12 pubs of Christmas

1. Maximum 30 minutes at each pub
2. One pint of Guinness at each pub
3. You have to wear a Santa hat (or some other decorative holiday headpiece)
4. Do not bring your Christmas shopping with you
5. You can switch to "wee ones" (half pints) only after pub 10
6. No getting sick

1. The Leeson Lounge - Things are relatively calm at this point.  It's just me and Justine and our Santa hats.  I've been to this pub twice before and once had an invigorating converstaion with some Irish and English people about Rugby, Obama, Ireland and pedophiles (interesting mix, eh?).  It's a different atmosphere from most pubs and its name truly describes it  best - definitely a "lounge" feel.  We wait here for Greg to join us and head on our way.
2. O'Donoghue's - We pick up Sally en route to this next pub.  It's a favourite of Dubliners and we scheduled it early on in the crawl so that it wouldn't be crowded (around 6pm) because the two other times we've tried to go there it was standing room only.  Well, it must always be standing room only because our plan failed and it was plenty crowded when we arrived.  Regardless, we got our pints, took a picture and were on our way.....
3. Doyle's - This pub is right by Trinity.  We waited here before our big group trip to Galway, celebrated the Toast to Arthur, played more Guitar hero and I had some photography club meetings here.  I love this pub.  We sat at the bar and talked to the bar tender for a while while nursing the Guinness.  On the walk to Pub 4, we're definitely starting to feel it.
4. St. John Gogarty's - We're in the Temple Bar area now (the location of the market I love, the Chocolate Festival, Culture Night etc.), known for being touristy.  We find a seat at a table and wait for our drinks.  This is my first time in this pub and I really like it, especially  because they're playing my favourite Irish song when we walk in - Galway Girl.  We sing along for a while and things are starting to get more lively with the help of the music.
5. The Auld Dubliner - Luckily was right across the street.  I've been here before in September when I met my Rhodes friends for a drink.  There was music here too, a solo guy rather than a band and he was playing more contemporary songs (like acoustic Lady Gaga).  Some lads asked me where I got my Santa hat and I talked to them a while.  They were really interested in if I had enjoyed my time in Ireland.  Of course!
6. The Temple Bar - My first time here.  And halfway done!  It's a large bar but we get our drinks and sit at a table for a while.  We're joined by some of Sally's friends from class, one from Germany and one from Brazil.
7. The Stag's Head - Another favourite.  I've been here multiple times for the live Traditional Irish music in the basement.  It's really cozy downstairs where they play and I like the mural on the wall that has faces of famous Dubliners.  No music tonight though so we just chat about the semester.
8. The Bank - This was Sally's choice.  I was a little wary of going in here because it's very fancy and we were well beyond "classy behaviour" at this point.  We managed to keep it under control and sipped our drinks in our jeans and Santa hats amongst the business people in their suits and skirts out for an after work drink.  Was glad to get out of there, way too fancy!  Though they did have a lovely gigantic Christmas tree....
9. Devitt's - Now we've picked up Victor and Alex on Camden Street who have come from their Irish Class Party.  There's a lot of singing and skipping going on between pub at this point.  This pub is new to all of us and it's fairly quiet until we get there. 
10. Whelan's - Also a favourite.  I celebrated the Dublin half marathon with a pint here, we danced to Europop in their big open room once and of course PS I Love You has scenes filmed here.  I'm struggling to keep my Santa hat on but spirits are high!
11. The Barge - We're close to home now!  This is where I watched the first Ireland v. France soccer game, came for girl talk drinks with Sally and Justine, and celebrated Victor's 21st birthday.  They have a DJ and so a series of great dancing ensues.  Sally and I show off the swing dancing skills we have and sing along to the music.  And then it's on to the final stop.....
12. The Bleeding Horse - Probably my favourite pub in Dublin, close to home and why we decided to end here.  This is where we won our Guitar Hero competition, celebrated part of Halloween, met our Irish friends......I don't remember a whole lot from this point but we toasted to our 12th glass and a great semester.