The world’s appetite for Irish bars is insatiable. As a friend once said, to be Irish is to be able to travel the world and to know you can always get a job in an Irish bar. Maurice Collins and Liam Kelly who started the nearby Tir na Nog have opened Con Murphy’s at 17th and the Parkway.

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Quite a storm developed when we posted that Sarah Palin was headed to the Irish Pub for the Presidential debate tonight. And perhaps the biggest unanswered question remains, why the Irish Pub? Co-owner Mark O’Connor wasn’t a whole lot of help. We’re not sure we can answer the why either but have to point out this isn’t the first time conservatives and the Irish Pub have crossed paths. Just back in April, Irish Pub chef Colleen McAvaddy was invited to cook for the Pope while he was in New York.

So what’s going on here? Have we been so distracted by the frat boys, car bombs, plasma TVs and abnormally tall bartenders that we’ve missed that the Irish Pub is some sort of nexus of conservatism?

Maybe the Union League is just a distraction?

Sarah Palin will be watching the presidential debate (if it happens) from the Irish Pub.

Fox 29 leaves out which Irish pub on Walnut Street. Which one do you think is more Sarah, the 20th street location or 12th Street?

Update: It’s the 20th and Walnut location.

Palin Watching Debate in Philadelphia Bar [Fox 29]

Sunday’s Inqlings column reported that Atlantic City’s Irish Pub is suing MetroCorp, which publishes Philadelphia Magazine, because the bar was called a dive.

“Defendant characterizes the customers . . . as likely to be ‘broken-down blackjack addicts’ and ’self-professed black sheep of the family,’ ” the suit says, adding that the label will hurt the pub’s chances at further expansion. Pub attorney Michael J. Malloy included with the filing a statement from a consultant who opined that the “dive” tag was “dangerous and life-threatening to this business.”

So is being called a Dive a term worth suing over?

Inqlings | A.C. pub sues over ‘dive’ review

Minor holidays in America go one of two ways, they become a reason to have appliance sales or a reason to party it up. It looks like Bloomsday is taking the second path. Bloomsday celebrates the works of Irish author James Joyce and in particular his book Ulysses, which takes place on June 16th 1904 in Dublin.

Now sure there are cerebral events taking place like at the Rosenbach Museum but Foobooz is naturally more interested in the drinking-related events.

Friday night there is the Bloomsday 101 Bar Crawl.
Show up at Fergie’s Pub at 6 PM for a crash course in Ulysses. Then head out on a bar crawl that includes Fergie’s, Irish Pub at 1123 Walnut Street, Nodding Head and McGlinchey’s.

On Saturday McGillin’s Old Ale House will feature and anyone can bring in a book by James Joyce for a free beer.

McGillin’s Old Ale House [Official Site]
Bloomsday Events [Rosenbach Museum]

What’s more Philly than a cheesesteak? How about a cheesesteak served up on a Philadelphia soft pretzel in tribute to Sylvester Stallone? What? They couldn’t get a Benjamen Franklin impersonator to fly a kite outside? Well the Caf�, the sibling spot to the Irish Pub at 20th and Walnut Street, has launched a special Sunday series, “Dinner and a Movie” tribute to Sylvester Stallone now through the end of the month.

And the star plate in all this Rocky regalia is chef Colleen McAvaddy’s creation of a Philadelphia Pretzel Cheese Steak. It’s made up of “shaved prime beef, caramelized onions, and melted cheddar cheese on a fresh baked pretzel roll.”

Thom’s Table [aroundphilly.com]

This weekend both locations of the Irish Pub are celebrating being halfway to St. Patrick’s Day.

And they’re celebrating with $3 Irish Pub Lager and Stout, plus $2 “O’Bud Lights.”

Looks like lots of places are doing World Cup Final parties this Sunday. In addition to the excellent spots we’ve been recommending for World Cup viewing, look for other special events to be happening.

The Irish Pub kicks off their celebration at 9 AM at both 1123 Walnut Street and 2007 Walnut Street. There will be a specially priced breakfast and lunch specials and $2 Bud Lite drafts.

Patou, at 312 Market Street wants to be Philadelphia’s French Headquarters for the last match of the World Cup. The doors will open at 11 AM for brunch and there will be specials throughout the day including $3 bottles, $4 drafts, and $1 off cocktails. There are 5 TV Screens above the bar + 1 large-screen TV in Patou’s dining room. And at halftime Patou will also be offering steamship roast beef sandwich station with salads for only $10.

The Irish Pub [Official Site]
Patou [Official Site]

The Irish Pub, which has surprisingly decent food, is offering diners a pretty sweet deal. On weeknights between 4 and 11, you’ll be able to choose a entree from a list of specials as well as a side dish for less than just $9.