Molly Brannigan's (Clarks Summit, Olyphant, Jessup: buying, landlord, food)

[ScranBarre]

I just felt the need to stick up for Luna there because I met him and his lovely better half in the past to help them with a renovation issue, and I didn't think he deserved a snarky remark like that. He's just legitimately concerned about the future of the city, as are MANY of us out here in the 'burbs, including The Commish and many of my friends. We're all well aware that Scranton's political climate is somewhat sub-par (alright, downright abysmal). However, MOST cities can lay similar claims to having corrupt politicians and yet the denizens find some ways to look past this to the brighter side of things. Pittsburgh is a good example of this. That town is honestly one of the most underrated cities in our nation, and in many ways it is just a larger version of Scranton---bad politics, tight-knit neighborhoods, historic housing stock, blue-collar vibe transitioning to a white-collar one, sprawl issues, etc. Pittsburgh is improving, even despite the recession---I hardly recognized much of it since I last visited back in the 1990s. Hopefully I can say the same for Scranton when I return in the 2020s.

As far as why I'm leaving the region is concerned it's because I told myself "If I don't relocate now to see what the rest of the world looks like then I probably NEVER will." It was a now or never sort of ordeal, and I didn't want to live my entire life within five to ten miles of where I grew up. This new opportunity will permit me to go to graduate school nearly free of charge, obtain a free gym membership, and enjoy a regular 40-hour work-week (whereas the local opportunity I had been considering would have been more likely to yield 60-hour or 70-hour work weeks). I'm also becoming discouraged with the pathetic younger dating scene around here (most in my demographic are leaving and far too many middle-aged married guys have been hitting on me), so I'm hoping to finally find a match in a thriving area like DC. When the time comes that I'll move back to the region hopefully that better half will accompany me home. I have the option working for my agency to eventually transfer to any other branch office of my choice where there's an opening, and in this case I'd probably seek to transfer to the IRS in Scranton. Dan has seen the whole world, and while I have no desire to LIVE overseas as he did, I DO want to experience life (at least briefly) in DC, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, and perhaps a couple of other cities before I die.

[weluvpa]

Originally Posted by Drover

Well, closest I've ever been to SWB is Allentown, and that was over 10 years ago, and mostly I was just driving through. So no, I didn't really know that. And even so, I would prefer home-grown Irish corniness than corporate chain Irish corniness.

We have plenty of home-growen irish wannabee corniness thats for sure. You would think that we were one of the Aran Islands the way that the idiots carry on about their irish heritage 15 generations back. Hell I know one guy born and raised in this city and has an irish wife and you would think with his irish brogue that he just jumped off the boat yesterday. I make fun of him everytime I talk to him, hell his parents were born here as well.

[NEPA-x-pat]

I think it has to do with both a choice and a bit of isolationism. My mom had a pretty tick Irish accent even though our family has been here since the potato famine. Towns like Jessup and Archbald have a historic Irish concentration (Jessup has a lot of Italian too, I know). I think it sort of feeds upon the isolation of the immigrants to their own kind.

We were talking about a pub right?

[weluvpa]

Nope we were talking about a commercial attempt at a cheesy irish look alike pub, which is all we have here in NEPA.....

[scrantonluna]

Originally Posted by weluvpa

Nope we were talking about a commercial attempt at a cheesy irish look alike pub, which is all we have here in NEPA.....

The cheesy part doesn't bother me, but the commercial part does. If they can't even give you a free beer every now and then, why hang out there? I do like the Banshee, always had a good time in there, and they used to have semi-authentic live music on occasion, don't know if they still do or not. Never been in the Bog. Molly Maguires was good, especially the beer soup. Kildares is actually a lot more authentic as far as menu than I thought they would be, or at least as authentic as a chain restaurant could be - probably as Irish a place as you could take kids to and still be able to get them to eat something off the menu.

[weluvpa]

I'm not sure the bog is your cup of tea, hasn't been mine in the last 5 years. Its like a drop off for the rejects that don't fit in at other bars and every freak with drug issues sooner or later finds its way thru there. Its basically a townie bar for kids and Da U. Nothing irish about it except for the flag and name. The Banshee is nice , but thats about it. I like Jilly's and the Backyard Ale House when we do go out which is not that often,maybe once a month.

