Ireland360
Galway is a small city with a huge pub culture. Most of the best bars are within a ten-minute walk of each other around Shop Street, Quay Street and the Latin Quarter, so you can easily visit three or four in an evening.
The classics
Tigh Neachtain on Cross Street is the city’s best-loved pub: a painted shopfront, snugs and a crowd of locals, artists and visitors. Tigh Chóilí on Mainguard Street has sessions twice a day. Taaffes on Shop Street is a reliable trad stop in the middle of the action.
Across the river
Over in the West End, The Crane Bar is where serious musicians play upstairs. Monroe’s Tavern is good for set dancing nights.
Beer gardens and big nights
O’Connell’s on Eyre Square has one of the best beer gardens in Ireland. The Quays and The King’s Head are big, lively and good for groups.
Whiskey and quiet pints
Garavan’s has a long whiskey list and tasting platters, which make a good start before dinner.
Make a day of it: a morning walking tour of the city, a day trip to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, then the pubs at night.
