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.