Guest Author - Mary Ellen Sweeney

Blaggard's Pub/Restaurant
8 West 38th Street (just west of Fifth Avenue), Manhattan
212-382-2611

Blaggard's is the only place in the city where Irish musicians of all stripes are always welcome. There are plenty of chairs and the relaxed atmosphere inspires the musicians' creative juices.

One never knows who will show up for the seisuns at Blaggard's, but professional or student, the courtesies are well minded. The establishment offers few rules, but those they do make perfect sense. There should not be two sets of spoons playing at the same time...two bodhran players should sit at opposite sides of the room.

All musicians, singers, and listeners are welcome; all set, ceili and step dancers are are also invited! The music-makers and the singers often click and end up working together. The establishment asks that songs be kept to a reasonable length, preferably shorter than 50 verses.

There is a fine wooden floor for dancing. There's food and drink. Blaggard's is just a fine place to visit when in Manhattan; worth the trip if you're making it.

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