Entertainment in Cork City
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Hi-B
Up a dingy flight of stairs, tiny Hi-B is one of Cork's most idiosyncratic pubs, in no small part thanks to landlord Brian O'Connell. If you've never been thrown out of a pub and think you've missed out, try getting out your mobile here. Or ordering a soft drink. Or looking at Brian in a 'funny' way. There's jazz on the piano on Wednesday nights to add to the entertainment.
reviewed
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B
Curraheen Greyhound Park
Curraheen Greyhound Park is one of the country’s poshest stadiums. Greyhound racing is big news in Ireland, particularly with families. There are 10 races a night, plus a restaurant, bar and live music to keep you entertained in between. Curraheen is 5.5km from the centre; to get there, take bus 8. A free bus drops you back between 10.30pm and 12.30am.
reviewed
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Franciscan Well Brewery
The copper vats gleaming behind the bar give the game away: the Franciscan Well brews its own beer. The best place to enjoy it is in the enormous beer garden at the back. The pub holds regular beer festivals with other small (and often underappreciated) Irish breweries – check the website for details.
reviewed
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Sin É
You could easily while away an entire day at this great old place, which is every thing a craic-filled pub should be. There are no frills or fuss here – just a comfy, sociable pub, long on atmosphere and short on pretension. There's music most nights, much of it traditional, but with the odd surprise.
reviewed
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Liquid Lounge
Dialled down several notches from the megaclubs, regular gigs here feature bands signed to Irish labels, and DJ sets covering music from Celtic rock to everything current. Mondays see folk dancing, including free lessons. There’s a rooftop terrace and a popular restaurant to boot.
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Mutton Lane Inn
Tucked down the tiniest of laneways off St Patrick's St, this inviting pub, lit by candles and fairy lights, is one of Cork's most intimate drinking holes. It's minuscule and much admired, so try to get in early to bag the snug, or join the smokers perched on beer kegs outside.
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Cork Opera House
This leading venue has been entertaining the city for more than 150 years with everything from opera and ballet to stand-up and puppet shows. Performances are as varied as Carmen, Brian Kennedy and Jane Eyre.
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Pavilion
This modern-day coffee house has java by day, which you can enjoy at long tables. By night it has one of Cork's best mixes of bands, musicians and vocalists. Jazz, blues, rock, alternative and more are on the line-up.
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Dan Lowry's
Genial is the word as you first enter this timeless family pub and are greeted by the generations of regulars. It's cosy in more ways than one; you can often get a seat on a Saturday night and enjoy an intimate chat.
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G2
Cork’s club life really does rival Dublin’s, in quantity if not in quality. G2 goes all guns blazing for pissed students and 20 somethings on the pull. If this is your scene it will keep you happy.
reviewed
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An Spailpín Fánac
'The Wandering Labourer' really hangs on to its character, with exposed brickwork, stone-flagged floors, snug corners and open fires. There are good trad music sessions most nights.
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Triskel Arts Centre
Expect a varied program of live music, installation art, photography and theatre at this intimate venue. There’s also a great cafe (Cafe Antigua) that provides full Irish breakfasts, sandwiches and salads.
reviewed
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Crane Lane Theatre
An excellent venue for live music, Crane Lane also has a great beer garden during the day.
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Savoy
The city's best DJs (and a changing menu of visiting ones) usually show their skills in the Savoy's weekend club nights.
reviewed
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Havana Browns
Long-running Havana Browns has three bars, a VIP room, an outdoor terrace and a fine line in neon and amber backlighting. The music doesn’t stray far from MTV’s current playlist.
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Long Valley
A Cork institution that dates from the mid-19th century and is still going strong. Some of the furnishings hail from White Star Line ocean liners that used to call at Cobh.
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Scotts
This scenester venue, all dark wood and moody lighting, has a fine restaurant downstairs and an upstairs club featuring mainstream floor fillers for well-groomed over-20s.
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Fred Zeppelins
There’s a hard edge to this dark den of a bar, popular with goths, rockers and anyone who feels uncomfortable leaving the house without a packet of Rizlas.
reviewed
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Abbot's Ale House
A low-key 1st-floor pub, whose small size contrasts with a huge beer list. There are always several on tap and another 300 in bottles. Good for preclubbing.
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Everyman Palace Theatre
Musicians with a decent following will inevitably find themselves performing on the stage of the Everyman, which is a great venue for gigs that require a little bit of respectful silence.
reviewed
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Granary
Contemporary and experimental works are staged at the Granary by the University College Cork drama group and visiting companies.
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Half Moon Theatre
One of Cork's best venues for live theatre, comedy and music. It's at the back of the Cork Opera House.
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Other Place
Affiliated with the Southern Gay Health Project; has a bookstore and a cafe-bar (noon to 8pm Tue-Sat).
reviewed
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An Cruiscín Lán
Trad bands and world, blues and pop musicians all play at this acclaimed bar south of the river.
reviewed
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Firkin Crane
One of Ireland's premier centres for modern dance. Located in part of the old butter market.
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