Spotlight: Fiddler’s Green Irish Pub and Eatery

Fiddlers Green Irish Pub and Eatery

 

Sláinte! There is something about Fiddlers Green Irish Pub Winter Park that makes it a very unique nightlife experience- centered around the casual and friendly atmosphere, cozy dark oak interior, hearty food and drink, and a bit of Irish hospitality and tradition. Your neighborhood Irish Pub like Fiddler’s Green offer a unique, authentic experience that can be hard to find in a world that is saturated with chain restaurants. It’s a different type of atmosphere than going into a generic, cookie-cutter, chain sports bar like Miller’s Ale House or Twin Peaks. Fiddler’s is one of the few pubs in Orlando that are keeping the Irish-American tradition alive. There is no pub in Winter Park that does it better than Fiddler’s Green. It’s barstools and tables have seen many a gathering of friends and family: having pints, bites and sharing memories and laughs. At it’s core, it’s a gathering place of camaraderie and friendship.

History behind the Pubs and the “Public House”

 

Fiddler’s Green has only been in the Winter Park neighborhood for two decades. However, it’s Irish roots go all the way back to the 10th Century! In fact, the word “pub” is derived from the term “public house”. It is a place where people went to enjoy a drink. In Ireland, pubs and public houses were the working man’s alternative to private drinking establishments. For the last century, the Irish public house has been a social and community center. It functions as a both a place to consume alcohol and as a place to meet friends, neighbors and even complete strangers, to converse in a relaxed atmosphere. Feasts are celebrated in the Irish Pub, weddings, funerals, wakes, christenings, birthdays and any other celebrations you can think of. Irish pubs have integrated themselves into the US and it’s impossible to visit any American city that didn’t have an Irish pub. Some of the oldest pubs in America date back to the early 20th century or even mid to late 19th century. The rise in Irish pubs in America were a result of largescale immigration from Ireland since 1840.

The Culture of Traditional Irish Pubs

The Irish Pub has been an integral part of the Irish social culture and an integral part of the community, not unlike a local church. It is a place of leisure, food, and meeting with others in the community. Irish people refer to the “local” pub that they frequent most often. This leads to a close, mutual connection between the customer, staff and other patrons. Each of the patrons know who the other patrons are, especially in a pub located within a small town or community. There is a certain level of etiquette that varies depending on the type of pub that you visit. It’s tradition that when someone invites you to an Irish pub, it is common practice for them to purchase the first round of drinks. But, you should order the next order before others finish their drinks in order to keep in the spirit. Drinking is paired with hearty food and Irish sports and traditional Irish music. The widespread appeal has led to the Irish pub theme spreading around the world. You can travel to countries such as China, Russia or even South America and still find the traditional Irish pub experience. The traditional Irish toast is “Sláinte” (SLAWN-chuh) which is the Gaelic equivalent of “cheers”

Hearty Provisions: Food and Drink

Traditionally, food and drink has an amazing way of bringing people together. The food and drink is one of the hallmark aspects of the Irish pub. The fare includes traditional Irish dishes like Irish stew, boxty (potato pancakes) and corned beef and cabbage. Fiddler’s offers this Irish dishes in addition to more American favorites like French fries and burgers. When it comes to drinking, no one does it bigger than the Irish, as they are known for their drinking habits. The best stouts and whiskeys in the world come from Ireland. Guinness beer is a trademark of any Irish pub. Not only is it the most common beer in Ireland, it’s a national symbol in itself. If you aren’t up for a Guinness you can always order an Irish whisky such as Jameson, Bushmills or Blackbush. Whether you are in an Irish pub in Russia, Argentina or Winter Park, FL you know you’ll be able to order a pint of Guinness or Irish whiskey there.Guinness beer is a trademark of any Irish pub. Not only is it the most common beer in Ireland, it’s a national symbol in itself.

Fun Facts About Irish Pubs

 

  • The oldest pub in Ireland (and Europe) is Sean’s Pub in Athlone, dating back to 900 AD.
  • Irish round system – it is customary for each person in a group to buy a round of drinks. This is a still a very large part of Irish pub culture. 3. “Slagging” is a part of traditional Irish pub culture. It’s poking fun at someone else in a humorous way for laughs.
  • The origin of the word “whiskey” comes from ‘uisce beatha’, meaning ‘water of life’ in Irish Gaelic. Scottish people spell whiskey without the ‘e’, ‘whisky’.
  • Toasts are a big part of the Irish drinking tradition. Sláinte! Is one of the most popular ones, meaning “health”. Other common ones include “May the Lord keep you in the palm of His hand, and never close his fist too tight!” and “May you always have a clean shirt, a clear conscience, and enough coins in your pocket to buy a pint!”

The Legendary Irish Pub of Winter Park

Fiddler’s Green Irish Pub and Eatery is hands down the go-to Irish pub in the Winter Park neighborhood. Fiddler’s first opened 22 years ago when they first brought a piece of Ireland to Winter Park, FL. They have been in business since 1996 and currently owned by Donal. The menu is full of amazing dishes- both traditional Irish fare and American favorites. A few traditional Irish dishes include their awardwinning fish and chips, Shepard’s pie, Irish stew and corned beef and cabbage. If you are craving American comfort foods, Fiddler’s Green has that as well, whether you are in the mood for a good burger or chili fries.

We met up with Gigi, the manager at Fiddler’s Green Irish Pub and Eatery in Winter Park to find out more about the background of this legendary pub. The name “Fiddler’s Green” is a legendary supposed afterlife, where there is a perpetual mirth, a fiddle that never stops playing and dancers who never tire. In that spirit, Fiddler’s Green has no shortage of alcohol: 23 beers on tap, a full liquor bar, a nice wine list and one of the largest selections of scotches and whiskeys in Orlando. They have a great happy hour and different theme nights through the week. What makes Fiddler’s Green so unique and amazing? Fiddler’s Green is Central Florida’s most award-winning Irish pub. Their Fish & chips were featured on The Food Network’s “Best of” series and they have been chosen as best pub many times in Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Weekly reader’s polls. For entertainment, they have live bands every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night, Trivia Nation Wednesday nights at 7 pm and Open Mic night Thursday nights at 8 pm. They are open every day out of the year except for Christmas. Fiddler’s Green is an experience of food, fun and entertainment that you have to experience for yourself. If you are looking for a real Irish pub experience, spend your next brunch or happy hour at Fiddler’s Green.


This article originally appeared in the March 2019 issue of Park Ave Magazine. Titled “Fiddler’s Green Irish Pub & Eatery” by Alena Benchova and Alex Dimovski © Copyright 2019 – Park Ave Magazine. To read past issues of Park Ave Magazine, go to the “Editions” tab on the main menu of our homepage. To order past issues of Park Ave Magazine, please call (407)951-5341.