Galway is well known for being one of the most beautiful-looking counties in Ireland with a deep history. The pub scene in Galway is one of the most thriving and enjoyable, with amazing pints, fantastic music and most importantly, great craic.
Here are the best five pubs in Galway.
THE FIVE BEST PUBS IN GALWAY
TIGH NEACHTAIN
Founded in 1894, Tigh Neachtain has been home to some of the most talented Irish traditional musicians including Sharon Shannon, Brendan O’Regan, Deirbhile Ni Bhrolchain, Kevin Hough, Breda Smyth and Brian Lennon.
Tigh Neachtains has a large selection of drinks at the bar, from little-known craft beers to rare and vintage whiskeys and scotch. If you are looking for something special they also stock their own home-brewed beers.
Tigh Neachtain serves a lunch menu and light bites, with all food locally sourced.
With a mixture of good pints, good food and good music Tigh Neachtain had to make this list.
TAAFFES BAR
Taaffes Bar is open seven days a week. Due to the layout of the bar, it is very child-friendly, so if you are looking for somewhere for a pit stop during the day this is the place.
This bar is a great location in Galway and right beside the Spanish Arch area. Irish cuisine is famous around the world and Taaffes delivers some of the best in Galway. Enjoy the cooked chicken melt, soup and bread soup that are offered is offered here. With one of the best pints of Guinness in the area as well according to ‘the Guinness guru’, Taaffes is a great little spot for lunch on your visit to Galway.
THE KINGS HEAD
The Kings Head is a true piece of Galway history. The building itself dates back over 800 years to the 13th Century. Since 1989 the Grealish family has established close links to music and the arts in Galway.
The King’s Head has free live music seven nights a week on the main stage along with regular stand-up comedy and lunchtime theatre on the top floor.
As proud members of Good Food Ireland, The Kings Head sources fresh local ingredients from the best local suppliers and consistently changes their menus seasonally to reflect this.
THE CRANE BAR
The Crane Bar is one of Galway’s best-known traditional music pubs. It has long been the hotspot for top musicians to play for a grateful audience. Situated in the ‘Small Crane’ Square, The Crane Bar offers music nightly both upstairs and down.
Concerts here range from singer-songwriters to traditional to roots music. Known far and wide as ‘The Listeners Club’, upstairs at The Crane Bar has been played in by the best-known artists in the business as well as up and coming new talents.
THE FRONT DOOR
If you’re looking for a contemporary Irish pub with a late bar and live music, a varied drinks menu and pub grub in the city centre.
Spread over two floors and stretching across two streets, The Front Door is located in the heart of the Latin Quarter.
The Front Door Pub is also home to the award-winning Sonny Molloy’s Whiskey Bar which boasts a selection of Irish and international whiskey and is part of the renowned Galway Whiskey Trail. Also home to the award-winning gin bar Tigh Nora, which is the first bar to release its own gin, Nora’s Irish Gin.
