Flannagan's Dublin

I used to go to Flannagan's a lot during the summers of 2008, 2009, and 2010.  It was mainly to play sand volleyball on Friday nights.  That was the night wherein you were selected to a team.  I stopped going when they no longer had the Friday Night Mixer.  When I first played at Flannagans in 2008, I didn't have much experience playing sand volleyball as the majority of the other players had.  But I've been interested in the sport due to watching it in the Olympics and the success of Misty May Treanor and Keri Walsh.  I used to watch sand volleyball tournaments at my apartment complex in Illinois and the people playing it at Flannagan's.  Despite not having much experience and not at their playing level and possibly being intimidated by them, I always felt I could play the sport as best as I could.  I did just that when I first began playing in the Friday Night Mixer.  I played as hard as I could and felt I improved the more I showed up on Friday nights during those summers.  It was also fun playing and being around those other players.  They were friendly with me and helped me in playing the game.  I do miss going to Flannagan's and playing sand volleyball.  

There were some nights wherein I stopped by there after finishing my 2nd shift job at the time and watch the courts and see them play.  I also would go in the bar and catch the various television programs on the monitors.  The vociferous music helps make the atmosphere a festive one.  It uplifts everyone's mood.  I know pizza is their popular food.  But I never had it, so I can't judge as to whether or not I like it.  I've never had alcohol from there.  I only drank cups of water in between volleyball matches.

In addition to watching the sand volleyball action outside, I remember seeing groups of young people at the tables chatting and laughing, having a great time.  I recall some of the groups had a mixture of males and females.  They played volleyball earlier, but were talking and laughing at the tables.  I didn't care about the males, but the females were pretty attractive with shirts, shorts, and flip-flops.  I should've attempted to talk to them, start friendships with them, and perhaps, try to join their volleyball team, but was too shy to.  I did talk to a team, convinced them that I was a good player and would be valuable for them, but someone from that team said they had enough players.  

Whenever I went to Flannagan's, I usually wore a T-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops.  One time after I finished playing volleyball for the night, I was standing outside the courts amid the crowd wearing the same attire.  Then, I felt my left flip-flop was being stepped on very hard.  A young lady behind me was stepping on it with her boot.  I tried to tell her, but the music was loud and she was talking to someone.  The heel areas of the flip flops I wore at the time stuck out, making it easy for anyone to step on.  So I knew this would happen whenever I wore them to a place like Flannagan's.  But this was the only time it happened there, yet I was embarrassed.   I worked very hard in releasing my flop from being stepped on.  I twisted and turned before it was released.  

I feel Flannagan's is a pretty good place to play sand volleyball and have a fun time.

I've been coming to Flannagan's for years to play volleyball. However, it's not really a place that I would frequent if it wasn't for the volleyball leagues. I do applaud them for adding more volleyball courts, as well as a swimming pool (which I would never be caught dead in). Clearly, they know their crowd. A lot of the patrons here are kind of douchey, but hey, can't win them all.

The staff here usually seems pretty lackadaisical, but they make some damn good pizza, so there's that.

I've also been to Flannagan's once for St. Patrick's Day, but I don't feel that it was worth the $10 (I think) cover to get in. Too crowded, expensive drinks and annoying drunk people. But, there are bands if that's your thing.

Flannagan's has lost its identity. Several years ago, it was hopping for volley ball, good bands, and a packed house most weekends. In the last couple of years the volleyball remains a major draw and during the summer, the new pool is there. Personally, I'm not a big fan of community pools full of drunks. Hope they use a ton of chemicals. As for the music scene, aside from St. Patrick's Day and Halloween, Flannagan's has become a ghost town. On some winter weekends, they do not bother to open their doors. I guess they can sustain the year on the money they make during the volleyball and pool season. The last few times I've dropped in for a band, there might have been 15-25 people there. There are better places to go for a bar atmosphere and live music.