Nancy Hands Pub & Restaurant – Dublin 8
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Nancy Hands is a long established, authentic Dublin pub and restaurant. Nancy Hands herself was the famed owner of the Hole in the Wall pub, back in the 18th century, and her legendary name now adorns the ornate dome window of this other famed Dublin public house.
Located at 30-32 Parkgate Street, Dublin 8, just metres away from the Phoenix Park, the largest enclosed urban park in Europe (a wall some eight miles long surrounds a staggering 1760 acres, a much larger area than all the famous parks in London put together). The pub is also only 3 minutes’ walk from Heuston Train Station, another reason why it is so well known to generations of Irish people.
If the imposing exterior facade to Nancy Hands, with its Victorian brickwork and large ornate dome window and doorway is already an impressive sight, the real enchantment awaits guests inside. There are three distinct bar areas in this pub: the Coffee Bar where there are different coffees and herbal teas available, the Snug Bar with its open fire where people often watch their favourite sports and the Whiskey & Cocktail Bar. The latter is where we recommend you start your visit, although this advice is probably unnecessary – the utter grandeur of the Victorian bar behind the counter would have compelled you to settle here anyway. If you love whiskey, then the visual delight will be twofold, because this is where Nancy Hands keep their collection. At the last count there were over 100 different Scottish whiskies, including select Single Malts rarely seen in Ireland, like a Glengoyne 21 Year Old, and over 50 Irish whiskeys. For whiskey aficionados, we suggest you check the listing or the shelves carefully – amongst the usual suspects, there are one or two unusual offerings at interesting prices! Ask for Fran or Dominic, they are the main whiskey men here.
Nancy Hands has become synonymous with good food too in its more recent past. It has an extensive lunch, early bird and evening a la carte menu. The restaurant itself is upstairs – and the ascent is recommended – as the staircase is an original from Trinity College, immortalized by Michael Caine in the film Educating Rita. The décor is as impressive as downstairs: old wood, raw brick and an array of antiques and Guinness memorabilia. The Piano Restaurant with a La Carte Dining, open on Fridays and Saturdays from 6.00 pm onwards, means guests can enjoy the finest Irish produce together with live piano music.
There is usually live music every Saturday from 9.30pm and Nancy Hands also hosts traditional Irish music sessions at varying times during the month. In addition to its convenient location next to the Phoenix Park and Heuston Railway Station, Nancy Hands is only a stone’s throw from the Irish National Museum at Collins Barracks and directly on the Dublin Hop on Hop Off Bus Route (No. 18 stop), which will also take you to the Old Jameson Distillery.
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