Irish House
ENDED FEB 28, 2010: The 9,000 square-foot Irish House will house 750 visitors at a time at the temporary site, conveniently located adjacent to Doolin's Irish Pub in downtown Vancouver. The Irish House site will facilitate Doolin's trademark ‘Irish family feel’ in ambiance, culture, and music. The Irish House will be a welcoming gathering place with a boisterous traditional Celtic atmosphere.
During the day, this pub will feature entertainment with music and cultural exhibits. Multiple televisions and projection screens will run highlights of the Games. In the evenings, the true Irish pub culture will come to life, and visitors will experience a party where it will feel like every day is a St. Patrick’s Day party.
Local and international media personalities will be in attendance throughout the two weeks, with familiar names such as Red Robinson, Dave Abbott, Ron Coleman, and Jim Byrnes invited as guest MCs. The official opening on February 11 will kick off with The Most Reverend J. Michael Miller – the Arch-Bishop of Vancouver performing a blessing on the pavilion. A traditional Celtic Standing Stone monument, custom designed and created for the Irish House 2010, will be a featured display piece in pavilion and auctioned off on Saturday February 20. Irish House 2010 will be located at 620 Nelson Street in Vancouver, BC. The hours of operation will be 7 pm-3 am February 8, and noon to 3 am February 9 – 28. The venue is family friendly from noon – 7 pm, then only 19+ permitted 7 pm onwards. There will be a $20 entrance fee for adults (depending what time of day you arrive) and kids are always free. As with any Irish Pavilion, get ready for a load of fun and entertainment. For more information, call (604) 331-7854 or click here.
You can read Kerri Brkich's review of the venue here.
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I was in there on Saturday afternoon the second weekend of the games. It was a little dissapointing to say the least.
Like whats been said on here with all the other venues being free, it was $10 to get in, no free drink, and as is expected with most other bars/clubs, the bouncers were total assholes, who nearly threw my friend out for spilling his beer when someone bumped into him.
That was also a slight financial loss for him too at $9 a drink, which was mostly head, and might have amounted to 6oz of Guiness in the tiny plastic cup.
I hate to say it given my roots, but boo Ireland on this account.
I just want to say shame-shame on Vancouver for allowing the Irish House to charge entrance to this bar, yes bar, not Irish Pub. And an equal SHAME on Ireland for pulling this stunt. Waiting in the pouring rain to get into this venue on a cold night was one thing but to pay $20 to be in a “true Irish Pub” only to walk into a bar that could be any nightclub in downtown Vancouver at any time of year was not only disappointing but frustrating. The music was modern day and had nothing to do with Ireland. The sponsored alcohol was Smirnoff… Irish? I think not. And, because of the true goings on in here, this place was packed with 19/20 year olds… we were far from that. If you wanted to go outside and smoke you could not return unless you stood back in line again… scam! The bouncers were rude and local and definitely not Irish. Leaves me wondering how this occurred throughout the Olympics without someone at City Hall not getting wind and shutting it down or forcing it to be what is was supposed to be.
GREAT POST! finally someone with common sense.
I think it's just the losers in the burps who say that ppl dt should stop whining. Guess it's just a big excuse to get wasted and try to forget about their misserable boring lives they're having.
If they really want to enjoy the games they should got to the LiveCity Venues or to Robson Square or other OFFICIAL Pavilions. If they really want to see and feel the Irish culture they should go to an Irish pub where EVERYBODY is allowed to get in.
Thank god this is all over soon!!!
Today I thought I would take a non-irish visitor with me to the Irish house as she loves Celtic culture and music. I am Irish and took her with me to the venue only to be told quite icily by security that I could be permitted but she could not join me as a guest as she was not on the guest list nor did she hold an Irish passport. He quickly ushered us off the line and closed the gate on us. I couldn't believe this was an Irish venue treating an Irish citizen this way. This certainly isn't the friendly, family welcoming atmosphere it so posts on its website. I also thought the music was ridiculously loud for the time of the day. I then took my friend to a nearby Irish pub only to meet some fellow Irishmen who told us they had been to the Irish house and thought it was a complete rip off and not "Irish" at all, but more like a cheap attempt at manipulating the warm and welcoming Irish image into luring in poor misfortunates into its tent to make the maximum amount of profit they can possibly make in the Olympic's two weeks. By the way Canada, this is very "unirish."
