Tip Top Taps
Posted on June 4, 2008 - Filed Under Collections
I wanted to write this post about a restaurant we went to in Worcester, Massachusetts the other night. The restaurant is called O’Connor’s Restaurant & Bar. But this is not an ordinary review post. No, no, no. I’ll have to do a review of their food some other time since this time I was just totally enamored with their collections. I’ve been there a number of times now but this time some things struck me as really interesting. Maybe I’m paying more attention and appreciating things more these days. Yeah, that sounds good so let’s go with that. 
Anyway, they serve Irish Pub-style food at O’Connor’s (wouldn’t you know), and this is the first thing you see when you first enter the establishment (click to biggify).
I thought that was a nice touch. Also, THESE were a nice touch. See the nice pattern they make on the wall? Can you tell what they are?
They’re all corks! Too cool, huh?
But that isn’t all. They also had this really neat collection (click to biggify).
There were thousands of these - there were so many they were used as room dividers for the different restaurant sections. What are they? They are the wonderful old handles that were used to pour the ales on tap. Here’s a closer look:
Bug-Eyed Earl and I discussed this a bit and I didn’t know what they were technically called. I think we decided they are called tap handles. LOL. Anyway, there were so many there I couldn’t get to see them all, but here was one of my favorites of the ones I did see.
Too cool that it was really shaped like a hammer and a nail. And did you notice it is wearing a kilt because it is a Scotch Ale? **snort** I got such a kick out of that. Yes, I’m easily amused. But you must be too - because here you are reading this!
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19 Responses to “Tip Top Taps”
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The cork half wall is a great idea!
Yeah, they really were creative, huh? Funny, because I just got done reading a book called Cork Boat and the author made a whole boat out of cork. So there is the ultimate in recycling.
I love all the old tap handles used as decoration.
One of my favorites is up on there. The one with the pic of the salty dude with the pipe is Endurance Pale Ale. I used to go to a pub that had that on tap. Strong stuff.
It probably wouldn’t surprise you if I said that on close inspection of those pictures I have had most of those beers at one point or another. Haven’t had Hammer & Nail Scotch Ale though. And I won’t…the brewer is out of business now. Sigh.
I thought it was pretty nifty of them as well. I’m gonna get more photos when I go back sometime because that was just the tip of the iceberg and some of them are just too creative - the one you mentioned with the salty dude was on an oar shaped one and the one beside it I think is a kayak or canoe or something. They are really impressive. And no, I guess it wouldn’t surprise me to find you have had most of them at one point or another. You and Slyde strike me as party boys.
Cute restaurant - those corks are so cool!
LOL. Yeah, and you know, if there’s a flood, the walls of the building will probably float! heehee.
N would have tried to steal those tap handles! Too cool!
It really is a great collection. I wouldn’t have the room for all of them though. I need to go back and get more photos. Photos are almost as good as seeing the real thing and this way they can all fit in my living room.
Wow. I’ve been saving all my wine corks…now I know what to do with them. Thanks for posting the pics!
Glad you liked it 2LD! I had seen wreaths and frames made of corks also big frames filled with different corks, but this was my first time seeing (or rather noticing) that the walls were covered in them. Anyway, kudos to them for being so crafty!
it’s amazing that some people took that much time to create something like that. it’s very creative, and what patience to put together everything.
I’m always amazed by people when they use their creative minds.
It’s nice that you share these experiences because I do not get out much - I can live vicariously through you Teeni; you are so cool!
Aww, JQ - that is how I feel a lot of the time about people who travel or live in exotic places. I’m always screaming for them to post pics! LOL.
Wow! All then Draft pouring handles and no beer coming out. That’s sad.
Oh the memories they all must have…
LOL. Leave it to you to see it that way! I didn’t notice any Keith’s here. I’ll have to check around the next time I’m there.
MMMMM! Beer! Google tells me that I can be at this place in 1 hour, 20 minutes. Lunch?!
If you like beer taps, visit a YARDHOUSE restaurant; supposedly one is coming to Boston soon. I made a big trivet out of winecorks and it was harder to do than I expected but a lot of fun! I keep every cork and have BAGS of them in the closet. I probably could do a whole wall!
Wow! So do you have plans for all of those corks? I will definitely keep my eyes open for the Yardhouse restaurant. I like seeing interesting collections of things. And yeah, Lunch! Maybe we can meet up with a couple of bloggers like Michaelm!
Been there, done that, drank the Guinness.
Very nice place.
We’re in the same neighborhood, eh?
~m
LOL. Yeup - same neighborhood, I guess.
So THAT’s where all the Guinness went! 
Biggify indeed!!
Funnily enough my father-in-law makes things from corks - he does mats to put hot dishes on mostly but he has made some screens and large items. He has a huge list of people waiting to buy his stuff so there is obviously a market for it.
You can actually have two many mats made of corks to put hot dishes on!!!!
Oh, that is neat! You may have to showcase some of his work. I once saw some carvings someone had made out of cork - who would have thought to do that? They were tiny and very intricate. Wish I had a camera back then. Oh well. I will continue to scour the planet for interesting things to post (well, interesting to ME anyway and hopefully to you as well).
Hmm. For some reason, I want some Blackthorn or Strongbow cider now. I wonder why?
I admit it. I’m a bad influence on you.
That pub looks way cool. I’m going to have to keep track of these cool places you go to and plan a trip to come visit!
We should trade houses for a week or something and then I can visit all the restaurants you review and vice-versa!
Neato collection!
And I totally snorted when I noticed the kilt. That’s my favourite too
LOL. Thanks Kami. I hate snorting alone! Heehee. I knew you’d back me up!
That’s a lot of booze! lol
Yeah, and that’s not even half the tap handles they have there! Makes me kinda thirsty.
Looks like one cool joint.
I think you’d like it, Evyl!
wow! looks like a sweet place, now we need the food review….
I gotta go back. I want more pics of the tap handles too!
CREATIVE IDEAS! How you been teeni?
I’m fine, Kaylee. Thanks for asking.
Going to visit your blog now.
Slyde strikes you as a party boy? Really? Wow.
C’mon - spill it - you two probably spent many a day out drinking and partying together!