By Michael Klecker
Within the walls of pubs, we are all dreamers. We step through the portal, entering an institution designated for forgetting. We remember who we are, but only vaguely. We remember the world outside, but seen through a glass or a bottle. And we are all common here. No place is this felt more than the public house. And no public house more than the County Clare.
It’s not nestled, like so many pubs, against the towering buildings that surround them. And it doesn’t sit upon a hill, overlooking a glen or a lake, like I imagine Irish pubs to be. It stands outright, in defiance of its location, on the corner of N. Astor and E. Knapp. The green door, the portal into the public, is earthy and inviting.
Now, I don’t mean to sound sentimental, but it’s hard not to when dealing with the County Clare. Nothing is more inviting than a comfortable pub. And with all the bars, all the nightlife in Milwaukee, one can easily become lost and end up in overcrowded, overpriced kitsch bars.
The one problematic spot, which must be mentioned early, is the dining area that screens movies. A small room just outside the pub, it’s marketed for people who want dinner and a movie, but when entering the bar it’s one of the first things seen, which leaves an indelible impression on the mind of anything but a public house. But after walking in a bit farther, into the bar area, invariably the eyes are drawn to the bar top, and then to the décor, which insinuate a rustic, old world feel. Beautiful wood paneling and tasteful displays of art invite any person-turned-dreamer to forget the world outside. Save for the high ceilings, it struck me as European.
My brother and I sat at the bar and looked over their selection of draught beer. It wasn’t huge, but it had local and it had Irish, which is enough, in my opinion. We ordered a Guinness with a whiskey back. It’s hard not to in an Irish pub, (I dare you not to, especially on St. Patty’s Day). A few locals peppered the bar and a few diners the dining area. It was early, around one in the afternoon, which says something about the bar, and something about the food, too. But not being one to judge, I ordered their fries in curry sauce (the casual pub fare) and the pâté (for the gastronomically indulgent). The surprise was that the fries were absolutely delicious, and the pâté was absolutely average. To their credit, though, the pâté was a large serving for the price. We were too early for happy hour, which goes from 3-5pm, and reduces the price of pints by a dollar. Not a great special, but they’re normally priced around four to five dollars, which is not bad for imports, and typical for local beer.
It’s a rare gift for a bar to possess the ability to transport its patrons to a world removed, or to realize the importance of being in a particular place, at that particular time. And yet, the County Clare genuinely produces this.
We sat for several whiskies more, finishing with a cheap, but decent, Scotch. The other patrons spoke of their lives, of their jobs, of the world cup and pop culture minutia. But within the bar, within the dreamscape of good drinks and a quiet atmosphere, it was enough. We sat in silence, listening to the sounds of the pub, forgetting, and then remembering, the world outside.
About the Author
Like any writer, I enjoy putting words together and reading. Like any Wisconsinite, I enjoy drinking. Space and the afterlife are my two favorite topics, followed closely by everything else. I believe that poetry, outside of music, is the second most underappreciated form of art (the first being competitive beard growing).
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Bar Time Contest entry #1: Art Bar
Bar Time Contest entry #2: The Iron Horse
Bar Time Contest entry #3: Blackbird
Bar Time Contest entry #4: Taylors
Bar Time Contest entry #5: Nomad World Pub
Bar Time Contest entry #6: At Random
Bar Time Contest entry #7: TJ Aliota’s
Bar Time Contest entry #8: Blackbird (Round 2)
Bar Time Contest entry #9: Von Trier
Bar Time Contest entry #10: Foundation