Haha, there's only one member in that facebook group
You know why it seemed OK when you were there? It was daytime, on a weekend. That's the only time of the week with the dancers. You seem to not notice no one has complained about what happens there in the daytime. Every single night, cover is $20, beers are $8. Bands start playing at midnight. Loudly.
I'm not sure how wanting to sleep more than 4 hours per night for THREE consecutive weeks is the same as smashing windows on Robson, Do you know what it's like getting no sleep for 3 weeks? I suppose you don't, because you don't live here, haven't been to Irish House at night, and don't know what you're talking about.
Thanks for sharing, though.
Reading some of these comments makes my day. The games are here for 2 weeks and you people are whining over spilled milk, you're just as bad as the protesters. Take a minute out of your day realize there is abolutley NOTHING you can do about it and enjoy. It's 2 weeks for crying out loud. What's next are you gonna call the fire dept about an open flame near waterfront?? Morons. Irish house saturday was an absolute BLAST. It was only $10 for cover and that included a drink. The prices were no different than any club downtown and the entertainment was great. The irish dancers were fantastic and the atmosphere was crazy. Good for you Vancouver, the games have been great, the atmosphere around town is unreal and its something we will never see again, and I for one am going to enjoy every minute of it. Too bad some of you will spend the 2 weeks with your heads up your ars and miss it all.
Janessa, and the rest of you"YOU LIVE DOWNTOWN" morons: do you really think that by virtue of living downtown, one should expect that any parking lot will be converted into a live outdoor concert venue for 3 weeks at a time, one that actually STARTS playing music after midnight, despite the fact the City's bylaws are for this type of thing to shut down AT 11? For the Olympics, they increased it to midnight. Not a problem. The problem is, as we've all stated, PLAYING LOUD MUSIC UNTIL 3AM. It's blatantly illegal, not something you should expect because you live downtown.
Prior to this, no one was complaining about anything, and after it, no one will be complaining about it. We complain about it now because it's unacceptable, even for downtown. Don't be an idiot, Janessa. We have more than enough of those in this city.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=info&ref=search&gid=311496649194
Geez when do people start to realize that you've got the 'official Olympic' venues down town which are great if you're into those and this thing called Irish Houso which just an annoying party tent that goes on till 3AM.
The Saskatchawan Pavilion almost in the middle of nowhere for instance stops after midnight and the outdoor band in front of Capone's in Yaletown stops playing after 10PM so it IS possible to think about the neighbours.
What are you going to complain about when the olympics are gone? You pretend like you understand that it's just for the olympics and than complain. Too funny. You live downtown!
It takes nothing but a wad of cash to get "commissioned." If you're implying this is anything more than Doolin's making fistfulls of cash at the expense of the livelihood of local tenants, you're a liar. I hope you kissed the Blarney Stone when you spat that one out, you fake-Irish ass. There's more to being Irish than getting drunk and being greedy and inconsiderate (but not much, apparently). You know as well as I do this thing is about as Irish as Chinatown.
TONIGHT THEY BROKE THE ANNOYING RATE RECORD!!! ARE THEY OUT OF THEIR F-ING MINDS!!! is there something that can be done about this? since it's NOT an official Olympic venue does VANOC has a saying in what they can do and can't do?
AND NO!!! I'm not going to join the festivities they don't deserve my well earned money, $20 to get in and $8 for a GLASS of beer! An evening at the Victory Ceremony did already cost me $60 and that doesn't even include the tickets!!!
This Irish House is a bright, shining example of the City of Vancouver's complete and utter incompetence and failure to anticipate. After another sleepless night with no help from the City or police, I am going to work semi-conscious yet again. I understand this tent has very little to do with Ireland and its 6 athletes. The music blasting in to my apartment until 3am is not Irish, nor are the cover bands they have playing hits of the 80s. I would hope the Irish have slightly more class than to situate a cheaply decorated dance bar in a tent in a residential area in a strip club parking lot--that's something only a Vancouverite could do. So please, Ireland, forgive me when I say: anyone responsible for the planning, management, and approval of Irish House is invited to take a run on the Whistler luge track, from the top. Choke on a Guinness, Doolin's.
