COTTON BALL

COTTON BALL

After a meal downtown, called to my local, the Cotton Ball, for a few pints only to chance upon the bar’s Ladies Night.

It was like old times in the venue: good crowd, music, dancing and craic. There were even bare chested bar-persons. Don’t worry. All male. And oh so very pale. You’d think Dracula had just been through!

A free drink on the way in and spots and raffles galore added to the fun and the whole event certainly brought a lot of new faces, including some of the staff from Sam McCauley’s who were sponsoring some of the prizes but didn't do anything for the pale barmen (sorry, no tan lads!).

In fairness, the staff (and there was no shortage of them) joined in the spirit and kept the good times rolling. The ladies, mainly the mature ones, got to their feet to see the top barman emerge on the floor after a vote. He puffed out his chest but pride before a fall. One of his voters picked up her prize, at least part of it. The other part was a kiss from yer man but she avoided that by the proverbial barge pole.

But all in good fun and it was a very enjoyable night. Hope it is the first of many. Well done to all concerned.

The Cotton Ball in Cork

THE COTTON BALL
The Cotton Ball is one of the oldest in the city and one of the best. It is divided into Bar and Lounge. The latter was refurnished a few years now. It is much bigger than the bar but the big square box feeling is avoided as it has been divided up into a few smaller areas.


The Cotton is not really a sports bar but you can watch the games there and more and more are now doing that on the screens which were placed in most areas.


The venue, in the Lynch family for decades, was once famed as a music venue but those days are long gone. There are mixed feelings. Many people enjoy the music but other go out for the conversation and that can be drowned out if the music is loud.


But it gets on well without the music. There is a good staff there and service, of a wide variety of drinks (including wine at just €4.00 for a quarter bottle, is usually with a smile.


You can also pop in there for lunch these days. Nothing major on the menu but you can get soup and sandwiches and Panini’s and snacks of a similar nature.


This is a well run house with a good ambience. It is also a fairly comfortable meeting place where yourself and the ball and chain can find a corner but which can also accommodate a large group of friends and relations for a milestone birthday celebration.

Check out my review of The Cotton Ball - I am cork - on Qype