The Crane Lane Theatre

My friends and I were seated at a reserved table inside. A friend who had just arrived called me because there was a long queue outside. I approached the security guard (with my limited English) to ask if my friend still needed to wait in line even though we had a reservation. The guard immediately shouted in my face without even listening: “You stay inside or you go outside, you can’t be in the middle!” When I tried to calmly explain again, thinking he might have confused me with someone else, he grabbed my arm very strongly twice, shook me, and forcefully pushed me outside through the entrance area. There are two or three small steps at the door, and although I managed to keep my balance, I could easily have tripped and fallen. Because of this violent movement — combined with my existing nerve condition — I ended up with intense pain in my leg that I am still dealing with. It may sound unnecessary to mention, but I cannot drink alcohol because I take medication for a chronic nervous condition. The guard’s violent behaviour was therefore completely unjustified and unacceptable. He left me outside without my jacket and my bag. No one has the right to touch me without my consent, and certainly not a man in his position. My husband, who was still inside, collected my belongings and came out to me. He politely asked the guard what had happened. The guard then threatened him and spoke aggressively, even implying that he could hit him. Two of his colleagues (a blonde woman and another man) supported his actions instead of stopping him. I have photos and videos clearly showing the guard involved, as well as the aggression that took place. I tried to take a picture of his ID, but his colleagues blocked me so I couldn’t do it. I have also filed an official report with An Garda. The pub has cameras outside, so this incident should be on record. I cannot recommend this place while such violent and threatening behaviour is tolerated and nothing is done about it.

The best venue in cork, cool vibe, plenty of live music, latino nights, cabaret the works. Great crowd, never any trouble or issues. Bar crew are the best. Food is sensational. The only place in cork i frequent every week.

Cool venue, solid music. But there’s something theatrical behind the bar, like everyone’s playing a part. Great place if you enjoy performances with your pint.

I'm a cartoonist, for a while I went around Cork City doing caricatures for a bit of money and experience. I came to this bar a few weeks on my own, I asked them if they wanted a caricature, they agreed. They then told me to sit with them. I made sure to be polite and respectful - The Russian bouncer then came up and told him to "come with him" without asking them anything I then followed him out which he then told me the manager said had "too much to drink" despite the fact I only had one wine and was clearly sober. One of the bouncers then started intentionally antagonizing me and making vague mocking comments when I questioned what was happening, the shorter bouncers kept grabbing which seemed to be all he was capable of doing although both of them seemed to be completely untrained and incapable The whole situation was handled completely unprofessionally and the bouncers are complete acted like complete scumbags you'd find on the streets, rather not in a established bar. I hope in the future bouncers are trained better and held to accountability Please do yourself a favour and don't go to this bar, you will completely regret it and there's a good chance you'll be mistreated by a bouncer and kicked out - Just look at the reviews on trip adviser, plenty of people have a problem with the way this place is managed but the bar management doesn't seem to care. I might take this further and even go to the papers as I think I have enough material from me and other people

Nice Venue. Always good performance. Loads of places to put your drink. Loads of security. A few places connected together but each different atmosphere.

One of our friends, the only black member of our group, wasn't allowed in because she was 'too drunk'. She wasn't.. it was 9pm and we had just come from dinner. When I noticed she wasn't with us, I went to find her (she had been trying to call us but we didn't hear our phones) and she told me the bouncer wouldn't let her in to tell us. She was apparently too drunk to enter the pub but not to isolate from her friends. When I looked over at the bouncer, he had a smirk on his face.. and we knew he would have loved the opportunity to escalate it if we argued. All five of us (women in our 30s and 40s) have worked in pubs over the years and we know this type of dude... The type who enjoys his job because he gets to exercise power and discriminate. I got my friends and we left. I'm from Cork and my friends were visiting with me. I'm so embarrassed they experienced this in my city, and my friend, so used to experiencing racism her whole life, was subjected to it in Cork. I've read the other reviews and this appears to be an issue that no one is addressing at these venues.

Great pub in the city center. They have a great bar and lounge as well as a late bar with Djs and bands. There is a large heated area in the. Entrance lane for smokers. Staff are friendly service is fast. They have plenty of good bands on and it's a good venue for gigs. Definitely well worth a visit if you like a lively night out.

Such a viby place!! Cocktails upstairs are unreal and the whole place is so nicely decorated! Even going to bathroom may take you ages, due to the antique decorations in the bathroom stalls! Drinks are on the pricy side however, it's nice to go in and treat yourself!

A very cool vibe in this place, with two stages and a bar inside, and a seating area outside. We went on a Tuesday night with improv jazz groups playing which was fantastic. We had to move quickly for seating as it got crowded very quickly. A good heavy pour in our drinks though!

Crane Lane is one of those places that can satisfy anyone. It's huge and has multiple personalities. There are quiet bars and a narrow alley way to drink in and as you make your way further into the complex it becomes more ornate and clubby. You can see a concert, go dancing, or just get a few pints with some friends all within the same bar and not be disturbed by the other two activities. They have almost the full slate of Rising Sons beers here as well as the usual suspects that can be found at any Cork bar.

Killer place for some local live music. The stage was awesome and had a vintage feel. Great selection of beers on tap including Rising Sons Brewery. Loved the vibe and the option of indoor or outdoor seating.

This place has it all! What a fun area to visit in Cork! Loved the different bars. Didn't take too long to get service, considering how packed it was.

I've been to music venues all over the world and this is one of the best. The vibe in this venue is amazing. It has a fantastic sound system throughout. Friendly staff. Good collection of local microbrew on tap. Cool intimate stage area with a separate backroom for a DJ to spin records. The covered courtyard area is rather loud and smoky, but the gem of the venue is the interior.

Great space for live music and dancing. Open late and that's a plus. Rising Sons beers on tap are excellent.

I was a Crane Lane regular but this was 3 years ago before I moved to London so not sure where it stands now. I saw previous reviewers complain about rude staff but to be honest, I can't remember the last time I had much interaction with any staff of a pub/bar aside from when ordering drinks. Surely the point of a night out is to chat and socialise with your friends not the bar staff?! Personally, I like the style of this place - the lux red curtains and spaciousness. Maybe I need to go back on next visit.

Located in what's left of an old Gentleman's Club in the center of Cork City which, their website claims, "has been the scene of many a notorious event over the last 100 years", the Crane Lane Theatre has certainly been the scene of many a notorious event involving my friends over the last few years, which is - to my mind - the mark of any Irish pub worthy of the name. Comprised of four bars - the Theatre itself, which has played host to a wide range of performers as well as an even larger range of drunken dancers, the traditional pub-styled Stage Door, the cosy Crystal Room and, of course, the airy Garden bar, lauded as the only beer garden in Cork's city centre, and perpetually occupied by Cork's young artists, writers and musicians. And that's where the true beauty of the Crane Lane lies; not in its excellent pint of black, its uniquely Corkonian style and outlook, or its impressive musical line-up, although it has all in spades. It's in the eclectic mix of people to be found wandering through, and the breadth and variety of the conversations and activities to be had within. Whether it's their usual weekend crowd in for the nightclub, or one of their extra-special events, it's always going on at the Crane Lane.

Like many on here, I must say I enjoy the venue but the bar staff are horrific. I have rarely come across such unhelpful and blatantly mean bar staff in my life. It has turned me off the place and I won't be returning. I think management should have a good look at who they are employing. Maybe they should mystery shop their own bar to see how customers are treated. Really awful.

rude racist staff. was refused entrance perfectly sober twice and was very confused. when i started asking around it was explained to me that if you are not white and english speaking you are unlikely to be welcome