My family is traveling to Ireland this August. We will be staying in Country Tipperary and taking day trips from our AirBnb in Mullinahone. We have a large group of 13 family members, ranging in age from 3 to 76. I would like the opportunity to experience the pub scene, but we do not drink alcohol. Is there a local non-alcoholic drink to request? What is the etiquette for the pub scene if we do not order a beer? Additionally, can I bring my children into the pub? Is there a time in which children are not welcome? Any recommendations of a good pub to hear trad music in Tipperary?
Posted by
Chicago
8164 posts
A pub is a restaurant and bar with full food and drink menus where minors are allowed accompanied by an adult. Drink wise there is no etiquette order whatever you want water soda etc.
Posted by
The Netherlands
1587 posts
It’s perfectly okay to not drink alcohol in a pub. The only etiquette to follow is that you must order something for everyone in your group and that you can’t occupy a table for the entire evening and only drink 1 soda each. As long as you regularly order a drink, no one will care whether it’s alcoholic or non-alcoholic.
Posted by
Ireland
219 posts
There are a few non-alcoholic beers available now, otherwise no problem ordering soft drinks.
I must contradict reply 1 though as a pub is not necessarily a restaurant. While many pubs offer hot food throughout the day, plenty are still traditional drinking establishments. Children have to be off the premises by 10pm unless eating a meal with others. Some pubs may not allow children earlier in the evening, but those tend to be in the bigger town centres.
Posted by
Chicago
555 posts
You can order any drink other than alcohol and feel perfectly at ease in an Irish pub. Of the 50 or so pubs I have been in in Ireland, I have ordered hot tea a couple times, and everybody was fine with it.
Regarding children, it depends on the pub. In general, children can go into any Irish pub and feel safe. There was only one Irish pub I was in that felt a bit rough. The other 40-plus were child friendly.