17 editor picks in Galway.
Galway is a drinking city first and foremost, so the cocktail trade overlaps heavily with its famous pubs and music bars. Tigh Neachtain in the Latin Quarter is the totemic venue, a corner pub that has poured drinks for generations, while the Crane Bar and Roisin Dubh in the Westend are as much live-music institutions as places to order a measured drink.
17 cocktail bar places in Galway we have eaten in, sorted by editor score. All cuisines in Galway · Cocktail Bar across every city.
Drink Pint of Guinness in one of Galway's oldest pub interiors
Tigh Neachtain on Cross Street Galway is the most ambient trad-session pub in the west; low ceilings, open fire and live music most nights since 1894.
Drink Guinness served before and after trad sessions
The Crane Bar on Sea Road Galway is the hub of traditional music; nightly trad sessions on a stage that launched music careers since the 1980s.
Drink Pint of Galway Hooker stout at the bar before the band starts
Monroes Tavern on Upper Dominick Street Galway stages live music every night from trad to folk and rock in a corner pub that defines the West End.
Drink Pint served at the long bar before heading upstairs to the gig room
Roisin Dubh on Upper Dominick Street is Galway's principal live-music and comedy venue; Gugai's 2006 rebuild added a rooftop beer garden and a room upstairs.
Drink Galway Hooker Pale Ale from the rotating 20-tap line-up
Bierhaus on Henry Street Galway stocks 150 craft beers from Ireland and Europe, with 10 rotating taps and monthly tap-takeovers from leading Irish breweries.
Drink Jameson and Black Bush alongside a pint of Murphy's stout
Taylors Bar on Dominick Street Galway draws late-night crowds with DJ sets and live gigs in a no-frills room where Galway music has gathered since 1985.
Drink Galway Bay Brewery tap pours on the promenade terrace
Oslo in Upper Salthill is the Galway Bay Brewery taproom on the promenade; 10 rotating craft taps, wood-fired kitchen and Atlantic views on the promenade.
Drink Irish whiskey flight from a 150-bottle back-bar selection
John Keoghs on Dominick Street Galway pours 14 draught craft lines and 80 Irish whiskeys in a Victorian bar that anchors the West End craft scene.
Drink Atlantic Sour with Connemara whiskey, lemon and sea-salt foam
The Salthouse on Ravens Terrace Galway is a Galway Bay Brewery pub; seafood boards, oysters and craft taps beside the canal in the Spanish Arch quarter.
Drink Aperol Spritz on the Salthill promenade terrace
Pub Salthill on the Salthill promenade is the Galway sea-front local for an after-dip pint; open-terrace seating and live acoustic sets on summer weekends.
Drink Pint of Galway Hooker or Murphy's in the medieval great hall
The Kings Head on High Street Galway occupies a building licensed since 1611 with nightly trad sessions, live comedy and the longest bar in the city.
Drink Pint of Stout and a toasted sandwich at the bar
McSwiggins on Eyre Street Galway is a warren of dark-wood rooms and gas fires that feeds a lunchtime crowd then stays loud with live music until midnight.
Drink Pint of Guinness in the converted medieval church interior
The Quays on Quay Street Galway is a three-floor Victorian bar with stained-glass from a French church; trad sessions run seven nights a week.
Drink Pint of Guinness at the bar while waiting for your fish order
McDonalds Bar on Quay Street Galway is the after-fish-and-chips local drawing both visitors and families in a relaxed pub beside the famous chipper.
Drink A pint and a chaser at the long bar before the trad session starts
The Dail Bar on Middle Street Galway is the political-cartoon-lined pub famous for the cheapest pint in the city centre since the 1990s with long hours.
Drink Connemara Negroni: Connemara whiskey, sweet vermouth, Campari
The Cellar Bar on Eglinton Street Galway is an 18th-century landmark basement; DJ nights and acoustic sets in the granite-vaulted room Thursday to Saturday.
Drink Galway Bay cocktail: Connemara gin, elderflower, tonic
The Harbour Hotel Bar on New Dock Road Galway is the pre-theatre cocktail lounge for the Town Hall with refined bar snacks and Atlantic oysters nightly.
