen, as well as plenty of other on-street parking spots. 

Rating: 7/10

Why did it lose points? Against the Grain loses three points it has no wheelchair bathroom. It's a real pity because it is a brilliant spot. Hopefully they shift their asses into gear and put an accessible bathroom in soon. 

Honest To Goodness

Honest To Goodness
12 Dame Court, Dublin 2
honesttogoodness.ie


Today I asked the internet for a good city centre lunch destination and, boy, did it deliver. Thanks to Dublin band Sleep Thieves who pointed me in the direction of Honest To Goodness. I ordered the Kick Start sandwich (crispy bacon, sausage, pudding, egg and relish) with white chili bread and it hit every spot of my mild hangover. It had enough substance so I wouldn't be craving a filthy takeaway later on. Brilliant spot for breakfast and lunch.

What has it got?

Seating: The majority of the tables have moveable chairs and there are some high stools around the bar area.

Doors: The front doors are wide and easy to open. 

Ground: The floor is concrete

Stairs: Everything you need is on the ground floor. Hurray!

Bathrooms: They have a big wheelchair bathroom that also has a mirror and proper handrails. 

Spaciousness: Even though every table was full, there was still plenty of room to get through. They layout is great here so it never feels crowded or that your chair is in the way. 

Helpfulness of Staff: Great staff and incredibly helpful. The counter at the till is even slightly lowered so you're not reaching up to pay. 

Parking: There is wheelchair parking further down Dame Court beside Ukiyo. 

Rating: 10/10

Why did it lose points? The staff acknowledged that their old location was completely inaccessible and it's great to see that they made sure their new venue would be spacious and, with that, it is totally wheelchair friendly. The food is wholesome and delicious. I can't wait to go back and sample another sambo. 

The Lombard

The Lombard
1 Lombard Street/44 Pearse Street, Dublin 2
thesmithgroup.ie/thelombard/


I popped in here for lunch the other day and for the area I was in, it certainly did the job. It's a grand spot for a quick bite with all sorts of burgers and soups and paninis and general pub grub to choose from. I didn't have the opportunity to pint it up here but I'm sure it's a busy spot for the after work crowd.


What has it got?

Seating: There are many low tables with moveable chairs but there are also higher tables with stools which would not be suitable for a wheelchair user. 

Doors: The doors were easy enough to open and were wide. 

Ground: The floors are wooden and they seemed pretty slip-proof. 

Stairs: There are a couple of steps up to the bar area but we had table service. It may be a different story when it gets busier though. 

Bathrooms: They had a wheelchair bathroom on the lower level. However, it was tucked behind a table which meant I had to ask the people sitting there to move. When it is busy, it could be a bit of a hassle to get to but - silver lining - you didn't need to get a key for the door. 

Spaciousness: Other than the tight spot near the bathroom, there is plenty of room here as all of the tables are pushed to the sides. 

Helpfulness of Staff: We had table service during the lunch hours which was great. They seemed very helpful and easy going. 

Parking: There is a lot of on-street parking on Pearse St and opposite the Science Gallery (not during peak hours unfortunately). There are a couple of wheelchair parking spots in that area too. 

Rating: 7.5/10

Why did it lose points? The wheelchair bathroom is in an inconvenient area. If they cleared the space around it, it would be perfect. There are also a couple of steps up to the bar area which means that you have to rely on your friends or staff to order your drinks. Other than that, it is a decent pub to visit. 

Pitt Bros BBQ

Pitt Bros BBQ
Unit 1, Wicklow House, Georges Street, Dublin 2
pittbrosbbq.com


Meat, meat, GLORIOUS meat. With a menu that boasts craft beers, five different meat dishes either smoked or pulled and a selection of mouth-watering sides, Pitt Bros BBQ is not the type of place for people with a plain palette. You get a decent portion for under €15 and when you think you can devour no more, there's a free pour your own ice cream cone on offer. When we went there, the happiness levels went from a stuffed plateau of content to soaring joy with the arrival of the cones. Great spot.


What has it got?

Seating: All of the chairs are moveable here but the tables are often communal so you might have to wait a while to get a spot for all of your party. 