I hope Vancouverites boycott DOOLINS PUB after their done ripping off the world.
This house makes everyone in bc look so bad. Canadians are not about ripping people off. please dont judge us by this poorly put together rip off.
I'm beginning to think that some local bars are damaging their long term reputation with the way they are behaving during the Olympics. Doolins is a case in point. Their greed seems to have blinded them to the principles of good business.
cover charge does NOT include free drink. it is NOT worth it. SAME atmosphere as any of the free pavilions. Beers are $7-9 a piece, the music is BAD, and if its raining outside, its raining inside, cuz the roof leaks all over the place.
HUGE LINE IS NOT WORTH YOUR TIME. U ARE NOT MISSING OUT ON ANYTHING COOL OR FUN.
and the genesis security guards think they are really cool cuz they are in charge of "the line!" to bad you make $12 an hour, losers! with that wage you could afford a 1 and 1/4 beers an hour at this LAME house.
I think the description should include that anyone under 19 needs a chaperone. I'm 18, and this wasn't advertised, so I went down there and was turned away because that information wasn't on the website. A lot of the other information was very helpful, but this particular one was misleading.
This is billed as family friendly prior to 7pm but it is definately NOT. This is a pub all day and should be advertised as such.
We came with our three young daughters to watch the Eire Borne dancers, but it was so loud and so packed with nowhere to sit and nowhere where the kids could see that we left before the dancers arrived.
The staff, especially security staff, were all pleasant and friendly and helpful, but this is NOT a kids' venue at any time of day.
A RIP-OFF!
Got in at 4pm after a 45 min line-up to be charged $10 cover-charge. This also covers 1 "free" beer, which turns out to be Molsons .... since when has Molsons been Irish??
Food is expensive - $8 for 2 small sausage rolls - and you have to wait for that.
The only redeeming feature is good music, but there are better and cheaper places to go for Irish entertainment!!
We stayed only for the one beer - Molsons.....not my choice.
Un-organized. There was nothing Irish about this. Don't waste your time unless you just want a place to drink an expensive beer in a tent. Two thumbs down.
PS the food was aweful. Sorry Ireland maybe next time.
Have to agree with Craic there. Being from Ireland I'm shocked at the blatent rip-off culture that is being portrayed as "Irish". Doolins is bad when it comes to faux Irish - I mean kilts for f**k sake - but the Irish House takes the biscuit. In there for the opening night and was horrified at the sign of a completely unsettled plastic cup of Guinness in the hands of a punter. Most of the staff don't know how to pour Guinness properly - madness for and Irish pub!! Add to that there's only 3 Irish staff members which is a joke in my opinion.
Go to Jonnie Foxes for a more traditional session!
I am from Ireland and I would like to know if Doolins will be giving Irish people any preferential rates or the ability to skip the queue to enter OUR OWN pavilion like the Russian pavilion?? I doubt it....
Doolins is a good place to Drink but only because of the Irish people who drink there and not the extortionate way the place is ran.
If any non Irish people want to experience an Irish bar, go 2 "Jonnie Foxes" across the road...better service and better atmosphere!!
Does anyone know if you have to pay a cover charge at the Irish pub on Saturday afternoon?
BIG HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT!!!
It is just a big tent with $20 cover charge and overpriced (even by Vancouver standards) drinks!
If you expect to find there something related to Olympics, do NOT! There is nothing. It's just someone's “brilliant” idea on how to rip off locals and tourists during Olympics. What a shame!
If you want to go there just for drinks or clubbing, do NOT: there are plenty of regular bars, pubs and clubs just around the corner from "Irish House", you'll be better off there!
$9.00 GLASS of Guinness!! Not even CLOSE to a Pint!! Extremely Disapointed with the Guaging that is taking place... Who in there right mind wants to pay $20 to get into a TENT to drink the most expensive Guinness I have ever seen. Very Very Disapointing, and to top it all off it's run by Doolin's who's owner's do not have an ounce of Irish Blood in them. I wouldnt waste your time or Loot.
You have to remember that the opening last night was a "soft opening" designed for the staff to organize themselves better and for the patrons to come in and see what the inside looks like. NOT a full night that has been organized to include Irish story telling, Irish dancers and Irish culture.
