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So, after 18 years, Tir na Nog is closing. For anyone who has only lived here under 10 years, it's hard to understate how much in front of the scene in downtown they were when they opened. I haven't been there for live music in a while, but even now, they are pretty heavy for the local music scene. Also, one of the earliest (maybe the first) local run clubs meets there.
According to the N&O article, Bida Manda, next door will be expanding into the space with potentially a brewery and more dining.
Wow. I don't even make it to downtown Raleigh that often and even I am familiar with Tir Na Nog, spent some good nights there and had some good meals. They will be missed.
Very sad, but glad to see that another local business is taking over their space. I'm also glad that they're getting out while they're ahead. I hate when you see a great place go into that slow decline over a few years where the food, service, etc suffer and the most recent memories people have of it is poor.
The bar and restaurant business is very tough especially in this day and age. Maybe another Irish pub will open in the area. I'm sure the downtown Raleigh area has a demand for a place like that.
The bar and restaurant business is very tough especially in this day and age. Maybe another Irish pub will open in the area. I'm sure the downtown Raleigh area has a demand for a place like that.
Well, not to be "that guy", but I have to say that I've never seen much demand for Tir Na Nog in the two years I've been working in downtown Raleigh. I don't know what it was like 10-15 years ago, or in the evenings, but every time I go there for lunch, it's empty, whereas Bida Manda is packed. So I imagine Bida Manda will make better use of the space, and more power to them.
Well, not to be "that guy", but I have to say that I've never seen much demand for Tir Na Nog in the two years I've been working in downtown Raleigh. I don't know what it was like 10-15 years ago, or in the evenings, but every time I go there for lunch, it's empty, whereas Bida Manda is packed. So I imagine Bida Manda will make better use of the space, and more power to them.
Different clientelle, so different times to be busy. (I love Bida Manda, btw).
TNN hosted a lot of events, and was busy for that, had a later crowd and was a huge advocate of local and international music. If you'd go there on "Kilt Night", it was packed, elbow to elbow until the wee hours of the night, Craic flowing and good times being had. For those that were there for the Albenach shows, I feel your pain. Always used to feel like I was sitting in Dublin (Dublin, USA, that is) when My Three Kilts would sing "MTA" and the crowd got into it.
I had a lot of good times at TNN. Sometimes when they only had a few people in there, sometimes packed.
One more memory, but my first Christmas as divorced parent was tough. Had to let my daughter spend the second half of the day with her mom, so I rode my bike because it was a nice day. I rode into DT Raleigh and was surprised to see they were open and serving buffet. Not many people in there, but I made a few friends and turned a tough day into a better one. That was several years ago, and it really served me well as a 'public house' when I needed a little community.
Just a cool place in general. Sometimes packed, other times seemingly abandoned.
Location: Sodo Sopa at The Villas above Kenny' s House.
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They were good for music ,but not so much for food and service. I knew they were hurting for business when the coupons came out. I went there twice and the food definitely wasn't anything to brag about. Especially the Irish fare.
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