Publicans battle it out for cheapest watering hole title
An Bróg bar in Cork city centre is thriving in the recession and it’s hardly surprising.
Owner Niall Kearney is pulling all pints — no matter what brand — for just €2.90 between 11.30am and 9pm.
And that’s seven days a week.
That’s 10 cent less per pint than Quirkies bar in Tralee, which earlier this week claimed it was the cheapest watering hole in Ireland.
In addition, Quirkies is selling draught cider for €3.50, but draught Bulmers at An Bróg is €2.90.
“It could be true to say it’s probably one of the best kept secrets in Cork,” said Mr Kearney.
An Bróg on Oliver Plunkett Street has maintained these bargain basement prices for quite a long time.
Once known primarily as a haunt for third-level ]students, the bar is now populated by a much broader range of punters — especially during these tough times.
“There has been definitely more of a take-up recently. There’s a huge increase in people looking for value for money. We have a wide mixture of ages now from students up to OAPs and we have a strict policy of good behaviour among our clientele,” said Mr Kearney.
Believe it or not he is still making a profit, even at those prices.
So those who like their tipple would do well to remember that prices in Cork city centre pubs average between €4.40 — €4.90 a pint.
“It’s all in the volume of customers. There’s no point having high prices and an empty pub. It’s all about bums on seats. The pricing is working and it’s very successful,” said Mr Kearney.
He also believes he runs the cheapest night clubs in the country.
Both Gorbys and G2 nightclubs are within the same building.
“We sell pints of Fosters for €2.90 seven nights a week there. We also sell vodka and a mixer for €2.90,” said Mr Kearney.
He said he was determined to keep prices as low as possible.
“As long as the breweries maintain their prices we will be keeping ours at the current rate,” he said.
