Pharmacia 8 Sarsfield Avenue, Limerick, County Limerick V94 E14K

"BLACK WOMEN: DO NOT GO TO THIS CLUB/PUB ALONE BECAUSE YOU MAY JUST GET ATTACK BY TWO SECURITY GUARDS DUE TO YOUR RACE! First time coming (trying) here, and it was scary. When I walked up (last night 3/9/23 around 8:30pm), there were two young security guards standing at the door. They first asked for my license. As I was trying to get it out, I placed my phone between my knees, but it kept sliding. (I had no gloves on and it was 33 f- 2c). I then asked one of them to hold my phone, big mistake. They both looked at me weird, walked closer towards me as if they wanted to throw me on the streets. They then stated that it was a ticket event only and told me that I could go to another bar up the street. I said no problem and walked off. As a woman who taught police officers, approaching a person aggressively when they aren't rude or opposed NO threat to them was extremely unnecessary. Clearly, these young men were not trained. Guess they didn't want the Black American woman in the pub. I was solo. I didn't know my color was too intimidating for some Irish folks. I definitely wasn't comfortable with two guys approaching me like that; especially as a solo woman. That was a cold welcoming to Limerick Ireland. I hope the owner is aware of his employees actions because that wasn't cool at all."

"I first arrived in Limerick a little over a month ago and started coming here regularly. Probably about 4 or 5 times a week, several weeks in a row. The drinks are top-notch. They have a great draught selection, including a variety of beers and a few different ciders as well, but what’s really exceptional are the cocktails. Anything you pick off the menu will be amazing, and they can also make you pretty much anything you could possibly want. A wide variety of top shelf liquors, and all the mixers are fresh and high-quality. The bartenders are knowledgeable and creative and will make you drinks that look beautiful and taste delicious. Prices are reasonable for the quality of ingredients and for the amount of work and attention to detail that is put into making each drink. The issue is the attitude of the staff. A couple of them are really great, and I’ve made sure to tell them how much I appreciate them, but most of the staff there aren’t very friendly and just don’t have the right attitude to work behind a bar. I spent years working behind bars, so I usually get along very well with bar staff, because I can always commiserate about the job and exchange stories. I never have any problem making conversation with and becoming friends with bartenders, but for some reason, I just could not get any of the staff here to talk to me (with the exception of a couple of them, who were really great and I let them know). I would try countless times to strike up a conversation with the staff here when it was slow, but they would always just act annoyed that I was talking to them and treat me like I was being a nuisance for trying to make conversation. They would be constantly talking, joking, and goofing around with each other behind the bar, but when I would try to make conversation with one of them, it was like talking to a brick wall. Like I said, I worked in bars for YEARS, and I can’t imagine having a customer come in that much and not ever bothering to have a single conversation with them, not once asking them how they are or how their day is going, or even learning their name. I kept going back and trying to give them more chances, but eventually it became clear that they just did NOT want me there, so I stopped going and I’m glad I did. There are tons of great bars in Limerick that are full of friendly staff that have the right attitude for working behind a bar. Overall, the drinks are very good, but they seem to be missing that extremely important element of a bar: an atmosphere that makes you feel welcome and at home there, and makes you want to keep coming back. If that element is missing, then why even go to a bar and pay extra for drinks? If the staff is not going to make it a welcoming environment and a positive experience, then you might as well save some money and just have drinks at home. If you just want fun and elaborate cocktails, this is a great place to go, but if you want the full bar experience, you are not going to get it here. I really hope the owner will seriously consider changing staff or at least having a conversation with them about how to interact with customers. I have worked in the industry for long enough to know for a fact that bad attitude behind the bar can absolutely kill a business."

"Absolutely brilliant experience in this bar. Incomparable to any other bar in limerick. Got to the door and the bouncers were so friendly which is unusual but very much respected by me who works in this industry. Got to the counter and was warmly welcomed by the super friendly staff who make the best cocktails for a very fair price because they are top tier! The zombie cocktail is amazing. Thank you so much to mike, ger and all the staff within this great establishment which deserves so much respect. Really felt like home when I visited tonight and never felt so comfortable in a pub like I did in this place. Absolutely highly recommended and I will definitely will be back. Thank you, You have made my week !"

"It's a pub with a very interesting atmosphere. The decor is unique and trendy and the drinks menu features a variety of interesting cocktails. The staff is friendly and laid-back. Highly recommend this pub for a unique night out."

"Absolutely loved this bar. We went fairly early on a Thursday and were well looked after by the staff. The cocktails were delicious (and very well priced!!) and there was a great tap line up."