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CLUB SCENE
Flanagan's Pub 'thoroughly, unabashedly Irish'
By Angelle Haney
For the Dayton Daily News
As far as I can tell, St. Patrick's Day is unique. It appears to be the only holiday universally celebrated by getting crocked. I'm not entirely sure how this happened; St. Patrick doesn't seem to have been especially fond of drink. He was more concerned with keeping the Irish free and Catholic. However it came about, any holiday that recognizes alcohol as good for the soul is OK by me.
That being said, it's important to remember that any holiday which encourages just about anyone to imbibe can also give rise to a lot of people who aren't used to being drunk, don't know what their tolerances are and are blissfully ignorant of bar etiquette. A phenomenon I like to call "amateur night." So how is a faithful follower of St. Patrick to avoid this? By spending the holiday in a thoroughly, unabashedly Irish pub. Which is why I went to Flanagan's Pub. On the corner of Stewart and Rubicon streets near UD, Flanagan's has been making every day St. Paddy's Day for more than 20 years.
With stackable chairs upholstered in peeling vinyl, wood-laminate tables and capacious ashtrays, this is the kind of bar my Scotch-Irish grandfather would've called home. The interior is late '60s bowling alley chic. While the bar gets its fair share of UD kids, they tend to be of an older, grittier type than those who frequent the Brown Street bars.
The other defining passion at Flanagan's is college basketball. Televisions in a range of sizes ring both rooms, and the bar adds Sunday hours during March Madness. This is a rock-solid drinking institution, where they take things — be it beer, basketball, or bar bashes — seriously. Amateurs need not apply.
Bar best
Sounds funny, I know, but Flanagan's has the best ventilation of any bar I've been to in a year. Plenty of fans and strong blower motors make sure it never feels too smoky — a boon to smokers and non smokers.
Hooray, beer!
Beer specials are a favorite, whether it's nine beers on tap, the 100-ounce "Tower" of draft or $3.50 Corona's on Wednesday and Thursday. Be sure to ask what the bartender has in her bag of tricks.
What's cooking
An inexpensive menu featuring pizza, deli sandwiches, burgers and munchies has much to recommend it. The bar offers daily lunch specials, and you can call 228-5776 for carryout service.
Visiting hours
Flanagan's is open Monday through Saturday, 11-2:30 a.m. (open Sundays during March Madness). Wednesdays and Thursdays there is a small cover. Weekdays, happy hour runs 4 to 8 p.m.
St. PatROCK's Day
Music, food and green beer are all on the docket for today's celebration. Visit co-sponsor wtue.com for complete info. If you're reading this with your bowl of cereal, you still have time to make it before they open at 9 a.m.
ANGELLE HANEY is a freelancer from Dayton who likes to toast with a full glass.
