Everyone wants to feel welcomed, especially at their local watering hole.
"This place is a real local pub, more so than any other bar in the neighborhood. Bartenders actually know your name here," one patron explained.
And sometimes, a place to sit is all you need.
"We'd gone in and out of packed bar after packed bar tonight. You could barely move at and , so this back room with so many empty tables was seriously great to find," said Emily Carlino, who was visiting from out of town and looking to catch up with friends.
And so it goes at on a recent Friday night, ("jukebox night," as the bartender called it). Patrons are casual, comfortable and happy to have a place to sit, drink and talk with friends.
The back room at Ceol's is brightly lit and the set up, which an employee explained was designed to make customers feel like they're in their Grandma's family room, lends itself to easy conversation amongst friends.
"We came here because it wasn't crowded," said Meg from Park Slope who was seated at a large table with five others.
"It's very low-key tonight, but that's what we were looking for. Plus the fireplace is actually real, and lit."
Hanging out at the back room's tables means table service, too, which bar-goer Brian took advantage of to order himself a bread pudding and a whiskey.
"The best idea I had all day," he called his choice.
The front room of Ceol's lends itself more to regulars and parties-of-one on Friday nights, many of whom spoke about the bar's comfortable vibe.
"It's a very friendly crowd in here, ranging in age from 21-80," said Sean, Ceol's Friday night bartender. "Our oldest regular is 78 years old. Access-A-Ride drops her off. I'm not kidding."
