July 31 - August 6, 2004

By Sam Vimes

Getting gently bombed at Angus O’Tool’s

Everything an Irish Pub should be, apart from the fact that it’s within stumbling distance of a beautiful tropical beach. – Photos by Kanittha Thanthanasap.

Angus O’Tool’s is an Irish Pub in Karon owned by a consortium of Irish and Brits and headed by the very affable John, a Milwall fan, and Maurice Deveny, a Birmingham City supporter.

John is the front-of-house man, while Maurice works his magic in the kitchen. His culinary credentials include having frequently prepared meals for Britain’s Queen Mother.

Angus O’Tool’s is everything an Irish Pub should be, apart from the fact that it’s within stumbling distance of a beautiful tropical beach. The authentic design was by Andrew Scattergood, a man whose reputation is growing. Carrying out his vision was construction manager Paul “Geezer” Vincent. The bar is a fine example of his excellent work and the tasteful interiors alone warrant a visit.

As I approached, I was delighted to hear proper Western music, not the vapid R’n’B or mind-numbing dance music that turns most the Karon entertainment strip into a cacophony of white noise by 10 pm most evenings. So I was already feeling groovy when I got into the place.

The music, from one of the pub’s many international satellite feeds, came from a “classic rock” channel, making it a real Oasis in Karon, if you know what I mean.

In fact, Angus O’Tool’s may be the most wired venue on the island. In addition to UBC and other packages, it also has a South African satellite feed. If you want to see the F1 without those annoying ad breaks, O’Tools is the place to go. The abundance of sports channels – 18 in all – also means they get all the cricket and lots of other events not available in most Phuket pubs.

Naturally, they have a big screen TV, and they even get the Daily Telegraph delivered daily for those who like to keep up with events in the British print media.

You won’t go thirsty here, either – especially if you like beer. O’Tool’s has a wide range of brews to choose from, including Guinness and Kilkenny on draft at a very reasonable 190 baht a pint, by far the least expensive we’re aware of on the island.

Maurice explained that he would like to drop the prices even further, once the sales volume makes this feasible. This would almost be a reason to relocate to Karon, in my opinion.

Maurice takes a break from working magic in the kitchen – including genuinely unauthentic British curry.

If you like something a bit harder, you won’t go away disappointed either. A glance along the top shelf revealed all the troops were accounted for correctly lined up for inspection. Whatever your tipple, it’s there and it’s genuine. Perhaps best of all, it’s a “free pour” bar, the only one in the area. This means the spirits are poured into drinks not by measuring glass, but by hand – almost always to the customers benefit.

If I needed another reason to exchange my NoLo (North Of Lotus) citizenship, it would be this: Every Tuesday is Ruby Tuesdays night, with Brummie Balti. Now many people have enticed me with promises of a proper British curry. All have failed, frankly, so it was with trepidation that I asked to sample some. “Just the sauce,” I said with suspicion.

Ten minutes later a bowl of Korma sauce arrived at the table and, by Jove, it was the right color. The smell was right, too. My heart raced, could it be? The first taste revealed that this is indeed a proper Britcurry. It was perfectly unauthentic Indian.

It was proper and British, no excuses. I was in heaven. O’Tool’s also do a monster breakfast, I am pleased to report – along with the fact that I may now be looking for an apartment in the Karon area.

I asked Maurice how he was going to maintain the authentic atmosphere. He replied, “We have quite a few partners, many of whom do not live here full time. Their frequent visits mean their eyes aren’t clouded by being here all the time. This really helps us keep it real.

“We also listen to customer comments. Everyone has opinions, and normally these are expressed with their legs. So we actively encourage our patrons to give some input into the bar by telling us what they want. It’s better than having them vote with their feet,” he added.

The venue opened on Christmas Day last year and already enjoys a good deal of repeat trade. This is an encouraging sign. They also have very reasonably-priced accommodations above the pub, including a penthouse on the top floor, complete with a Jacuzzi.

Angus O’Tool’s is a remarkably friendly pub, too. We felt right at home almost instantly and, get this, if we’d brought the dog he would also have been in heaven too. O’Tool’s is a “dog-friendly pub” and if a customer decides to have a night out the town with Fido or Spot, the lucky dog will even be treated to a bone. Lovely. Soi dogs need not apply, however.

Good news for smokers, too. The open-air design means it’s cool without air-con, so you can puff away to your lungs’ content without the room ever getting too smoky.

The evening was progressing nicely indeed when I asked about specialty drinks and shooters, etc. This is normal journalistic practice during the course of such reviews and one I am compelled to endure as part of my ethical code of practice – and to remain in compliance with the Gazette’s ISO 2004HIC “Standards in Pub Reviewing” certification.

Purely by coincidence, I was already full of beer when before me appeared what is known in these parts as “A Depth Charge”. This concoction consists of Guinness, into which a very large measure of Drambuie liqueur is dropped, tumbler and all.

I am a big boy, and not typically fazed by such things, so took it like a man. Mum, you would have been proud of me.

The next five minutes were rather interesting. There was a very pleasant tingling sensation running through my veins which made me fairly immune to the surrounding conversations. I had become comfortably numb. This is a very fine shooter indeed. These should be indulged in one at a time, however, with sufficient periods between to reassess balance and coordination.

Later in the evening, Maurice was feeling groovy too, for he had kept me company in the sinking of the Depth Charge. In such a state, one always seems to hear music more clearly.

On went DVDs from an excellent collection: U2 at Slane Castle followed by Clapton Live. It was a reluctant parting, but I was primed to go out and look for a new apartment.

Angus O’Tool’s is situated off Patak Rd, around the corner from the Karon Café and opposite the Islandia Hotel. Ample parking is available.
For more information visit the Website: www.otools-phuket.com or call Tel: 076-398262.