The Black Sheep

25/5/2016

Loved this cool pub. They have a huge rotating selection of beers -- enough that it took me a few minutes to decide what I wanted. After I ordered my beer (a porter), I made a remark about enjoying different stouts, at which point the bartender talked about the white stout on their menu and offered me a free taste.

They have a large amount of space and tables, and even have fun party games to play, such as Jenga, which I played for awhile.

I went on a Tuesday evening, which apparently hosts a board game night around 6pm. There were a decent number of people in attendance, and they brought a good selection of legit board games, if that's your thing. I didn't end up being able to stay for that part, but if I were around on another Tuesday night, I totally would!

Would definitely come back to this pub to try out lots of other beer selections that I just haven't seen at most of the other pubs.

18/3/2017

• 1 check-in

While I found the beer selection overwhelming as it was all fit on the small chalkboard above the bar, it was nice to be able to try some Irish craft beer.

I ordered food, bangers and mash, which tasted great and I would definitely come back to have again.

The service leaves something to be desired though. There were two people working and while the man (who informed me that he had only just started working there) was very nice, the woman working was very curt, brought us our food and did not really acknowledge my existence as a human. It was almost as if I didn't exist which made me feel weird. When I finished my food she simply came over, not saying a word, took my plate away...very odd.

When I wanted to order a beer, I would have expected some help considering huge selection of unorganized beers written on the chalkboard. That did not happen and I just ended up choosing. A random beer. I did request a "flight" or a few tasters (which I wanted to pay for) but the gentleman behind the counter just told me that he was new and he had no idea if they had that. He didn't bother asking anyone to see if it was possible...disappointing as this was my only Irish craft beer experience in which I wanted to try several beers.

Would I return? Yes. I would hope that service improved even slightly and I could get a flight of beers!

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  Bangers and mash. Tasty!

  Bangers and mash. Tasty!

10/11/2016

The problem with the JI visa is that nice young Irish people go to America, get indoctrinated into the self-righteous craft brew scene and instead of calling it out on its crap they attempt to transport this toxic bar model back to Ireland.

To clarify, the food is totally fine and the drink is totally fine but the whole approach - short snappy service and the vaguely bored and patronizing attitude of the bar staff has now become a theme rather than a hiccup.

And forgive me, but there's sublime irony to being scoffed at for ordering a pint of Guinness that's made 500 yards away and instead upsold to a 7 euro "micro-brew" that has been flown 8170 kilometres from Sierra Nevada's multi-million dollar operation in California.

Can this please stop now? Do we really need another Irish identity crisis a la Celtic Tiger before we figure out that this American model of cultural entitlement isn't really us? Can we have micro-brew beer without the macro-ego attitude?

6/7/2016

• 1 check-in

There is local pub. I went to there on Monday evening, but there was a lot people! If you like a beer, I recommend this place! Because there has a lot of menu about beers.
Foods is not bad. I ordered the stake burger. Chips was good.

18/12/2016

• 1 check-in

Working in the city centre means you are spoiled for choice for after work drinks and my colleagues are crazy about the Black Sheep so
we tend to end up there a lot. It's a nice big spacious bar and they allow you to reserve sections which is a big plus in my book. They also stock hundreds of craft beers and if this is your bag, you will be in heaven. I'm not really a beer drinker but I've tried a few in here and they can be hit and miss. I don't think I've ever chosen the same beer in consecutive rounds. So, I stick to whiskey and everything is grand. They have a good choice of spirits too and I love that they stock a good range of Irish gins, whiskeys etc.

The food is fine, nothing special. Huge portions of pub grub that will fill you but you won't be wowed by the flavours. The female staff members are very friendly and take time to explain your drink options to you. The male staff member when I was last there just barked at us for not making our food order at the same time ( Our party were all arriving from work at different times and we didn't know if all were going to eat  so it was staggered and those of us who arrived first were hungry!). One of my colleagues asked for change when paying for her food and the barman handed her back a fiver. When she explained that she wanted small change rather than a note he asked her why in an aggressive tone. She explained that she needed it for the bus and he rolled his eyes! Ugh!
I'm sure I'll be back as my workmates love it but the staff could be a little friendlier.

23/2/2016

• 7 check-ins

I love it here! One of the Galway Bay Brewery pubs (which is always a winner with me), this is a regular spot of mine! Great selection of beers here, and they change them around so you get to try something different here, and the lads are great for suggestions too!

