Queen of Ireland and grande-dame-drag-doyenne — Panti — opened Pantibar in November 2007 and it has been part of the fabric of Dublin city ever since. Combining elements of an old-school community gay bar with a modern city-centre bar, Pantibar is just a few meters from the river Liffey on Dublin’s “Nort Side”, on much-loved Capel Street. The street has always been an eclectic mix and remains so today, crammed with hundreds of small independent stores; from high-brow to low-brow, and from every possible corner of the world.
There’s not a lot you can’t get on Capel Street, and Pantibar’s landmark illuminated sign stands proudly at the top of it. Our dotted lettering for the sign (2015) quickly became the icon for the bar. Its erection caused a national debate on design and the function of a city street, and the media was full of opinions on the value and rich history of illuminated signage in Dublin. Fortunately, we won that debate, and the sign basically now has international cultural, social and political status — though perhaps not quite in so many words. Just like her owner, the bar has become a beacon in a barnet.
Panti is generally out saving the world these days (from herself), but you can catch her propped up on one of her own stools every now and then during the week.
