I miss The Isle

A few months ago one of former classmates from Saint Ambrose informed me that one of my favorite Dorchester bars -- the Emerald Isle -- had closed down for good. I called The Isle a couple of times, to find out more information....left messages and sent them an email, but never heard from anyone.

The Isle has occupied 1501 Dorchester Ave. for years.... (I checked the Globe archives, and the earliest mention I could find was in a story that ran on March 17, 1983, under the headline "Tapping Into The Irish Pub Scene".)

The Isle was a popular destination on Dot Ave on weekends because it stayed open late ( 2 a.m.) and had a decent-sized dancefloor that locals would flock to every Friday and Saturday night when the clock struck 1 a.m., as other bars were closing. The place would go from empty to packed in a matter of minutes, as people poured in to get their last dance (and drink) in.

The drinks were stiff and cheap, and served up in clear plastic cups. The bartenders had Irish brogues. The DJs played standard Top 40 hits, and the dancefloor would get packed by a pretty diverse crowd of Irish folks, Dot natives, and black kids.

The Isle was also known for its comedy nights (although I never attended one myself). But I did see a screening of the documentary "You'll Pay For This," which chronicled the life and times of Unnatural Axe, a punk band from Dorchester.

I wonder what will take its place....

Has anyone else been there? Feel free to share your Isle memories and anecdotes below....I'd love to hear 'em.

-- Emily Sweeney