Barton Springs Irish Pub Is Closing After 8 Months

Darcy’s Donkey, the Irish pub in Zilker, is closing today, after being open for just eight months at 1608 Barton Springs Road.

The shutter is due to “persistently underperforming sales coupled with the high cost [of] doing business ultimately lead us to this difficult decision,” according to the Facebook post announcing the shutter. “We tried our hardest but alas it was not meant to be.”

Founder Neville Joyce opened the restaurant and bar in October 2018, with the intention of serving his favorite Irish foods and drinks from where he grew up in West Ireland. The menu emphasized potatoes served in many different formats from tots to mashed potatoes to potato cakes); savory meat pies; whiskeys from Ireland, Scotland, and America; and beers.

Darcy’s Donkey took over what had been a location of local cafe mini-chain Austin Java, which shuttered last summer. It debuted in October 2018, just in time for Austin City Limits Festival, which takes place right down the street in Zilker Park.

• Darcy’s Donkey [Facebook]
• All Coverage of Darcy’s Donkey [EATX]