Pub Of The Week: Tony Leonard reviews Bridie O’Reilly’s, South Yarra
462 Chapel St., Sth Yarra
Phone: 9827 7788
When? 27 October 2023
www.bridieoreillys.com.au
VENUE
Bridie O’Reilly’s (BOR) is a beautiful, quaint Irish themed pub in Chapel St, South Yarra, that has traded successfully for the best part of three decades and in keeping with a timeless modern business dictum, it is a case of KISS. (Not Gene and Paul!).
Just the concrete façade, Celtic/Gaelic calligraphy is smart as it houses a well shaded beer front porch, always well patronised by both humans and canine.
Inside, the old cathedral-like pub is set out over two levels, the base being the main focus. Stand up at the bar is encouraged, but the numerous booths and snugs along the perimeter are perfect for family/friends get together. Slightly raised is a small area for live music, while the top floor is used for DJs and big functions.
Sport is king here and no matter what it is, you will find it with AFL, UFC and NFL carried discreetly in the corners that won’t impact on your territory. Trivia, lunch deals, parma nights are all part of the package to make it a real pub offer.
No Tab/No Pokies. The food and drink menus tread familiar and popular paths and are reasonably priced.
As much as Irish themed pubs came with a rush in the late ’80s (how popular was Eddie Hayes’ Molly Blooms in Port Melbourne?!), they have tapered off significantly but those remaining (Quiet Man in Flemington is one) have fostered a loyalty that endures.
There have been a number of Bridie O’Reilly’s over the journey but the venue in South Yarra has stayed the trip.
This is a good, solid pub.
FOOD/DRINK
If you are expecting any twee Irish alliteration attached to the menu items, e.g. Belfast bangers, Limerick loin of lamb, then mercifully you are spared.
The starters are familiar to millions with s&p calamari , pork sliders, mini tacos, all priced around $17. Like so many pubs, BOR offers a large antipasto platter (29) with cured meats, smoked salmon, olives, SDTs etc.
Naturally, a chicken curry is on the menu complete with McDonnells sauce, Beef Guinness pie (Pastry top only, hmm), bangers and mash, burgers, pizza, fish and chips, the top price being a fully plated a southern ranges porterhouse , 300g at $46.
It is an Irish themed pub so the two big guns, Guinness ($7.7/pot) and Kilkenny are on tap and are beautifully presented (I am reminded Siobhan at the Drunken Poet still has the best Guinness). Wine list is fairly priced with well known brands. T’Gallant Pinot Grigio $12pg is spot on the mark.
Again, I highlight out of date socials and menu prices being out of date — to all businesses please check and keep on top of this.
Average prices;
Entrees – $16
Mains – $27
Desserts – $14
Tried was;
- Entree: Prawn and Ginger Dumplings (6/$18). Accompanied by a rich deep soy, the dumplings are generously packed with the two stars of the dish with both flavours evident. Also served at Platform 28 in Docklands, these could easily sit comfortably with any Yum Cha in town.
- Main: Roast of the day. $25. Sunday. Plentiful supply of beef (topside methinks), roasted potatoes, pumpkin, broccoli, all served generously. Like the pub itself, good solid offering (C’mon lads, throw a Yorkshire Pud on for all the trimmings)!
- Main: Bangers/Mash. $29. Good dish. Irish pork/fennel snags (2), good size and flavours and served with their soulmates of mash, caramelised onion, mushy peas, gravy. Big dish, cold wet Sunday, most enjoyable.
SUMMARY
The wheel has not been reinvented at Bridies. I suspect that what served them well in 1993 does so today with only cosmetic changes to this really neat pub.
And for sure there is a cynicism about the Irishness of these pubs compared to those actually in Ireland, you must remember that our pub scene had little going for it back then and maybe this style was the wake up call.
So well done to Bridies (and some other true believers) for staying the course as the offer is a solid, bankable one for an easy get together in a pub is all you seek.
In closing, again, may I recommend Weddings Parties Anything for capturing the essence of Australian Irish pubs in the wonderful ‘The Cap me Granda’ wore’.
Mick Thomas, you are a national treasure.
SCORE: 14/20