St Stephen's Green: Is this normal?

Am I crazy, or are experiences like this abnormal?

Wow. I've visited this place before an been indifferent. But my last visit was a different story. I walked into the pub for lunch, and was causally browsing the beer list. It seemed a just slightly overpriced to me (if everything would have been even just $.50 lower I probably wouldn't have thought twice about it.) $7 for Southern Tier's Pumpkin beer, $4.50 Brawler, $4 Yuengling, etc. Not the best prices around by any stretch.

As Dan and I were browsing the beer list, the bartender looked over at us and said, "If you're going to think about having a beer, I'm going to need to see your ID."

I jokingly replied, "Well, you don't need to see ID if I'm thinking about it, just if I'm going to order one." I meant no harm at all, and continued to look to decide on a beer. But said bartender was not amused. The response I received was, "If you want to order a beer while you're here, I'm going to need to see your ID, RIGHT NOW."

Woah dude. You're taking this a bit far. It's lunch time, there's four people sitting at the bar. You're not overworked, and I'm taking my time looking at the beer. No crime here.

I quickly decided that I didn't want to be here, and as I was walking out the bartender said bid us fairwell, but in a tone that suggested "Get out of here and don't come back."

We had one more exchange, and I can't recall exactly what was said, so I won't try to paraphrase and then misrepresent his or my words. What I've written in quotes in nearly verbatim. He projected the message clearly that if we didn't show ID immediately, we were not welcomed at the bar, even to browse. Keep in mind I'm talking about 1pm on an uncrowded weekday.

I actually had my ID on me, and don't mind getting carded. I do mind being treated with condescension and rudeness.

I decided I didn't really like the beer list, and certainly did not like my potential bartender. I walked out and will never visit again.