The 17 best pubs and bars in Ireland
1. Bushe’s Bar, Cork
With one of the best views and biggest beer gardens in Ireland, Bushe’s Bar is an institution down in west Cork and the only place to be seen on warm summer evenings. Besides ice-cold pints with a view, indulge in some delicious crab sandwiches or seafood chowder, all caught daily by local fishermen in Baltimore.
Expect live music outside on the square during the summer, and a lovely log fire to warm up cold feet during the winter – expect impromptu sing-songs by the old piano. With some of the cheapest drinks prices in Ireland, Bushe’s of Baltimore is the perfect pub for a pint or two anytime of the year. Already said to be one of the best pubs in Cork, we believe it’s one of the best in Ireland.
Where: The Square, Baltimore, Co. Cork
2. The Bernard Shaw, Dublin
One of the best pubs in Dublin and for good reason, the Bernard Shaw is a true gem in the city, complete with a spacious beer garden and their very famous Big Blue Bus, which also doubles as a pizzeria. Popular with a younger crowd, expect great music, delicious pizza and a wide range of craft beers. The Bernard Shaw attracts a buzzing crowd any night of the week and is also a great spot to watch big sporting events, such as the All Ireland Football Final. Best to come after dark, when the pub really comes alive.
Where: 11-12 Richmond St South, Dublin
3. Tom Barry’s, Cork
Tom Barry’s of Barrack Street, a lane in Cork city famous for having a high density of pubs, is one of the city’s most popular drinking holes. This well-known pub often appears on ‘Best Irish Pubs’ lists, thanks to its large beer garden, one of the oldest in Ireland. If you’re lucky they might have a fire lifting in one of the snugs to keep you warm and there are free board games to keep you occupied on long winter nights (or rainy summer days). You can even order pizza from a nearby restaurant and get it delivered right to the pub!
Where: 113 Barrack St, Co. Cork
Looking for live Irish music? Check out our list of Ireland’s must music bars and venues.
4. Sean’s Bar, Westmeath
Sean’s Bar in Athlone is not only the oldest pub in Ireland, but it is also officially the oldest pub in the world, as certified by Guinness World Records. This ancient pub – dating back to 900 A.D. – was found to have walls made of wattle and wicker dating back to the tenth century.
These days the bar is one of the cosiest you’ll stumble upon, complete with open fire, a random assortment of decor from fishing rods to framed certificates, and a welcome you just can’t beat. While popular with locals, they still welcome strangers with open arms so a visit here is a must if passing through or en route to the incredible Athlone Castle, which is almost as old as the pub!
Where: 13 Main St, Athlone, Co. Westmeath
5. McGann’s Pub, Clare
A well known traditional music pub in County Clare, McGann’s is a great place to stop after a long day of sightseeing at the Cliffs of Moher or Lahinch (one of Ireland’s top surf spots). This small, comfortable pub is known for its warm and hearty Irish food and daily live music sessions. If you’re lucky you might also chance upon an impromptu session with local musicians – definitely stick around to watch the match with the old boys!
Where: Main Street Roadford, Doolin, Clare Coast, Co. Clare
6. Jerry Flannery’s Bar, Limerick
This is a popular sports venue in Limerick – the owner is a former Irish rugby player. Jerry Flannery’s also boasts the largest whiskey menu in Limerick City and is great for pre or post match drinks, set just a stone’s throw away from Thomond Park Stadium. There’s a nice little snug if you’re looking for somewhere private to hangout, otherwise expect to mix with a fun, sports-loving young crowd, especially at weekends. The beef stew is melt in your mouth perfection!
Where: 19/20 Catherine St, Limerick
7. The Forge, Donegal
Right in the heart of Donegal Town, just across the river from Donegal Castle, The Forge won the Pub of the Year award in the Ulster Regional Awards 2018. It doesn’t take long to see why. The quaint interiors, the open fire, the warm welcome with every pint of Guinness are all signs of a traditional Irish pub that firmly stands by its motto, “Wasting time with friends is not a waste of time”. Even if you’re in town briefly to tick the best sights of northwest Ireland off your bucket list, be warned. You might decide to stick around The Forge for a few hours!
Where: 7 Meetinghouse St, Milltown, Co. Donegal
Spent too much on pints? Check out our guide to Ireland’s top 10 free attractions – from free festivals to gorgeous national parks.
8. Gings Bar, Leitrim
Situated right beside the pretty River Shannon, Ging’s Bar is one of the best Irish pubs in the midlands. Besides the huge riverside beer garden, people love this bar for its live music, old jukebox and pool tables. This 130-year old bar is also a great place to stop for a quick break if you’re just passing through Carrick-On-Shannon. But we recommend you stay awhile, watch the All Ireland game on one of five big screens and hopefully catch some sun in the beer garden at half time.
Where: Cortober, Carrick-On-Shannon, Co. Leitrim
9. The Barge Pub, Dublin
If you’re in Dublin on a warm, sunny day you’ll find half of the city sitting outside The Barge. One of Dublin’s most popular spots in the summer, this beautiful pub is perfect for pints in the rare Irish sunshine. It’s also one of the best places in Dublin to watch big sporting events, be it a rugby match (thanks to its proximity to the Aviva Stadium) or GAA finals. They also serve an excellent daily roast and their brunch is well worth getting out of bed for at the weekend. Creamy seafood chowder or cheese nachos anyone?
