In every city throughout the world there is an Irish bar. Up until 20 years ago, that wasn’t so much the case in Nice until Thady Nolan arrived and saw the need for a genuine Irish bar: Ma Nolan’s was born in the old town of Nice.
This was followed by Ma Nolan’s in the Port of Nice and a further bar in Cannes. The empire has swelled to include Van Diemen’s, Antipodean themed, and Le Bateleur, French themed on the Cours Saleya in the old town together with two bars in faraway Toulouse. Quite an empire for someone who was a project manager in IT! Thady has a created these really buzzy places offering beers, wines, food, music and events!
Speaking of events, Ma Nolan’s shows all the major sporting events on the many big screens in their bars. If you want to see a specific event then just ask! So all F1s, international and national rugby together with football, not to mention cycling and on it goes. There is always something to watch which is either relaxing or exciting. The atmosphere is super friendly and inviting. Music is on every night in the old town and Irish music together with folky-type music is played every Sunday in the port.
I have particular fondness for the quizzes that happen every week, Mondays in the old town, and Thursdays in the port. The quizzes are brilliantly executed in both French and English with a bilingual host. Mobile phones are banned, they must be put in a box on your table during the quiz. The quiz appeals to all nationalities and all age groups. The one I went to in the port recently had 30 plus teams which means a lot of well-natured, happy people. There are questions for everyone from movies to music and general knowledge. It’s excellent fun!
Let’s talk about the food. It is all very traditional. However, the plat du jour may offer dishes that are not so traditional. A firm favourite of many is the traditional Sunday lunch available in the old town. The Irish breakfasts are big and filling with ingredients that are very hard to find in France such as Irish/English black pudding. I know Polish people that the first thing they do in Nice is have the breakfast. Apart from that there are the nachos, burgers and BLTs, not to mention the fish & chips together with other tasty plates, check out the menu online.
All in all, Ma Nolan’s deserves its place in the list of must dos in Nice. There is actually something for everyone whether it be sport, music, drinking. eating, or sitting back and enjoying the craic (it is absolutely brilliant for conversation). The perfect place where there is a welcome for everyone, from one person to friends and, of course, families!
All photos courtesy Pineapple Enterprises
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