Edinburgh Irish pub Biddy Mulligans 'to transform into Ivory Coast pub' for World Cup after joke video goes viral
The Grassmarket pub had previously joked about turning their Irish flags upside down after Ireland failed to qualify for the tournament
An Edinburgh pub is undergoing an Ivory Coast transformation for the upcoming World Cup after a joke video went viral on social media.
Biddy Mulligans, located on the Grassmarket, initially posted a video in which staff joked that they would be turning their Irish flags upside down to become an Ivory Coast pub for the duration of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The African nation booked their spot at the tournament back in October, while the Irish squad failed to reach the World Cup after losing to Czech Republic on penalties in a qualifier play-off in March.
Biddy Mulligans posted to social media joking that they were turning the joint into the “first Ivory Coast pub in Edinburgh” for the World Cup featuring French commentary and replacing their usual Irish food fare with Ivory Coast snacks.
However, social media users were left disappointed when the pub revealed that it was in fact just a joke.
After receiving thousands of views, likes and comments from users begging the pub to follow through on plans, the Grassmarket venue announced that it would be switching alliances.
In a second video, Biddy Mulligans said: “What started as “just a joke” has now gone too far… and Biddy Mulligans may officially be entering its Côte d’Ivoire era for the World Cup.”
The pub has said that all Irish flags, which feature the same tricolour as the Ivory Coast in a different order, will be flipped to represent the African nation and Ivory Coast tunes will be played before and after matches.
Biddy Mulligans has also partnered with an Ivory Coast snacks company to bring food to customers “straight from the source” and have even bought in hundreds of bottle of African Guinness.
Customers have celebrated the news that the joke has now become a reality.
One football fan said: “Genius lads. I’d better get learning some Ivory Coast tunes.”
Another added: “LOVE the idea, I’m neither Irish or Ivorian but I’d pull up!”
Another fan of Biddy Mulligan’s rebrand also hoped that some Ivory Coast legends would make a visit, adding: “ Yaya Toure and [Didier] Drogba gotta show up!”