The food is decent but the selection is not great, which is why it missed out on a five star rating from me. Saying that, the burger and wings are really tasty and I think the chips here are the biggest I've ever had, really chunky and fluffy!

My favourite thing about here though is the comfy, relaxed vibe. The music is never too loud and there's always a nice mix of people, you'd feel just as comfortable having a cuppa here as you would having a pint! There's some board games if you feel like having a game of Jenga or Connect4 but I'd recommend curling up on the sofa for a pint and a chat!

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  Apple Lambic beer, amazing!

  Apple Lambic beer, amazing!

14/1/2017

Another craft beer pub. These places are popping up all over.

The continuing gentrification of Dublin is killing the city. It goes like this - Take an old pub. Pull out all the nice old wood and brass fixtures. Paint the walls grey and put mismatching crappy tables and chairs. Add board games.

There's nothing for anyone in these places. The food was OK.  I had a falafel sandwich and sweet potato and lemon soup. Reasonably priced.

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  Not the worst lunch I've had in a hipster pub.

  Not the worst lunch I've had in a hipster pub.

30/8/2016

• 1 check-in

All the craft beer and cider makes me a happy happy girl! There was also a pokestop outside so we could drink pints and get some balls. We had food here which was average at best. I had the GF burger and my boyfriend had the veggie burger.

Great selection of beer and cider and great music. Staff was super nice and helpful!

12/6/2016

• 2 check-ins

All the Galway Bay bars are fairly samey, but this one is probably my favourite. Usually better music and the beer selection is always good. Last time I was in here I got Trouble Brewing Owl Day Pale Stout. Probably the nicest most interesting beer I have tasted in a long time; looks amber, like a pale ale but tastes like coffee and chocolate like a stout with a lovely hoppy aftertaste. it was weird. I wasn't sure if I liked it. had to keep drinking before I decided it was my favourite beer.

Black Sheep is a nice place to drink and the food is good (just like the other Galway Bay bars). I highly recomend the chicken wings. They come in buckets.

14/10/2016

• 1 check-in

Is that typical Irish pub? A lot of beer. A lot of (very) young people and nice and worm atmosphere.
We order (1 kg!!!) of wings - big enough for two old guys after working day and the traditional "fish & chips" - not bad at all. We didn't order any desert as we were full

25/1/2015

• ROTD 22/5/2015

• Listed in Pubs to enjoy

Always a great place to enjoy craft beer. If you like Galway Bay beers, that's the place. Food is also ok and I really like that creatives beers ads on the walls.
They had this boards games as well, good to have a good laugh with friends.
The only thing is that every time I go there at night the place is packed. And very noisy. But, yeah, I go there for the beer

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  Beer menu w/ prices

  Beer menu w/ prices

14/6/2017

My family and I found this place while walking in Dublin Ireland and we were very surprised. The food was great, they were allergy friendly, The staff was nice and friendly. The pork and  chorizo burger was particularly good with good texture and even better flavor.

17/11/2014

• 2 check-ins

• Listed in Publin!

This is a nice bar in the up and up and up and upcoming deadliest area in town, Capel St. It's always cosy, candlelit at nighttime, and has a nice crowd. Lots has been said before about the craft beer selection, so if you're into that buzz, definitely give it a visit.

The food is also top notch. Nice, good value and good quality comfort pub grub.

The only thing that I would say about this place is that it can be a bit 'cliquey'. People tend to sit in groups, quietly, with not much standing or mixing. So it's grand for a quiet drink, but if you're looking for somewhere with a bitta craic, you might need to move on elsewhere.

All in all though, great pub for what it offers.

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  Cute!

  Cute!

20/1/2016

• 5 check-ins

I'm a big big fan of Galway Bay Brewery bars and this one doesn't disappointed. They've a fantastic craft beer range with a ton of rotating taps to suit everyone. Beers range through all different styles and come from both Ireland and abroad - a big A+

The food menu is the same as most of their other bars. While I haven't tasted it directly from their kitchen, I've tried it from their other kitchens and it's pretty solid. Their 1KG bucket of wings is UNREAL!

Staff are really knowledgable about the beers and can recommend a great one easily. Very fast with service at the bar and super friendly too.

