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There are 6 pages in this topic. Select page: 1 2 3 4 5 6

From: hawkeye
Posted: 4 April 2008
Keelings menu and management
I'de like to add my two cents to this particular topic.....support your local (when you can)......I've lived in Donabate for the last 14 years and for those who never got to experience the "Old Keelings", grubby,dark spit on the floor type of pub with a "menu" that extended to peanuts, crisps, tubs of warm nuts,a sandwich maker and a coffee machine. The pint was cheap and bands (remember Aslan, place jammed to the rafters)played on balmy Saturday nights during the summers.

Look what's there now.......... To me, it's still my friendly local but hey, it's more comfortable, clean, well laid out and still manages to serve a decent pint at a reasonable cost with a more enhanced food menu for good measure.There's lively and varied entertainment at the weekends (Chicks.....are there plans to bring back live bands seeing as the pillars were recently removed in the lounge ?)

The management.....Thanks to the two lads who took over my local and brought it into the new millennium with even greater character than previous(my opinion).And for those who seem to have forgotten,they didn't screw their customers with massive price increases when they reopened after the massive rennovations and to me, this demonstrated their character, business acumen and attitude. Remember,they also originally opened the first off-license in Donabate (when the town centre was but a twinkle in the eye) and sadly this has since closed it's doors. I'm all for competition, but monopolys do concern me.I wish Tony, Donal and all their staff every success for their hard work. Oh for the record, no,I'm not their "friend",just a paying customer and acquaintance who happens to enjoy a pint and a bit of grub every now and then either with a couple of pals or with my family.

The menu....yes, I do agree that it may not be quite as good as it was previously and hopefully the messages posted, feedback from customers and takings at the till sends this message back, but face it, for pub grub, it's still pretty decent at the price.It's not cordon bleu ! In this day and age, what type of food do people honestly expect to be served at that price bracket ?

If the standard of the food increases to the previous levels and it's consistant, will people pay or will there still be grumblings about the price rise ?
Well that's my two cents......
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From: PEGASUS
Posted: 4 April 2008
Keelings menu and management
Well said Hawkeye.That is the best contribution to this topic in my opinion.
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From: Bullseye
Posted: 4 April 2008
Keelings menu and management
Nice pints and atmosphere and I'd think that most people would wish to support their local. You though have to be able to take a bit of criticism regarding the fall in food quality. If they were to limit their too large menu a bit, try to make some more home made stuff, maybe family meal deals and try not to deep fry everything it would be a good start. Why dont they do a survey of the customers to see that they want?

Although there is a lot of criticism I don't think it is the usual stick the knife in brigade. Most people want to see an even better local with better food. There is a huge opportunity to rake in some cash from people who have turned away from Donabate to go to Swords and Malahide for food.

For the minute its a bit poor that Cates Cafe and the Community Centre are the best places to get food on the peninsula. But well done to those premises for raising the bar.
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From: johnny
Posted: 4 April 2008
Keelings menu and management
I dont drink anymore so I dont go to the pubs for my entertainment but I was in Keelings on thursday night last for a pub-quiz.

Very comfortable surroundings, nice lighting, very clean, good staff. Coffee was good. Herself got the chicken wings and chips.Nicely served in white bowls. No complaints there.

Downside was no non-alco beers. I heard they used to do Erdinger Blue but they had no stock last thursday night.


All in all a pleasent experiance although it was a quite night.
There is another pub quiz on thursday the 17th april.

I think I'll go again...
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From: chicks
Posted: 5 April 2008
Keelings menu and management
Yes there ia bands coming back soon,happy to see some positive comments on the place...
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From: chicks
Posted: 5 April 2008
Keelings menu and management
Yes there ia bands coming back soon,happy to see some positive comments on the place...
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From: ferrero
Posted: 5 April 2008
Keelings menu and management
Well due to the fact that I sat and read all the comments I have burnt my dinner... so guess where I am off to!!!
Have not had a meal there since before Christmas and to be honest I have driven from various places around the city back to Keelings to have dinner. So here goes!!! lol
Have been in for drinks though and have never had a problem with staff or service!! as for the atmosphere, its lovely, I remember the good old days and to be honest in my late teens early twenties I loved it!! Long time gone some staff still there giving it their all others gone AND BACK!!!!:)
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From: ROCKER
Posted: 7 April 2008
Keelings menu and management
Hello everyone.

I have just read all the comments and I am frankly amazed at most of them. I have lived in donabate for over 30 years and I would have to say for my local pub it is a great spot. I think it is somewhere I can go and meet up with my friend and have a few nice pints (hassle free).

I would never step foot in smyths again and I think if you guys want to comment about a bad venue in this village please open a topic on this place. I would like to hear if anyone has a complaint about it? I think its a great spot If you want to see free boxing matched and teens out of the minds on alcohol and other substances its the in place to be. I would never go there again and certainly not a place for families.

I think keeling is a good spot for food, a few nice pints and it is family friendly not perfect but good for my local. I was there twice over the last week and had a meal with my family over the weekend and all enjoyed it. Everyone is entitled to an opinion and I think if you have one you should voice it to the waitress or management at keelings rather than writing here about it or the smart thing to do when your not happy about a meal is.........send it back:)
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From: Vlad the Impaler
Posted: 7 April 2008
Keelings menu and management

I think most people are just commenting on how the food isn't what it was since the chef left / renovations.

As a pub, I'd say most would see it as a fine place to have a pint.

Speaking of Smyths, when you look at that building, it's crying out to be developed. I wonder why they're happy keeping it like a Wild West gunslinger saloon.

All they need is a couple of swinging doors and a spit-pot - you'd have the real McCoy.


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From: TinMan
Posted: 7 April 2008
Keelings menu and management
ah you cant Smyths!
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