Jack Devine's Irish Pub
It can be when you least expect to find something that it appears. Last night, while attending the Chez Ann holiday party (next to Starbuck's on Chippewa), a buddy told us about a new pub that had just opened a couple doors down. We walked outside to take a look and there, bright as day, was a sign broadcasting Jack Devine's. It was the old Barrel House spot... across from The Spot. We decided to head inside to take a gander. The first things that we noticed were the five flat-screens behind the bar. Holiday Hoops were on and there looked to be some real beer and ball enthusiasts sitting along the line of stools. Despite the immediate sports bar feeling I got, the place soon began to take on another image. I couldn't get the thought of CHEERS (TV show) out of my head. I almost expected to see Norm sitting at the end of the bar. I don't know exactly what it was... maybe the lighting... the dark wood, the taps, the green glass poker pendant shades. Maybe it was the music... Billy Joel, Elton John and The Beatles. Or maybe it was the slogan: Good Friends, Good Spirits, Good Times.
From the outside of the pub there was definitely a cool vibe. Parked at the curb was a taxi... yes a taxi... and the street was pretty active. The lit signage featured a monster photo of a beef on weck sandwich and self professed to have the best wings, weck and steak sandwich (don't tell The Pink). The addition of Jack Devine's to the Chip Strip is a good one. It's a place for the older crowds to go (along with Brink's, Bacchus, Papaya, and the Chocolate Bar) to whet their whistles. The pub is currently serving some pub-style food over the bar as it prepares to unveil its full-blown lunch and dinner menu January 2nd. Until that time you can to stick to the beer and the flat-screens while trying some staples.
Jack Devine's was named after a Buffalonian who was an Irish bar fanatic. He passed away not so long ago... the pub is a dedication of sorts to the man who lived and breathed anything Irish.
Jack Devine’s is located at 85 West Chippewa
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Comment Options
scooter
Chippewa seems to be growing up a bit! Or i'm getting old.
This is a good place to watch a sporting event.
If you grew tired of the Barrel House.....make sure you give this place a try.
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TownLine
I always felt that Chippewa would eventually mature and gentrify - becoming more of a restaurant and very upscale club area - eventually a place where people might be willing to live. We really have seen it to a great extent with the development of the ground floor of the Hampton, I think that will continue down the street over a period of time. I wouldn't even be surprised to see downtown's first really viable retail begin to locate in this area. Then, hopefully, the kid bars will move into another part of Downtown - perhaps Huron, main, cobblestone, or inner harbor. Then a similar progression and maturation process would take place, slowly reviving different areas of downtown.
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SLEEPL8
Queenseyes...Do they have any food/drink special for Sabres games? Do ya think it would be a good place to go tonight to watch the game?
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queenseyes
SLEEPL8, I don't know about the specials... they didn't want me to promote much until they have their full menu up. But yeah, it looks to be an awesome place to watch the game.
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icecreamsub
this is good news, because honestly I never even consider hitting Chippewa when going out.....my image is still of 20 somethings looking to get loaded or tourists who are directed there "because that's where the action is" either way not my crowd....this is the sort of place I wish would open on Elmwood.......I suppose you could count Coles, Faherty's or Bullfeathers....but those places are pretty young depending on when you go...
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BlindeSeher
Good to see there's a new Irish pub in town, I still miss D'Arcy McGee's.
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lauras
I'm looking for an argument. I was in D'Arcy McGee's this summer just as it was switching from a BBQ-type place back to D'Arcy McGee's. What's the latest?
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al-alo
lauras, looking for a good argument? heres one for a librarian: dewey decimal sucks! library of congress all the way, suckas!
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Joshua
I thought D'Arcy McGee's is back, am I wrong?
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SLEEPL8
Queens...thanks for the info...I may check it out tonight. If I go Ill post somethin here tomorrow and let ya'll know how it was...
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dpbflo
Darcy McGees is back. As far as brinks- mature happy hour crowd, but after 10-11 pm ear peircing music (and I like it loud) and a very young crowd.
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vgs
we have been talking about Chippewa growing up ever since the street took off in the 90's. It just isn't happening. The Chocolate Bar should be adults but it isn't, Bada Bing, Crocodile, Brinks, Big Shots, Level, forget it. Soho feels lke a graduation party in a suburban garage. Bacchus and off the path Chophouse and Duo show some progress but overall the area is just too low scale.
And for the record we now have 3 Irish Pubs downtown and none have them got it right.
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Perry
vgs...then what bar is worthy of serving you????
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icecreamsub
Morrisseys is definately the better than Darcy McGee's.....but trying replicate anything always falls short. It's like going to a BW3's out of town and trying to convince yourself your at a Buffalo bar...it just isn't even close ( I can only imagine having never set foot in one)...
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TownLine
People here are so impatient. If everything isn't built yesterday, it must never be destined to happen... A little over a decade is not a lot of time for the development of neighborhoods or downtown areas. Chippewa has definitely improved. Chocolate Bar, Payaya, Salsarita's, Level, Baccus are on a much higher level than the Chippewa traditionals of 67 west, Quote, La Luna, etc.... Yeah, theres still young crowds, but they're also places that Adults have become comfortable to go to. You see a much better mix of people at these places than Soho and the like. We've even just seen McMonkey's renovate itself (although I haven't been in the new place). There is no doubt that the street continues to improve. You're also seeing the spinoff effect of very upscale establishments just off of Chippewa - Chophouse, Laughlins, Blu Martini. Those places would never have existed without the original rejouvenation of Chippewa. The older clubs brought the attention to the street, and now some better business owners are willing to take the gamble on far more expensive ventures.
People just seem to forget what things used to be like, how crappy they were even only a few years ago. People saying Elmwood is going downhill just drive me bananas. Does anyone remember what the majority of the storefronts used to look like and what the vacancy rate was just 5 and 6 years ago??? Its ridiculous how people are just not able to see the larger pictures of things.
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SLEEPL8
vgs...clearly you are too sophisticated to go to chippewa but i think every year as new bars/restaurants open chippewa become more and more diverse and continues to improve. At 2am on a saturday night (or sunday depending on your prespective) no matter where you go its gonna be young drunk and rowdy so folks like you may need to be home in bed. I am not a huge fan of dirty chippewa but i think as time passes it continues to get better
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vgs
Sleep 8 and Perry - its not a matter of sophistication just respectful surroundings. Personally I am very comfortable at Founding Fathers, Shango, Prime 490 or Hardware. If I don't have to drink out of plastic and the staff actually acts like they are happy to serve me then I am happy. Some thoughtful selections of Beer, wine and spirits is nice and a knowledgable person to serve them is even better. And for the record Sleep 8, I can close 'em down with the best of them. I just don't like shitholes dressed up as hot spots. I just as well perfer a real shithole.
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