I was wondering if anywhere - in Ireland or anywhere else - there might be a combined musical instrument shop and a pub or bar.

I imagine the licensing laws in England would get in the way of that - otherwise wouldn't it be great if Hobgoblin or someone like that could run such an operation. (As it is I gather that the PEL restrictions even potentially get in the way of people in music shops trying out the instruments they are selling or buying properly, because it can turn into a performance, and we can't be having that.)

But in some more enlightened country on this matter - and that means just about everywhere, now the Taliban have been shifted), maybe it's been tried.

Have you ever witnessed the sort of abuse the instuments in a Hobgobin stall get towars the end of a long festival night?

Cheers, S. in Seattle

I think what I'd envisage would be something like that - a few instruments there for playing, and also with a range behind a music bar which would be for buying. And strings and the knick-knacks musicians use, and songbooks, and books about playing and all that kind of stuff.

As with any pub, the people running the place would have to have their wits about them, and know when to decline to serve a customer, either with with drink or with a loan of a delicate instrument. And there'd probably be occasions when it'd be wise to refuse to accept someone as a serious customer.

I rather assume the Mudcat Tavern works that way, but I'd like to feel there's a place in the workaday world like that, and that I could imagine being able to walk into someday.

Yes I understand Scotland hasn't got any of this Public Entertainment Licence in pubs nonsense. Has anybody other than England? (Remember, write to the English Tourist Board and tell them it's put you right off spending your European holiday in such a benighted country.)

I don't see how it's much different to a book shop with a cafe as part of it - except for the performing part. (Aye, there's the rub...)

sian

Sure enough, the Public Entertaiment enforcers got onto it and stopped it happening. It's not just folk music they hate, and not just pubs - it's live music of any sort that isn't duly licensed. Only in England and Wales...

I can't think of any actually on the same premesis but Custy's Music shop and Ciaran's pub in Ennis are just across a very narrow street from each other. At times it can be difficult to tell if the music you're hearing is coming from the shop or the pub.

Both establishments are highly recommended.

Cheers! R-J

(I went on to have to many jars of the Black Stuff at Roy Griffin's pub in Roundstone, so I couldn't recall every "little" detail you understand!!!)

Cheers! R-J