These days it’s regarded as one of the city’s finest Victorian pubs, but pub anoraks will be keenly aware that strictly speaking The Swan Bar predates the Victorian era by some two hundred years.
That said, its interior is in fact distinctly Victorian in character thanks to a makeover by Thomas F. O’Reilly in the year 1897.
Over the years, in addition to dispensing generous measures of wine, beer and spirits, the Swan also ran a thriving grocery where ‘essentials’ such as tea, coffee and snuff could be readily obtained.
According to the pub’s website, plans are currently afoot for the addition of a new store and rooms on the corner of Aungier Street and York Street.
Whatever provisions may be on offer there in the future, we suspect snuff won’t be having a moment anytime soon, though with the speed of changing times, who knows?
Speaking of which… the Swan is one of the founders behind the Changing Times Brewery, which launched just over two years ago in Glasnevin.
They’ve created the lovely Hazy After Hours Pale Ale, a light coloured brew which boasts a vibrant hop aroma of citrus, pineapple and mango, making it an ideal summer tipple for those who fancy a change at this time of year.