If you haven't tried the Backyard Ale House I reccomend it, they have the patio that Tink's used to use and should pretty nice when the weather breaks. The owner is a good guy and the beer selection is absolutely top notch along with the liquor, Johnny Walker Blue on the shelf shows me that they take care in what they order and who they are catering to.

[Tony Accardo]

Originally Posted by weluvpa

I'm not sure the bog is your cup of tea, hasn't been mine in the last 5 years. Its like a drop off for the rejects that don't fit in at other bars and every freak with drug issues sooner or later finds its way thru there. Its basically a townie bar for kids and Da U. Nothing irish about it except for the flag and name. The Banshee is nice , but thats about it. I like Jilly's and the Backyard Ale House when we do go out which is not that often,maybe once a month.

If you haven't tried the Backyard Ale House I reccomend it, they have the patio that Tink's used to use and should pretty nice when the weather breaks. The owner is a good guy and the beer selection is absolutely top notch along with the liquor, Johnny Walker Blue on the shelf shows me that they take care in what they order and who they are catering to.

That is such crap about the Bog! They've been open for nine years now and they've done a lot of renovating and the place is clean as a whistle. There is no higher concentration of druggies there, than you would find at ANY bar, including your precious Backdoor Ale House! The Bog is at the hub of what is a thriving local music scene. They give local bands a platform that they couldn't find anywhere else and they have a "Bog Art Wall" that let's local artists display and sell their wares and they don't ask for any profit. The owners are civic minded and run a clean establishment. You're just mad because the young girls probably don't give you a second glance. And it's not a 'townie' bar either, for that matter. Everyone from around the valley comes there on Weekends and Monday nights Open Mic Night and they spend money in the local restuarants and the local gas stations and everything is chill. There's probably been three fights there in 9 years. Your Ale House is great for your 40 something psuedo yuppies for now, but it's only a matter of time before they start the Miller Lite promotions and the 2 Jager Bombs for $5. It's all the same anyway.

[weluvpa]

Listen up buddy I was going to the bog when you were probably still in HS, actually I was MFW's landlord and I own the house and named the 1515 gardner ave album...I was a close friend of Tim Hopkins and Sammy Russell and was Brian's landlord up till 2004 and was hanging with those guys when they were still at Ritters before they even purchased the bog...Where were you then? I have seen the bog from its opening day and have watched it grow.

I never said it was dirty and I never said that it didn't have good music but don't play innocent with me about the bog...Like I said I was there from the beginning, my and wife have been friends with Brian and those guys for over 20 years. It is what it is, maybe its your cup of tea but it isn't mine and hasn't been for a few years now, but don't play like I don't know what the bar is like.

......around the valley thats funny, yep your right the bog is sole saving grace of the downtown.....

I never said it wasn't chill either my friend, but it is a townie bar, kids can be townies as well.

[The Commish]

As far as The Bog goes, authenticity isn't much of a concern for me. It's just a pretty cool place to hang out weeknights. Not too crowded, no smoking inside, and you can just relax and talk with your friends. Weekend nights it can become annoyingly packed with "scenesters" and "hipsters," most of whom you feel like bludgeoning with a pair of thick-soled shoes. (But you'll have to provide your own because their Keds and ballet flats won't do the job).

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

The Commish lives in a town that also borders Scranton

Actually, I haven't lived in the region for 3 years since graduating college. But I'm home every weekend now in anticipation of moving back home to take my summer bar review course. (Moving back for 4 months saves me thousands of dollars!)

And yes, I'll be at The Bog, if just for hot bartenders Jess and Rose (they're friendly btw, tip well!)

[clip4art]

ScranBarrre,
Sorry to see that you are leaving the area. I read your posts quit alot while we were looking for a town to move to from Southern Jersey. I've been in NEPA 18 months and I am very happy. You're going to enjoy NoVa. Traffic is a bit frustrating but Virginia is beautiful. The Williamsburg decor, the colonial architecture, and the total immersion into the political heartbeat of the nation is exhilarating.