Sonoma’s Murphy’s Irish Pub hits its stride

Murphy’s Irish Pub is situated a short walk down an almost hidden alleyway called Place de Pyrenees, just off the east side of the Plaza. There is a certain European feel to the alley. Narrow at first, it opens to a nice and lively outdoor public gathering place.

Dermot Coll and his partners have owned Murphy’s for just about a year, and they seem to have hit their stride. The venerable pub, founded by Larry Murphy some 26 years ago, is a cozy and lively place, and one worth checking out.

Murphy’s is unusual in that there are three distinct areas in which to hang out and enjoy a beverage and the crowd. There is a patio area, perfect for the warmer months, now walled in by clear vinyl curtains to retain the heat. The main room is a classic well-lit Irish pub. There are several tables for dining, and barstools for the true pub experience. The back room, also called “the Snug,” is where the larger and more public events take place. These events include live music, a monthly “Back Alley Comedy” night, short staged-drama productions and the longstanding weekly Trivia Night.

The outdoor patio area is set to come alive before you know it, specifically March 15. St. Patrick’s Day is an enthusiastically observed day in the life of an Irish Pub, and one not to miss. There will be a squadron of beer kegs ready to be tapped, a menu to entice, and live music to get your shillelagh swinging.

Murphy’s main room is the site of the bar, the beer and all the buddies who congregate there. The fully stocked bar is tended by several amiable folk, all capable of pouring the perfect Guinness or mixing a delicious cocktail.

Located behind the bar is the TV remote, used throughout the day to switch between the myriad sporting events being broadcast. Since it is an Irish bar, international soccer matches are shown regularly, sometimes early in the day. A large and partisan crowd often shows up wearing the colors of their team. Not limited to sports with balls, boxing matches are also selected for viewing for those fans of the sweet science.

Next weekend, the bar will use those TVs to get in on the Oscar fun, hosting an Academy Awards viewing party and ballot competition on the evening of Sunday, Feb. 24.

The Snug has been the home of a popular Trivia Night for many years. Eager minutiae buffs gather every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. for a shot at winning… something, it doesn’t really matter. It is just a chance to punch up all that useless stuff rattling around in their heads. Politics, pop culture, geography and history are areas of knowledge typically covered.

People work in teams to answer the questions, which are posed either orally, as Q&A or fill-in-the-blank style. There are sometimes audio clues given, and there is a new collection of photographs of people to be identified each week. The competition gets heated and the reading of the team names at the beginning of the night always draws a laugh.

The name “the Snug” is original-owner Larry Murphy’s idea. Traditionally in Ireland, a “snug” is a portion of a public house where women would have a beverage in relative privacy, as it was frowned upon for a lady to be seen drinking in a pub. These rooms were sometimes called “confession boxes.” Nowadays, the Snug at Murphy’s is decidedly open to all pronouns, and secrets are held close.

Live music is presented on Friday and Saturday nights, starting at 8 p.m. Local bands are the focus, but touring groups do stop by for a chance to spread their wings in the small and intimate setting. A new program of Monday night music called “Murphy’s Monday” is beginning, as well. This is envisioned to be a time when local guitar slingers and singers can share the stage and accompany each other while playing familiar or original songs.

The stage in the Snug is small, but five-piece bands can squeeze in to entertain the crowd. Coll has purchased some nice sound equipment to ensure a great listening experience.

Private events, such as wedding parties and birthdays, can also be held inside the Snug.

As you walk through the alleyway back to your car, you will be glad you took up the invitation to stroll down to check out Murphy’s.

Sonomapub.com.