North Star Bar

Just what Limerick needed - another traditional Irish pub with a celestial name. The North Star Bar sits there, probably thinking it's special because it can pour a decent pint like every other establishment within stumbling distance. I'll admit, I walked in with my expectations somewhere between "tourist trap" and "local's last resort." But sometimes, just sometimes, life throws you a curveball wrapped in pleasant surprise.

Let's address the elephant in the room - the North Star Bar in Limerick is decidedly unfancy. The kind of place where your granddad would feel at home, and honestly, that's becoming rarer than a quiet night in Temple Bar. The worn wooden bar has probably heard more stories than a confessional booth, and the regulars seem to have their bums permanently molded into their favorite seats. It's the sort of authentic that money can't buy, though they're certainly not charging like they're trying to.

The pint pulling here is something of an art form, and I hate myself for typing that because it sounds like something from a tourist board brochure. But watch the staff work - there's a rhythm to it, a patience that's becoming endangered in our instant-gratification world. The Guinness gets the full ceremonial treatment, and yes, it tastes better for it. Don't ask me why; some mysteries are best left unsolved.

What really got me, though, was the atmosphere on match days. When Munster's playing, the North Star Bar transforms from a comfortable local into something electric. The energy is infectious, and even a cynical soul like myself finds it hard to maintain the appropriate level of detachment. The roar when Munster scores could probably be heard in Dublin, and I'm only slightly exaggerating.

The live music nights are another surprise. None of that manufactured "Irish pub experience" nonsense you get in airports and tourist districts. The musicians who play here actually know their stuff, and the regulars know every word to songs that were probably written before electricity was invented. It's authentic in a way that makes me want to use air quotes around the word "authentic" when describing most other venues.

Speaking of authenticity, the staff deserves a mention. They've mastered that rare balance between friendly and professional that seems to elude so many in the service industry. They'll remember your drink, your name if you're a regular, and probably your life story if you're foolish enough to share it. It's the kind of personal touch that makes you forget you're in a business establishment and not someone's (very well-stocked) living room.

For those keeping score on modern conveniences, yes, they take cards (welcome to the 21st century), and there's even contactless payment for those who've evolved beyond carrying cash. The restrooms are clean - a detail that shouldn't be noteworthy but absolutely is in this industry. And while they don't serve food, they're not precious about you bringing in a takeaway if you're settling in for the evening.

The darts area has witnessed more dramatic matches than a soap opera, and the regulars treat it with the seriousness of an Olympic sport. It's entertaining even if you're rubbish at darts, which, let's be honest, most of us are after the second pint.

Look, I didn't want to like the North Star Bar. Limerick has enough pubs that finding another good one feels almost redundant. But there's something about this place that keeps pulling you back, like a liquid compass pointing true north. Maybe it's the perfectly poured pints, the genuine welcome, or the fact that in an age of Instagram-ready bars, this place refuses to be anything other than what it is.

If you're in Limerick and looking for a proper pub - not a themed experience, not a craft beer emporium with Edison bulbs and ironic vintage posters - the North Star Bar is your spot. Go for a quiet afternoon pint, stay for a match day, or lose yourself in a traditional music session. Just don't blame me when you find yourself becoming one of those regulars you swore you'd never be. Some stars, it turns out, are worth following.