10 things you’ll remember about the St Lawrence Hotel in Howth

If you grew up on the Northside, chances are you visited the legendary St Lawrence Hotel and its adjoining nightclub in Howth. Like many of the peninsula's great hotels, it is now sadly gone, replaced by an exclusive apartment complex. Here are a few things you might remember about the St Lawrence in its heyday.

1.    Saints nightclub. It was once the place to be seen on multiple nights of the week.

2.    Goodtime Charlie’s. Basically a rebranded version of Saints but its name is indelibly stamped on the memories of a certain generation. Famously featured in ‘The Snapper’.

3.    The bouncers. Nice lads, really, but terrifying nonetheless. They had the power to ruin your night with a simple “not tonight, lads”.

4.    The Cocktail Bar. Small but classy. Despite its exotic name, more pints were served than pina coladas. It was a great spot for a swift one to help you pluck up the courage to face the nightclub bouncers.

5.    The music. The show bar featured some great acts, such as The Memories, Jump the Gun, Don Baker, Joanna and Tequila Sunrise, Laurie Hartz and Moonshine.

6.    Rock on Tommy was the DJ.

7.    Going to wedding receptions upstairs in the Lambay Room with its trendy conservatory. Lovely views across the Howth Harbour and a great spot for those wedding snaps.

8.    Giving a tip to Noddy, the sound as a pound carpark attendant.

9.    99p drinks nights. Jesus, me head!

10.   And last but not least, the famous all-you-could-eat carvery. Back in an era when eating out was the preserve of the rich, the St Lawrence Hotel introduced reasonably priced dining to a whole new generation. Who remembers making multiple trips to the dessert trolley? Not bad for less than a tenner a head.