Entertainment in County Galway
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A
Blue Note
This jazzy pub-cum-dance-bar has a great summer beer garden and usually no cover charge.
reviewed
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B
Monroe’s Tavern
Often photographed for its classic, world-weary facade, Monroe’s delivers traditional music and ballads, plus it remains the only pub in the city with regular Irish dancing. A pizza joint buried within turns out good pies.
reviewed
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C
Séhán Ua Neáchtain
Painted a bright cornflower blue, this 19th-century pub, known simply as Neáchtain's (nock-tans) or Naughtons, has a wraparound string of tables outside, many shaded by a large tree. It's a place where a polyglot mix of locals plop down and let the world pass them by – or stop and join them for a pint.
reviewed
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EJ Kings
A busy old pub established in 1852, EJ Kings has decent though fancy pub food, but it’s really the place to quaff some pints on a busy weekend night. Get a tip on the ponies.
reviewed
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D
Sheridans on the Docks
This waterfront bar is a chic yet relaxed spot for cheese platters from the family's cheese shop, Sheridans Cheesemongers, as well as wines by the glass and boutique beers.
reviewed
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E
Bierhaus
The imported beer here won’t insult your sensibilities. Good brews from across Europe are on offer along with Hooker. At night DJs provide a Euro beat.
reviewed
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F
Joe Watty's Bar
This is the best pub in Kilronan, with traditional sessions most nights and rather posh pub food (noon to 8pm) from June to August. Turf fires warm the air on the 50 weeks a year when this is needed.
reviewed
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Tigh Hughes
Exceptional traditional music sessions take place at the unassuming Tigh Hughes – it’s not uncommon for major musicians to turn up unannounced and join in the craic. Sessions start at around 9pm on Tuesdays. The pub’s just adjacent to the main street; turn right at the town centre’s little crossroads next to a bank, and it’s a couple of doors up on your right.
reviewed
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G
Crane Bar
An atmospheric old pub west of the Corrib, the Crane is the best spot in Galway to catch an informal céilidh most nights. Talented bands play its rowdy, good-natured upstairs bar; downstairs at times it seems right out of The Far Side.
reviewed
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H
American Bar
Two large rooms fill with happy pint quaffers throughout the year. In low season sloshed locals anticipate the next year of tourists (especially the namesakes of the bar). The room on the right as you enter, with its windows and access to the terrace, is the best bet.
reviewed
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I
Murphy’s
A complete anomaly amongst the partying throngs in the centre, Murphy’s is a timeless haven where locals still explore the limits of the art of conversation. The sign on the door says it all: ‘No hen parties’.
reviewed
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J
Tig Cóilí
Two live céilidh (traditional music and dancing sessions) a day draw the crowds to this authentic fire-engine-red pub, just off High St. It's where musicians go to get drunk or drunks go to become musicians…or something like that. A gem.
reviewed
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K
Druid Theatre
This renowned, long-established and award-winning theatre is famed for staging experimental works by young Irish playwrights, as well as new adaptations of classics. Its home is in one of the oldest parts of Galway, in an old tea warehouse, which was renovated in 2009.
reviewed
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L
Bar No 8
Bentwood chairs and overstuffed sofas provide comfort in this at once funky and stylish bar overlooking a harbour. Art by patrons is on display; order from the long drinks list and debate the merits.
reviewed
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M
Tigh Fitz
Near the airport, this jovial pub has traditional sessions and set dancing every weekend and does excellent bar food (noon to 5pm) from June to August. It's 1.6km from Kilronan (about a 25-minute walk).
reviewed
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N
GPO
On Wednesday, GPO cranks out ’80s and ’90s tunes; the rest of the week, it’s house, R&B, indie and hip hop. It’s a favourite with students, who get free admission most nights.
reviewed
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O
Cooke's Thatch Bar
Warm, welcoming and not even remotely touristy, this 18th-centuy thatched-roofed local has fantastic Guinness, a heated internal courtyard and live music at least once a week.
reviewed
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P
King's Head
Mainstream, commercial superpub within a 17th-century stone house, hosting rock bands most nights and a popular jazz session on Sunday 'morning' (usually noon to 16:00).
reviewed
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Q
Tigh Ned
Here since 1897, Tigh Ned is a welcoming, unpretentious place, with lively traditional music and inexpensive lunchtime fare. Tables in the garden have harbour views.
reviewed
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R
Front Door
Heated balconies and cosy timber booths make this a popular spot for a pint, especially among local women on the 'lap circuit' checking out the male talent.
reviewed
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S
Kelly's
This place features a series of cosy snugs downstairs, nice for a quiet pint, while upstairs is a full-blown space given over to live music and DJs.
reviewed
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T
Garavan's
A genteel old boozer in the city centre that is a place of refuge for those in search of a pint and a seat on a busy Saturday night.
reviewed
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U
Róisín Dubh
From the rooftop terrace you can see sweeping views of Galway; inside emerging acts play here before they hit the big time. It's the place to hear bands.
reviewed
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V
Taaffe's Bar
Stripped of some of its original period detail but still well loved for its nightly Irish music sessions beginning at 17:00.
reviewed
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W
cuba
Chances are you'll spot this place by the crowds milling out front. House-spinning DJs and live acts fill the dance floor.
reviewed
