13 live music worth the night across Ireland, editor-ranked. All Ireland guides.
Whelan's ★ 4.8 · Dublin
camden-street · 25 Wexford Street, Dublin 2, D02 H527
Whelan's on Wexford Street is the canonical Dublin live music room, three venues across the building running seven nights, with Hozier and Glen Hansard alumni.
Tip: The main venue is the upstairs room, not the front bar, ask at the door if you have a ticket. Sundays are the trad night and the bar pours till 01:00.
The Cobblestone ★ 4.8 · Dublin
north-inner-city · 77 North King Street, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 TP22
The Cobblestone in Smithfield Dublin is the Mulligan family trad pub The Guardian called Ireland's most famous traditional music room. Free nightly sessions.
Tip: The front bar session is free and starts at 19:00, you sit where the regulars say you sit. The Balcony TV gigs are in the back room and ticketed.
Crane Bar ★ 4.8 · Galway
westend · 2 Sea Road, Galway, H91 A6T2
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.
Vicar Street ★ 4.7 · Dublin
thomas-street · 58-59 Thomas Street, Dublin 8
Vicar Street on Thomas Street in Dublin opened in 1998 and has hosted Bob Dylan, Adele and Ed Sheeran in a 1,500-standing Liberties room that touring artists prize.
Tip: The cabaret-table seated layout is the best one in the room, book direct on vicarstreet.com and pick the bottom tier for sightlines.
Roisin Dubh ★ 4.7 · Galway
westend · 9 Upper Dominick Street, Galway, H91 N4AP
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.
Monroe's Tavern ★ 4.6 · Galway
westend · 14 Upper Dominick Street, Galway, H91 T6V2
Monroe's Tavern on Upper Dominick Street stages live music every single night; the bill moves from trad through folk and into rock over the course.
Tip: Tuesday is the best trad night for musicians rather than tourists; Saturday has the largest crowd but also the most eclectic bill.
Crane Lane Theatre ★ 4.5 · Cork
City Centre · Phoenix Street, Cork, T12 A218
Cork's most versatile live music venue, open seven nights until 02:00 with free live music or DJs almost every night from national and international acts.
Tip: Check the door programme for that night's act - free entry for most events; ticketed shows sell out fast, book on cranelanetheatre.ie
Devitt's ★ 4.5 · Dublin
camden-street · 78 Camden Street Lower, Dublin 2, D02 C642
Devitt's on Camden Street Lower is the south side Dublin trad institution, with live Irish music sessions seven nights a week and a regular musician's audience.
Tip: The Wednesday session is the longest-running, get there by 21:00 for a seat near the players. Order at the bar, food is decent and not the point.
The International Bar ★ 4.3 · Dublin
south-city-centre · 23 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2, D02 VH59
The International Bar on Wicklow Street in Dublin hosts Ireland's oldest comedy club upstairs and a basement that runs blues and singer-songwriter nights cheaply.
Tip: The Comedy Cellar Tuesday and Thursday nights are the originals, pay at the door and bring cash, the upstairs has no card machine.
Cleere's Bar and Theatre ★ 4.3 · Kilkenny
medieval-mile · 28 Parliament Street, Kilkenny
Cleere's on Parliament Street has run Kilkenny's Monday trad session since 1989, a Wednesday night session, and ticketed shows in a 100-seat rear theatre.
The Oliver Plunkett ★ 4.2 · Cork
City Centre · 116 Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork, T12 P957
Cork's best-known live music pub, with nightly acts Wednesday to Sunday covering traditional Irish, folk and contemporary. Late licence until 01:30 Friday.
Tip: Arrive by 22:00 on Friday for a seat during the live set - the floor fills fast once the act starts
Kyteler's Inn ★ 4.0 · Kilkenny
medieval-mile · St Kieran's Street, Kilkenny
Kyteler's Inn on St Kieran's Street hosts trad music every night in high season from a 13th-century building with a 90-expression Irish whiskey bar.
Matt The Millers ★ 4.0 · Kilkenny
john-street · 1 John Street, Kilkenny
Matt The Millers on John Street is Kilkenny's most reliable live music venue, with trad sessions, contemporary acts, and DJ nights in a former mill building.