The Ould Sod

There are a handful of Irish Pubs in San Diego County, and some of them are more Irish than the others. But for all descendants of the Emerald Isle, one place stands out above the rest as ground zero for the thirsty Irish –The Ould Sod. Mick Ward is the owner of the Ould Sod and is known as the unofficial “Irish Mayor of San Diego”

“I bought The Ould Sod 35 years ago come New Year’s Eve!” Ward declared. “It was and still is the third oldest bar in San Diego. It was originally called ‘Ryan’s, opened up in 1932 I believe, and then it was known as ‘The Elbow Club’ for many, many years, and we took over on New Years Eve 1989.

The Ould Sod is an authentic Irish Pub in the fact that the regulars are almost like a family. This harks back to the old Irish and English tradition of pubs being a “Public House” where the neighborhood residents would gather together to socialize and catch up. Ward says there are many Irish, Irish–Americans, and all sorts of other patrons who make The Ould Sod their home away from home. He says the older gentleman come in in the afternoon, and get replaced by a younger crowd as the night goes on.

Mick Ward with Sammi the Bartender

The place has the look of an authentic Irish Pub with lots of woodwork and mirrors, and even the specialized taps that pour Guinness Ale and preserve it’s trademark rich and creamy texture. It’s the type of place where you can pretend to be in Ireland if you squint your eyes. The sound and the tastes are just the same. The bar also features perhaps San Diego’s tiniest stage where bartender Sarah Petite performs regularly. The Ould Sod hosts many Irish events put on by the Irish Congress of Southern California as well as the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, which Ward is a member of. The pub has had weddings as well as wakes, and an endless count of birthdays and anniversarys.

Ward makes it a point to carry the game on TV no matter if it’s soccer, rugby, football or baseball. He also holds events for “Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day in September, and Irish New Years at 4pm on New Years Eve. Next year, the Ould Sod will celebrate 35 years in business and Ward intends to have a proper celebration. “Next May, we’ll be doing our official 35th anniversary party even though we opened on New Years Eve, we had some renovations done and reopened in May of 1990 so that will be 35 years.”

And here’s to another 35!

TheOuldSod.com

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