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Night Out Night Off
Delicious steak dinners & Belfast nights out: 9 Below’s general manager shares perfect weekend
Tony McFeely, general manager at 9 Below, one of Dublin’s most popular cocktail destinations, shares his perfect Night Out, Night Off.
IN THE HEART of Dublin’s city centre, hidden in plain sight is a terrific speakeasy steeped in history.
Opened in December 2017, 9 Below is a contemporary cocktail bar with cosy interiors for a perfect evening with friends. Located in the historic Hibernian Club on Stephen’s Green, which dates back to the mid-19th century, it was once frequented by a former Lord Mayor of Dublin and celebrated politician, Daniel O’Connell. Its extraordinary history remains integral to the current chapter of this beautiful building, as 9 Below’s general manager Tony McFeely told The Journal.
“Our premises are part of a historical building called The Stephens Green Hibernian Club which was founded in 1840 by a group including Daniel O’Connell and has been in operation ever since. The club website says, ‘they created an egalitarian haven in central Dublin, attracting forward-looking, fair-minded professionals, people who understand the invisible line between social and business, and between current affairs and politics.’ I think this still very much applies to 9 Below today, almost 200 years later. Every guest can expect great drinks and service in beautiful surroundings. We are, after all, a social space to be enjoyed,” says McFeely.
Crucial to patrons’ enjoyment in 9 Below is the warm and welcoming atmosphere which is apparent from the moment you step into this secret space. Aside from maintaining an excellent drinks menu and plush interiors with several corners providing a perfect backdrop for social media posts, McFeely notes what he feels is essential when creating a great environment in a bar.
“Staff, staff, staff,” he says. “Feeling welcome, important and valued as a guest in any venue is key. You could find yourself in the most fantastic setting, but, if you don’t feel welcome then you won’t have a truly great experience. This is where staff are absolutely key as they are the heart and soul of the hospitality trade, not just cocktail bars. In my experience, people who are happy, motivated and professional are worth their weight in gold. In 9 Below, this is integral to the overall experience. From the first ‘hello’ as you enter from Angie, to the heartfelt ‘thank you’ as you leave Ava and every interaction between Elisha, Katelyn or Kai; the staff curate the experience of the guest.”
Coupled with the great atmosphere and attentive staff, 9 Below will quickly become a favourite spot for its delicious cocktails. Its unique menu features slight twists on classic drinks which further adds to 9 Below’s special offering for a perfect night out.
McFeely details the level of effort that goes into their drink offering: “All cocktails on our menu are created in-house by our bartenders. Our current menu has a number of twists on some well-known drinks, as well as some bespoke creations of our own. We’ll launch our new menu next month with many new creations. Also, all of our delicious cordials and syrups are created in-house by our bartenders Conor and Kevin, which takes hours of preparation and cooking behind the scenes each week.”
When it comes to the process of developing their bespoke drinks, McFeely shares his thoughts on what makes a perfect cocktail. In this case, 9 Below will always take the lead from their patrons. “Without sounding cheesy, I think a good cocktail is whatever the guest is looking for. A perfectly balanced cocktail may not be sweet enough for a guest’s taste. The ability to put our own opinions to the side and deliver a drink that lives up to their expectations is most important. I suppose you could say, ‘the customer is always right; in matters of taste.’”
As for his favourite 9 Below cocktail to have when he’s off the clock? McFeely’s is a classic choice that has been enhanced by the hands of conscientious bartenders. “My favourite drink on our current menu is the Tom Ford. This is our twist on the classic Old Fashioned. In it, Roe & Co whiskey replaces the traditional bourbon, homemade apple syrup replaces the sugar, with a couple of dashes of Angostura Bitters and Yellow Chartreuse. Stirred down and served over a 9 Below stamped clear ice block with orange zest is a truly beautiful drink to sip on.”
This is just one of the many aspects of working with 9 Below that McFeely enjoys. Primarily, it’s the innate warmth and sense of community that is intrinsic to 9 Below’s essence, as he notes. “Since joining the team here at 9 Below, I’ve really enjoyed the intimate surroundings. Having previously managed much larger bars in the nearby area, 9 Below is a welcome change of pace because we’re not focused only on volume, our emphasis is very much on the quality of the guest experience. While guest experience has always been a huge part of any venue I have worked in, here at 9 Below, it is at the forefront of our thinking.”
He concludes, “Working as part of a much smaller team than I previously have brings its own challenges but is thoroughly enjoyable. There’s always something to do which keeps me busy, from the day-to-day running of the business to dealing with staff and guests, developing new menus and drinks concepts and planning events. There’s never a dull moment and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Having worked in this area of Dublin’s city centre for over 10 years, it’s always a pleasure to welcome guests that I got to know over the years and of course, future regulars that I haven’t met yet.”
We asked Tony McFeely how he likes to spend his free time away from his busy schedule as 9 Below’s general manager and share his ideal Night Out, Night Off.
Down The Local: “Kehoes on South Anne Street would be my local. Even though I live outside the city centre, it’s my go-to for a quiet pint or to meet up with some mates.”
Dream Night Out: “Nights out a few and far between so I generally try to make the most of them! A tasty steak dinner before a gig and then a few pints ticks all the boxes for me. Brookwood on lower Baggot Street for dinner and most likely end the night in Kehoes Pub for a few pints.”
Morning off Ritual: “When I find myself with a morning off, I always find myself sitting on the balcony enjoying a coffee. It’s great to get some time to watch the world go by and just switch off for an hour or so. I’m lucky to have both the Phoenix Park and The War Memorial Gardens on my doorstep which are great places to go for a walk to clear the head.”
Hidden Gem: “The Dawson Lounge, a great little spot hidden in plain sight. Always a good place to pop in for a quiet pint.”
Weekend Getaway: “These are an absolute rarity! I have always enjoyed spending time in Cork and Belfast, though. They both have plenty to offer whether it be strolling around the city or stopping in one of the many bars. Both of these have some great spots to check out with friends.”
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