Every good night in Sin É has a moment where the whole room is singing the same line, and a surprising number of the songs that get people going are about exactly one thing: taking a chance. Horses, cards, dice, a punt you probably should not have made. Musicians have been writing about luck for as long as there have been pubs to play them in.
So while we wait for the weekend’s bands to load in, here are a few of our favourite songs about chancing your arm. Some are pub classics, some are arena anthems, and a couple would go down a storm with the kind of high-energy trad-rock crowd that packed the place when Cúla Búla played here.
The playlist
The Galway Races (traditional). You cannot talk about Irish songs and luck without starting at the races. This old ballad is a whole day out in song form, with the crowds, the characters and the sport all rolled into one, and it is still a session favourite for a reason.
The Pogues, “Bottle of Smoke”. Probably the most joyful song ever written about backing a winner. It tears along at a pace that leaves the room breathless, and it is a reminder that when the Pogues sang about a day at the races, they meant every word.
Kenny Rogers, “The Gambler”. A card game on a night train turns into a lesson about life. It is the ultimate late-night singalong, and there is not a pub in the country where somebody will not join in on the chorus.
Motörhead, “Ace of Spades”. Loud, fast and not remotely interested in playing it safe. If the night needs a jolt, this is the one.
Frank Sinatra, “Luck Be a Lady”. From Guys and Dolls, and pure swagger from the first bar. Ideal for the last hour of the night, when everyone thinks they can sing like Frank.
Lady Gaga, “Poker Face”. Proof that the gambling song did not die with the jukebox. It will get the dance floor going every single time.
Chancing it in real life
These days, of course, most people chance their arm on a phone rather than at a card table. If that is your thing, it is worth knowing Ireland’s rules have just been overhauled.
The new Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland started licensing online betting sites this summer, gambling on a credit card is now banned for licensed operators, and licences for online casino games are coming next. In the meantime, plenty of sites taking Irish players are licensed in Malta or the UK, so it pays to compare online casinos in Ireland and see who holds which licence before signing up anywhere. Treat it like any other part of a night out: set your limit before you start, never chase, and stop when it stops being fun. It is over-18s only, and Gambling Care Ireland is there if you or someone you know needs a hand.
The only sure bet in town
Our honest tip for the weekend? Skip the form guide and back a good band instead. Have a look at who is playing this week, grab one of the craft beers and spirits we have in, and put in a request for any of the songs above. We are open Tuesday to Sunday from 3pm until late on Upper Ormond Quay. Grab your mates, book an area, and let the music do the rest.
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