Here's a fun place to grab a cold beer - The Dubliner Pub in downtown Omaha's Old Market area. Just as the name suggests, The Dubliner is a classic Irish-American bar in the basement of a building that was built in the 1890's (see map). The basement was the coal storage area for the businesses upstairs.
The Dubliner opened in 1980 and was initially known as Horbach's. The name was changed in the mid-80's to The Dubliner and it became somewhat famous back in the "old country" as a home away from home for Irish ex-pats and people of Irish ancestry.
The Dubliner Pub is not too big, but it's not too small where you feel cramped. They have bands and musicians in the back of the place from time to time, so it can't be too small.
The Dubliner has over 100 different beers from all over the world to choose from. There are around 20 different beers on tap. But I'm kind of disappointed there isn't the kind of eclectic beers either on tap or available in bottles that I've seen in similar beer bars elsewhere.
The Dubliner has two clubs that you can join - both involve drinking the beer. "The World Mug Club" is where you gain your own drinking mug that is hung in the bar with your name on it if you drink every beer from around the world. (Not in one sitting, of course.) They give you a little score card and they check off each beer you drink on your visits. They've been doing this for years and I have a sneaking suspicion that Old Chicago and other bars ripped off this idea for their world beer tour promotions.
Or, if you would like to garner one of their shirts like the one above and to the right, you can take their "Fear No Beer Tour". By drinking each of the 20 tap beers in the place (once again, not in one sitting), you get yourself the neat Dubliner Pub long sleeve t-shirt.
The Dubliner has basic pub fare - wings, nachos, burgers, chicken sandwiches, brought down by the people at The Brass Grille upstairs. They even offer The Brass Grille's oysters on the half shell, but I thought they were too small and marginal, at best, the last time I had 'em.
I like The Dubliner - the staff is friendly, the place has a good feel to it, and the beer tastes great after a hard day. When you go to the Old Market, you have to stop in for at least one at The Dubliner.
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