10/05/09

Awesome, awesome, awesome!!

by Deirdre O Sorrows

Annie Nice has to be one of the nicest Irish (Americans?) living in the Raleigh area. Her restaurant is like being home (in Ireland). The food, the entertainment, the atmosphere and even the patrons who frequent Tir na Nog are worth the trip. Thank you Annie, for bringing a little bit of Ireland to North Carolina!!!

• Pros: Great Management
• Cons: None

07/29/09

Has Something Changed?

by raleighites4recess

We've been here quite a few times, but our last visit had us scratching our heads. We have always had great food and great experiences at TNN, but went there recently and thought maybe they changed ownership. We've always loved the 'hummus of the day', but now they only have one offering. After looking over the smaller menu, we ordered a Veggie burger with fries and were served a beef burger and undercooked fries. We are never ones to send food back, but these fries were too bad to eat. The waitress even said the fries looked funny. She then brought out new fries which were overcooked--I'm guessing the cook had a good laugh over this one. Hopefully this is something that will change when the economy gets better, but if it's not it's a sad, sad loss for Raleigh.

• Pros: Great beers & hummus
• Cons: Smaller menu and food change?

03/22/09

Sun. Brunch

by newsdude

You've gotta stop by Tir-Na-Nog for the Sun. brunch. It was great before. But the food has gotten even better. I'm told they have a new chef. There's always a new/different item on the spread(which keeps things fresh--both figuratively and literally). Try their lemon chicken; jambalaya; the chicken curry. Swing by to see what they have that week. It's a pretty good deal for AUCE at $11.95. And for those of us who are waking up late after a good time the night before, it helps that it goes on until late into the early afternoon.

• Pros: Food and Ambience
• Cons: no live Irish music until AFTER brunch

03/19/09

A Real Irish Pub in Raleigh

by Aine777

We went to the St Patrick's Day party at Tir Na nOg. It was more fun than when we went to Dublin last year. Amazing authentic Irish music, the atmosphere was wonderful, service was amazingly fast considering it was wall to wall people. The corn beer and cabbage was in the most divine sauce ever. I just love this place and will go back again for the parade party Saturday.

• Pros: Live Irish music. Great atmosphere
• Cons: What are the drawbacks?

02/05/09

Go for the Irish Music and Drink, Not the Food

by Stork1

Best Irish music around. Love the ghosts of erin. A traditional band thats got it going on. Great bodhran, guitar, and vocals too. Keep them Coming!

Fine pints; but, the food is lacking. Service at the bar is good; but, can't say the same if you sit down for a meal. Bottom line: Come for the tunes and drinks and get your grub elsewhere.

• Pros: Irish Music, Bar
• Cons: Food

02/01/09

Great Guinness, decent food, good bands!

by scrutton

While it can take a while to get your first beer at the Nog, the rest normally come in much faster, once you've established yourself with the bar staff. The Guinness is very much the wait, and I don't think I've ever had a bad pour there. They do the normal two part pour, yielding an excellent pint; utilizing a Nitro-gas mix.

On the food, the bangers and mash is always good.

The atmosphere is quite good; lots of bar traffic on a busy night. Plenty of seating if you'd rather keep to yourself.

The booking manager, Annie Nice, does a particularly good job with booking local and out of town live bands. I've personally seen "Enter the Haggis" - a Canadian celtic rock band - go see these folks or check them out if you can. I've had the good fortune to see Dexter Romweber play on stage at the Nog, with about thirty people in the bar; and Big Boss brewery lovelies pouring us beer all night. You know you can't get that kind of personal attention elsewhere.

Annie also does a great job of supporting local Irish music. The Ghosts of Erin play there semi regularly; and while being personal friends of mine, deserve a mention. They use a variety of instruments - Bodhran, Uellian Pipes. It's worth heading down to see the band just to hear Eric Hahn play pipes. Chad holds the rhythm down with the Bodrahn and our man Jerbo plays guitar, lute (evoking a haunting use of time) and fiddle. They play old-traditional songs, and leave the pub-drinking songs to other bands. I recorded a few tracks from a recent concert there. This should help one get a feel for the place :-

vimeo dot com/2583306

The place also boosts two well kept up dart boards.

Paul

• Pros: Guiness, darts, music
• Cons: Foosball table needs a lot of work.

01/31/09

Good Irish Pub, Good Irish Music

by KenFZ1

Tir Na Nog has the convivial atmosphere of a traditional Irish pub. The menu includes excellent corned beef, other tasy Irish items, and well-executed American selections. The beer selection is good too, with a regular rotation of locally brewed drafts. Friends and families go there to relax and have a good time. We go for drinks, dinner, and live music, particularly Irish traditional music. Tir Na Nog regularly sponsors local Irish traditional bands. These bands evoke the spirit of an Irish caeli. My favorite trad band is The Ghosts of Erin. They avoid the overplayed songs, they involve the crowd with infectious rhythms, and they play wonderful instruments such as the Uilleann pipes, lute, and djembe. Check them out the next time they play at Tir Na Nog.

• Pros: Irish craic

12/17/08

No Other Place I Would Rather Be

by MissingRaleigh

Putting my feelings about this bar into words is almost impossible. I spent 4 great years in Raleigh attending North Carolina State University, and this was our pub of choice. I have visited Ireland, and no other Pub in the area makes you feel as if you stepped off of a Raleigh street and into Downtown Dublin. The food is FANTASTIC, and the beer selection is fit for a king. I moved from the area after graduation, but everytime I am in raleigh I make it a POINT to go to Tir Na Nog. The music, tha atmosphere and the AMAZING staff make this a must for any Irish American, or any one who wishes they were. So the next time you visit the best city on earth, stop in Tir Na Nog, raise a pint, and toast! "May you reach heaven 1 min. before the Devil knows you're dead!"

• Pros: Fantastic Food, Beer, Staff
• Cons: None

11/14/08

Fantastic Vegan Curry and Great Service

by bootsnall

We recently held ur son's wedding rehearsal dinner at Tir na nog Just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed the restaurant. The food was awesome, especially the "Cottage Pie". The other food selections were nice complements to the main dish. We liked having a private room and access to a Video player and a big screen. The tables were nicely decorated and I think everyone had a great time. Working with Management and staff was a pleasure. We would gladly recommend this restaurant to anyone needing a party location. Thanks you to Tir Na nog for making our rehearsal dinner a great success and a night full of wonderful memories.

09/13/08

Best Irish Pub and Celtic Atmosphere

by ClanDouglassinKnightdale

I guess I'm kind of bias becaue I go there enough to be called a regular,but I am honest also. TNN is by far the most awsome Irish pub in the area, Not only is it a pub, but it is also the heart of the celtic community in the Triangle. They consitantly bring in traditional caltic entertainers and provide a meeting place for celtic culture enthusiasts.

As far as food, I thought it was great before the new menu. The new menu is nothing short of AWESOME. The Sunday brunch is really something alo. I hadn't had eggs benedict in years, and there it was on the buffet. I ate so much I was hurting when I left. The staff at TNN is as good as it gets. Great service always with a smile and conversation if that's to your liking. I'm a people person so it's a good fit for me. Thursday nights get pretty loud because it is local band night but there is always tables outside with a view of Moore Square. (My personal favorite) TNN is also the favorite restaurant of both my children 9 & 13