Good Ole St. Andrews
by Arianne ScarnecchiaAt one corner of the dimly lit bar, three old men sit, engrossed in a heated discussion about assassination attempts on Qaddafi. In another corner, two old friends relax, catch up and have a drink. The bartender with a thick Irish accent stands at another corner talking with a long-time customer. The Ole St. Andrews Inn in Edgewater provides a sense of belonging with a warm environment rarely found in bars.
"When you walk into the bar, you can immediately feel a sense of comfort," said Sean Jennings, 22, a student at Columbia University and frequenter of the bar. "The atmosphere in St. Andrews almost makes you feel as though you're back in the 1900s."
The aged nature of St. Andrews can be seen even from the sidewalk outside the bar. Located on the corner of Broadway Ave. and Thorndale Ave., the extended, dark green awning over the entranceway adds color to the otherwise colorless and drab block.
The inside of the bar is decorated in dark oak with hunter green accents. The walls are dotted with portraits, landscapes and other photographs from Ireland. The tables in the dining area are surrounded by high-backed chairs, which are reminiscent of medieval Britain. In front of each stool at the bar lays a small, thick rectangular towel, serving as a placemat. Each advertises a brand of beer or liquor. The placemats are a unique accent to which not many bars can stake claim.
"I really like the towels on the bar," said Michelle Carreon, 22, also a student. "I've only been here a couple of times, but the atmosphere is very homey. The decorations and furniture add to the aged and warm feeling inside the bar."
The physical appearance of the inn is not the only thing adding to its comforting atmosphere. The general mood inside is friendly and open. It is very easy to strike up a conversation with someone sitting next to you or become involved in someone else's discussion.
"Those guys down there have been talking about Qaddafi for a while now," said Tim Jennings, 24. "They know everyone in this bar is listening to their conversation, but they don't care. That's just the kind of place this is."
Aside from the atmosphere and the character of St. Andrews, the inn is a typical local bar. They carry a standard fare of alcohol at decent prices, with daily drink specials. The kitchen carries regular bar food such as sandwiches, finger foods and appetizers at reasonable prices; nothing on the menu costs more than $8. The Inn has a jukebox, including several CD's of Celtic music, a dartboard and a few televisions.
"The Inn is a great place to sit back and have a few drinks," Jennings said. "It really doesn't matter if you're alone or with a few buddies, you almost always feel at ease."
Next time you feel like having a drink, stop by St. Andrews Inn. You’re sure to get a smile and a warm welcome from the friendly Irish staff.
PHOTOS:
An outside view of St. Andrews Inn.
return to underground chitown entertainment