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KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — An Irish pub that goes beyond just gushing Guinness and St. Paddy’s Day shenanigans awaits anyone looking to have a pint and good time in the heart of Kaiserslautern.

Thursty Nelly’s might have been around about 16 years, but its mostly Irish staff is always thinking up something new to keep things interesting, said manager Padraic Doyle. The pad has become quite popular with Americans, he added.

"Every night is specials, and we change the drinks every night," Doyle said.

Doyle said he works hard to run a safe bar and will stop serving people when it looks like they have had enough.

"I’ve never had a fight (in two years) here," Doyle said.

The bar, in the downtown walking district, goes all out to be as authentic Irish as it can be. It hosts an Irish guitarist the first Sunday of every month before NFL football and has decor befitting an Irish pub.

The bar exudes Irish charm with its wood-paneled walls, Gaelic football and soccer jerseys that cling to the ceiling and walls, a smoking room adjacent to the bar and dank lighting. The windows are painted with clover leafs and the wood furniture is what one may expect in a pub.

"People say it looks really authentic," Doyle said.

In addition to the Irish music, the pub has a DJ on Fridays and Saturdays, it shows English Premier League and Spanish league soccer games.

If sports aren’t your thing, the pub has a trivia league for teams of four who want to participate for a season in its Quiz League or just for a night.

Tuesday nights are U2 nights. Every time a tune from the popular Irish band is played, the patrons get to chug down a Guinness or Bailey’s on the house.

The New Year will bring new ideas to the pub, Doyle said. Parties are planned for the first Friday of every month starting in 2009, and the pub plans to get in on the Guitar Hero video game craze with contests.

Another twist this year is two Halloween parties, one on Friday night and the other on Saturday to accommodate the rugby team Thursday Nelly’s sponsors, the Ramstein Rogues. There will be costume contests both nights with the prizes being vouchers for free booze.

St. Patrick’s Day is the usually the biggest night for business, Doyle said.

"It draws leprechaun costumes. It’s one big party," Doyle said.

To see previous After Hours reviews, go to: stripes.com/afterhours

Thursty Nelly’s

Kaiserslautern, Germany

Hours: The pub is open from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. weekdays and 1 p.m. to 2 a.m. weekend days, or when the crowd winds down.

Specials: Different drink specials every night.

Clientele: About 95 percent of the customers are American.

Dress: Casual.

Location: Steinstrasse 19, Kaiserslautern, in the walking district.

Web site: None.

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