“OH GOD, GIRL, I’m so sick of it...the same people every night—and there’s never any talent—oh Jesus, look what walked in.”
Ah yes—where would we be without the scene? If, however, you’ve sampled the delights of larger cities you might find Cork’s offerings a bit limited. Even so, the joints listed below (all located in or near the city centre) cater for a fairly broad spectrum of tastes.Pubs
Taboo
3 Faulkner’s Lane (off Patrick St.) • T
(021) 427 3144
Smack bang in the middle of town, Taboo wasn’t long in establishing itself
as Cork’s leading gay bar. It packs in a younger crowd than the other
gay-only venues, and gets seriously mobbed on weekends. It’s not quite
Dublin’s George, but a good time is usually to be had.
Loafers
26 Douglas St. • T
(021) 432 3550
A small, even homely pub just across the river from the city centre. Loafers
has positioned itself as a less cruisy alternative to Taboo, and is now popular
with couples. It also tends to attract an older crowd, but not exclusively
so. Don’t let the gaudy exterior put you off: it’s actually quite
cosy inside, similiar to many traditional Irish pubs. Thursday is women’s
night in the back bar.
The Roundy-The Rhino Rooms
1 Castle St. • T
(021) 427 0433 • GAY FRIENDLY
Small but perfectly formed, The Roundy’s only fault is that it’s
too popular, and can get uncomfortably full. The upstairs bar has established
itself as a refreshingly mixed space, with great music and sexy decor. Definitely
recommended.
The Bodega
46 Cornmarket St. (‘The Coal Quay’) •
T (021) 427 2878 •
GAY FRIENDLY
Once so cool it ached, The Bodega may have inevitably lost some of its sheen
in recent years, but its gay clientele has remained. A top-notch restaurant
as well as a bar, the interior is beautiful, the high ceiling lending a cathedral-like
atmosphere. The live music on Sunday afternoons is usually excellent and makes
this a good spot to while away an idle hour.
Clubs
The Other Place
Augustine St. (off South Main St.) • T
(021) 427 8470
This club is part of a complex which also includes a resource centre. The
club runs on Friday (a bit lame) and Saturday (generally better) and Sunday
(no comment), and tends to attract a mostly male crowd. Split into two levels,
there’s a bar upstairs and a dancefloor down below, where the sounds
are strictly chart-based. There’s a membership policy in place; non-members
have to pay a couple of euros extra to get in.
Fever
Last Sun of month @ The Savoy, Patrick St. •
T (021) 425 4280
Nothing gets Cork’s young queers out in force like Fever. The combination
of frothy pop and beautiful people in Cork’s best club venue packs them
in like sardines. The irresistable holiday vibes have meant that many have
now rearranged their week, so that Monday begins sometime around noon. Go
on, treat yourself.
Restaurants and Cafés
Quay Co-op
26 Sullivan’s Quay • Mon–Sat 9am–9pm
• T (021) 431 7026 •
GAY FRIENDLY
Excellent, Bridgestone-recommended vegetarian restaurant, the best of Cork.
It’s got a funky, offbeat atmosphere, homelike without being twee, and
has a great view over the city. The menu is varied and the prices are easily
affordable on a student budget. There’s also an organic and wholefood
store downstairs.
Other gay-friendly cafés and restaurants include Café Paradiso
(16 Lancaster Quay [021] 427 7939) and Proby’s Bistro (Proby’s
Quay [021] 431 6531). We’ve also heard rumours that Luigi Malone’s
(Emmet Place [021] 8877) is quickly attracting a queer clientele.
Sauna
Cork Sauna
36 Lower John St. • T
(021) 450 3606
Hard to find (you have to go through a hatch in a door halfway down a back
alley), and seriously in need of a facelift, it still attracts a sizeable
clientele (mostly 25+). In one word—grotty.