Cellar Bar is a speakeasy in Eyre Square, Galway.
Editorially verified May 29, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Tip: The bar is quieter before 22:00 on Thursday and Friday; Connemara Negroni is the house pour in the vaulted basement room.
Address: 12 Eglinton Street, Galway, H91 D278
McSwiggin's on Eyre Street is Galway's great democratic dive: a warren of dark-wood rooms and gas fires where students, tourists, GAA supporters.
Tip: The back room is the best place to find locals on a midweek evening; the GAA match Sundays are the most evocative occasions and the cheapest pint in the city centre.
Front Door Bar on High Street is Galway's most established LGBTQ-welcoming bar; the mixed crowd, occasional drag nights and no-dress-code policy make.
Tip: The Thursday-night events are community-run and free; Arts Festival week in July has the best programming of the year with themed LGBTQ nights and performance.
Bierhaus on Henry Street is Galway's closest equivalent to a listening bar; the vinyl programme runs alongside the 20-tap craft-beer list and the chosen.
Tip: The Friday-afternoon session from 14:00 is the best time for the vinyl programme before the evening crowd arrives; ask the staff for the week's rotation.
Tigh Neachtain on Cross Street Upper is the Latin Quarter dive bar that educated visitors miss; the 16th-century stone interior, gas fires, cash-only pints.
Tip: Cash only at the bar; a pint of Guinness and a toasted sandwich before midnight is all you need. The snug by the fire fills fast on cold evenings.
McSwiggin's on Eyre Street is Galway's great democratic dive: a warren of dark-wood rooms and gas fires where students, tourists, GAA supporters.
Tip: The back room is the best place to find locals on a midweek evening; the GAA match Sundays are the most evocative occasions and the cheapest pint in the city centre.
Roisin Dubh on Upper Dominick Street is Galway's principal live-music venue; the 400-capacity room has launched or hosted every major Irish act since.
Tip: Buy tickets in advance for Saturday headliners; the downstairs bar is free entry on weeknights and runs a great craft tap list until 02:30.
The Crane Bar on Sea Road runs the most authentic trad sessions in Galway; the nightly music is played by working musicians rather than for-tourists.
Tip: Arrive 30 minutes before the session starts for a seat; the front bar is standing-room only after 22:00 on weekends and that is exactly how you want to experience it.
