The Sheila Variations

I'm not sure he quite grasps the concept of a blog.. but still.

ANYway.. I posted some advice on slugger for his, and other journalists', future reference.

Woo-hoo! Congratulations, Sheila!

Despite the lack of linkage, that's pretty cool that you were referenced by a Real Live Newspaper. Well done.

congratulations Shiela. Some excellent points but may I point out that I think the Ice Bar scene isn't new to Dublin just the extent of that horrible scene. The Bailey off Grafton street used to be pretentious when I lived in Irel (nearly 20 years ago). Ditto Queens in Dalkey. When did the uber trendy "Cafe en Seine" open? about 10 years ago?

cafe en seine!! hahahaha what's the name of the trendy club right next door to that one? I had a drink there once - there was a DJ playing ... and people dancing way way in the back. Those 2 places were both so LONG as I recall ... it took 5 minutes to walk from front to back. Gorgeous gorgeous decor, though. Like a movie set if I remember correctly.

I have no idea about the 'scenes' in Dublin - so you are probably very right that there is nothing new to all of this - it's just the extent of it that has changed. I'm not really interested in "scenes" - in general - wherever I go, and where I live. I prefer to hang out in a more laidback way.

So the Ice Bar was like - WOAH. Where the feck am I???

I believe you're referring to Ron Blacks. They also own the old Dawson Lounge a few doors south. The Dawson was tiny, holding about 20 people and a potential death trap as there was only one exit up a small spiral staircase.

Do you remember the old (small) "Blooms" out on Queens Blvd? That had character!

Niall - hmmm. Blooms? No, I don't remember it ... is it gone now?

And I don't think Dawson's is the name of the place i mean ... It had a name like Sayonara or Shipoopi or something ... and it has all orange decor - with a kind of Indo-Eurasian feel to it. ShaSha, Samurai ... something like that.

"Shipoopi."

I just wanted to type that word.

* No, I don't remember it ... is it gone now?

Posted by red at August 26, 2005 01:00 PM *

yeah it's gone. It was a genuine bar with character. The owners now have "the banc cafe" on 3rd and about 30th street - not bad, worth a visit.

http://www.murphguide.com/irish.htm#Manhattan

Samsara. That was the name of the bar I'm talking about. Samsara.

I like Shipoopi better.

ShaSha Samurai has a certain charm too, Emily. Not that I'm 'poopi averse..

actually, come to think of it - that's a pretty funny name for a bar.

ShaSha Samurai.

Your essay about Dublin really is a classic and I feel could only have been written by an astute Irish-American or someone else from abroad of Irish descent. Though from the North, which unfortunately has yet to disrobe permanently of its garb of bigotry and where the majority of the citizenry still remain mired in a centuries old mindset, I'm still an Irishman yet could never have written this. My feelings when I visited Dublin a few years ago and saw this cosmopolitan bustle were of genuine amazement that a part of Ireland was 'having its turn.' I was happy for them, but also sure that if it was prolonged, it would lead to a certain loss, though exactly what the nature of the loss would be, I wasn't sure. Your essay explains it. I can't determine why, but I felt tears gather as I reached its conclusion. And Eamonn is right. The Irish are better off for having many foreigners in their midst.

Please consider sending this essay out to an Irish newspaper, even a Brit one like The Independent or The Guardian.

Sheila

For some reason I think that any bar called ShaSha Samurai would sooner or later.. especially later.. be known as The Sha Bar

Congratulations Sheila. That is pretty cool to be referenced by a newspaper like that!

Margaret Cho mentions "Blooms" in one of her shows: she says it was named after C.C. Bloom, the character Bette Midler played in Beaches. She then says, "That is the gayest thing I have ever heard in my entire life!"

stevie - not named after leopold or molly bloom?? How weird!

yeah, Red, now that you mention it, seems improbable, doesn't it? It was a gay bar, though . . .

the bar was def named after Leopold and Molly as there was a Joycian and Irish Lit theme thro'out.

* ... It was a gay bar, though . . .

Posted by: Stevie at August 26, 2005 03:48 PM *

no it wasn't!! were you ever there? 'cos it sure sounds like you weren't.

Niall - back off. Stevie (a friend of mine) is merely quoting a comedy routine by Margaret Cho. Mkay? Maybe it's a different Bloom's. Chill.

HAHAHA - ooooh, I inspired a bar brawl!

Just did a search online and found "C.C. Blooms" is a bar in Edinborough - you were right, Red! Here's the review:

This big and brash gay bar has a basement dancefloor, reigned over by a variety of DJs all determined to get you out on the floor amidst an appreciative crowd to shake your stuff. A popular bar at all times, they also dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to weekly club nights covering everything from 60s and 70s tunes to house and the ubiquitous disco anthems. This is not for the faint-hearted, but perfect for fun fanatics - check out the week-night karaoke and strip nights! If you're up for a good time and have a taste for the outrageous, then this is the place for you - and what's more, admission is free.

Stevie - hahahah a disco bar "not for the faint-hearted".

Okay, we all friends now?

Coulda sworn Margaret Cho said the bar was in Ireland - sorry, Niall! Didn't mean to cast a pink light on ya!

no problemo