Read another poster's rec of this. We greatly enjoy traditional Irish music (and will be in town on a Weds nite), so I'm very interested.

How would we get there from midtown? What's the atmosphere like - is it huge and noisy or...not-so..? Any comments on the food? (I'm trying their website for the directions info, but we have dial-up and so many of these websites are so bells-and-whistles-heavy, that loading or accessing can be nearly impossible.)

Where in Midtown? Midtown is a big place.

What is the address or neighborhood of this pub?

Oh, I think that was me. I really like this place. I’ve only eaten there once but all three of us liked our meals. It has a very long bar leading to the back where the restaurant is and the musicians are in the bar area. So it’s best to eat early (or elsewhere) and move further into the bar for the music. It’s crowded, but I’d say more bustling than noisy. “The place was hoppin’ ” would be a good way to describe it. The girls that own it are wonderful and it has a real Irish feel. It’s a great little neighborhood, too. So you could walk around. Plenty of restaurants if you’re in the mood for something else.

The F train stops right outside so I usually take that if coming from the city. There’s plenty of street parking too if you must drive — but think of the Guiness!! I drive from Brooklyn so I don’t know exactly how to go from the city, but I can let you know tomorrow. You’d take the tunnel or bklyn bridge to the Gowanus but I don’t know the name of the exit on that side (it’s Hamilton Ave going towards the city).

It's in Brooklyn (Cobble Hill) at Smith & Warren, according to www.sheckys.com. The F train stop is a few blocks away, but I'm not sure where you are staying in Midtown. You could probably take a cab there pretty cheaply and easily.

No driving! We're staying at the Hudson, which is 58th near Broadway, but could be heading over that way from just about anywhere in Manhattan - (not that sure of our day's itinerary yet). Be happy to take the subway (over, at least), if the walk isn't too far (and safe).

Ceol sounds like just our cup o'tea. (Or, glass o'Guinness!)

(Dohlice - I think you responded about our New Hope/Lambertville plan, as well. Thanks - we're looking forward to it!)

I don’t look at the names on posts enough! You have such a great time ahead of you. Give Ceol a call that day to make sure they’ll have music. I’ve never gotten a no, but I like to double check. The train and neighborhood will be safe. Stay on either Smith or Court Street though. They run parallel, one block apart. And the brownstones you’ll see if you walk between those streets ARE as expensive as they look! The subway stop is Bergen Street but walk to the exit at the back of the train and it will leave you closer (I think right across the street). If the weather is good it will be fun to walk around a little – so few people see Brooklyn when they visit. There is a wonderful little bakery/café called Sweet Melissa. It’s a good excuse to walk a little and you can get a cup of coffee or something sweet before or after. The Madelines are the best but will most likely be sold out when you get there! Settle for the chocolate covered graham crackers or split a piece of cake. It’s on Court Street between Butler and Douglas. Just walk up Warren from Smith to Court. Make a left and go two and half blocks.

Hmm. Now I have to go to Ceol. And Sweet Melissa.

I forgot, you can connect with the F train at a lot of stations in the city. You can check mta.info for a subway map in advance, but may not come up well with dial up. Get a print map from the first station you enter, or look at the big one that’s posted at each station. The stop for Ceol is Bergen Street. Don’t get off at Smith and 9th like I did once. Long, long, ugly walk.

Great, detailed info, Dohlice. Thanks!!
I guess we have to try Sweet Melissa...since Melissa is our daughter's name.