Blessings Bar & Off Licence

Just what Cavan needed - another pub. Because clearly, what this Irish town was desperately lacking was yet another establishment serving pints. But here's the thing about Blessings Bar & Off Licence: it's actually managed to do something different, and I'm annoyed at how much I enjoy it.

I walked in expecting the usual tired scene - sticky floors, faded GAA memorabilia, and the same five locals who've been propping up the bar since the Celtic Tiger was just a kitten. Instead, I found myself in what can only be described as Cavan's reluctant answer to alternative culture. The kind of place where you might actually hear music released this century, and not just on special occasions.

The first thing that struck me was the atmosphere. Unlike the trying-too-hard hipster haunts that have infected every major city, Blessings Bar in Cavan somehow manages to feel authentically different without making you want to roll your eyes. The space has character - actual, genuine character - not the mass-produced "vintage" aesthetic that comes from an interior designer's Pinterest board.

Let's talk about the live music scene, because it's here that Blessings really shows its hand. While most Irish pubs consider a guy with a guitar playing "Wonderwall" to be cultural enlightenment, this place actually curates proper gigs. The alternative music scene they've fostered is surprisingly legitimate, and I'm frustrated by how impressed I am. They've created something that wouldn't feel out of place in Dublin or Belfast, yet somehow works better here because it's not trying to prove anything.

The staff, against all odds, manage to strike that perfect balance between friendly and professional that's rarer than a vegetarian at a cattle mart. They know their stuff without being pretentious about it, and they'll remember your usual order without making it their entire personality. It's the kind of service that makes you forget you're in a bar where drinks are surprisingly affordable - though I'm sure they'll fix that once word gets out.

The outdoor seating area deserves special mention, if only because it manages to be functional year-round - a miracle in Irish weather. They've created a space that works equally well for summer evening pints and huddled winter conversations, complete with enough coverage to keep both your cigarette and your dignity intact during unexpected rainfall.

Inside, the bar itself is well-stocked without trying to impress you with obscure craft beers you've never heard of (though they have those too). The cocktails are actually decent - a shocking development for a small-town Irish pub - and they don't make you feel like an eejit for ordering one. The wine selection is better than it needs to be, which is both surprising and appreciated.

What really gets me though, is how they've managed to become a genuine community hub without falling into the trap of being all things to all people. This isn't your typical Irish pub trying to please everyone from the Sunday mass crowd to the Saturday night revelers. Blessings Bar has carved out its own niche in Cavan's social scene, and it's all the better for it.

The payment setup is modernized (they take cards and contactless, praise be), but they haven't let technology strip away the soul of the place. There's still enough old-school charm to remind you you're in a proper Irish pub, not some soulless chain bar that could be anywhere from Manchester to Melbourne.

Look, I came to Blessings Bar & Off Licence in Cavan prepared to be underwhelmed. Instead, I found myself repeatedly returning, each time trying to find something to properly complain about, and each time failing miserably. It's infuriating how well they've done this.

For anyone visiting Cavan - or locals who've somehow missed it - Blessings is worth your time. Yes, it's another Irish pub in a town full of them, but it's managed to be different without being difficult about it. Go for the atmosphere, stay for the music, and accept that sometimes, just sometimes, new places can actually add something worthwhile to a town's character. Just don't tell them I sent you - I've got a reputation to maintain.