Doors: The doors are a little heavy but chairs fit in nicely. 

Ground: Concrete floor in the seating area and tiled bathroom floor. 

Stairs: No steps in or out. 

Bathrooms: The wheelchair bathroom is huge here. You could probably raise a small family here if you were brazen enough. Plus, they have TWO sinks in there. Spoiled. 

Spaciousness: In the seating area, it can be a little crowded but choose your seat wisely and you should have a clear path to the bathroom and the main door. 

Helpfulness of Staff: The staff are very helpful here in regards to which meat you would like and which table would be best suited to your chair. 

Parking: There is a wheelchair parking spot on Dame Court, as well as plenty of on street parking, and two wheelchair spots on Drury Street where there is also a car park and more on street parking spots. Map here. 

Rating: 9/10

Why did it lose points? Pitt Bros BBQ lost one point because it can be a bit crowded which would interfere with you getting a decent table to suit your chair. Because you cannot pre-book a table, it's walk-in only which means that it's luck of the draw for a suitable table. Otherwise, great spot with incredible food. 

Bord Gáis Energy Theatre (Grand Canal Theatre)

Bord Gáis Energy Theatre
Grand Canal Square, Docklands, Dublin 2
bordgaisenergytheatre.ie

It took a while for Dublin to get a theatre that was deserving of Broadway and West End productions but with the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre - where every seat has a good view - the wait was worth it. Surrounded by restaurants with theatre-based menus, the swanky Marker Hotel and a Fresh shop with a hearty pick n' mix selection, the entire Grand Canal Square is geared towards an evening out.


What has it got?

Seating: Wheelchair users have options when they book tickets here. You can either have an aisle seat and hop out of your chair or there are spaces where you can wheel in and join a row or there are moveable chairs in the wing areas. When you are booking tickets in person or on the phone, clarify what you need and they will sort you out.

Doors: The doors are all very wide and you might need to give a heave to get some of them open but they are normally manned by the staff. 

Ground: The entrance is tiled and the venue area is carpeted. 

Stairs: Wherever there are stairs, there is also a lift. The ground level seating area is mostly on sloped ground but there are steps at the back section and up in the tiered seating balcony. 

Bathrooms: There is at least one wheelchair bathroom on every floor and they are very spacious. However, they could do with a few more larger bathrooms to cater for the crowds. 

Spaciousness: There is a lot of room here, especially in the foyer. 

Helpfulness of Staff: They are very helpful here and they have a lot of information on their website here in other ways that they can assist in terms of access. 

Parking: There is a car park below the theatre and you can pre-book wheelchair spots through Q Park's website. 

Rating: 10/10

Why did it lose points? The design of the theatre is very open so there is a lot of space. The option of seating arrangements for wheelchair users and their friends/family is a major plus. From the Access section of their website, you can see that they have given it a lot of consideration and nothing feels like a last minute arrangement. 

The Button Factory

The Button Factory
Curved St., Temple Bar, Dublin 2
buttonfactory.ie

Updated: 23. 02. 14

The Button Factory is a nifty music venue that hosts a wide array of bands, musicians and DJs. They put on regular club nights at the weekend and now, with its recent renovation, there's a new bar at the front which is very cool.


What has it got?

Seating: In at the new bar, the majority of the tables have moveable chairs and there are some high stools as well. In at the music venue, there is a fixed couch that runs around the walls as well as some moveable stools. In the hallway, the fixed couch is a great spot for people watching and gossiping. 

Doors: The doors are wide and relatively easy to open. 

Ground: The ground is a mix of carpet and black lino. 

Stairs: The ladies and gents are in the basement and there is a flight of stairs up to the smoking and balcony area. There is no lift. There are a couple of steps down to the music venue but there is a slope down which will bring you to the front of the stage. 

Bathrooms: There is a lot of space and plenty of bars to hold onto in their wheelchair bathroom. It also has a sliding door so your chair won't get caught coming in or going to. They have also added more ladies and gents toilets on the ground floor so you don't have to traipse down into the basement.  

