Irish Heather

vancouverlily

A new home for the Irish Heather 5th December 2008

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in a city of continuous urban development, especially in Gastown, it was naive of me to think that the owners of the Irish Heather would hold out and allow that gem of a bar to remain 'as is' among the city's vancouver2010 revolution. i loved the fact that the building held vancouver's first ever jail (hence the alley name 'Gaoler's Mews' pronounced 'jailers'). i kind of hoped they would stay as a familiar fitting among their new neighbours.

well, they didn't.

but, it's really ok. after visiting the new bar, i'm so glad that they moved from the 19th century to the 21st. the new space has managed to hold onto the past, while embracing the present and planning for the future.

i will miss the back room at the old place, especially my v1, where the lighting was dim and you could smoke. v2, with the brighter lights and blue seats was still the best part of the place. the antique charm, the cobbly floor, the leaves on the glass ceiling, the proximity to Shebeen (the only scotch house in the city, as far as i'm concerned) - this was my watering hole when i lived in Gastown.

ok, it was hard to let go.

i was so pleased to see a familiar face at the new place - Brodie is still there. master server, he always seemed a bit unfriendly...i've actually come to realize that he is just focused and incredibly efficient. a 'no bullshit' kind of guy who gets your food and booze to the table in good time. that's really what you want.

visit the website's food and drink list - http://www.irishheather.com/ih_main.html.

please, go there. and frequently.