If you haven't been stuck in the Sahara for the last few years you'll have noticed that the face of Dublin pub life has changed dramatically of late. Gone is the smoky old man's pub complete with snug; this is the age of stripped wood, big velvet sofas and lots of mirrors. Like it or hate it, most people will agree that the pubs re-vamped, created and manned by the Thomas Read group are really the best (and the trendiest) of the breed - the new Bailey, Thomas Read's, Hogan's and the Life Bar on Lower Abbey Street are all their creations.
Hugh O'Regan and his brother Liam O'Regan are the men behind much of this furious pub activity and they haven't stopped, not even for Christmas. Hugh unveiled his latest venture on Thursday without fanfare - Searsons on Baggot Street, which O'Regan has pulled up by its bootstraps and turned into a trendy drinking hole much needed in "suit city". Colm Walsh and the team at Velure Productions will be providing the music on weekend evenings, and are also involved with another O'Regan project: a big New Year's bash down at the Harbourmaster in the IFSC on the quays. The Harbourmaster has been scrubbed up and given a new corporate and VIP section, and come December 31st there will be a right old kneesup. A mere £40 will get you your meal and entertainment for the night, while for a tenner you can skip the eating and just party. Seeing as everything this team touches seems to turn to gold, it might be a good idea to see the New Year in by the Liffey.