TypeLive music pub and late bar
Neighbourhoodjohn-street
HoursMon-Wed 10:30-00:30, Thu-Sat 10:30-02:30, Sun 10:30-00:30
Signature drinkSmithwick's Original Red Ale

Food program: Full Irish pub food noon to 20:30

Location

Address: 1 John Street, Kilkenny

Google Maps → Apple Maps → Waze →

Also in john-street

Billy Byrnes ★ 3.9

Gastro bar and live venuejohn-streetDaily from 12:00

Billy Byrnes on John Street Upper is a Kilkenny social institution, a no-frills gastro bar with Smithwick's on tap that feels more local than tourist.

Signature drink: Guinness and local craft ales

Food: Fresh local food daily

39 John Street Upper, Kilkenny, R95 K091

Full john-street food guide →

More bars in Kilkenny

Paris Texas Bar and Restaurant ★ 4.0

Whiskey specialist and BBQ smokehousemedieval-mileMon-Thu 12:00-23:30, Fri-Sat 12:00-00:30, Sun 12:00-23:00

Paris Texas on High Street is Kilkenny's BBQ and whiskey specialist, a family-run pub since 1996 with National Irish Pub of the Year recognition.

Signature drink: National Irish Pub of the Year whiskey selection

Food: Full BBQ menu with wood smoker

92 High Street, Kilkenny, R95 V6TE

Billy Byrnes ★ 3.9

Gastro bar and live venuejohn-streetDaily from 12:00

Billy Byrnes on John Street Upper is a Kilkenny social institution, a no-frills gastro bar with Smithwick's on tap that feels more local than tourist.

Signature drink: Guinness and local craft ales

Food: Fresh local food daily

39 John Street Upper, Kilkenny, R95 K091

Smithwick's Experience Bar ★ 4.3

Brewery heritage barmedieval-mileDaily 10:30-18:30 (last tour 17:00), Nov-Feb Thu-Mon only

The bar at the Smithwick's Experience pours a complimentary Smithwick's Red Ale at the end of every tour on the city's 13th-century brewing site.

Signature drink: Smithwick's Original Red Ale on draft

Food: No food; complimentary pint with tour

44 Parliament Street, Kilkenny, R95 VK54

Rive Gauche ★ 4.1

French-inspired wine bar and restaurantmedieval-mileMon-Fri 17:00 onwards, Sat-Sun 12:00 onwards

Rive Gauche on The Parade is Kilkenny's closest dedicated wine bar, a handsome room of exposed brick with seasonal Irish plates and a natural wine list.

Signature drink: Natural wine by the glass

Food: Seasonal Irish sharing plates

2 The Parade, Kilkenny

Louie's Cafe and Wine Bar ★ 4.2

Parisian-style cafe barmedieval-mileMon-Wed 09:00-17:00, Thu-Fri 09:00-23:30, Sat 10:00-23:30, Sun 10:00-22:00

Louie's on Patrick Street is a Parisian-inspired cafe bar with natural wines, small plates from Thursday to Saturday, and leather banquettes from noon.

Signature drink: Natural wine by the glass

Food: Small plates Thursday through Saturday evenings

3 Patrick Street, Kilkenny

Zuni Hotel Bar ★ 4.0

Hotel cocktail barmedieval-mileDaily from 12:00

Zuni Bar on Patrick Street runs a better cocktail programme than its hotel-bar status suggests, a solid choice for a pre-dinner drink in the city centre.

Signature drink: Seasonal cocktails with Irish spirits

Food: Full hotel menu available

26 Patrick Street, Kilkenny

See every bars pick in Kilkenny →

← Back to Bars in Kilkenny ← Kilkenny food guide