Johnny’s Kitchen is the hub of the Irish community in Lyon. The Association Franco-Irlandaise de Lyon (AFIL) holds regular meetings there and the pub is the proud sponsor of Lyon’s only Gaelic football team; Lugdunum CLG. ‘The Kitchen’ is highly recommended for weary travellers searching a home from home for a pint or a bite to eat (or indeed both!).
Established in 2003, Johnny’s Kitchen is truly an authentic Irish pub. There is Guinness on draught, a large selection of whiskeys, Rugby, Football, and GAA matches on the TV, live music, and the walls are adorned with all the paraphernalia you would expect in an Irish bar abroad (keep an eye out for the framed Lugdunum CLG jersey). Johnny’s Kitchen is, however, not just a focal point for the Irish of Lyon. Although it does attract many English-speaking tourists throughout the year, the pub has a great reputation with the locals and forms a key part of what the French call ‘la vie de quartier’.
The vast majority of its customers are locals who enjoy the friendly atmosphere of the bar and the novelty of having a pint of the black stuff in Vieux Lyon. Lyonnais, who live in St. Georges, Vieux Lyon or beyond, will have at least heard of Johnny’s Kitchen. Those Lyonnais who have given the pub a try are rarely disappointed.
Adrian Walsh, the pub’s owner, has lived in Lyon since 1991 so he is no blow-in. Locals can call in for a chat (in either French or English) with Adrian and the bar staff and feel that they are in an ‘exotic’ and a familiar location at the same time.
Food
The Kitchen specialises in it’s famous burgers and filled jacket potatoes. The menu also includes salads, steaks, and snacks. All are served in generous portions.
At lunchtime, the ‘plat du jour’ will often have a strong Lyonnais flavour to it, for example, bavette or quenelle de brochet, and the meat is cooked to French tastes, i.e. rare, unless otherwise requested. As in any French restaurant, customers should be sure to specify if they are a bit squeamish about rare meat.
Live Music
On Friday and Saturday evenings, the live music may be traditional Irish music or French pop/rock songs depending on what the audience requests.
Johnny’s Kitchen is an Irish pub which has integrated into the local community and culture while still retaining its Irish character and originality. It is truly an authentic Irish-Lyonnais experience.
Address: 48 Rue Saint-Georges, 69005 Lyon
Transport: From the Vieux Lyon – Cathédral Saint-Jean metro station (line D), Johnny’s Kitchen is a 300m walk via Rue du Doyenné. By bus, number 31 stops at St Georges, a mere 50m from the Kitchen’s front door.
Opening hours: Monday – Wednesday 12:00pm to 01:00am, Thursday- Saturday 12:00pm to 2:00am, Sunday, 1200 am to 12:00pm.
Prices: Typical main course : €12.00 – €14.00
Typical beer : Half-pint, €3.50 ; Pint, €7.00
