County Sligo
There's a mix of salty surfers, pool players and congenial locals at this popular bar along Main St, lured by some of the best Guinness in Ireland;…
Must-see nightlife in Ireland
Cork City
'The Wandering Labourer' really clings to its old-fashioned atmosphere, with exposed brickwork, stone-flagged floors, snug corners and open fires. There…
County Waterford
Toe-tapping trad-music sessions take place on Tuesday nights year-round at this butter-yellow corner pub. It's nicknamed 'the Butcher's' after its former…
Cork City
A convivial bar with one of the best selections of beer in town. More than 220 varieties, both local and international, are on offer, mostly bottled but…
County Sligo
This all-around good pub has a glowing stove, a genuinely welcoming vibe, good bar food and live music on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. See the…
Galway City
Stone-fronted Taaffe's is well loved for its nightly Irish music sessions beginning at 5.30pm, followed by bands belting out ballads at 9.30pm. The front…
County Sligo
On your right as you enter town, Harry's Bar boasts a historic well (serving as a table within the bar itself), an aquarium and maritime bric-a-brac. It…
Galway City
Rainbow flags and motifs adorn Galway's premier LGBTQ bar, where Wednesday is student night, DJs spin dance music on Friday, Saturday brings drag acts,…
County Dublin
Two dozen or so craft beers complement the usual selection of brewery beers here; add to this an excellent lunch and dinner menu and you've got one of the…
The Midlands
Stop for a pint at Craughwell's, renowned for its rollicking trad-music sessions and impromptu singalongs. Visitors and locals alike contribute to the bar…
Cobh
Sociable punters fill Kelly's day and night. The pub's two rooms are decked out with pew-style seating, chunky wooden furniture, a wood-burning stove and,…
Kilkenny City
Kilkenny's best venue for craft brews is a long, narrow beer hall of a place owned by Carlow Brewing Company, with a wide selection of ciders and ales,…
Kinvara
Buoys and model fishing boats fill the window, and beer barrels line the pavement outside this proper local’s bar. Inside it’s full of talk of sport, good…
Killarney
Contemporary Lir Café brews some of Killarney's best coffee. Food is limited to toasties, cakes, biscuits and the real treat, handmade chocolates,…
Cork City
A low-key, two-floor drinking den, whose small size contrasts with its huge beer list. There are always several beers on tap and another 300 in bottles…
County Donegal
This wonderfully old-fashioned pub with proper snugs hosts regular live music (traditional, jazz, blues and more), while the terrace is the place for a…
County Cork
You can still buy cornflakes and sugar at this time-warp grocery-pub, open since 1840. The regulars are always up for a chat, and there are occasional…
County Cork
A cosy local favourite on the waterfront known for its excellent pub grub (mains €15 to €28), which includes grilled steaks, seafood platters and a grand…
The Burren
A much-loved local hosting regular live music, including evening trad sessions most Wednesdays with Ireland’s oldest céilidh band: the Kilfenora Céilí…
County Tipperary
This diminutive place is Clonmel's most atmospheric old boozer, with a vintage exterior of black gloss and gold, and a charming interior that's crammed…
Grafton Street & St Stephen's Green
Always buzzing when the evening draws in, the Camden Exchange does a roaring trade in simple cocktails (the Gin Garden Mojito goes down a treat) and…
Dingle Town
This bright and artsy corner spot is the place to head for some of Dingle's best coffee, supplied by the 3FE roastery in Dublin. Good choice of cakes and…
Dingle Town
Foxy John’s is a classic example of Dingle's shop-pubs, stocking hardware and outdoor clothing alongside stout and whiskey. It even rents bikes (€15 per…
Counties Wexford, Waterford, Carlow & Kilkenny
A traditional finishing point for Wicklow Way walkers, Osborne’s pub is an atmospheric low-ceilinged hostelry, with a bar-top reputedly made from coffin…
Counties Meath, Louth, Cavan & Monaghan
This wonderful old 1900 boozer is right out of a time capsule. Clarke's unrestored wooden interior features snugs and leaded-glass doors that read 'Open…
Counties Meath, Louth, Cavan & Monaghan
With low lighting and a beer garden, Cagney's is a classy spot for wines by the glass, whiskeys and over 300 gins, including locally distilled Listoke…
Dingle Town
Traditional music kicks off at 9.30pm nightly at this raucous, yellow-painted pub by the bridge, where the party often keeps going until the very wee…
Inishowen Peninsula
This old-world pub is a central hub for locals and visitors and a friendly spot with live traditional music every Wednesday night (more often in summer).
County Mayo
This pub and club serves as a hub for the island, serving up decent food and Guinness, as well as some outstanding views and trad music at the weekends.
County Dublin
Malahide's best-known and best-loved pub is a huge place, spread over a number of rooms and outdoor areas. At weekends it's always packed with locals.
Adare
Decked out in GAA (hurling and Gaelic football) memorabilia, this place has a good beer garden and hosts regular trad-music sessions and singalongs.
County Tipperary
Wander this narrow old pub's warren of rooms and floors until you find a spot that's just right. The ground-level bar is always alive with craic.
County Sligo
Join the locals amid the faded photos, mottled mirrors, craft beer and live music ranging from trad to jazz at this magnificent historic pub.
County Cork
For an end-of-day pint and traditional live music, nowhere beats Youghal's oldest boozer, Treacy's, aka The Nook. Enter via the side street.
Cork City
Chambers is Cork's biggest and liveliest gay bar, with DJs playing till 2am, themed entertainment nights and outrageous cocktails.
Adare
A friendly, family-run pub with good craic, good food (served 12.30pm to 9.30pm), and live music on Monday and Friday at 8.30pm.
County Clare
Trad musicians perform most nights in summer and several nights a week in winter at this sociable and low-ceilinged old pub.
County Dublin
There's a fabulous local atmosphere in this lovely traditional pub, which has been a staple here for over 40 years.
County Waterford
Fronted by a shamrock-green facade, this traditional pub is a cosy place for a pint and hosts regular live music.
Aran Islands
Informal music sessions, open fires and a broad terrace with harbour views make Tí Joe Mac's a local favourite.