Spaciousness: Since the renovation, they have cut back on some space in the venue. The door at the back of the venue immediately brings you to some steps so if you use the door at the front, you will have more space. However, it's a pity that they didn't incorporate a proper platform area for people that need a bit of a lift to enjoy a gig. 

Helpfulness of Staff: The bouncers and staff seem like a sound bunch here. 

Parking: There is a wheelchair parking spot on Wellington Quay and two wheelchair parking spots up beside Dublin Castle on Cork Hill. 

Rating: 9/10

Why did it lose points? The Button Factory lost one point because, with the renovation, they could have done a little bit more to improve accessibility.  It is such a huge pity that they didn't create some sort of viewing platform when they were doing up the place. It is such a huge missed opportunity. 

Oh, and because it's in Temple Bar, be wary of the cobblestones you'll have to cross to get there. 

Other than that, great spot and the new bar is lovely. 

The Workman's Club

The Workman's Club
10 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2
theworkmansclub.com


The Workman's is the inevitable Friday night destination for a lot of people in Dublin. Sure, the music might be the same every single week and it can become a bit of a sweatbox. But their generous rum and ginger beer is a fiver, it's a staple dancing spot and it's good for a gig every now and again.


What has it got?

Seating: There are a number of tables with moveable chairs and there are some delicious red PVC couches fixed to the wall in the venue space. 

Doors: The doors are wide enough to fit a wheelchair but it can get very busy so the doors into the bar and the venue can be a bit of a bottleneck. 

Ground: The floors are all wooden. 

Stairs: There are no steps into the main door and you have flat access to the bar and music venue. There is a flight of (steep) stairs down to the ladies and gents and some very rickety stairs up the second bar and smoking area. 

Bathrooms: Unfortunately, there is no wheelchair bathroom in the Workman's but The Clarence Hotel next door has a swanky wheelchair bathroom that you can use. 

Spaciousness: This place can get rammed very early on in the night and the mentioned bottlenecks can be a bit of a pain.

Helpfulness of Staff: The bouncers can be very helpful when it comes to getting you through the crowd, especially if you're at a gig. 

Parking: There is a wheelchair parking spot a couple of doors down.

Rating: 6/10

Why did it lose points? The lack of a wheelchair bathroom is an issue because you have to go next door to use another establishment's toilet. This is a problem for two reasons: 1) If people are using crutches and can't use stairs, the extra hike to The Clarence next door isn't an advantage and 2) At nighttime, it's not ideal to have to go outside to a different venue to use the bathroom for safety reasons or if the weather is crap, well, that's no fun for anyone. 

At the weekends, every floor is open to customers but if you arrive on a quieter night, the downstairs bar is closed meaning that someone in a wheelchair, or someone that doesn't like rickety stairs, can't go in. 

Gallaher & Co. Bistro

Gallaher & Co. Bistro
16a D'Olier Street, Dublin 2
gallahersbistro.com


In the city centre, it's very difficult to find a restaurant that has all the bells and whistles in terms of accessibility. So it was a very happy surprise when I learned that Gallaher & Co. was not only a good place to drop in for a quick pre-theatre early bird meal but it was also properly wheelchair friendly. Huzzah.


What has it got?

Seating: All of the chairs are moveable. There are tall stools with even taller tables in the centre but there are lower tables and chairs suitable for a wheelchair. 

Doors: You might need a hand with the front door here as there is a slight raise at the doorstep but they fit a wheelchair grand. 

Ground: The ground was tiled and wooden (I think... Let me double check)

Stairs: There was a slope up to the wheelchair bathroom and a flight of stairs down to the ladies and gents. 

Bathrooms: Their wheelchair bathroom is large and has all of the railings in place. 

Spaciousness: There are a couple of tables en route to the wheelchair bathroom so I had to ask people to move their chairs in. Other than that, plenty of room. 

Helpfulness of Staff: The staff made sure I was at a table that suited me and they helped with the door. Top marks for them. 

Parking: There is a wheelchair parking spot on Foster Place beside the Wax Museum and there is on street parking on D'Olier Street too (map here). 

Rating: 10/10

Why did it lose points? None were lost. It has everything you would need for a quick meal. 

