18 things you might remember about The Summit Inn

THE Summit Inn in Howth holds a special place in many Northsiders’ hearts, particularly for those of us who grew up in the ’80s and ’90s. Here are a few things you might remember about this iconic pub and nightclub.

1. It was a long, uphill walk from Howth Village.

2. It was an even longer walk back down the hill if you didn’t get served.

3. You had to navigate your way past the pool players to get to the jacks in the bar.

4. The pool table was never free.

5. The Saturday night queue down the laneway into the nightclub.

6. The sense of relief when the bouncer let you in.

7. That sinking feeling when you saw owner Tommy Gaffney on the nightclub door – chances of getting past him were slim.

8. Silently repeating your false date of birth in your head as you joined the queue for the club.

9. Drinking pints of Furstie!

10. Presenting your ticket for chicken and chips, which was replaced with slices of corned beef when the chicken ran out.

11. Getting in some Dutch courage ahead of the slow set.

12. All going well with the slow set, having a snog in the pub car park, surrounded by beer kegs.

13. Thinking that a romantic walk up to the actual summit viewing point was a good idea – in January!

14. Getting the double-decker bus, affectionately referred to as the ‘Vomit Comet’, back down the hill.

15. Trying hard not to get sick on the bus journey home. It must have been the chicken!

16. Still calling it the Summit when it became Zenith Nightclub.

17. Still calling it Zenith’s when it became K2.

18. Cherishing every memory of those brilliant times.