Also, there is ONE Irish Olympic sporting event in this years games. The womens bobsleigh. So before you go bashing the event and the cultural aspect of the venue, you should realize that the event for last night was a celebration for the hard work that has gone into putting up a venue in 3 weeks and a friends and family night for those who wanted to check out the venue ahead of the regular scheduled openings.
That being said, before you cast judgment on the Irish House, check out their site and read about who it's being put on by (Commissioned by the country of Ireland and organized by the Irish heritage society of Vancouver) if you think there's nothing cultural about it...
For the facts:
http://www.irishhouse2010.com
Disappointment. It's too bad this is not a legit Irish house, it's too bad that cover band from the Roxy is there (LOUD I live 1/2 block away, it appears we've thrown out noise bylaws for the next few weeks) and at 20$ cover, I don't think this is anywhere near low cost either, I don't think stepping into a bar and having 1 drink for 30$ is acceptable. Obviously they won't get much of our business. It does look like there may be some other locations still like the German pavillion? Though I think there's a cover after 5pm...looks like I'm going to need to learn to start drinking early!I think...though it looks like Vancouverites are going to have a tough time everywhere. My favourite bar Library Square already removed their daily specials from their menu at least a week ago with no discount for locals. I wouldn't be surprised if many of our favourite pubs will be charging cover, if you can get in, and will be increasing prices. Let's just hope it goes back to normal after.
Still, good job Citycaucus. Thanks
Thats really disappointing. This was one house I was really looking forward to. :(
Stopped in for the opening last night. As far as I can tell this is a temporary bar in a giant tent, hosted by Doolins and possibly The Roxy. There's really nothing Irish about it (only Irish beer on the drink list is Guinness). It does not appear in any way to be associated with the Irish Olympic team, sporting association, etc. If you want to go out and get trashed during the games, you will probably find a lot of like-minded people at Irish House (have fun!). If you are looking for a cultural pavilion, this isn't it.
Really a lame performance on Opening Night compared to other venues.
Drinks are $6-8-9 Food is too costly for what your getting (Costco items).
Drinks aren't even an ounce as I indicated to the bartender on two occasions, he simply said thats what he was told to pour!!
Would I go back and spend $20 to just get in? Not on your life.
They couldn't get me back for Free again.
Just think about all the FREE venues available with some fun and proper food for a lot less money.
Value is important in our games and this place doesn't have it.
Enjoy yourselves
Why is the pavilion that's across the street of where I live the only one that's NOT free ... and why is there a lot of noise already?
It's going to be 3 sleepless weeks for me :-|
I agree that this site is an excellent resource for venues of interest at the Olympics, and much appreciation is due to Craig and Mike. They are are asking for feedback. Slovak House is listed as a "link of interest (pay venue)" and I think the not insubstantial cover charges for the Irish House, warrant a similar categorization. It will good to get more feedback on this venue when it opens tomorrow, thanks to everyone.
Wishing everyone a great time over the coming weeks, and a big welcome to our visitors from all over the world.
Hey, Atlantic Canada House is free! All of the other houses seem to be free. I have asked around. Irish house is the only one charging.
I agree Eric! Stop your complaining. Citycaucus has pulled together an excellent resource here and posted all relevant information. I applaud their effort. Tightly wound people that are tied up in the semantics should RELAX. It's more homework than any of us has done!
It's a shame that this place is charging for entrance as I'm sure that they will make enough money anyway. Does anyone know if this "Irish House" officially linked to Ireland as it doesn't seem to be promoting the country or tourism in the way that other Olympic "Houses" are?
some of you guys need to chill out here. The fact Irish house is charging a cover has always been stated in the write up on this list. If you don't want to go, then pick one of the 48 other totally free pavilions to visit. I for one don't mind that it's listed as a low cost venue. I'd be **** if the cover charge wasn't mentioned, then I got there and got dinged. That's not what's happened. Citycaucus should be applauded for pulling this list together, rather than you guys ragging all over them because you don't think this one pavilion should be here. If you don't like this site, then I'd suggest you go create your own and don't include the Irish pavilion in it. Sorry for being so cranky, but these comments are too much.
