Popping out for a packet of Milky Mints mightn’t turn out to be as innocent as it sounds if you’re headed for Bridie’s General Store in Kilkenny City.

Behind the traditional Irish shopfront, with luscious cakes piled high on glass shelves in the window, there’s a jewel of a shop with vintage-style confectionery stacked on the shelves and baskets of “bread baked by Bridie”. But when you go through the inner saloon doors, there’s a gleaming traditional wood-pannelled bar, with tiled floors and pewter and marble counters, attended by staff in crisp full-length aprons.

It’s the latest collaboration between the Langton family, owners of several licensed premises in the city, and the design studio of London-based Irish architect David Collins, which has been responsible for such well-known hotels, restaurants and bars as Nobu, The Blue Bar at The Berkeley, Locanda Locatelli and The Connaught. Bridie’s opened last month and is already one of the hippest spots on the night-time mecca that John Street has become. Drop in for a sherbet dip or a pint – it’s worth seeing.