Brocach Irish Pub - Tue., June 13, 2006

Address: 7 W Main St
Phone: (608) 255-2015
Webpage: www.brocach.com

Brocach Irish pub may be a lot fancier than the typical pub you find dotting the Irish countryside but it has the same congenial atmosphere and pours a good pint of Guinness.

Gaelic for badger den, the cleverly named Brocach’s is located on the site of the former Badger Candy Kitchen and Parker Jewelers on the Capitol Square on Main Street. The nostalgia people feel for the Badger Candy Kitchen has always eluded me. I’ll take a well poured Guinness from Brocach’s friendly bartenders over an ice cream soda made by the crabby, cranky owner of Badger Candy Kitchen any day.

Spacious with two large rooms on both levels, the dark wood and gold stucco walls give Brocach a warm, inviting feel. Both levels have loads of tables of varying sizes with tapestry upholstered chairs so groups of any size can be easily accommodated. The long mahogany bar downstairs is almost always lined with customers enjoying their pints of Ireland’s finest brews. Irish tapestries and Gaelic sayings decorate the walls. The upstairs has its own, smaller bar and, like the downstairs, has a gas powered wood stove in the back that makes for a cozy corner to enjoy your pint in the winter months. The view of the Capitol’s south law from the large upstairs windows is spectacular. The upstairs also has a few eclectic, sculpted red sofas for lounging in addition to the wooden tables.

Drinkers can choose from Guinness, Smithwick’s, Bass, Capital Seasonal, Newcastle, Spotted Cow, Harp and Stella Artois. Brocach has a full lunch and dinner menu that includes standard Irish fare like Shepherd’s Pie, bangers and mash, fish and chips and Irish stew as well as a good selection of sandwiches and salads. Food is a hit and miss adventure at Brocach. The Irish stew is hearty and well stocked with lamb, carrots and potatoes, but I’ve given up on the corned beef sandwich which always seems to be fatty and on the dry side.

The Irish Pub on State Street (see December 13, 2005 review) more closely resembles the typical Irish pub, but Brocach is a great addition to the Capitol Square and earned a solid B and a couple of A-‘s from Bar Tour.