New York bar sign goes viral for banning ‘Irish drunks’

A sign put up in the window of a New York bar and restaurant seems to have sparked a big reaction! 

The sign in the window of 'The Dock Bar and Gill' in Montauk reads, “No to Yapping Mutts, Irish Drunks, Screaming Kids, Cells Phones, Strollers and Public Restrooms.”

Pauline Turley, originally from Co. Down in Northern Ireland, noticed the sign and told Irishcentral.com, “I was taken aback by the way that kind of stereotype was so blatantly displayed. ‘No Irish Drunks,’ that’s very pointed.”

The bar’s owner, George Watson said the sign is okay because he is of Irish decent and is “also a drunk at times”.

“There’s a large Irish contingent out here and once they attacked me – verbally – so we added ‘No Irish Drunks’ to the list. If you spoke about any other religion or race they would probably take offense to it, but the Irish have a sense of humour,” said George.

Pauline admits most Irish would probably see the funny side of this, but suggests maybe that isn’t a good thing.

She said, “Why would you put up a sign like that knowing no one else would tolerate it? There’s that line ‘God invented drink so the Irish wouldn’t take over the world,’ and we do laugh at, but I think there are very serious undertones that we as Irish people need to think about and say ‘Hold on a minute, is that how we want to be seen?"

“I love Irish bars and hospitality; they’re the best in the world. I love to socialize and tell stories and have a good glass, but we have to remind people that there’s a lot more to the Irish than their perceived ability to drink," she said.

What do you think – offensive, or all in good humour?