I discovered Tom Giblins within a few weeks of moving to Carlsbad, and fell in love. The atmosphere is homey and welcoming, and dispite the protestations of a few other commenters I've always found the food excellent, especially the coronary-inducing scotch eggs.

I promise you after a boxty, a few pints of Guinness (or a snakebite or two) and a thunderous chorus of Drunken Sailor with Brehon Law and 70 of your new pubmates you'll love it too.

A word of caution however: this is not a good place for people who enjoy the club scene or are subject to cigarette smoke or trans fats phobias. It's a pub, and acts like one.

You first notice the 'thatched' roof above this rustic public house with the windows adorned with Guinness signs. The oversized front door welcomes you like a big warm Irish hug. Upon entering, you're greeted by a fireplace - one of two - that warm your bones throughout the whole year.

Once inside and your eyes adjust to the lighting, you feel that you've stepped inside a pub in Ireland, perhaps on Quay Street. After all, the soul of Galway has been brought by the pub's owner, Ned Giblin, from his own County Galway in song and in spirit. Here, friends greet you with a nod and a smile as you walk past the newly-restored bar area comprised of dark wood and smartly-placed mementos of ireland.

Your order is taken in no time at all by their friendly staff and the waiting begins. Ah, but this is a good wait. You see, when you order a Guinness, you order a pint of art. And you can't rush art. It takes time to create it well. And they do. Their pint is perhaps only rivaled by one other pub in the San Diego area, but that's another story. Few things taste better than a pint of the black stuff with their delicious Stilton Burger and chips, so it would be wise to order one to split with your mate.

By the time the frothy head hits your lips, notes of authentic music fill the air. It's probably Brehon Law - Ned Giblin and David Lally - infusing new life into traditional 'in your face' Irish music. The lively entertainment often has crowds, ranging from children to seniors, clapping, dancing and laughing. Giblin's voice is soothing yet strong, and his talent with a guitar and a mandolin sometimes has customers not just tapping their feet but also gazing in awe.

How someone can leave here unsatisfied is beyond me. Perhaps they were looking for a place for quiet conversation and fine dining and Giblin's didn't deliver that. At that time. Should you arrive before 8 PM on any given day, it can easily be had. But any later than that and you'll find yourself in the thick of a grand time.

My husband and I have been to Tom Giblin's quite a few times. The atmosphere is very much like the pubs we've gone to in Ireland. You can always get a great pint of Guinness and the food is decent --better than the usual pub grub. It can get very lively in the evenings with really good Irish music, which can get pretty loud, especially if you are close to the tiny stage and when everyone in the place sings along. Not a place for intimate conversations in the evening, but a fun place to go to for an evening out for good music and good fun.

Tom giblins is one of the most authentic Irish Pubs I have been in for a long time. I had the pleasure of meeting the owners Ned & Brenda on my visit there. In fact Ned's band Brehon Law was playing that night. A very talented musician. The music was Irish and teriffic. I had the extreme pleasure of eating one on my all time favorite dishes. Fish & Chips, Mmmmmmm.....My friends had the flat iron steak and corned beef and cabbage and also the osso buco. the food was a very pleasant suprise not what you would expect from an Irish pub menu. It was extraordinary.
We all enjoyed the food and agreed that the quality far exceeded our expectations.
The waitstaff were extremely helful and friendly the music and ambience warm and inviting. The next time we are in town we will surely visit or new found watering hole at Tom Giblin's.