Sun again, I’m certainly lucky and it is much easier to go out for lunch in this weather condition. First, I had to decide where to go for lunch. Maybe something close to the center in the Old town. After thinking for some minutes while walking on Parnu mnt, I finally took my decision. I would come back to one of my favorite place in Tallinn, Drink Bar.
To explain a bit more the upcoming lines, i want to make one thing clear, I am French and I do love English and Irish Pubs ! (Yes, Scottish as well, but not so many in here).
My roots do not forbid me to go on the land (ok, it is more about the drinking place) of the enemies of my ancestors, on the contrary, they are amongst my favorites in every country I’ve been. So Jeanne D’Arc can sleep in peace, I will also drink for her.
Drink Bar is easy to access, located on the corner of Väike-Karja and Müürivahe, you can’t miss it. The Pub is actually THE corner of the street.
The inside is not what you could expect from a typical English or Irish pub, such as Molly Malones. More sober decoration, less seats but definitely more cozy. Not too much lights, no smell of sweating or else, no drunk citizen from Great Britain sleeping or laying in a corner. I wondered several times if it really was an English Pub. And that’s maybe why this place is working so well.
It is more about mixing cultures and taking the best out of each.
The meals have nothing to do with high gastronomy, but this is not what you look for when you go to Drink Bar. You are searching for a place where you like to stay and 
drink a pint of some fine beer with friends.
The choice for beers is indeed quite large and you will also find some Guinness if you feel nostalgic, as well as Krusovice (dark and light) which has my favor. They also prepare typical English breakfasts if you feel like.
Not that everybody will care, but I must add that they prepare the best Cheese Balls I’ve been eating in Tallinn. If someone dare telling me the contrary, I want proof and the address of the competitor (of course i will go and try).
Maybe you will also meet the owner, James, who is always smiling and ready to speak with the customers in a friendly way. They also organize some special events like Pub Quiz nights, which made me really nostalgic about my years in Paris.
I will be honest, i didn’t order today the “päevapraed” as I already took it several times before. But for 45eek, you can go for it even if I’d suggest to try the other meals.
Väike-Karja 8
10140 Tallinn, Eesti
drinkbaar.ee
13 Comments
I don’t know. it is true that they have good deals for the beers and a nice happy hour but…not my cup of tea.
No girls, no good food, owned by a Brit.
First point, yes they do have good offers for beers.
I understand your point of view about the girls, but as far i as i know, they are not claiming to be a “Girl Nest”, which suits me perfectly so i don’t have to listen to the meaningless annoying sound of these barbies.
About the food, It is not a restaurant. And I’ve been in places where the price was a lot higher, but the food was certainly worse. Drink Bar is a PUB. And indeed if you have a problem with Brits, then you have indeed nothing to do there.
Not a bad place, I passed by randomly some days ago and I have to say that, at least, there was food on the dishes.
Still, for locals is hard to get used to the idea that it’s not the crap that it used to be…
Agree, it might be a little too “uncommon” for locals, but this is exactly why it is worth speaking about these places as usually, locals do always go to the same places and never try new ones, and i know it very well because i was always going to the same places in Paris
Depends how you quantify good food? If it means paying a lot of money for the freshest, locally sourced ingredients, or paying much less for freshly prepared, good value tasty food. As Matthieu points out – Drink is a pub and is not claiming to be anything else. Its a bonus that they actually have in my opinion, the best PUB food in town. I think their fish and chips even made the Estonian Press such was their quality. Perhaps Mel, you don’t actually know what a real pub is – seeing as you seem to have hot chicks and no Brits on your social radar. Hard to find one without the other in this town! Enjoy Kahekesa or one of the numerous other stale generic BARS in this town. You’ll fit in nicely
Great review – thanks!
I think you hit the nail on the head – we’re proud to be a pub with great diversity – in drink, food and customers! These days, it’s just as common to find the pub packed with Estonians aswell as Brits (sorry Mel!, French, Australians – everyone in fact!
We specialise in beer and cider – but we’re also particularly pleased with our food – aka “pub grub” – which is good value and tasty. No silver service here. And talking about service – don’t we have the best service in the old town?
Young and old, local, ex-pat or tourist – you’re all welcome here. We’ve obviously pleased a Frenchman, and due to this review, I’ll even cheer for France in the World Cup
James
most pages on this blog are usfull to me
bookmarked it! keep it going, good job
I have to state, you chose your words well. The ideas you wrote on your encounters are well placed. This is an incredible blog!
I’ve only been to Drink Bar once so far, but I was impressed by the fact that the bartender offered us samples when we couldn’t decide what beer to get. It’s definitely a place I’d visit again.
I totally agree with you, James, and not only him but also people working there do know the meaning of “Hospitality”. Was there again yesterday and I enjoyed watching football, without too many people sitting next to the bar
Yes Marika! That’s a great plus! I can always taste a sample of beer before ordering it!
This is a terrific little website, I can’t believe that I didn’t wander onto it already
I just stumbled upon your blog. I love reading your posts.