Pub Review: Ri Ra

I mentioned in my last post that my contributions were pretty scarce for the month of April. Now that tax season and other obligations are behind me, I’m planning to step things up for May (I realize that waiting until the month is one-third of the way through for my first post isn’t exactly stepping things up, but I am trying, loyal readers). Anyway, I wanted my first post for the month to be a good one, so I decided to profile one of my favorite Irish pubs, RI RA.

Ri Ra is located in the Tropicana casino in Atlantic City, NJ. It opened in 2005 and is one of 10 Ri Ra locations in the United States, with the first having opened in Charlotte, NC in 1997 (all of this is according to their web site). For those of you who may recoil at the notion of drinking in a new, franchise place just relax. The Ri Ra in Atlantic City does almost everything right with regard to being an Irish pub. I’ve been to this location dozens of times over the past 6 years and I have never had a negative experience. I usually pop in for a few drinks and a burger on one of my Atlantic City day trips, but I’ve also had a sit down meal with my wife, and even made it one of my stops for my bachelor party. No matter what occasion has brought me through their doors, Ri Ra always delivers a good time.

The bar is of the Victorian style of Irish pubs: with high ceilings, tall mirrors, and stately murals. The pub is actually made mostly of parts brought over from the Henry Grattan Pub of Dublin (again according to the website). The Victorian style of Irish pub may be too fancy pants and intimidating to the casual drinker, but the atmosphere is inviting and comfortable. The place is beautiful, but still has the easy warmth that one is looking for in a pub. The bartenders are almost all from Ireland, which allows for some interesting conversation, and starting conversation is something that Ri Ra’s bartenders make a point to do. They engage their customers, but not in the superficial, my-company-is-making-me-do-this manner of a chain restaurant. The guys and gals behind the bar know their drinks and they know how to deliver great service. I am not alone in my laudatory comments about Ri Ra; it placed 6th in Tom Harran's "Top 10 Irish Pubs in America" in 2007.

The bar selection is top notch in general, and in particular with regard to my beloved uisce beatha. I counted 14 brands of Irish whiskey on my last visit (even Paddy!), with everything from the likeably rough-edged Powers to the $25 a shot Middleton Very Rare (an excellent dram, by the way). Of the many Irish bars I’ve been to, I can think of only 1 or 2 that carry such a selection of the Irish. The bartenders know their stuff too, being able to make recommendations of what is worth trying. The food is good as well, good portions at reasonable prices, which is no small feat for a restaurant located inside a casino.

I make it a point to stop into Ri Ra when I am in Atlantic City, even if I’m not visiting the Tropicana. Come to think of it, the East Coast’s gambling mecca might be the best place for this place. The bar lifts my spirits when I’m down money and makes me feel even sunnier about life when I am on a hot streak at the tables. If I could pick only 5 Irish pubs to enjoy a glass of whiskey at for the rest of my life, Ri Ra would certainly make the list.

Paddy’s Grade: A