Dublin, Ireland, on a Friday evening. Doheny & Nesbitt is one of Dublin’s oldest and most popular watering holes. These pictures show that early in the evening it’s doing a pretty steady trade, and by later on there is a hefty throng of people drinking and smoking outside — so much so that pylons are in place on the road to remind patrons not to migrate too far out in front of the establishment.
Doheny & Nesbitt, early Friday evening during August, Dublin.
A big part of the reason for crowds to congregate on the streets outside Dublin pubs (especially in the evening) is that this is the only place folks can smoke. So they take drinks outside and have a fag and a smoke and a natter. Rumour has it that many a new friendship or indeed relationship gets struck in this way!
Doheny & Nesbitt, late Friday evening during August, Dublin.
Meanwhile, in Canada, things are rather different! Canadians, like the Irish, are not allowed to smoke inside pubs. But if they need to have a smoke, they will take it outside, but their drink remains behind! We think this is because laws pertaining to drinking in public property are far stricter in Canada, than they are in Ireland. But it’s also probably partly a cultural thing.
It’s a Friday night. First let’s see what’s happening at the Wolf and Firkin, Friday night at 8.
Empty sidewalk outside the Wolf and Firkin, one of a chain of low-quality fake English pubs.
Down the street to the Queen and Beaver, a very nice place with good food. It was filled with people drinking, eating, talking, and laughing … but nothing was happening outside.
The pub was crowded and noisy inside, but outside, nothing.
Finally, in the Annex, around 9 pm, to Harbord House, where our quest ends.
Two lonely smokers grab a puff outside Harbord House in downtown Toronto