Bad Bobs

Bad Bobs 
East Essex Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
badbobs.ie

Last time I was in Bad Bobs, I was months away from my Leaving Cert and Pussycat Dolls' 'Don't Cha' was bloody huge. For a brief period, it was Purty Kitchen where €2 Tuesdays were a big draw for the students and those who liked students. But now, Bob is back in town and he's not a bad lad.


What has it got?

Seating: There is a range of seating opportunities here. Low stools, high stools, bar seat, standard table and chair format. All of the chairs are moveable and you'll find the right fit. 

Doors: The doors are all wide enough for a wheelchair but the door of the wheelchair bathroom is a tad heavy. 

Ground: We have every floor surface in action here. Wooden, tiled, lino. 

Stairs: There are five floors in Bad Bobs and they have a lift that will bring you to each and every one. 

Bathrooms: Their wheelchair bathroom is big and, as I said, the door is a bit heavy. The lift brings you right to the bathroom too. 

Spaciousness: It can get a bit tight to move around here when it fills up but other than that, no issues with space.

Helpfulness of Staff: Before I even got in the front door, the bouncers told me where the lift was and what floor the wheelchair bathroom was on. Very helpful bunch of lads. 

Parking: There is a wheelchair parking spot on Wellington Quay (map here).

Rating: 10/10

Why did it lose points? Other than some rafty song choices, there are no complaints to be made about Mr. Bob. 

Mother Dublin

Mother Dublin
Copper Alley, Exchange Street, Dublin 2
gcn.ie/mother


Mother is the mother of all club nights for electronic music and that of a pop inclination and some of Dublin's prettiest people can be found in its dark corners. Whether or not you're there because it's part of the rainbow community, it doesn't matter, serious dancing and decent music is the be all and end all.


What has it got?

Seating: Moveable chairs and the like but you'd be a fool to be anywhere other than the dance floor here.

Doors: The doors are all kept open here and they fit a wheelchair properly. 

Ground: The bathroom area is tiled, which could get a bit slippy, and in the at the bar, it's a lino-type surface. 

Stairs: There are stairs in and out but there is wheelchair access through the Arlington Hotel (Temple Bar) which has a lift. You will need a key to operate the lift but staff will be on hand to help out. 

Bathrooms: They have a wheelchair bathroom here which is big. It felt like it was sort of tucked away so I don't think you'd have a big problem with people using it. 

Spaciousness: Other than bodies, there is plenty of space here. 

Helpfulness of Staff: The bouncers at Mother and the staff in the Arlington Hotel are all very helpful. They guided me in through the hotel and were quick to get the key for the lift whenever I needed it. 

Parking: There is a wheelchair parking spot right outside Mother and there are two parking spaces available on Cork Hill (map here).

Rating: 9/10

Why did it lose points? The only reason that Mother lost any points was because it isn't obvious that they have proper wheelchair facilities available. I arrived at the door expecting to be carried down into the basement and it was such a pleasant surprise to find that they had everything. 

One of the DJs came up to me to tell me that I was the first wheelchair user he's seen there and he was delighted. Having wheelchair facilities are hugely important but what use are they if no one knows that they're there? Delighted I made this discovery so I can return again and get that DJ to play me the Cut Copy song he promised me. 

Whelan's

Whelan's
Wexford Street, Dublin 2
whelanslive.com


This is one of Dublin's finest music landmarks. Most bands are gagging for their first gig here and as a drinking joint, you can enjoy its faux old man pub vibe. The tunes are decent (sometimes a bit overkill on the Arctic Monkeys and The Strokes - 2007 wants its groove back) and the crowd can be a laugh.


What has it got?

Seating: We have stools at the bar and moveable chairs and stools at the tables as well as some benches. 

Doors: You will possibly need a hand with these doors. They're wide enough for a wheelchair but they're split in the middle and there are two at the front entrance. However, there is a door beside the Whelan's off license which has a flat entrance but you will need someone to open it from the inside. 

Ground: Textured wooden floor. 

Stairs: On the ground level of the front bar, there are no steps, just a slight raise at the front door,  and you can gain access to the music venue from this entrance. If you are going to a gig here, use the front door as there are a number of steps to get down to the stage area from the music venue entrance. 

