Consistency. It has the potential to sound like an underwhelming trait. Mr (or Mrs) Consistency is not, after all, Mr (or Mrs) Exciting.
But there are some things in life that we all need to rely on. Your alarm clock, for example, is probably something you want to be reliable. We could keep going and create a long list, but what we’re trying to get at is that one thing you want to know is always going to be there for you is your local pub.
And while the concept of a ‘local’ is somewhat wooly here in the UAE, one pub that has cemented its place in the hearts of Abu Dhabi residents, both long-term and recent, is PJ O’Reilly’s. We can’t think of anywhere else in Abu Dhabi that fits the idea of a proper pub more than this. It’s just the right amount of worn around the edges, has a range of regulars from ageing engineers to young besuited city types, and does a mean range of good-value drinks and classic pub grub.
On our latest visit we find a table to perch up against to watch the night’s live band.
It’s late at night and the place is packed (and keeps getting busier) and is fairly rowdy.
As the crowd singalong to Hotel California, it is hard to get the staff’s attention, but when they do arrive they’re very good about the wait and drinks are brought over in double-quick time.
A few pints of the black stuff later and we’re in no hurry for the night to end, even talking to the people on the other site of our table (we don’t know what came over us). It’s been brilliant every time we’ve ever been. And that’s something you can rely on.
