Daily Archives: July 1, 2012

The Irish Rover – Louisville’s best and original Irish Pub

Posted by bourbonhound on

Louisville has dozens of “Irish Pubs”. Bardstown Road has Flanagan’s, Molly Malone and O’Shea`s. Downtown has a few Irish Pubs as does St. Matthews. I have nothing against these places. Most of them have great food. Very few bars can top Flanagan’s beer selection. And the owners of O`Shea`s are great people that are known for their generosity and charity work. None of the “Irish Pubs” come close to the Irish Rover, Louisville’s first true Irish Pub.

The Irish Rover sits at 2319 Frankfort Ave. in the heart of the historic Clifton Neighborhood. They opened their doors around 18 years ago and became the first and original Irish Pub in Louisville. The Irish Rover is owned by Michael Reidy and his wife, Siobhan. Mr. Reidy was born and raised in County Claire in Ireland. That’s correct; the owner was actually Ireland born and knows the correct way to run an Irish Pub. He also has the Irish accent most “Irish Pub” owners lack.

The bar area looks very Irish in nature. I spent a week in Ireland a few years back and most Pubs there look exactly like the Irish Rover’s setup. Their bar area is a decent size. Next to it are a few booths. The dining area is two different sections with tons of room. They also have a lovely outside area for dining. This is perfect during great weather. You can sip a Guinness, eat authentic Irish food and people watch all at the same time. The inside is neat because the Reidys have decorated the walls with Irish signs, paintings and pictures. Most “Irish Pubs” in Louisville seem to lack this.

One thing I have noticed about “Irish Pubs” in Louisville is the lack of Irish Food. Walk into Flanagan’s for instance. You see things like Buffalo Chicken sandwich, sweet potato fries and pizza. The Irish Rover has Irish food. They have Bangers and Mash, Scotch Eggs, Irish Whiskey Steak, Fish and Chips, Guinness Stew and tons more. Why go to an Irish Pub to eat German Potato Salad? Would you go to an authentic Italian Restaurant to eat Grilled Cheese or Chicken Noodle Soup? I’m guessing you would expect Italian food. When I walk into an Irish Pub, I expect to see Irish Food on the menu other than just Fish and Chips.

The prices at the Rover are more than reasonable. Sandwiches come with chips (fries) and range from $6.95-$8.95. Their meals range from $6.95-$12.95, and Irish Dinners range from $10.95 to $19.95, with the Irish Whiskey Steak being the most expensive. My favorites are the Lamb Burger (medium rare), Irish Meatloaf (makes American Meatloaf look sick) and the Smoked Salmon and Potato Gratin. I also love the Welsh Rabbit, Fish and Chips and Guinness Stew. You really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.

Their alcohol selection is beyond great. They keep a small, but awesome draft beer selection. They also have an above average selection of bottled beer. I come to the Rover for their Irish Whiskey selection. The first row alone is enough reasons for me to set foot inside the Rover. They have all the Jameson, Bushmill, Red Breast, Middleton (best whiskey ever) and more. Don’t worry; if Irish Whiskey isn’t your thing, they have a great selection of Scotch, Bourbon and Vodka.

What really makes the Irish Rover awesome? Simple, the hospitality. When I was in Ireland I was shocked at how the mass majority of people were so friendly. They never know a stranger. When you walk into a Pub you become their friend. The same can be said about the Irish Rover. I normally sit at the bar. Many times while sipping an Irish Whiskey, Mr. Reidy will stop by to see what kind I am drinking. He loves to talk Irish Whiskey. I’ve taken dates there and Mr. Reidy always stops by our table to make sure the service and food was good. Over the last couple of years I’ve gotten to know bartenders/managers Mike, Matt and Lacey. They are very friendly people, easy to talk with and funny. Mike has helped my Irish Whiskey education, Matt makes fun of my love for UK basketball and Lacey listens to my “bad luck with female” stories. They all should get a raise!

If you want a real Irish Pub experience, the Irish Rover by far, is your best bet. The look, the feel, the food, the drinks and the hospitality are as Irish as you can get in Louisville. Nothing against the other Irish Pubs in Louisville, but they all fall very short of the Irish Rover. Next time you are coming down Frankfort Ave. stop by and check it out for yourself. Sip a pint, taste some real Irish food or stop in to make a new friend. You can’t go wrong with the Irish Rover, the best Irish Pub in Louisville.

 

The Irish Rover

2319 Frankfort Ave.

Louisville, KY 40206

502-899-3554.

The Power of the Nerd

Posted by bourbonhound on

Many people read this site. I am actually shocked at how much of a following we have here. We have over 600 followers. Not bad for the most immature, stupid and worst Louisville website of all time. I love being honest with my readers. Listen, I am a nerd. I may be the biggest geek you could ever meet. I own over 100,000 baseball cards and can tell you random baseball facts that no normal person should know. I have a UK Logo and Homer Simpson tattoo. That’s just who I am.

