The Bridge Tavern

Just what Wicklow needed - another riverside pub claiming to be all things to all people. The Bridge Tavern sits there, straddling the line between traditional Irish watering hole and wannabe gastropub, like that friend who can't decide if they're sophisticated or still living their college years. At first glance, it's the same story we've seen played out across every tourist-friendly town in Ireland.

But damn it if The Bridge Tavern hasn't wormed its way into my cynical heart. Maybe it was that moment when the morning sun hit the river just right while I nursed my surprisingly decent coffee, or perhaps it was watching the locals and tourists alike finding their own little corners of contentment in this centuries-old establishment.

Let's talk about the food because that's where most places like this lose the plot entirely. The Bridge Tavern in Wicklow could have easily phoned it in with frozen pub grub and tired tourist trap fare. Instead, they've managed to pull off that rare feat of serving proper meals that satisfy both the Instagram crowd and the old boys who've been drinking here since before social media existed. The breakfast spread is particularly noteworthy - not because it's reinventing the wheel, but because they've actually bothered to execute the basics properly.

The riverside dining room deserves special mention, if only because it makes you forget you're in a pub that also happens to rent rooms upstairs. The view of the old bridge provides that picture-perfect backdrop that almost makes you forgive them for charging mid-range prices for what is, essentially, elevated pub fare. Almost.

Speaking of those rooms - they're clean, comfortable, and about what you'd expect for the price point. Yes, some are on the cozy (read: small) side, and yes, the air conditioning sometimes seems to be operating on Irish Standard Time, but you're not here for the Ritz experience, are you?

The bar itself maintains that delicate balance between authentic Irish pub and modern drinking establishment. They've managed to preserve enough of the old character to keep it genuine while sneaking in contemporary touches that actually work. The beer garden - when the Irish weather permits its use - is a particularly pleasant surprise, offering a space that doesn't feel like an afterthought tacked on to catch the summer tourist trade.

Live music nights transform the space from merely pleasant to genuinely entertaining, though I'm contractually obligated to roll my eyes at yet another rendition of "Whiskey in the Jar" (even if, admittedly, it was well done). The crowd is an engaging mix of locals and visitors, creating that authentic atmosphere that so many places try and fail to manufacture.

For families wondering if they can bring the little ones, yes, there's a children's menu, and yes, they actually seem to welcome families rather than merely tolerate them. The staff manages to maintain their professionalism even when dealing with the inevitable chaos that comes with family dining, which is no small feat.

Parking might require a bit of strategic planning - there's paid parking nearby, but during peak season, you might find yourself taking a short walk from one of the public lots. Consider it a chance to build up an appetite or work off that extra pint.

Look, I came to The Bridge Tavern in Wicklow ready to dismiss it as just another middling tourist trap. Instead, I found myself returning multiple times, each visit revealing another layer that made me reluctantly adjust my initial judgment. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but it's got something genuine about it that's increasingly hard to find.

So fine, you win, Bridge Tavern. You've managed to create something that actually works, serving everything from morning coffee to late-night pints without completely fumbling any of it. For anyone visiting Wicklow, you could do far worse than making this your base of operations or even just stopping in for a meal and a drink. Just don't tell them I sent you - I have a reputation as a cynic to maintain.