Crane Lane / Phoenix St, Cork — [Map]
After months of apparent stagnation there is finally some activity afoot on the Cork pub/bar/venue scene. In recent weeks we have seen the Tikki Lounge move to a bigger and better home at the Isobar, the Roundy has started doing live music (albeit on a limited basis) and we had the unveiling of the Crane Lane Theatre. We’ll have more about the Tikki Lounge later, but here’s our first impressions of the Crane Lane.
The well-known Cork publican, Benny McCabe purchased the premises of the former Club One some time early this year. In the intervening months he has overseen the transformation of the site from a nightclub that wasn’t reaching its full potential, into a brand new late bar and live music venue.
At a time when it seems like all the decent atmospheric pubs are making way for new yuppie bars, it’s a relief that there is finally a break from the new trend in large, vacuous, soulless superpubs. They seem to have made good use of the available space, dividing the site into three separate bar areas and a partially open-air terrace that runs the length of the venue.
You enter the Crane Lane from Phoenix St and step into the terrace, where there is seating and a number of large potted plants which you will have to navigate around as you move from one end to the other, particularly when it’s busy. All along one side is a wall of timber-framed windows and doors, which lead into the two bars and the main room. The decor of the smaller bars is styled on a 1930’s whiskey bar, according to a recent article in one of the local papers. If you like any of Benny McCabe’s other establishments (Mutton Lane Inn, Sin É, The Oval) you will surely feel at home here.
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The main room (the ‘theatre’ part) is pretty well laid out: The bar is opposite the stage, at the back of the room. A few low tables and chairs are scattered around the front of the stage and the sides of the room. Only a couple of small pillars on the left side interrupt an otherwise unobstructed view of the stage.
The stage itself is pretty small and particularly shallow. Ron Sexsmith remarked during his gig that there wasn’t much space for him to “rock out.” Joking as he may have been, it could be a problem, although it will hardly limit the type of act the venue can (or wants to) book.
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The sound quality was very good on the night, apart from the first few songs where the bass was smothered and barely perceptible. On that particular night there was an unfortunate constant buzz of conversation from the rear of the room, which became more intrusive late in the set when more pints had been consumed and Sexsmith played a few quiet solo songs. Maybe a lot of freebie invites went out for the first gig in the new venue — people don’t pay €20 to go to a gig and talk right through it. With the terrace outside and two other bars available, there should be little excuse for people to stay talking loudly during the show. Also the noise from the bar, while unavoidable, could be kept to a minimum by using the gaps between songs to dump bottles and collect glasses.
Also on the negative side, the main room got very hot during the Ron Sexsmith gig, and there is no apparent air conditioning system; maybe I just didn’t see it, or maybe they figured there would be no need for air conditioning in the wake of the smoking ban. Even opening those big glass doors for a while might have helped, although the downside would be the distraction to the musicians and the blast of cold November air for those near the door.
Despite these functional hiccups, from an aesthetic point of view the Crane Lane surpasses the majority of its rivals in providing a retro, yet tasteful pub environment in what is effectively a completely new venue. Soft lighting from old style lanterns would seem tacky in another setting, but here beside the dark timber and red leather seats, one would be forgiven for thinking it had been in situ for decades. Paintings, prints and more modern concert posters adorn the walls throughout the venue. The resulting look is in stark contrast with the chrome and coloured lights of the previous venue.
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Very few people will feel out of place at the Crane Lane. So far, we have seen people from all walks of life; young and old, local and foreign, student and socialite. Admittedly we have heard of some ‘inconsistencies’ in the door policy — the all too familiar stories of sober, respectable young men (and to a lesser extent, women) being blacklisted by bouncers for no apparent reason — but it’s early days yet and we will reserve judgement for the time being. The bar staff are professional and friendly, and it seems some have been repositioned from the aforementioned pubs.
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At around €4.60 for a bottle or pint of lager, the Crane Lane certainly isn’t the cheapest in Cork (although it compares favourably with similar venues in Dublin). However when you take into account the absence of a cover charge, for many people in search of a late drink in welcoming surroundings it’s well worth it. The availability of locally brewed beers from the Franciscan Well is another plus. Overall it looks very promising and we await with anticipation more gig announcements for the Crane Lane Theatre in the near future.loan underwriters agriculturetechnology program loan adaptive100 loans ltvadvance cash payday wired loangrade military school loan 10thloan online accept card affiliate creditltv loan 100title loans albertanotary document service loan priority aabu loans dhabiambler loan savings andmuseum alfred sloan pof adaptation loanwordsafsa student loanaffordable alaska guaranteed homeownership loan programmorgage agricultural loansisland 203k rhode loansri 203k loans Map
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I would have to disagree with a few points made here that at 4.60 for a beer is good value. I can not understand how you can agree with these prices. Just because it is a late bar that should automatically make the price of drink dearer. It is just a pity that the people of Cork do not vote with there feet when it comes to these prices. It is definitely a sign that we are all making too much money.
