DELHI: After having wooed Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, and Kolkata with its energetic pub vibe, beers paired with signature Brit and Irish food, Delhi welcomed The Irish House some time back. Ensconced in the razzmataz of Nehru place’s Epicuria mall, the newly launched restro-bar attempts to recreate a feel of the Irish pub culture.
This is their first outlet in the city, and the 16th one in the country. “The aim is to bring back authentic pub culture and provide our guests with high quality, value for money, consistent and an innovative pub experience,” says brand manager Sanju Arora.
With openings lined up in Noida and Connaught Place soon after, he has pinned his hopes on the brand becoming Delhi’s favourite neighbourhood pub.
The Irish House captures the spirit of Ireland through its trademark U-shaped bar, laced with rustic wooden interiors, high bar stools and brick walls, loaded with sharp wit and humour in frames and wall clocks. Display cabinets house hard-bound classics, artefacts like miniature bikes, hourglasses, whiskey jars, mini telescopes and books in beer cases, adding to the old school pub aesthetic.
The outdoor sections are made to resemble Irish beer gardens with wooden benches. Community tables and cosy booths make for fancy seating options. Thanks to a mighty screen, the place doubles as a destination sports bar.
The menu offered a miniscule range of predictable continental dishes. There was nothing much to savour in Grande Nachos as it lacked crispiness and zest. The Smoky Hickory Barbecue Wings could and Fish n Chips in Irish special beer batter could be given a try.
The whiskey-based Smoked Wisdom tasted bitter-sweet with a tinge of cranberry infused tea and rosemary smoke. Another one was Irish Mule that offered sweet, gingery, citrusy flavours. The vodka-based citric spinner, with the added theatrics of the kaffir lime smoke, broke the monotony in the drinks cycle. My pick will be The Irish Riverdance that comes with gooey brownie, vanilla ice-cream, caramel sauce and fresh lager beer.
The ambience was true to the Irish spirit but the distinctive décor and playful aesthetics couldn’t compensate for its disappointing service and mediocre food. The decibel levels were too high to have a conversation.
All in all, this Irish-tavern styled bar is fit for sports enthusiasts who wish to enjoy their pints on the mounted screen, or for those who prefer an evening of bucket beer bingeing.
Address: The Irish House,
Epicura Mall, Nehru Place.
Meal for two: `1,700 plus taxes, per person.