Entertainment in County Cork
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An Teach Beag
This intriguing pub, out back from O'Donovan's Hotel, has all the atmosphere necessary for good traditional music sessions. You might even catch a scríocht (a session by storytellers and poets) in full flow. There's music nightly during July and August, and on weekends for the rest of the year. Check out the historical plaque at the start of the alley – times have changed…
reviewed
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De Barra's
A marvellous atmosphere, walls splattered with photos, press cuttings, masks and musical instruments, plus the cream of live music every night of the week (starting around 9.30pm) make this a busy pub.
reviewed
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O’Neill’s Pub
A country pub straight from Central Casting, where peat fires are ready to warm you on the coldest days, while you can take your perfectly poured pint into the sunshine on nice days. The bar is long and mahogany, the walls are covered with old photos and the clientele spin yarns. Butlerstown is located down a warren of little lanes off the R600. It’s the hub of walks around the dramatic coastal bluffs otherwise known as the Seven Heads.
reviewed
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McCarthy's Bar
If you're carrying an original copy of the late Pete McCarthy's bestseller, McCarthy's Bar, you'll be excited to see the front-cover photo sitting in three dimensions on Main St. McCarthy's is a grocery as well as a pub, so if you fancy a tin of peaches and a can of corn to go with your Beamish, you've come to the right place. There's frequent live music and a wicked wee snug inside the door.
reviewed
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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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C
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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Bushe's Bar
Seafaring paraphernalia literally drips from the ceiling at this genuinely character-filled old bar. The benches outside on the main square are the best spots in town for a sundowner and you can watch sailors get misty at the nautical views. Famous crab sandwiches are served at times.
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.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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Harbour Bar
Romping home in Kinsale's 'most unusual bar' stakes, this is like being in someone's front room. Battered old sofas, a fire stoked in the hearth, characters in every corner and benches with water views in the garden are all part of the charm.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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P Harrington's
This pub has a prime position at the junction of the N71 and the Beara Rd. Settle into one of the comfy outside benches with a pint.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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De Teac
The pub menu has gone a hair upmarket, but this is still a rollicking local boozer, where locals prance in and out as if it were their living room (actually it is) and the regulars all their family.
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.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
