Hurley's Irish Pub, 1225 Crescent St., Montreal, QC (now with photo)

This picture was taken directly from the Web-site of Hurley's Irish Pub and was taken by Jim Macdonald, and I hope I'm not in shit (have no link for Jim).

Ahh, the pub. You really should check out that site before you read this (I feel it would make the read a little better).

Where to start... For years I've said that my ashes are going there when I pass on. I think I'm serious about that!

Some of you are from Montreal and have been to the pub with me (probably many, many times). Some of you are from Montreal and have been to the pub without me (whatever were you thinking?). Some of you are from different parts of Canada and have visited the pub during your stay in Montreal, and there are some of you who have never darkened the doorstep of 1225 Crescent.

The pub is situated on Crescent St, which is a main strip of sorts in what I consider to be the English-speaking pub zone in Montreal. It is just below Ste-Catherine and above Rene-Levesque. For those of you at home... there is no cover charge at the pub (it seems as though Newfoundland is the only place that does that...drag).

I've you've gone to their site, you know that the front of the pub has flags draping the front patio (see picture above). There are two floors to the pub, there is a courtyard out back (frickin' gorgeous). Downstairs (the main level) has the bar area (complete with the Harp Table and Mitzi's corner). There is a fireplace that is decorative. You will see two clocks on the wall; one with Montreal Time and the other with Ireland Time. There are publications pertaining to anything that's Irish in Montreal. The specials of the day are written in chalk (in both official languages...merci). There are police badges from all over the place pinned up inside the bar in plain view. Of course, there are barstools and you can usually find Will on the corner by the waitress' serving area.

The area on the side of the bar (leading in one direction to the snug, and straight ahead to the music room) has lovely pictures. There is one of Will with the Guinness Brewmaster (that's a new one), there is my favourite one which is a print of the bar from two different angles. It's quite different and it's awesome. Irene, thank you for the information about this "print". This is an original S. Dempsey painting given to Hurley's Pub. There is a porthole (which I've always liked). There is a window to the music room (very strategic place to sit...tough to be there when it's busy though).

The Music Room holds most of my memories. It is a very, I almost want to say 'rustic'....but...not quite. It's a pure and true pub atmosphere. Its walls hold pictures of sailing schooners, Irish and Guinness signage, and there are shelves holding books, vintage things, and that's where I figure I'll have my urn placed! There is a corner stage that fits 3 snuggly. There is a stand-up bar (my favourite place to be actually) and a window out into the courtyard.

The Snug is an area where I think the artists are most happy. there are plush, leather armchairs, couches, coffee tables, regular tables, doors with windows that are not operational, but do add to its charm. There is a non-operational fireplace there too. Not a place I ever really spent any time.

The Courtyard is past that and is too beautiful! It's a relatively new addition to the pub and is seasonal (Can you imagine that being open for a Montreal winter?!). It's all stone and the walls are done to look like the outside walls of a cottage. In some respects, it's like you're in a country lane. There is no roof in The Courtyard. The lighting out there is spectacular and there is a bar with an awning.

I should mention here that none of these areas are vast. They are like rooms ("Pub" is short for "Public House", and is supposed to be made up of various rooms).

On the other side of the bar is The Games Room. Here you will find posters of events, dart board, TV, and tables. Again, not a room I've spent a great deal of time in, but it is nice...and you can see all the food go by as the kitchen is located right there.

Proceeding along, there is a door to exit or you can go up the stairs (oh, and the men's washroom). To the top of the stairs you find the ladies washroom (and they've done something up there to the left that was under construction the last time I was there). Anyway, you turn to head in to the bar area. Look up! You will see a picture of St. John's, Newfoundland that Cin and I gave Irene and Bill some years back for some event (wink).

Through there is a neat room with a functional fireplace, nice armchars, pews (seriously), a piano (which people rarely fool around with, but it DOES work...I know!), windows and a door that give you a view out over Crescent (and a little patio you can go out on). It's a very cozy room with that fireplace. I still remember Shag bringing those brick/stone in in '97! Where does the time go!

The bar here is 'carved' in a very unique and special way. It is a replica of one in Ireland and is the focal point of the upstairs. It is central and serves three rooms, but it is the same bar. It is all dark brick and is really beautiful.

The area in front of the bar is where we always, always stand (and sit in the bay window) on St. Patrick's Day. I think it's the only time we park ourselves there, but it is quite strategic for reasons I can not disclose as I've been sworn to secrecy (wink).

The music room upstairs is the largest room in the pub. There is a large stage and dancefloor, and plenty of tables. The decoration is not as 'present' as it is downstairs, but it is of the same style.

Ahhhhhhhhhh, so, there you have the description (which I didn't intend to do...I guess I just got carried away).

The food at the pub is really good and I know they take great pride in every detail of their menu. It really matters to them! I love the Irish Mist Lamb Stew and the Chicken Sandwich (to name a few). The portions and presentation is top-notch, and the service is just perfect. I know that it seems really easy for me to say that as I consider the owners close friends of mine, but I thought that of the pub before I ever knew either Irene or Bill. There's just no way you'd be disappointed there (unless you're sad because the Canadiens just lost - wink).

There is music 7 nights a week and some nights there are 2 groups playing (one upstairs and one down). It is a place that attracts literally every walk of life. You will see a business crowd there. You will see students there. You will see couples and groups there. You will see tourists there. You will see visible minorities there. You will see celebrities there. You will see a lot of smiles there too.

I dunno...the pub is many different places for me. It's a weekend-party place in the music room. It's a great place for a chat at the main bar during happy hour or in the day. I can not even begin to count the people that I have met there. I have made so many good friends (with whom I am still in contact) over the years. It's just a big living room(s)! It's very personal and folks feel very at home there.

The pub also is the home to lots of events on a regular basis. There is storytelling, there are sessions (like a jam session), and they really go all out for special days like Robby Burns day (Ag and the haggis....yum!), and they sometimes have finger foods if Ag is in the mood.

Everyone in Quebec wants to be in this pub on St. Patrick's Day. I'm going to scan a picture I have (I have tons) of the sea of people out on Crescent that green, green day in March and post it here. I forget which year this picture was taken, but it really doesn't matter because it always looks like that.

I would be here forever to list the musical talen I've seen at the pub (plus, you can see it all on the pub's site), but I have to mention Salty Dog. This is Tim Chambers and Rocky Dalonzo, along with Ron and the fiddler changes sometimes. These two lads are amongst my favourite people. They would always play for my birthday and have a piper there. Bill and Irene would have a cake, and I would have about 30 of my pals around. GOD..................I loved those birthdays. They really have been the very best birthday memories I have. Tim and Rock (and families) are great friends and have been for years and I miss them. Morin Heights, gentlemen!

We have some famous friends who frequent the pub too. I'm not sure I should mention names without the proper approval (I have to respect people's privacy). The conversations are really something. I also think I should leave stories out!

I think many of the people there are friends and consider the pub a sort of second home (hell, there were some weeks it was more like a first home). This special pub is known the world over and you should see the postcards they get.

At the pub, I have attended a wedding, a funeral, a Christmas Day, wedding showers, many birthday parties (many of them my own), stagettes (definately not my own), St. Patrick's Day, and really great Friday nights. I even know people who have gotten married because of that pub (Roger and Gimli's parents).

There you have it. That's my pub, full of very dear people, fine food, great drink, funy characters and stories, dynamite music, an ambience that is unparalleled, and a very busy staff! Look for Eugene!

I'm going to get in some serious shit here for this...but I don't care...it truly is the best pub in Canada (and I've seen a few). Oh, the pub has a new mascot now...MURPHY! Slainte!