Silky O'Sullivans vs. Pat Obriens: Beale Street's Irish Battle
So you are headed to beale street and can't decide which bar to go to then you see the neon of Silky's and then you see Pat Os and can't decide which is the best choice for you. Well here is a guide to help make this choice that much easier. The beautiful part of both these bars is that t each is like three bars in one with three distinct areas at each location.
1. So both Pat Os and Silky's have dueling piano bars. I personally prefer Pat Os because it is roomier and has more tables to sit at enjoy the music. Both bars play roughly the same songs and both can become extremely crowded but Silky's is too crowded because the main bar is located in the same room as the pianos which make it quite an annoyance on busy nights whereas one can get away from the crowd at Pat Os by getting a table plus there is a doorman if the room gets too crowded. (Advantage: Pat O's)
2. Pat Os also has a main bar area which is comparable to Silky's Oyster Bar. Both of these areas have a feeling of a small dive bar. The Plus on Silky's side is that it is a long room which gives it the feeling of being bigger even though both rooms are about the same size. All in all both are relatively the same and a good area if looking to get away from the bustle of the more crowded areas in each place. (Tie)
3. The patio is where Silky's ties the score. Even though Pat Os patio is covered with a giant tent top, Silk'y patio is what makes it a landmark on Beale and not just because of the goats which live in a pen next to the patio. In the summer, nothing beats sitting on Silky's patio listening to the band playing and enjoying a dance or two with the ladies. While Pat Os patio is fun and sometimes has bands, it holds nothing on Silky's patio. (Advantage: Silky's)
4. Specialty Drinks is the last chance for either to pull away. And once again we are tied. Silky's sports the diver bucket which is a huge fruity concoction that requires multiple drinkers to finish. Pat O's specialty is the Hurricane which it claims its brother in New Orleans created. Both are great and this is a tie because both taste good and will get you where you want to go in a hurry at that. (Tie)
So how do we decide a winner. I call it a tie. In the end, it depends on whether or not you want to pay cover. Silky's is $5 to $10 cover every weekend while Pat Os is free almost every night. Here is what I recommend. Below 65, go to Pat O's and above 65 degrees then go to Silky's for the patio. Either way I promise you win.