The bar consists of an upstairs with plenty of seating and a down stairs with bar stools, a few tables and a pool table. There are lots of boardgames to get stuck into too!

My only criticism is that the bar area itself is a little small and cramped while ordering. However it doesn't ruin the experience and there's not much they can do about it. They get to you pretty quickly while you're waiting so it's not too much of a problem.

So go check it out and have a pint for me! ;)

• 

  A pint of The Sinner and a rum and ginger!

  A pint of The Sinner and a rum and ginger!
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  The Galway Bay beers

  The Galway Bay beers
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  Pint? Pint!

  Pint? Pint!

19/4/2015

• 3 check-ins

Another GBB bar with a decent selection of craft beers and cider.

Anytime I've been here it's always v busy.

Haven't eaten here at all but I believe the food is pretty good.

I like their old spinny... Pint o'milk anyone??

11/2/2015

• 2 check-ins

• Listed in Pints!, HIPSTER chic

Ok, so 'I'm a fan' ....but definitely not when it comes to the food. Me + friend shared some nachos, which were A-OK, the sauces on top of the nachos were squeezed straight from the bottle. Do not expect fresh guac or salsa in this place. So on to the main affair,  my turkey burger. I would give this burger a rating of one star! And I'm being generous here. When I order a turkey burger, I would expect, a piece of turkey breast....or even minced turkey. But not two huge breaded and fried pieces of turkey straight from frozen. My favourite part of the burger was the lettuce and tomato.  meh  I should have ordered a salad instead! The fries...I did not even touch them. I think thick cut  fries (and these were the size of potatoes) are vile. Even my friend (who is a guy and never picky with his food  especially man food) remarked on the fries that they were way too big and too potato-eey.

But.....lesson learnt....next time I go (And I shall go back for sure), I will make sure my belly is already filled. I do love the atmosphere here (very relaxed, very hipster chic though) and the extensive list of beers. And the games. Ooh we had some fun pretending we were 12 again.

• 

  Back to our childhood

  Back to our childhood
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  Plenty of special beers. With a side of nachos

  Plenty of special beers. With a side of nachos

18/9/2014

• 6 check-ins

• Listed in Craft Beer

"Craft Beer haven"
What a wonderful selection of bottled and draft beers - both imported and domestic. Its great to see simewhere like this in Dublin and much better than the Porterhouse for example. It is slightly expensive but all in all worth it.

30/6/2015

• 1 check-in

Really sound staff, really good food, same great beers as the sister pubs. I like the layout of this place, lots of seating around but small enough to feel cosy. I sat at the bar, which wasn't the most comfortable or nice area of the place but I didn't mind too much. As with the others, you can charge your phone behind the bar with no hassle which is SUCH a useful idea.

I'll be back!

30/10/2015

This place is pretty cool. Lots of rare craft brews you wouldn't see that often and the staff are really helpful. We stumbled in looking for your average brewdog IPA. But finding that they had non left in stock we were steered towards different beers and were also offered tasters of each! Really nice service and super cool chilled atmosphere. Great place to chill with a few friends, board games and beers. While we didn't try the food it looked incredibly tasty and we were impressed with the beers that the bartender helped us choose

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  Chilling with our beers and watching a game of Jenga unfold

  Chilling with our beers and watching a game of Jenga unfold
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  Nice chilled atmosphere

  Nice chilled atmosphere

17/11/2014 Updated review

• 45 check-ins

• Listed in A walk down Capel Street

Yet another update on my review, luckily after a few bad months things began to get back on track.

The beer selection actually improved after my last review. This includes some recent additions to their own brand, Galway Bay, among them a "table" beer for €4 a pint. Happy days!

The service also got better again, and actually some of the staff members are extremely amicable besides being more attentive and quick. On this point I think they're perfect.

I still miss some stuff from the old food menu but at least now the food served is of a good standard, no more of the overly greasy stuff, burnt fries and flat flavourless burgers. The kitchen also doesn't take ages to send out food anymore, even with a lot of orders.

So why am I not giving it a 5 stars review again? Well, as of late it's still getting somewhat crowded and a bit too noisy with groups that get hold of big tables. This ruins a bit the ambiance, as you get 3 or 4 of these groups most nights, and sometimes there's no free tables or even room at all.

But it's still my favourite watering hole on a Friday after work :)