ON ANY GIVEN evening, in the heart of Dublin’s Creative Quarter, Drury Street comes to life with patrons sipping on delicious fine wines.
Opened in 2018 by friends and business partners, Brian O’Caoimh and Kevin Powell, Loose Canon quickly became (and has remained) one of Dublin’s go-to destinations for a memorable evening of great food and wine. Its location at the foot of the George’s St Arcade, with a view onto Castle Market, makes it a fantastic spot for people watching when you’re enjoying a solo drink.
The pair had previously established another instantly popular Dublin spot which then inspired them to continue creating spaces that they felt the city was lacking, as Loose Canon co-owner Brian O’Caoimh tells The Journal. “Kevin [Powell] and myself started a cafe in 2016 in Dublin called Meet Me in the Morning, which became a pretty popular brunch and coffee spot in the city and it eventually opened up doors for us to open a wine bar. We always had the idea that a wine bar like Loose Canon was missing from the city centre and when the space popped up we jumped on it! Fabian, our manager, came on board permanently a few years ago and we’ve been evolving ever since, we’re now directly importing a fair amount of the wine that we sell.”
In the 5 years since opening their doors, there has been an increase in people’s interest surrounding natural wine in Ireland which is, as O’Caoimh notes, merely an extension of how we, as consumers, are trying to become more conscious and informed by our choices.
“Nowadays people are more curious about where their produce comes from along with how it’s made and who is behind it. It’s happening in many aspects of life; our food, coffee, beer, clothes. The list is endless. When you start looking into it, natural wine is a logical destination for any wine drinker on this kind of journey. You get the full spectrum of young and playful wines all the way up to elegant and precise. Everything conventional wine has to offer is still there except the possibilities are even wider and more vibrant. On top of that you’re not going to be getting any weird substances filtering your wine or heavy amounts of preservatives. So its popularity in recent years also has a lot to do with changes in society and the way people think in general. That, and it’s delicious!”
Loose Canon’s location in Dublin’s historic George’s Street, looking out onto Drury Street, is beautifully laid out and extremely inviting to go for a lunchtime treat of one of their sensational cheese toasties and stay a little longer for a glass of wine. With interest levels rising in wine, O’Caoimh says that he’s always delighted to share his knowledge and appreciation of Loose Canon’s extensive wine selection with customers.
“For us we’ve tried to cultivate a super casual atmosphere in Loose Canon. We want people to be happy to ask questions and that is truly the best way to learn,” O’Caoimh says. “We encourage people to pop in, ask some questions and don’t be afraid to try something new. We always try to have a varied ‘By The Glass’ list so you can get a good gauge of different grapes and styles. We love it when people come in and find a perch in the room and ask about the list. You’re definitely going to find something that will interest you and you can build up from there!”
With summer only around the corner, and Loose Canon’s outdoor seating being one of the hottest places to be throughout the warmer months, we asked O’Caoimh what wines we should be imbibing in the coming weeks. “Summer is a great time to explore the lighter, more refreshing side of wine. A favourite for us are light bodied reds that can be served chilled, such as ‘Ca C’est Bon’ by Laurent Lebled, these wines are really exciting, and super fresh.”
He continues, “In this category, two wines that have really blown us away recently are ‘Manna’ by Martos wines and ‘Cuvee Rotlich’ by Andi Mann. Rosé and bubbles are always our recommendation when the hot weather arrives, so a natural favourite is a combination of both! Nothing hits the spot like a glass of sparkling rose and pink pet nats are definitely the drink of choice for Summer.”
Having noticed a gap in the market for an inviting wine bar and luxury cheese shop in Dublin’s city centre and turning that vision not only into a reality but a thriving success, O’Caoimh reveals some of his favourite things about running Loose Canon.
“We like to think we’ve cultivated an open atmosphere and that people are happy to visit which is very important to us. We love our events and when the place is really hopping on a warm Summer evening. The joys of seeing people having fun in a space you created and enjoying the things you selected is quite special. The community that has grown around the natural wine scene here is wonderful and inclusive. There are more and more wines coming in each year and it’s just great to be here and experiencing it unfold in real time.”
So, how does Brian O’Caoimh like to spend his time away from the bustling atmosphere at Loose Canon? We asked him to share the makings of his ideal Night Out, Night Off.
Down the Local: “I always enjoy Hartigans, opposite The Sugar Club, it’s a great pub for a quiet pint and catch up. It’s full of character and I love the high shelf that runs all the way around the main room for those busy moments when you have nowhere else to leave your pint.”
Dream Night Out: “M&L Szechuan Chinese, just off O’Connell St, is one of my favourite haunts. A basic ordering foundation is to get two more mains than the number in your group and then share everything. So, if there are 5 people eating, pick 7 mains and go off-piste with the selection. To top it all off, you can bring your own wine.”
Morning off Ritual: “Anywhere that has a sunny bench outside! The Morning, Lennox St Grocer and The Fumbally are all great spots with a bench that I frequent in the morning.”
Hidden Gem: “3 Leaves in Blackrock Market has become a cult favourite and is a personal favourite of mine. I love their incredible ever-changing Indian menu. It’s only open during the daytime and you’re always welcomed with a massive smile. Always a treat to travel out to.”
Weekend Getaway: “West Cork in the summer, always! Pints in Levis’ Corner House in Ballydehob and swims in the beautiful beaches outside of Schull. That’s my perfect weekend getaway.”
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