• Colm Dalton outlines the essential elements for an ideal Irish pub.
• Discover which authentic U.S. pub located in a strip mall stands out as the top choice, along with the finest UK locations.
• READ MORE: I am a woman traveling alone, and this is the secret treasure spot you ought to check out.

I visited an Irish pub in Corsica, and it was named the Loch Ness Irish Pub.

Traveler Colm Dalton spoke with MailOnline Travel regarding his quest to visit all the Irish pubs globally. He mentioned some unusual spots he has checked off his list when questioned about whether these establishments must meet a certain threshold of "Irish authenticity."

Are there those who cannot rightfully be called an Irish pub?

There are certainly those that teeter on the edge," he remarks. "Take Loch Ness, for example — it’s notoriously not located in Ireland.

What are the standards for an ideal Irish pub?

From County Kerry, Colm shares his insights: "One way to assess a place is through its name. If it’s christened with an Irish surname such as Quinn's or Keane's, chances are high that it will be excellent since these names typically honor their founders. Conversely, venues labeled as Shamrock Pub or Guinness Pub often fall short."

The specialist notes that 'live music serves as a strong indicator of a great Irish pub, ensuring that you'll enjoy quality performances.' Visitors should also look for elements of Irish culture within these establishments, like watching Irish sports on television in an authentic setting.

However, the true indicator of finding a gem lies in the quality of the staff.

Colm remarks, "'The team behind the counter in an Irish pub typically excel. They manage up to twenty requests simultaneously and even pour drinks using just their elbows. Despite being incredibly amiable, they remain highly competent professionals. A clear indication that these employees were coached by an Irish proprietor lies in how confidently they ask, ‘What would you like to sip? We’ll bring it right to your seat.’ This level of service epitomizes luxury—a true Rolls-Royce experience within an Irish tavern setting; this sophistication is marked by elegance. Welcoming guests warmly is essential here, which aligns perfectly with what one anticipates encountering inside an Irish public house.'"

The avid traveler has thus far visited 94 pubs spanning 45 countries – yet where can you find the finest drinking spots?

He suggests visiting Patrick Foley’s in Ghent, describing it as "a charming pub along the canal featuring a large mural of Celtic art in its beer garden." Additionally, he highly appreciates Kelly’s in Austin, Texas. He remarks, “Despite being located in a strip mall, it resembles an Irish cottage. It’s genuine and truly authentic.”

Colm comments, "The atmosphere matters significantly as it can make all the difference and alter your experience entirely. For instance, I visited a place named O’Gillins in Lisbon on a Wednesday evening, and despite being crowded, it had a lively ambiance with a performing band and people enthusiastically singing along. This created an ideal blend of typical Portuguese nightlife within the setting of an Irish pub."

In the United Kingdom, he adores The Auld Shillelagh in Stoke Newington for its appealing blend of trendy atmosphere with an authentic Irish touch, describing it as "quite hipster yet distinctly Irish." Mc & Sons , featuring a couple of charming wooden pubs serving authentic Irish pub-style Thai cuisine in Vauxhall and Borough.

High-quality Irish pubs often turn up in the most unexpected locations.

Colm mentions: "While in Jakarta, Indonesia, I spent two hours in a tuk-tuk which finally left me at the entrance of a mall. The place had a footwear store alongside a barbershop, followed by a small doorway leading into an excellent Irish pub."

'The Minas Tirith,' an unexpected Lord of the Rings-inspired Irish bar located on a dilapidated side street in Palermo, is also included among these uniquely charming spots.

Are there any Irish pubs travelers should exclude from their itinerary?

Perhaps surprisingly, not Corsica's Loch Ness, which was actually a 'nice pub, just confused'. However, he explains travellers will want to steer clear of Belgrade's Gecko Irish pub. Colm says: 'It has a lizard on the branding and it's like, "Have you ever been to Ireland? There are no lizards." It was also pirate-themed, so they'd sort of confused being Irish with being a pirate. There was rigging on the walls.'

However, the sole Irish pub from which Colm has walked out is the Guinness Pub in Sarajevo. He elaborates: “It was empty inside with no staff present; we waited in a room for about 20 minutes wondering what had happened. A staff member was actually smoking right outside but didn’t seem inclined to help.”

Colm typically opts for a Guinness during his visits "as an experiment," yet remembers a particular instance where he declined a distinctive twist on the classic beverage. He recounts, "In Bilbao, they have this concoction known as a Frankenstein, made up of half a Guinness mixed with half a Heineken. It appears quite dark at the top and has a greenish-yellow hue at the bottom. I just couldn’t muster the courage to try it."

What does Colm believe contributes to the global popularity of Irish pubs?

He clarifies: "Many nations have cafés and nightclubs, yet lack a third space. An Irish pub seems to serve this purpose. In certain urban areas, these pubs act as alternatives for those who wish to experience being a disillusioned bard. There’s also clearly a trend of replication where individuals see a charming pub and decide to replicate it."

According to Colm, the most frequently adopted name for an Irish pub is Molly Malone’s, notably favored in Southeast Asia. On the other hand, James Joyce also ranks high as a preferred title, possibly because of the renowned Irish writer's "very stylish profile," remarks Colm.

The Irish Pubs Global Federation suggests that there are over 6,500 Irish pubs worldwide; however, Colm remains hopeful as he aims to visit all of them.

He holds the record of visiting nine pubs in a single day while on vacation in Rome, moving between "pub to museum to pub to museum." This devoted patron usually takes his companion with him on these excursions, noting that she has become quite knowledgeable about pubs herself and now enjoys sampling various beers, particularly Guinness.

Which pubs are coming up next on the expert's wish list?

Colm mentions: "There’s one in Namche Bazaar located at the base of the Himalayas that seems quite appealing, and I believe it's the highest-altitude Irish pub around."

There's another one in Kampala, Uganda, known as Bubbles O'Leary, which was dismantled and rebuilt brick by brick after being transported from Ireland.

And lately, I'm not sure about the practicality, but I discovered on Google that there’s an Irish pub located in Guantanamo Bay. Although I’m unsure about the details of reaching it, it would certainly be intriguing to explore whether such a visit is possible.

To track Colm's adventure, check out his Instagram at @publicanenemy or website - publicanenemy.com .

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