Best Barbecue Pubs

In the heart of Cork, the Woolshed Baa & Grill emerges as a modern-day hearth where sport, sustenance, and sociability intertwine. Through its doors, you'll find an atmosphere that pulses with the collective energy of match days and mellows into comfortable camaraderie as evening shadows lengthen across the bar. The space unfolds across three thoughtfully arranged levels, each with its own distinct personality yet bound together by an underlying warmth that makes the Woolshed Baa & Grill - Cork feel like a familiar friend's living room writ large. The main floor sets the tone with its rich wooden accents and strategic arrangement of screens that somehow manage to feel both omnipresent and unobtrusive - a careful balance that speaks to the venue's understanding of its role in Cork's social fabric. Light streams through generous windows, playing across polished surfaces and catching the condensation on perfectly poured pints. The ambient buzz of conversation rises and falls like a tide, punctuated by occasional cheers from sports enthusiasts gathered around their chosen screens. Here, strangers become temporary teammates, united in their support or good-natured rivalry. The third floor reveals itself as a particularly inspired space, where comfortable seating arrangements create natural gathering spots for groups to settle in for an afternoon of sport or an evening of casual dining. The table service here feels less like a transaction and more like being looked after by a particularly attentive host, with staff who seem to anticipate needs before they arise. Outside, the rooftop area offers a breath of fresh Cork air and a chance to step away from the indoor energy while remaining part of the experience. It's a clever addition to the venue's personality, providing a natural break in the rhythm of an evening and a vantage point from which to observe the city's pulse below. The menu at Woolshed Baa & Grill strikes a careful balance between pub classics and contemporary fare, with portions that speak to both value and generosity. The pulled pork has developed something of a following among Cork's dining cognoscenti, while the wings - sometimes offered as part of creative promotions - demonstrate the kitchen's understanding of simple pleasures done right. Their dadinhos have become a talking point, evidence that even in a sports-focused venue, culinary creativity can flourish. Beyond the expected offerings of a sports bar, the Woolshed reveals its deeper character through thoughtful touches: Corona on tap (a rarity in Cork), an engaging pub quiz that transforms midweek evenings into social occasions, and music bingo sessions that add another layer to the venue's entertainment repertoire. The bar's selection of drinks feels curated rather than merely stocked, with options that satisfy both the traditionalist and the curious. The venue's technology integration - QR code ordering and seamless service even during busy bowling sessions - speaks to a modern sensibility that doesn't sacrifice the human touch. This is particularly evident in the staff's approach to special requests, whether it's tracking down an international football match or accommodating a large group's varied needs. The Woolshed Baa & Grill's position within the larger Mardyke Entertainment complex adds another dimension to its appeal. With snooker tables, bowling lanes, and the arcade-themed Barcadia nearby, it serves as both destination and waypoint in Cork's entertainment landscape. The 21+ policy on weekends (with thoughtful family exceptions) helps maintain an atmosphere that feels grown-up without being exclusive. As evening settles over Cork, the Woolshed Baa & Grill transforms yet again, the screens' glow mixing with ambient lighting to create an intimate atmosphere that belies the venue's size. Whether you're drawn by the sports, the social scene, or the simple pleasure of a well-pulled pint in good company, you'll find yourself part of a continuing story that weaves together the best elements of Cork's pub culture with modern entertainment sensibilities. Step in, find your spot, and let the evening unfold as it will - you're among friends here, whether you've known them for years or only minutes.

Just what London needs - another gastropub masquerading as a proper local boozer. The Duchy Arms in London's Kennington had me rolling my eyes before I even crossed the threshold. You know the type: exposed brick walls, craft beer pretensions, and a "garden" that's really just some picnic tables crammed onto a patch of concrete. But damn it all if this place hasn't wormed its way into my reluctantly expanding heart. Let's address the elephant in the room - The Duchy Arms is doing that increasingly rare thing of actually being a proper pub that happens to serve good food, rather than a restaurant awkwardly cosplaying as a pub. The difference is subtle but crucial, like the distinction between actual vintage furniture and mass-produced "distressed" pieces from some soulless warehouse. The beer garden deserves special mention, if only because it manages to be genuinely pleasant rather than the usual London afterthought of three wobbly tables next to the bins. It's actually spacious enough to accommodate more than just the smokers' club, and they've managed to create something that feels like a legitimate escape from the city's relentless concrete embrace. Inside, the place strikes that elusive balance between preserved character and necessary updates. Yes, there's a pool table, but it's not surrounded by the usual gathering of permanently installed regulars giving you the evil eye for daring to consider a game. The bar staff actually acknowledge your existence within the first five minutes - a miracle by London standards - and seem to genuinely know their stuff about what they're serving. Now, about that food. I approached their smoker-focused menu with the kind of skepticism usually reserved for politicians' promises, but found myself eating my words along with some genuinely impressive dishes. The mussels marinière (which have no business being this good in a pub) arrive in a sauce that demands to be mopped up with their surprisingly decent bread. Their smoked meats would make a Kansas City pit master raise an approving eyebrow, and even the vegetable sides show actual thought and care rather than appearing to be an apologetic afterthought. The pricing sits in that sweet spot where you're paying more than your local boozer but less than those trendy spots where they serve chips in miniature shopping trolleys. You can actually have a proper meal with a couple of drinks without having to remortgage your house, which in London feels like a minor miracle. What really sets The Duchy Arms apart from London's endless parade of pub-restaurant hybrids is its ability to serve multiple masters. During the day, it's a legitimate spot for a working lunch that won't put you to sleep at your desk. Come evening, it transforms into a proper pub where you can actually hear yourself think while enjoying a pint of something interesting. Weekend brunches somehow manage to avoid the usual chaos of screaming children and passive-aggressive queue management. The quiz night deserves special mention, if only because it's one of the few in London where the questions extend beyond football trivia and EastEnders plotlines. Although I'm contractually obligated as a critic to complain about something, so I'll note that their pickle plate is indeed overpriced for what you get. There, duty fulfilled. For those keeping score at home, The Duchy Arms ticks all the essential boxes: decent food, proper drinks, actual atmosphere, and staff who seem to have been selected for personality rather than their ability to maintain a permanently aloof expression. It's walking distance from Oval station, which means you can pretend you're being healthy by walking off whatever you've consumed. Look, I didn't want to like The Duchy Arms. I really didn't. London has enough gastropubs claiming to reinvent the wheel while serving mediocre food at aspirational prices. But this place has managed to do something rather special - it's created a space that actually works for both serious dining and casual drinking, for both local regulars and curious visitors. Go ahead, book a table. Just don't tell them I sent you - I have a reputation to maintain.