New Pub On Thomas Street Is Named After Dublin 8’s Street Icon by Dieu-Hang Tran
On the corner of Thomas Street and Meath Street, a pub called Dudley’s has opened its doors to customers. Classy, but the range of craft beer can be totally bold - just as the person it is named after.
Jamie Kennedy at the Dudley’s bar. Photo by: Dieu-Hang Tran
“I think it [was] only a year ago when the place [became] available on the market,” said Jamie Kennedy, assistant manager of Dudley’s. “It keeps that aesthetic so it looks like an old pub, but the beer is pretty new.” According to Jamie, the lockdown encouraged people to try ‘funky’ new beers from different off-licenses. Dudley’s offers a variety of local Irish brews such as Hopefully, Whiplash and The White Hag, including different beers from around the world. The idea is to introduce different craft beers occasionally, while keeping the classic Guinness taps. “Many people fancy themselves as beer connoisseurs,” said Jamie, “so I think it is nice to have every angle of them.” The pub is named after Dudley ‘Bang Bang’, a street icon of Dublin from the 50s to the 70s. He used to ramble on the street, swinging his big key, pretending it was a ’45 gun, which he got off Hitler, and started his make-believe cowboy game.
Soon enough, the street was filled with masses of adults and children who were ‘shot dead’ by his ’45 gun. “It was a bit of fun,” said a Liberties local Leo Magee. According to Jamie, the bar is named after Dudley ‘Bang Bang’ to show respect to the icon and the locals. “We are not here to turn them away,” said Jamie, “...people can still visit here, have a pint and a bit of a laugh.”
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A lot of companies come out with amazing beers, a lot of people also come out in the last few years to have different pints. They want to come out for a taste than come for the same beer all night
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he location of Dudley’s was once a pub called Baker’s. Due to the pandemic, the management of Baker’s had to close their doors in 2019 after sixteen years of serving pints.
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