It was a cozy place, a truly Irish tradition. If it was so unmemorable, why was it bought and why did everyone flood into it when it reopened?
The new ownership has not evolved it. It is not new or special. It has made itself like every other upscale bar in Mt. Lebanon. It's just another Saloon, Molly B's, Getaway Cafe (Brookline)... I might as well go to Applebee's.
You said it, new patrons. Yuppies. And it's not a better experience. It's bland. It's another place with TVs everywhere and just boring.
It's new clientele has other places to go already, the "90's generation" who didn't go into law or business did not. Now we find The Saloon of Mt. Lebanon a lot more attractive. It's the same thing, priced better, with less pretentious crowds.
When it was first reopened, before the nice low tables went, before the old worn floor with stories to tell went, it flourished. It was PACKED. And not just the first weekend, every night. There was no NEED to really change it.
That slimeball can take Cain's and Deisil and drown in the grave they'll be in 5-7 years as any place does that isn't unique.
The old place needed "Saved" because of it's continued lack of ID-ing patrons, by the way. That is the reason they closed. And as far as I'm concerned, when those comfortable "ratty old" tables went, so did the friendly ghosts.
Watch Withnail & I and tell me that this country doesn't lack pubs like that. And Cain's was one. And plenty of us knew it.
Cain's is renovated and the menu has v good food. The kitchen turns out quality product and in the bar there is a variety of ales from which to choose. The staff was very friendly, especially having to deal with our fairly large group. Parking wasn't bad either.