There is another music venue upstairs and that is also where the smoking area is. There is no lift. 

Bathrooms: There is one wheelchair bathroom on the ground floor and you will have to ask the bar staff for a key. There is no mirror in this bathroom so you will never know if your smoky-eyed look has gone a bit Courtney Love. 

Spaciousness: This is a busy spot and other than bodies, there is plenty of room to get around. 

Helpfulness of Staff: Again, the fact that Whelan's can get really busy means that the bar staff will be on their toes with serving drinks so if you're looking for the key for the bathroom, you could be waiting a while. However, they are very friendly and if you ask the bouncers, they will look after you. 

Parking: There is wheelchair parking about 5/6 doors down from the front entrance of Whelan's.

Rating: I shall split up the rating here.

As a bar: 9/10

Main music venue: 8.5/10

Upstairs music venue: 0/10

Why did it lose points? As a bar, it lost one point. Even though you can get in and out with no problems, the fact that you need to go all the way to the bar for a key for the bathroom is very annoying and makes an accessible bathroom fairly inaccessible. 

The main music venue lost a point and a half because you have to use a separate entrance to get in and unless you make your way up to the front of the crowd, it is very difficult to see the band. On the plus side, the bouncers will often help you up to the front. 

The upstairs music venue got no points because there is a flight of stairs that you first need to conquer and there are more steps from the smoking area down into the venue. 

Bunsen

Bunsen
36 Wexford Street, Dublin 2
bunsen.ie

Sweet mother of divine, these burgers are amazing. Slightly on the pricey side but it's burgers the way burgers should be. Believe me, I love my meat.


What has it got?

Seating: A lot of the tables have moveable chairs so you can fit a wheelchair in nicely. 

Doors: The door was open when I got there but it's not a heavy door. 

Ground: It has a painted floor and I don't think it would become a danger zone when it's wet. 

Stairs: There's one step into the building and my friend had to hoy me up. 

Bathrooms: Ok. The bathroom  (regular, run-of-the-mill toilet) does not fit a wheelchair at all. I tried it from many angles but it's a non goer. HOWEVER, I did mention to a member of staff that they should contact the Irish Wheelchair Association about sorting that out and they were very receptive so we shall see... 

Spaciousness: Plenty of room here but if it gets busy, like at lunchtime or dinnertime, it may be a different story. 

Helpfulness of Staff: Extremely helpful and they were super apologetic when they realised my chair didn't fit in the bathroom. 

Parking: There's a wheelchair parking spot right at the front door. 

Rating: 6/10

Why did it lose points? It lost points because you can't get in there independently and it's impossible to use the bathroom. But don't let that deter you from eating their delicious burgers. Go with a mate who doesn't mind giving you a hand in and empty your bladder before you get there. Simples. 

The Garage Bar

The Garage Bar
Essex Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
facebook.com/pages/The-Garage-Bar/118748061477826


This bar has managed to gauge some charm that the majority of the Temple Bar area has missed out on. With pitchers going for €12 and decent tunes from the 50s, 60s and 70s, you could drink in worse places.


What has it got?

Seating: All of the chairs are moveable and they're not too close together so it's a perfect fit for a wheelchair. 

Doors: The doors are usually left open but they're not too heavy to push. 

Ground: The lino floor is covered in sawdust which is a topic of conversation for another time. Another huge downfall is, because of its location in Temple Bar, you have to battle your way through cobblestones which are the bane of mine and every wheelchair user's existence. 

Stairs: Not a step in sight. 

Bathrooms: They have three unisex cubicles here and, unfortunately, they don't fit a wheelchair. I did hop from chair to... chair but, obviously, not everyone can do that. 

Spaciousness: When it's not packed, there is loads of room. 

Helpfulness of Staff: I didn't need much help here at all but the staff are sound. 

Parking: You're drinking. You shouldn't be driving. But if you insist, there's wheelchair parking on Fishamble Street and Essex Quay (map here). 

Rating: 6/10

Why did it lose points? It lost points because they do not have a wheelchair bathroom and if you want to use a wheelchair bathroom in a location nearby, you have to travel over cobblestones. It's a pity because this is a really nice bar. 