I have found out however, most women like honesty. They like you to be yourself. Lately I have been in “the zone”. My luck with the ladies has been beyond good. Listen, no lying here. I haven’t banged all of these ladies. I have just met many women lately and I forgot how easy it is to meet new women. Damn, I am that smooth. Women can’t say no to the “geekness”. They may dream about the hunk, firefighter or Brad Pitt look alike, but the nerd is what they actually go after. What can I say, I’m that good.

It all started early last month. My dad’s health and memory is not what it once was. I started thinking over things. I hadn’t talked to my ex Liz in over two years. I told myself I didn’t want to hold a grudge against her or anyone else. I emailed her and after a few emails Liz decided we should hangout. We did and wow, what took place even shocked me. She was all over me, and I was all over her. It was like we were meant to be. Make a long story short, I could have so had sex with her a few days a later. She was drunk, horny and was all over me. However, I did the right thing. I didn’t take advantage of the drunken horny bimbo.

Liz and I didn’t work out, not even as friends. I don’t like liars or drug abusers. She is both. After seeing how fake she still was I felt bad. Why does my luck suck so badly? A few days later I was sitting at work. A very cute girl who works in the daycare approached me. She actually came to me for work related purposes. We started talking (I was so hitting on her) and when she turned to walk away, she asked could she have my number. After a few days of talking I asked her out for dinner. She said yes and then ended up canceling out on me. Sadly, she has Asperger`s and doesn’t do well socially. She is still sweet, smart and a cool chick. I hope she gives the next guy a fair chance.

When she asked me for my number, I felt good. I was like damn; I still can spit some game. After she canceled on me I wanted to prove she wasn’t a fluke. So a couple of weeks later I saw this cute little dirty blonde at the Highlands Taproom. She sat next to me and I quickly noticed her lovely green eyes. As soon as she sat down I started talking to her. Next thing I know we’re playing pool. That led to a few drinks. That led to me taking her out for a 2 AM meal. She took my phone and programed her name and number into it. Sucks she lives in Owensboro, but she’s in Louisville due to work every few weeks. If anything, I have made a hot new female friend.

Then I met an older woman. She is 37, seven years older than me. We started talking and she invited me to watch her “Jell-O-Wrestle”. She has a smoking body. Hell, her body is better than most 18-25 year-olds. This lady loves a nerd. She even has a Johnny Deep tattoo. We have hung out a few times and the babe is always all over me. She knows how to make a nerd feel good. She also gives one hell of a back massage.

No, my fun didn’t stop there. I met a red-headed chick. She was okay. Nice body, very sexual in nature. However, she was too much of a “slut” for me to be more interested. Don’t get me wrong, I love women and their bodies more than any guy. But I don’t dig sluts. She even told me she likes to see numerous men at the same time. I really didn’t feel like going in for seconds or thirds. She’s the kind of chick that is like “Let’s hangout Monday,” after a weekend of banging dudes. My answer, “Call me Thursday.”

Last night the nerd struck gold again. I saw this shy dark-headed gal at the Highlands Taproom. She had a short skirt, showing off a nice set of legs and thighs. We talked for a few hours and I ended up with yet another number. She’s a little bit of a bimbo, but hey, that’s great news for me. That means less work for me if I decide to pursue her. Less work and effort is what all men like best. Am I right, or am I right?

Somewhere in between all of these women, I met a girl name Kim. I believe I met her while I was still talking with Liz. Kim is too much of a drama queen. She is also hung on her ex and that annoys me. The few times I asked her to hang out, she never does. She did once and texted her ex the entire time. I’m not upset about this; I didn’t find Kim to be attractive what so ever. I feel bad because she so wanted me. My point is simple. Lately the ladies have been digging the nerd.

Until lately, I forgot how much a little confidence can work. I have done nothing special meeting these women. I have done nothing special for the make-out sessions. I was just me. And all of these ladies have been into me. None of them are alike. Liz is a liar and petty. The girl at work is sweet and socially awkward. Jen, the dirty blonde, is highly educated and much younger than me.  Kandy, the redhead, was a complete ho. Emily from last night was very, very shy. Heather was older than me. Confidence is all you need. Honesty is the key.

Listen nerds, don’t be afraid of women. Talk to them. If a nerd and geek like me can get women, why can’t you? Have you not seen my pictures? You can’t be a bigger nerd than me. Well you can, but I’m trying to build your confidence. One thing a good looking friend told me once – the worst thing they can say is no. You be surprise how many women will say “yes”. You will never know if you don’t try. Women dig the nerd. Just a fact of life.

One more thing – I could have met a chick two Fridays ago at the Highlands Taproom. She was in town from South Carolina and is moving here soon. My “friend” Steve showed up and started talking religion in the bar. He offended the girl and she walked out. Thanks, Steve. You totally cock-blocked me.