Where: 42 Charlemont St, Ranelagh, Dublin 2,
10. Tig Choili, Galway
Looking to listen to live music or hoping to happen upon a traditional Irish session? Tig Choili in Galway is the place to be. This renowned Galway city pub, located at the end of Shop Street, is the kind of place you might go for a quiet pint and suddenly find yourself in the middle of a massive session with a group of local musicians.
They organise traditional music sessions twice daily, every day of the week, and many big-name Irish singers have been known to show up and sing for punters. But music isn’t the only soul food you’ll find in Galway.
Where: Mainguard St, The Latin Quarter, Galway
11. Smugglers Creek, Donegal
Smugglers Creek, a roadside pub situated along the Wild Atlantic Way – one of Ireland’s most famous drives – looks down on the spectacular Rossnowlagh Beach. Sat high on a hill over one of Donegal‘s best surf spots, this pub and restaurant serves up some terrific seafood dishes, including fresh Donegal oysters and their “Smugglers Signature Fish & Chips”. Sit outside with a pint, munching on freshly-caught scampi, and watch the waves roll in from the Atlantic. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins in the distance!
Where: Cliff Road, Rossnowlagh, Co. Donegal
Time to catch some waves! Rossnowlagh tops our list of the 10 best surfing spots in Ireland for 2019.
12. De Barra’s, Cork
De Barra’s in Clonakilty is one of the most famous live music bars in County Cork. A past winner of ‘Live Music Venue of The Year’ award and Ireland’s number one folk club, many national and international musicians have started out in De Barra’s. They still return now and then to play to a more intimate crowd so you never know who you might get to watch. Popular with local musicians for over 30 years, this is a pub worth travelling for!
Where: 55 Pearse St, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
13. The Danny Mann, Kerry
As one of Ireland’s top tourist towns, there is no shortage of great pubs in Killarney. One that definitely stands out is The Danny Mann, a pub that’s been open for over 70 years. While the music draws people in, it’s the stunning decor that keeps them inside. From the old wooden bats to the large, open fire and flagstone floors, The Danny Mann is one of a kind. Expect live music every night during the summer and at weekends during the winter, as well as every sport imaginable shown on TV screens around the bar for any big sporting event, especially if Kerry are playing!
Where: 97 Eviston House Hotel New Street, Killarney, Co. Kerry
14. The Cobblestone, Dublin
The Cobblestone is one of the last remaining pubs in Dublin City centre where you can experience genuine traditional Irish music sessions. While the pubs around Temple Bar attract the crowds singing pop songs and the odd version of Galway Girl, it’s the musicians in The Cobblestone that are the real deal. Just a short walk from the Jameson Distillery in Smithfield, it’s the perfect pub to visit after a bit of whiskey tasting, or to watch the All Ireland games away from the tourists in Dublin.
Where: 77 King St North, Smithfield, Dublin 7
15. Tynan’s Bridge House, Kilkenny
Situated on the banks of the pretty River Nore, Tyne’s Bridge House is one of the best known pubs in this medieval city. The bright blue facade and beautiful leaded glass windows set it apart from other pubs on the street, and it’s said to be the city’s oldest pub having started life in 1703 as a grocery store! Pull up a leather stool in this cosy pub, the perfect pit-stop after a visit to Kilkenny Castle, by far one of the best castles in Ireland.
Where: 2 John’s Bridge, Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny
If you fancy touring more of Ireland’s romantic turrets then check out our list of 10 epic castles to visit in Ireland.
16. Dick Mack’s, Kerry
Dick Mack’s is one of a kind and the sort of place you could easily spend an entire afternoon, rather than a spot to simply pass through. Popular with locals and tourists alike, don’t be surprised to bump into some famous faces at the bar, or end up chatting with the owner. The pub has been owned by his family since it opened in 1899. Full of characters, conversation and a wide variety of whiskeys, this is the only place to go in Dingle for guaranteed craic.
Where: Greene Street, Dingle, Co. Kerry
17. Matt Molloy’s, Mayo
Rounding off our list of Ireland’s best bars and pubs is the legendary Matt Molloy’s Pub in Westport, County Mayo, established in 1896 and now owned by one of The Chieftains! Located along the Wild Atlantic Way and in a town famed for its top surf spots, Matt Molloy’s is a great place to listen to traditional music and, maybe, join in a dance or two. Mingle with people from all over the world and listen to a melange of different languages. Serving very reasonably-priced drinks, find yourself here any day of the week and you’re guaranteed live music and lots of fun.
Where: Bridge St, Westport, Co. Mayo
Want to party on foreign shores? We’ve got a few ideas on where you could head…Beer we go: 7 of the best drinking destinations in Europe.
17 best pubs and bars in Ireland
| Pubs & Bars | Where? |
| 1. Bushe’s Bar | Cork |
| 2. The Bernard Shaw | Dublin |
| 3. Tom Barry’s | Cork |
| 4. Sean’s Bar | Westmeath |
| 5. McGann’s Pub | Clare |
| 6. Jerry Flannery’s Bar | Limerick |
| 7. The Forge | Donegal |
| 8. Gings Bar | Leitrim |
| 9. The Barge Pub | Dublin |
| 10. Tig Choili | Galway |
| 11. Smugglers Creek | Donegal |
| 12. De Barra’s | Cork |
| 13. The Danny Mann | Kerry |
| 14. The Cobblestone | Dublin |
| 15. Tynan’s Bridge House | Kilkenny |
| 16. Dick Mack’s | Kerry |
| 17. Matt Molloy’s | Mayo |
*Updated February 2019. Information correct at the time of publication and is subject to change and/or availability.
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