Filthy McFaddens
Editorial
In a town still so new that the term “traditional” may be applied to any place established before the 1990s, you can excuse a pub that invents a little history. Here, the fabulously fabricated Finbar “Filthy” McFadden oversees the habits of patrons. Appropriately enough, he's a scholar of fiction. And, what else would a hard-drinking Irish apparition prefer but James Joyce?
That the licensees care to imagine a literate old grump styled after Leopold Bloom is sweet. More importantly, their commitment to Irish culture can be felt in the fabric of the bar. This is not so much a cookie-cutter “Irish” pub but an Irish pub with quotation marks and cartoon shamrocks removed.
Of course, any place outside of Ireland that claims to be Irish suffers a slightly stilted atmosphere. But at Filthy's, as it's known to regulars, the affectation is hidden under layers of chaos. And layers of pleasantly shabby furnishings.
The tumble-down feel of a Filthy's early evening gives way late at night to a sort of cheerful anarchy. To call this favourite haunt of hospitality workers high-spirited would understate the case. If you're looking for hard drinking and loud talking that competes with Kings of Leon or, of course, U2 on infinite repeat, this is your place. If you crave a quiet glass of something vintage, hop in a cab to Manuka.
Fans of Scotch, Irish and Kentucky whisky will be drawn to a selection large enough to drown Mr Bloom.
SM King, April 2010
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Goyte
June 22, 2008
This is by far the best Pub in the A.C.T.. hands down.
Jammin Squirrel
March 09, 2011
Must be a great place, a pity I don't use to visit Canberra lol... Btw, check out my music: http://www.jammin-squirrel.com
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