For example, if there were two petrol stations one a 24 hour the other close at 10pm. How long would the 24 hour one stay in business if it charged 15% more on every product it sold? The answer is not very long.
“The availability of locally brewed beers from the Franciscan Well is another plus.”
If you are foolish enough to pay more for you pint here then in the Franciscan Well so be it!
Hard also to call a place a theatre with there has been only one concert. At the moment it is just another super pub soon to be for gotten.
PS. Toilets are very poor. They should have a look at the ones in Chambers which are top class
Hi Jonny, and thanks for the compliment. It’s good to get some feedback every so often.
In response to your first point, I never said €4.60 for a beer is good value. However, I do think that it’s not unreasonable for a late bar to charge this price; If they are paying for a late license, the extra staffing and insurance costs etc, they are entitled to recoup their investment through higher drink prices than a regular bar, especially when there is no cover charge. Do you know how much a beer cost in the former Club One where you would pay €10 to get in at the weekend without buying a single drink? Or how much is a pint in the other late bars in Cork (Bodega, Brog, Reardens, Scotts, Woodford etc)?
The problem here is with our licensing laws. As the vast majority of bars close at 23.30 during the week and 00.30 at weekends, those who want a drink after these times are limited to the ten or so late venues in the city. The price will follow supply and demand. In your petrol station analogy, the 24 hour petrol station would do just fine because it’s the only place open after 10pm; people who need petrol (or rizlas or whatever) at that time of night have the choice of paying a slighly higher price or foregoing what they want.
“If you are foolish enough to pay more for you pint here then in the Franciscan Well so be it!”
Well Jonny I could probably get cheaper Beamish if I sourced it at the brewery itself, but I wouldn’t have much craic sitting there on my todd with my slightly cheaper pint now would I? The Well doesn’t have a late license. You’d have to break in there after closing time to get a slightly cheaper beer.
As for the name of the venue, big deal. I would also dispute your claim that it is “just another super pub, soon to be forgotten” for the simple reason that it is different to all the so-called super pubs in Cork. The layout is punter-friendly, the music isn’t overbearing, the security staff are more passive, and it has a more relaxed atmosphere to it.
I have to ask… do you work for Chambers / Reardens? I find the comment regarding the toilets hard to believe. Admittedly I only used the toilets at the end of the smoking terrace in the Crane Lane, but having been to Chambers I can’t see how the toilets there could be described as any more “top class” than at the Crane Lane. A toilet is a toilet as long as it’s clean and functional.
At the end of the day, assessing the qualities of a venue is always going to be subject to personal and qualitative differences - there’s no common formula to suit everyone’s tastes. For the moment at least, I’m happy to continue giving my custom to the Crane Lane. If you don’t like it, you’re free go elsewhere.
Hi Mick
This is just a follow up to your last post on the Crane Lane Theatre.
First point I would like to make is that I have no connection with any pubs in Cork. I have never worked in a pub or have any relations involved in the publican trade.
I would like to think that I am unbiased in my views on the pubs that I drink in. I have had many good nights in a range of different pubs from Reardens to the Brog.
Now I have a clearer picture of what you class as a “yuppie” bar. Do you have a chip on your shoulder or an axe to grind with Reardens/Chambers? Have you had problems with the door staff or something? Reardens have won Best bar & Music Venue in Ireland 2006 (source Licensing World Magazine), yet I never see a listing for that venue on corkgigs.com.
Can I ask are you related / know Benny McCabe? I am wondering why you have such a gra for the Crane Lane Theatre.
Back to the issue of the toilets. Admittedly I only used the toilets at the end of the smoking terrace in the Crane Lane too, I was in the stage area of the bar and I had to go outside to go to the toilets because there is none in that section. (I might be wrong there might be a nearer one but I could not see it) I have come to the conclusion that you are a smoker so it is okay for you. As I do not smoke it is not really an ideal set up for me personally. They must have been copying the Castle in this design. The reason I picked Chambers to compare it to is because both pubs have opened up within weeks of each other.
I never said I did not like the Crane Lane, these were just a couple of impressions I got when I went there and yes like you I will no doubt visit this establishment again in the near future
PS. If you ever open a 24-hour petrol station drop me a mail and I will open up one next door to you, and to be fair I would not stock any rizlas.
Hi again Jonny, and thanks for taking the time to share your views again.
I’m not sure if I’d describe your initial post as ‘biased,’ but I detected a certain cynicism in your instant (and somewhat unsubstantiated) put-down and dismissal of the Crane Lane Theatre as a venue. I too have no connection with any pubs in Cork. In response to your question, I don’t know Benny McCabe but I like the pubs he owns and find they offer a professional service, decent range of beers, comfortable surroundings and a relaxed pub atmosphere.
