The Oldest Irish Pub in Vancouver
Undergoing a Complete Transformation
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
VANCOUVER - Pubs may come and pubs may go but The Blarney Stone in Gastown goes on forever. It's a landmark in the Gastown area of Vancouver built in 1888 from trees that were cut down right outside the building. They were milled right there and brought in piece by piece as the bricks were laid. The original big wood beams can still be seen today throughout the structurally sound building.
 |
|
THE BLARNEY STONE on Carrall Street in Gastown, has a long and illustrious history dating back to 1888.
|
The Blarney Stone has had a checkered history of owners before becoming The Blarney Stone. It was first opened as the Klondike Hotel, then became the first B.C. Liquor Store in Vancouver before Jimmy Clark saw the potential of turning the building into the first Irish pub in Vancouver. From the day the Blarney Stone opened, it was as much a success then as it is today. You could say, it's lived a charmed life.
The Blarney Stone is now a favourite with the college and university crowd. It's a known fact that if you aren't at the Blarney Stone before 9:30 PM on weekends, you're facing a long lineup at the door.
When you do manage to get through the door, the downstairs area and dance floor are a sea of swaying, singing and dancing humanity, just having a ball. There is a balcony area, which is also just as crowded.
The main attraction for over 20 years has been the house band. Killarney just keep playing and show no signs of stopping - having just signed on for another five years. The group is so tight after all these years, they have it down to a fine science.
Members of Killarney are all from an Irish showband background, and it shows in their professionalism and personality. They instinctively know just the right mix of music to keep the room rocking and the kids really love them.
Trying to explain the longevity and magic of The Blarney Stone, owner Ed Emerman said, "you know, I can't take any credit for that. Maybe it's the ghosts in the place. Some people tell me it's because of the balcony, that no other Irish pub has one, but really people come to see Killarney. They're so talented and fantastic, so together and so tight, and they can play everything."
 |
|
JOHNNY NICHOLSON, the General Manager of The Blarney Stone is shown above with owner Ed Emerman.
|
I recently dropped into The Blarney Stone at the invitation of Emerman to see first-hand the extensive renovations taking place at the establishment. It now boasts new floors, walls, bathrooms and kitchen and big bucks have already been spent on the make-over, with much more still to be completed by St. Patrick's Day.
When you speak to Ed, you can see the pride and joy he's taking in renovating and restoring this old beauty to her original glory. Special care is being given to match new wood with the original, and tiles are selected in keeping with the age of the building. He urged me to go in and check out the ladies washroom - what a difference!
Everything is brand new. Ed pointed out the new bar on the balcony level. He took me in to see the work being done in the kitchen area and talked about the new menu that will feature Irish "free-style food," ....and no, it's not an Irish food fight.
"What we're trying to do is Irish food style cooking with a touch of other influences," Ed said. "I don't want to say more interesting, but Irish food is known as being very basic. We're located downtown, so we have a diverse clientele to cater to.
"For instance, we have a lot of Guinness and Kilkenny batters. The food will be Irish-style but with a hint of spices and flavourings - people will have a choice."
Ed said their new kitchen will open on St. Patrick's Day and afterwards will be open from 7 PM to 11 PM from Wednesday to Saturday. Some of the items on the menu for St. Patrick's Day are shepherd's pie, corned beef and cabbage, Jameson's fried tofu and Kilkenny calamari to name a few."
One interesting aspect I noticed about The Blarney Stone is that while the building is crowded and at times looks out of control, it is in fact completely under control. There are numerous unobtrusive security people keeping a close eye on everything.
They were also very courteous and helpful and one of the doormen told me that if there was ever any problem, it was always handled very quickly and efficiently. Mostly, the kids are just there to enjoy themselves, and their job is largely babysitting the crowd.
I was also really surprised and impressed at how very thoughtful and kind the young men and women were at The Blarney Stone. After I did a tour of the premises with Ed, I had some time to wait before Killarney went onstage.
 |
|
MEMBERS of the sensational Killarney Showband who just keep packing them in to The Blarney Stone.
|
Many of the young patrons approached me with curiosity to talk and several offered to buy me drinks. They may have thought that I had escaped for the evening from a home for the aged, or that I was just the oldest swinger in town - but anyway it was nice. I really appreciated the courtesy.
The Blarney Stone will be open all St. Patrick's weekend, from Friday to Sunday at sundown. Killarney will entertain all weekend, along with Irish dancers.
On the Saturday The Blarney Stone will be open from 11 AM to 2 AM, but they close down for an hour from 5 PM to 6 PM because it's all ages during the day and they need to get ready for the evening.
On Sunday, they open at 11 AM to 7 PM and that day all ages can come in. The new Blarney Stone menu will also be available.
The Blarney Stone is located at 216 Carrall Street in Gastown. For more information, call (604) 687-4322, or visit: www.blarneystone.ca.
|