I'm with those who think it is misleading to include the Irish House, or other pay to enter venues, without upfront stating that it has a cover charge. From what I have heard, the cover charges are not insignificant, $20 after 7pm for example. What is the problem with putting Irish House (Cover Charge) on the main page, so that readers are not misled? Or putting those venues in a separate section specifying that there is a cover charge in effect? I've stopped sending your site link to people because many venues are not "where 2 be for free", as advertised upfront on your site.
Regards,M.
Another site just listed a cover charge of $15 after 7:00pm. Having been to this establishment many time, paying a cover charge so you can have the privilege of overpaying for beer is nothing short of a rip off. There are tons of other watering hole in Vancouver - visit them instead.
Great site. I'm interested in pay events too. The more info at one site the better. Maybe have a separate section for pay venues/events.
Daniel, you are completely missing the point that Aron and Jodi are making.
CityCaucus is sending contradictory messages. Free is not the same as low cost.
Many of your titles, banner, and cross-posting advertising say "Where 2 Be for Free", then your sub text is that it's the "Definitive Guide for low-cost 2010 Games fun!"
In fact, then, you are misleading people right off the top.
Readers aren't interested in flimsy marketing tricks and justifications.
Your site is actually about free AND low-cost events -- you should say that honestly and consistently from the start.
this site should not be ad. as free what a come on. love tosee it but will not pay a cover charge. it is just more Blarney. be glad to see the end of this nonense,we will be paying 4, 4 years to come];[
I think it's ridiculous that these venues can be open until 3am and not comply with the same liquor laws that all the restaurants do - it's ridiculous. They're charging higher prices than the pubs downtown and they're going to be taking away from the city's business....
First of all, thanks for the great resource. Excellent site. I'll be checking in daily.
I just wanted to pipe in and add my support to the idea that bars charging $20 just to get in should be left off your list of free events.
I'm actually having trouble figuring out which pavilions are charging admission and which ones are free... I'll keep checking back and I'm sure it'll all become clear, especially with this helpful site.
Keep up the great work!
@ Jodi and Aron,
You are correct when you point out there is a small cover charge for this venue. We initially debated whether to include it as part of our list of free and low-cost venues...and decided it would likely be a major attraction during the Games. Therefore, we thought our readers would want us to include it.
We clearly indicate in the venue summary that there are both free and not-so-free components to this venue.
It's worth noting that we have also included a write up on the nightly medal ceremonies (tix $22 each), the Canada Line (must buy a transit ticket) as we thought those items also fell in the category of low-cost fun during the Games.
Thanks for your feedback and rest assured, there are LOTS of things to do for FREE on our list. Try to get out and enjoy as many of them as possible.
I agree with what Aron said - that is misleading in the way they have advertised it under a free event....
I am of Irish descent - I have many relatives over in Ireland. They are fun loving and very hospitable people. I currently live in Victoria where we have a few really great Irish pubs....therefore if I happen to be over there during the games - I see no need to pay a cover charge in order to join in the fun....
not to be a Negative Nelly but this place is going to have a cover charge at night...I think having these types of venues on here as "Free" is misleading "CityCaucus.com has confirmed there will be a $5-20 entrance fee for adults "
City Caucus, are there any 19+ venues that will be free?
Can't wait till it's all over to be honest ... cause I live across the street!!! heheh
You think 9$ for a pint of guinness is bad for downtown? That's already what it costs at Doolins or any other bar in the neighbourhood. I wouldn't doubt it would be more than 10$ for special Olympic pricing. YAY Olympic pricing!!!
Could be fun but who wants to pay $9:00 or more for a pint of guiness
Cead Mile Failte to all our visitors!
There are some pictures of the construction process now online and our Facebook site. Please join our Facebook group its under Irish House 2010. Or follow us on twitter @IrishHouse2010 We're very excited!!
We also have VIP passes now for sale if anyone is interested.
Just saw them starting to build the Irish pavilion, should be interesting The Irish know how to have fun; they have hospitality down to an art form, Look forward to checking it out.
Had a chance last year to venture to the Maritimes for the first time.They say more full blooded Irish in the Maritimes then there are in Ireland. The people, were warm, the hospitality great. Know we can expect a great time here.