After only four visits to the Crane Lane so far, I wouldn’t say whether I have a ‘grá’ for the place yet. I would like to think the piece I wrote above reflected an unbiased first impression — mainly describing the place as well as pointing out some of the positive and negative aspects I experienced on my first two visits.
“Now I have a clearer picture of what you class as a ‘yuppie’ bar.”
Do you? And what would that be? I think you have misinterpreted what I wrote previously. My remarks in regard to so-called ‘yuppie’ bars were part tongue-in-cheek, and part a lament at the demise of many of the smaller pubs around the city. I certainly wouldn’t consider Reardens as a yuppie bar!
I also can’t see how you would perceive me to have a chip on my shoulder with Reardens. I made no direct reference to the place or my opinions thereof. I mentioned it once in a list of some of the late bars in Cork, and a second time when querying your ‘top class’ toilets in Chambers, as they are under the same ownership. I am wondering why you have such a grá for Reardens.
CorkGigs has displayed listings for Reardens in the past. [Example] However, we have a policy of not listing resident bands or covers bands under most circumstances, and as this makes up the majority of Reardens live music schedule there is rarely a new event listed. This is the case with many venues in Cork. Incidentally, compared to other bands and venues, we receive negligible submissions for the listing for bands playing in Reardens.
Anyway, thanks again for your contribution. If I ever open up a 24-hour petrol station, I will make sure to install some ‘top class’ toilets and let you use them for free.
Got to say I was in Crane Lane Theatre on Sat night last from approx 7.30 - 1am. My first visit was great - a few weeks back. The gents toilet off the main room is awkward to get into (door opening in). But not a huge issue. I suppose I have a few gripes with it - and I have experience in the pub trade. The decor is great, but someone is going to have a bad fall on the main (red) painted floor. The rain made it v slippy. Also it’s not easy to access the bar to get served when it’s busy. Maybe removing the seats from the bar counter would allow those 2-3 deep to queue in a better fashion. Finally some of the barstaff have as we used to term it - barman’s eyes! Take one order and drop the head. They seem to serve by recognition too, which is a pity. A colleague was waiting almost 15mons to get served the other night. Patient guy.
All in all a good place. Airconditioning or a few blower fans would be the job too. Haven’t seen live music there yet but look forward to that.
Hi Mike
Sorry about the late reply have not been at the computer in a bit.
What pubs in Cork so would you class as a yuppie bar? Number one on my list would be the Long Island, when they have a separate area of the bar for pint’s it is time to move on.
I have been going out in town now for approx 10 years and can not really think of any pub that has really changed from a small intimate place into something else really. Could you give a list here on this blog of the pubs (5 ) that have changed for the worse in your opinion? (If the Goat Broke Loose is on your list I will loose all respect for you)
Looking forward to seeing your list, I think there will be a lot of scope for debate in it.
Well I suppose ‘yuppie’ bar is a very subjective classification depending on the person involved. While I wouldn’t count the Long Island among the ideal places I’d go for a pint of stout and a chat, it’s probably good at what it does best, that being fancy cocktails, fancy decor and ferociously loud music.
Don’t be under the illusion that pubs only change for the worse when modernisation is involved. Many suffer due to neglect, changed management/ownership, a deterioration in service standards, clientèle, or changed policies.
The Brog is an example of a pub — actually three smaller pubs — that changed from small(ish) intimate places into something else. Many people lament this change and still many others prefer the new layout, or may not have been around in the time of the former Hairy Lemmon and Crannóg.
The Western Star was once a much smaller, cosy pub. Some would describe the same as a cramped little kip. They did a major expansion about 6 years ago resulting in a much larger venue with a totally reorganised, and for the most part improved, interior. Like the Brog, opinions were divided on this change too. The ‘old Star,’ it was claimed, had a more local feel to it and had a great atmosphere even on quieter nights. The ‘new Star,’ however, was much better suited to hosting the throngs of partying students at the busier times of the year. But while the older version wasn’t ideal for the freshers/rag/exam week nights, the newer version seemed like an empty clubhouse outside of these times.
The change from small old pub into new superpub isn’t always as apparent. What often happens is that smaller pubs close and their license is transferred to a new premises. Again, our dated licensing laws are the crux of the matter. The situation described comes about because one license applies to any premises, regardless of size, and for a new license to be granted an old one must be extinguished. Eddie Hobbs, in one instalment of his Rip-Off Republic series, did a great job of explaining how this leads to the demise of smaller peripheral pubs and the proliferation of so-called superpubs in our cities.
But that’s neither here nor there. I’d be interested in continuing the discussion of pubs, superpubs and yuppie bars in more depth, but doing so in the comments of an article about the Crane Lane isn’t appropriate.
