Lanigan's Bar & Restaurant is located in the center of Kilkenny, right next to Lanigan's Hostel. An ideal getaway for those looking for an entertaining night out on a budget, this bar offers delectable blend of Continental and local Irish cuisine, as well as a range of beers and other drinks to help wash down the meal. Besides the food and drinks, Lanigan’s also plays host to live music, featuring Irish folk music on Thursdays and Sunday, and on other days playing host to local as well as traveling bands and DJs. Call for further information.
Kyteler's Inn is an excellent example of a medieval tavern and dates back to 1324. The pub takes its name from a local Kilkenny woman, Dame Alice Kyteler, who married four times and was convicted of practicing witchcraft in the same year. Tastefully restored, the pub's traditional interior with timber floors, wooden tables and an open fire makes for an excellent atmosphere. The Irish stew comes highly recommended.
For a taste of Ireland's authentic whiskey culture, the rustic setting with leather-clad furniture, Irish coffees and whiskey poured in dazzling glasses, Dylan Whisky Bar is just the place to go. They have over 200 whiskeys that are amongst the world's finest, so if you're a connoisseur, you're in for some amazing delight. They also have an astounding variety of gins, wines, beers and cocktails.
Billy Byrnes brings an intimate, cozy ambience that was an essence of Irish pubs traditionally. The rustic but flamboyant decor is amazing to enjoy the local craft beers and some finger food. They also serve coffee, hot drinks and beers from around the world. There's also an innovative bus-turned-restaurant called the Bula Bus, that gets a street food vibe and serves fast food cuisines of the world. Billy Byrnes has got a beautiful beer garden seating where smoking is allowed and there's a fireplace.
In operation since 2008, Left Bank is one of the most happening bars in Kilkenny’s. Set in hip, sophisticated environs, the bar has separate VIP areas and top DJs spinning tracks across multiple genres. Patrons can dig into finger food in case they begin to feel the hunger pangs. You can also spend your time listening to the live music performances, lay back in the heated outdoor patio, snug up to the fireplace with your loved one or simply sip on one of the expertly-prepared concoctions. Besides this, Left Bank conducts workshops on preparing cocktails and also provides space for events and private parties. If you are looking for a memorable evening, head to Left bank for a great time.
First established in the 1850s, Matt the Miller is a traditional pub overlooking the River Nore. It attracts a diverse range of patrons, although currently, it serves Kilkenny's younger set. The upstairs bar is particularly lively over the weekends, with an emphasis on traditional and rock music, while the downstairs is a little more sedate; its timeless wooden interior is the perfect place to nurse a quiet pint.
As simple, unpretentious and unmistakably Irish as a pint of stout, Andrew Ryan's is always a pleasure to visit. Forget the theme pubs, here's the genuine article: traditional music sessions reverberate through the pleasant wooden interior on weekend nights. What's more, its situation on Friary Street makes it an ideal place to start or finish a day's drinking. In a city spoiled for choice with pubs, Ryan's can proudly hold its own.
This is a rough-and-ready local and is obviously a popular spot for viewing sport on the television. There are no frills, not even to the extent of sandwiches being available. The main visual focus inside is on a number of impressive oil paintings. And yes, of course, they are on a sporting theme. "Homage" depicts a young hurler, barely out of short pants, receiving instruction at the knee of an old veteran. The picture is a pretty exact rendition of what tradition means in Kilkenny. O'Gormans also features traditional music occasionally at weekends from "the Two Paddies".
The tone of this establishment is set by the prominently displayed sign in the front window which lets you know that Egans is the meeting place of the Wolfe Tone Celtic Supporters Club. Rangers fans beware, I guess. Buses are organized from the pub to all Celtic home games. This very spacious bar is thoroughly painted inside with murals dedicated to traditional Irish music, with many well-known lyrics quoted and decorated. "May God hold you in the hollow of his hand and have a drink in the other for you" is a sentiment the locals obviously have a lot of time for. Live traditional music features from Thursday to Sunday. Bed and breakfast is available upstairs for those who overindulge in "the Jug of Punch".
For a taste of Ireland's authentic whiskey culture, the rustic setting with leather-clad furniture, Irish coffees and whiskey poured in dazzling glasses, Dylan Whisky Bar is just the place to go. They have over 200 whiskeys that are amongst the world's finest, so if you're a connoisseur, you're in for some amazing delight. They also have an astounding variety of gins, wines, beers and cocktails.
Located across the road from the Kilkenny Cineplex, Brennan's is an ideal for a drink before or after a movie. It runs over two floors, and has a cosy slightly warren-like atmosphere. There is a nice pool room, regular live music and a fireplace to sit near on winter evenings. In the summer, visitors can enjoy the sun on tables out the back. There's no food served here, but Brennan's is a quality, unpretentious family pub nonetheless.
Billy Byrnes brings an intimate, cozy ambience that was an essence of Irish pubs traditionally. The rustic but flamboyant decor is amazing to enjoy the local craft beers and some finger food. They also serve coffee, hot drinks and beers from around the world. There's also an innovative bus-turned-restaurant called the Bula Bus, that gets a street food vibe and serves fast food cuisines of the world. Billy Byrnes has got a beautiful beer garden seating where smoking is allowed and there's a fireplace.