Irish pubs tend to come in two varieties, actual Irish pubs and fake Irish pubs that call themselves Irish to get people to go there. Well would you guess that the imaginatively titled “The Irish Pub” in Gangtok, Sikkim falls into the latter.
The worst part of this though is I got so excited after having a beer at The Square that I quite literally beelined here as soon as I got the chance. Well the joke was on me as this was about as Irish as an IRA supporting Bostonian who couldn’t point out the country on a fecking map.
Table of Contents
What the Irish Pub?
The Irish Pub in Gangtok is a local bar and restaurant located on the first floor of T.S. Towers on Mahatma Gandhi Marg, beside Vi Store above Olfactory New Market in Vishal Gaon, Gangtok. It markets itself as an Irish-style pub but it is owned and run by local operators with a standard bar licence and a typical bar/restaurant setup.
It does not appear to be owned or founded by Irish nationals, nor is there any official connection to actual Irish pubs in Ireland. Its theme is loosely “Irish pub” in name only, rather than authentic pub culture imported from Ireland.
The Food Menu
OK, so I do not expect every Irish pub to have white pudding and stew on the menu, but you know maybe make some effort. Some western stuff like burgers, but pretty much this was just Sikkimese cuisine as well as Chinese food. OK if you want momo and noodles.
Sample Food Items with Prices
Momo (steamed or fried) – ₹180 (~$2.20)
Veg Chow Mein – ₹220 (~$2.60)
Chicken Burger – ₹300 (~$3.60)
French Fries – ₹150 (~$1.80)
Thukpa (noodle soup) – ₹200 (~$2.40)
Click to read about Gangtok Street Food.
And the drinks at The Irish Pub
Here’s how my drink conversation went down. “Do you have anything on draft?” “No, but you should try the local beer.” “Is it on draft?” “No.” “Then I’ll have a Coke.” Cue five minutes of him trying to convince me to have the local beer. Then I asked how the beer towers work, to which I was told they pour the beers into a tower, to which I replied so “it’s a bucket.”
I was then informed they did not serve Guinness before my Coke arrived without ice, despite me ordering that part in Hindi. Call me Mister Ridiculous, but no draft, nor Guinness on tap means you are not The Irish Pub, nor indeed even an Irish pub.
Sample Drinks from the Menu
Bottled Kingfisher – ₹180 (~$2.20)
Bottled Tuborg – ₹200 (~$2.40)
Whiskey single measure – ₹300 (~$3.60)
Tequila shot – ₹350 (~$4.20)
Soft drinks – ₹100 (~$1.20)
Conclusion
There is draft beer in Gangtok and there are better bars. The Irish Pub is not an Irish pub, despite proudly calling itself one on MG Marg. And before anyone gets all boo hoo, Sikkim actually has bars that pour draft beer and a real beer culture if you know where to look.
As Tyler Durden famously stated “sticking feathers up your arse does not make you a chicken.” You know what I’m saying right.
So, yeah, don’t bother with The Irish Pub.
Where The Irish Pub?
The Irish Pub Gtk
1st Floor, T.S Towers
Mahatma Gandhi Marg
Beside Vi Store, Above Olfactory New Market
Vishal Gaon
Gangtok, Sikkim 737101
India
Phone: +91 74773 74667
Click to check my tours to Sikkim with Young Pioneer Tours.