Keep an eye out for future continuation of this debate then, and I look forward to your contribution too.
that place is a breath of fresh air.i had just about given up on cork,until the crane opened.
everwhere else now seems boring/false{to me}
ths place has somthing else.
yeah,its “real” all right.the other pubs seem to be repeating.
Anyone know the phone number for the Crane Lane, can’t find it on Goldenpages or anywhere…
I was in Crane Lane last night and was appalled at the behaviour of one of the bouncers at closing time. I can appreciate that it can be difficult to get people out of the bar after an enjoyable evening with a few drinks. However, there is never an excuse for aggressive, threatening behaviour. A bouncer actually interrupted a conversation between myself and a friend roaring at the top of his voice, “time please, move out towards the door”. I took a sip of my glass of water and said, “ We will be out in just a minute thank you”. Then, putting his face two inches from mine he shouted in the most intimidating, bullying manner, “ are you giving me attitude”. I have never been treated as a customer in such a fashion. I was horrified and revolted and feel this man, whose name I found to be [name removed by admin], should not be working in this type of job. His workmates were clearly ashamed of his bullying behaviour. I urge Benny McCabe to give this bully his notice.
I actually work on security form time to time. It is very hard to clear a crowd from a bar that size, more often that not you ask nicely for people to move outside and finish there drinks and they dont even acknowledge you have spoken to them. Ok, they usually have a few drinks inside them which we do take intto account but there comes a time when you have to shout to make people uncomfterble in there surroundings to get them to move, i would like to know what time it was when you said we will be just a minute?, what if all 400 people said that? you have a full bar still at 2/3 am and thats when licence laws come into play. If he was rude to you, well theres no excuse but my expeience of the crane staff is top class, they are very proffesional at what they do, look at the reardens door staff!!! terrible attitude and long island also, completely stuck up there own arses, the crane allows most dress senses in there without singling anybody out and a diverse mix of age groups. The staff at reardensare just gloryfied pig farmers who have no clue about city fashions, life or culture, i heared a story form one lad who was wearing shoes, smart dark jeans, a shirt and leather jacket, he went for a smoke out front and the doorman wouldnt let him back in as he had an earing in his left ear!! he said he could go in again if he took it out, a mall stud type for gods sake. When he questioned his judgment the doorman refused entry until the head doorman appeared, he allowed him back in, the other doorman then stood near him when he passed and told him to leave the attitude at home next time!!!!!!
Long island wouldnt let a friend of mine in as he said him and his mate had had a few to many, thats fair enough i guess, but the week after he was in there with his girlfrined and got nothing but stares off the doorman when he realized he was in there, the doorman at that place i find ver protensious, boot cut trousers, collars turned up on a suit jacket, its almost as though he thriveson being stood on the door staring at people, full of attitude…..so ask yourself..are the crane security really that bad?
I was in the Crane Lane Saturday night, great spot. The fact that the drink does increase after a certain time is a pain.. but i know it happens in most of the late night bars.
Throw back to the early days of the Brog/Gorbys (boo-hoo). Nice mixture of a crowd
Will be going back, didnt like the fact that it took me 20 min to go to the loo. The female toilets are very narrow, and the space between the cubicles and the mirrors(where they were all fixing there face) is tiny.. I am not a big girl but i would like to be able to wash my hands properly without being crushed against the cubicle door!!
But I will be back.
paddys day was great in the crane, i agree with the above comment about it been a throw back to the brog/ gorbys days.
i actually spent the early part of paddys in the brog, and felt a bit on the old side.30 ish.
i then went with friends to the crane and felt right at home.
looking for the crowd that grew out of the brog and gorbys ?
they are all married and etteled and drinking in the crane now it appears.
sept now of course, they have hair cuts and money!
the place looks great, but it’s a waste of a great looking stage if that’s not used for music at least 4 times a week.
Curtains, good P.A., atmosphere and people up for a good time completely wasted without live music.
Yes, I know they do some jazzy stuff on Sundays 7 to 9. Not enough. With THAT stage in the premises, to have only one evening-ish gig on Sundays is preposterous at the very least
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Fantastic pub and a breath of fresh air to the much needed improvement to the cork nightlife - cant fault the music,bar staff,interior at all!One bit of feedback - I have to say the bouncers attitude and rudeness leave alot to be desired at closing time - I know they have a job to do but in fairness they really need to relax a bit and respect people that are out enjoying a night out.There’s no need to be going crazy shouting and treating people like animals - especially when its obvious the place is closing people are people are leaving anyway and just finishing up their drinks that were served to them 15 mins before closing. My rant is over but its something I need to get off my chest after my night out in there over the weekend - Im with Jennifer above who also expperainced the same rude behaviour back in February !
Heard on the lyric radio station thuresday that Karan Casey
is playing in the crane lane on the 6th nov could you send on some details as shes realy shit hot.
Pat