Lemon, Dawson Street

Lemon
60 Dawson Street, Dublin 2
lemonco.com

If you're in the market for some crepes, saunter up here and tickle your tastebuds with thin, battery deliciousness.


What has it got?

Seating: Unfortunately, communal benches are the rage here which makes it difficult to find a decent spot to park your wheelchair. There are a number of tables with moveable chairs but if you want to grab one of them, avoid the lunchtime rush. 

Doors: The front door is normally left open but the toilet doors are a little heavy to push. 

Ground: It's some sort of lino tile that doesn't become much of a hazard when it's wet. 

Stairs: Not a step in sight. 

Bathrooms: They have one wheelchair bathroom and one regular run of the mill bathroom. 

Spaciousness: Space is a little bit tight here as the tables are very close together and there's generally a big queue to battle with too. 

Helpfulness of Staff: Very helpful and very friendly. 

Parking: There is a wheelchair parking spot on Dawson Street beside Fixx Coffee and there are two more wheelchair parking spots on Molesworth Street (map here).

Rating: 8/10

Why did it lose points? Lemon loses two points because it is very tight to move around and you may not always get a suitable table. Otherwise, great spot and hot staff. Yes. Hot staff. 

Aprile Takeaway

Aprile Takeaway
46 Richmond Street, Dublin 2
www.apriletakeaway.ie/

These guys are in the running for the best chicken nuggets in town and their chicken roll is just phenomenal.


What has it got?

Seating: There is none.

Doors: The door is normally left open but it is rather heavy. 

Ground: Tiled. 

Stairs: There's one big step up into the joiny so you'll definitely need someone to heft you up. 

Bathrooms: They have none. 

Spaciousness: If you're not fighting for a space in the queue, there is room. 

Helpfulness of Staff: They're great lads but they need to stay behind the counter. However, a fellow reveller of the night will be sure to give you a hand with the step. 

Parking: If you are eating here, you are hopefully not driving a vehicle but, if you must, you will have wheelchair parking on Lennox Street right beside it. 

Rating: 9/10

Why did it lose points? It can only lose one point really because of the step and none of the other categories apply to this little slice of heaven. 

The Bernard Shaw

GBS himself.

The Bernard Shaw
11-12 South Richmond Street, Dublin 2
bodytonicmusic.com/thebernardshaw/

The Shaw has one of the best smoking areas in Dublin and, like a gift from above, it has a giant blue bus that dispenses delicious pizzas. They put on decent DJ sets most nights and if you get in for a bank holiday weekend, Lord holy, you'll have a great time.


What has it got?

Seating: In the front bar, there is space for wheelchairs at the tables. The smoking area is huge and there is room a plenty but there are steps to conquer before you get there. 

Doors: The front doors are a little tricky but if you open both of them at once, you'll have no problems. 

Ground: The floors are wooden and tiled. The tiled floors are fierce slippy when a bit of drinks spills on them.

Stairs: Ok. Here's where the craic begins. A wheelchair can gain access to the front bar no problem but there are four very steep steps down to the other bar and where the toilets are. There are also three or four more steps out to where the smoking area is. I need two of my mates to lift me in and out of there.

Bathrooms: The bathrooms are very tight and with only three female (can't speak for men folk here, soz) cubicles, there is always a long line. I haven't tried to get the wheelchair in there because I know how tight they are. 

Spaciousness: If you get out to the smoking area, you will have loads of space but the Shaw tends to get very packed so don't expect to be doing donuts or wheelies when you get there. 

Helpfulness of Staff: Very, very helpful. Will go out of their way to help.

Parking: There is a wheelchair parking spot beside Aprile Takeaway (reviewed here) on Lennox Street (map here).

Rating: 4/10

Why did it lose points? It lost a rake of points because a wheelchair can only really get to the front bar when all the action is out in the smoking area and the bathrooms cannot fit a wheelchair. Although my mates don't mind lifting me out there, I can't speak for everyone. If there was an entrance created that led directly out to the smoking area, we'd be laughing but to get here, you'd need some burly mates and a strong bladder.