First Look: Stout Irish Sports Pub

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The modern day Irish pub isn’t the cultural microcosm it once was. Images of Guinness-soaked stone floors, trodden by overindulgent revelers bellowing “Danny Boy” is a far cry from flat screens and trivia nights nowadays.

We demand our Irish bars retain the Emerald Isle’s most sacred exports – namely whiskey, beer and late-night hours – while adopting a few American creature comforts.

Stout Irish Sports Pub, a Buckhead newcomer, strikes a decent balance. The décor avoids ill-conceived Irish clichés, favoring more pleasing accents. Cobblestone floors, dark paneling and exposed brick walls juxtapose rustic and comfort, adding an element of intimacy to what really is a true watering hole. That means sports, food and booze.

Here’s where it scores bonus points. Prices are incredibly reasonable (remember, it’s in Buckhead). The menu’s items, featuring a number of Irish-inspired staples with an American twist -- bangers and mash, fish and chips, whiskey soaked wings – are all just $6.

Food can also be ordered until closing, saving the frustration of missing the boat because of ambiguity surrounding the kitchen’s closing time. For the thrifty not into the bar’s selection of British and Irish stouts and lagers, bottles of Miller High Life are always $1.

Given its location, where once stood a pulsating social scene before a few developers stepped in, Stout obviously seeks to consolidate its position in a new-look Buckhead.  

Therefore the sports part is important. Several screens broadcast a plethora of sports packages, which come football season -- pro and college -- will be fully appreciated.

Capturing the ever-demanding need for more activities has also brought other perks. One floor has dartboards and a pool table, while a lower-level game room – complete with its own bathroom and service – offers three additional pool tables and arcade games. And, yes, there’s also trivia.

Having the game room separate is a major plus, as it doesn’t distract from the bar, which features a number of domestic and imported bottled beers. Building an aficionado following, similar to what others have done down the years, Stout offers a deal for beer lovers, whereby paying for an engraved mug guarantees your first draft is on the house.

Encompassing so many themes under one roof may deter some bar purists, but East Andrews, LLC, which own neighboring East Andrews Café & Bar, Andrews Upstairs and Sal’s Pizzeria, are confident of Stout’s appeal.

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