h, how I miss the good ol’ days of going to school in Gastown: spending nights and weekends in east-side spots, bars and restaurants that so effortlessly evoke the romance of a rough and noble borough. Days were lean, leisurely hanging about, talking about film until the wee hours of the morning.

Those days seemed to return, if only for one night; the instant I passed through the portals of Limerick Junction, I was transported back in time. Visitors to this Irish themed bar soak up the ghostly presence of days gone by - an east-side atmosphere, brick pillars, dodgy people loitering about, the down-to-earth servers - not unlike hanging out in your best friend’s basement.

The lighting is low and the space is a good environment to chow a beef and Guinness casserole, or perhaps just getting sloppy with pints. Limerick Junction has a 20 seat cigar lounge, a games room with pool tables and a dart board, a large oak and marble bar, stage and dance floor; the space will feature Celtic and folk bands, while focusing on the European sports-bar theme. The staff certainly seems excited to be there and it shows, taking as much pride in the place as the owner.

This newly-renovated gem is the fourth project in the restaurant department from Sean Heather (Irish Heather, Salty Tongue Urban Deli). Heather and business partner John Coughlan have converted the old Brickyard location, just down the street from Irish Heather, into a classy and comfortable hideaway.

An eatery's longevity must provide some sort of food substance. And, as it turns out, both the food and beer at Limerick Junction were great. My group ordered a few pints and hung out for hours. There was not much of a crowd, but the people who were there were happy and friendly. I do not think it will take long for this space to become a hot spot in Gastown. What the spot lacks in refinement, it often makes up for in relaxed atmosphere. (The decidedly wallet-friendly prices doesn't hurt either.)