| Kabul’s Irish Club
Reports by Frank Shouldice
Unlike many nightclubs of New York or Los Angeles, the Irish Club in
Kabul, Afghanistan doesn’t have a sign out front or a number on the
door for a reason more serious than just trying to be trendy. The only
bar in the post-Taliban country is keeping a low profile so as to not
upset locals. The Irish Club is licensed to serve whiskey and cold beer,
but only to foreigners, who are required to sign in and show ID at the
door. The deputy supreme court justice Fazel Ahmed Manawi has said that
Muslims found drinking at the Irish Club will be punished. But he does
concede that it is necessary for foreigners to be allowed to have a bar.
The bar’s owner, Irish-born Sean Martin McQuade, worked as an engineer
in Afghanistan for 11 years before deciding to open the bar on, of course,
St. Patrick’s Day. Prior to opening, McQuade sought the permission
of the neighborhood mullah to open the bar. He intends on upholding the
rules and respecting the local people. He told the Associated Press, “It’s
sad we can’t let them [local Afghans] in, but this is a Muslim country
and it’s the govern-
ment’s wish that we don’t encourage their sons and daughters
to participate.” The bulk of McQuade’s clientele are aid workers
and diplomats. But, ironically enough, the bar is staffed by Afghans who
go by Irish names including “Paddy,” “Kevin” and “Jimmy,”
in order to protect their identities and prevent possible retaliation.
The Irish Club serves meals of pork chops and steaks and already has plans
for expansion. Rooms are currently being refurbished so that it can open
as an inn. In every way, the Irish Club is emulating the success of Irish
pubs across the world; it plays Irish folk tunes over the stereo, is adorned
with Guinness ads, and indulges in ‘mighty craic.’ But Kabul’s
Irish Club does have a twist to it – potential terrorist threats
are a concern and several soldiers are paid to stand guard outside the
place. The bar doesn’t advertise, but McQuade said, “People
know where to find us. News travels fast by word of mouth.”
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