Several bars and pubs are participating in the Kurakuen Passport program.
This time, we visited the Irish pub “The WEX,” located right near Kurakuen-guchi Station.
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Exterior of the Irish Pub “The WEX”
The pub is on the second floor of this building.
Go up the stairs between “Arrow Tree” and “Flowers,” both of which have also been featured on Nishitsu.
Here is the entrance to the pub.
Now, let’s head inside.
Inside the Irish Pub “The WEX”
This is what it looks like inside.
There are counter seats on the right and table seating on the left.
Here are the counter seats.
There’s quite a selection of liquor lined up at the counter.
Here are the table seats.
The walls are decorated with all kinds of signs and plates.
There was also a large monitor and a DJ booth.
Apparently, the pub often hosts live performances and events.
At the back of the pub, there are seats that feel a bit like a Japanese-style raised seating area.
Families with small children and others can relax here comfortably.
What Is an Irish Pub?
A “pub” is a type of bar that originated in Britain, and the word is apparently short for “Public House.”
Pubs are places where people gather and socialize while enjoying beer, other drinks, and snacks. In Britain, it’s said that every town has at least one pub.
The payment system is basically cash-on-delivery: you pay in cash each time you order a drink. In Japan, however, many pubs let you pay at the end, just like other restaurants and bars.
Even within British-style pubs, there are “British pubs” and “Irish pubs,” each with its own characteristics.
We found a website that explains it in an easy-to-understand way↓
American bar: A place where a whiskey glass slides smoothly across the bar counter, and customers playing poker suddenly break into a huge fistfight.
British pub (English pub): A place where men and women of all ages quietly discuss literature and horse racing while drinking ale.
Irish pub: A place where customers start singing or playing music on their own, even though nobody asked them to.(Source: Irish Network Japan official website)
It may be a bit exaggerated, but it’s a pretty easy-to-understand comparison.
Authentic Guinness Beer
When you think of Ireland, you think of “Guinness beer,” and Guinness has many features that set it apart from other beers.
Guinness is traditionally served in a “pint glass.”
The largest glass in this photo is a pint glass, and the smallest one is a half-pint glass.
A “pint” is a unit of volume, but the amount differs between the United States and the United Kingdom. In the U.S., one pint is 473 ml, while in the U.K., it is 568 ml.
The beer server is also a special one. While regular beer usually uses carbon dioxide gas, Guinness apparently uses a nitrogen-carbon dioxide gas blend.
It is also poured in two stages using a special method that takes time.
You wait a little while for the foam to settle partway through.
In Ireland, this waiting time is apparently called the “cascade show.”
Enjoying the wait is one of the unique parts of drinking Guinness.
Here is the Guinness beer.
It has a rich aroma and depth of flavor, and it’s smoother than it looks. Above all, its creamy foam is probably its defining feature.
At this pub, you can enjoy authentic Guinness anytime.
Owner and Manager Mr. Uesugi
This pub was originally opened by its previous owner, who was Irish, and the current manager, Mr. Uesugi, used to be a customer.
There is an interview video with Mr. Uesugi, so please take a look↓
He’s a friendly manager and shared all kinds of stories with us.
Being able to chat with a manager who has such a wealth of life experience is another part of this pub’s charm.
We also got a stamp in our Kurakuen Passport.
That makes five!
Irish Pub “The WEX” Store Information
★Hours: 18:00–24:00
★Closed Open daily
★Phone 0798-77-0057
★Address Hyogo PrefectureNishinomiya CityMinamikoshikiiwacho 8-13 Kurakuen-guchi Daiichi Building 2F
★Seats 55
★Smoking Allowed
★Credit cards Not accepted
★Related Links
HP/Tabelog
(*Prices, menu items, business hours, and other details are from the time of our visit. Please check directly with the shop for the latest information.)
