One of the many things Ireland is famous for across the world is the local Irish pub.
The Irish pub is known for its friendly welcome and talkative regulars – so much so that many tourists list having a pint in an Irish pub one of their must try activities when they visit.
So where should they go for the best experience?
Well the majority of Irish pubs do live up to their global reputation, so visitors would not go far wrong wherever they tried.
However, they might also like to try a pub from this year’s list of the best pubs in Ireland.
The winning pubs were nameded at a gala awards ceremony that took place at Dublin’s Clayton Hotel after judges had cast their eyes over 500 pubs across the country.
The biggest winner of the night was Cask pub in Cork, which wowed the judges for excellence in several categories to be named the 2018 Bar of the Year.
Judges particularly like Cask’s ‘unique design’.
One of many old pubs in Cork, the Cask has a waterfall at the back of the courtyard! #cork #caskcork #ireland #irishpubs
It has been a good year for pubs in Cork and two more establishments took home highly coveted titles.
The Shelbourne Bar was named Whiskey Bar of the Year, while Ballymaloe House’s Traford Murphy was named as the Bushmills Cocktail Bartender of the Year.
The Gin Bar of the year was awarded to Co Antrim’s Gin Library at Galgorm Resort & Spa.
Galway’s An Púcan went home happy after being given both the People’s Choice Award and the award for the Connacht/Ulster region.
Other regional winners of the People’s Choice Award were Dolan’s of Limerick, who won the Munster title, Johnnie Fox’s pub won the title in Leinster and Devitts of Camden Street won the Dublin award.
Event Director Katherine O’Riordan said: “The judges were blown away with the standards right across the board this year.
“Bars throughout Ireland continue to create, innovate and up their game. From the classic Irish pub to trendy cocktail bars, the variety and quality is what makes these bars stand out above the rest.
“We are delighted that these awards give us the opportunity to showcase the very best bars, pubs and clubs this country has to offer.
“Ireland is known the world over for our outstanding bars along with the craic they provide – if these winners are anything to go by, that reputation is in safe hands.”
For more information visit the Bar of the Year Facebook page
Ní raibh scamall sa spéir agus bhí an ghrian ag scoilteadh na gcloc ☀️ #summer2018 #ireland
Full list of winners
2018 BAR OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Licensing World CASK Cork
BAR FOOD OF THE YEAR Lemon & Duke Dublin
BAR MANAGER OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Arc Noli Alngohuro Ashford Castle Mayo
BAR TO WATCH THE MATCH Sponsored by Sky Woolshed Baa & Grill Dublin
BEST DESIGNED/INSIDE SPACE Sponsored by Sausage Tree Pure Irish Vodka House Limerick
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT BAR OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Rich Energy Drink Bridge Bar @ The Bridge House Hotel
CITY BAR OF THE YEAR Sponsored by drinksGenius / Bobby’s Dry Gin The Oyster Tavern Cork
COCKTAIL BAR OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Luxardo Cask Cork
CONTEMPORARY BAR OF THE YEAR Cask Cork
CRAFT BEER BAR OF THE YEAR Caribou Galway
GASTRO BAR FOOD OF THE YEAR The Tavern Bar & Restaurant Mayo
GIN BAR OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin Gin Library @ Galgorm Resort & Spa Antrim
HOTEL BAR OF THE YEAR Sponsored by London Essence Brownes Bar @ The Great Southern Hotel Killarney Kerry
HOTEL BAR OF THE YEAR 5 Star Sponsored by Coca-Cola The Sidecar Bar @ The Westbury Dublin J
JUDGES CHOICE AWARD John Moriarty Kenmare Park Hotel Kerry
LATE BAR/ NIGHTCLUB OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Rusty Dogg Rum Studio One Venue & Garden @ Silken Thomas Kildare
LOCAL BAR OF THE YEAR Brady’s Of Shankill Co. Dublin
NEWCOMER Sponsored by Pravda Vodka Stella Cocktail Club, Dublin
OUTSIDE SPACE Sponsored by Gin Mare An Púcán, Galway
OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD Sponsored by Hotel & Catering Review Tigh Nora, Galway
RESTAURANT BAR OF THE YEAR Angelina’s, Dublin
STAFF PERSONALITY AWARD Breda Hogan The Dropping Well, Dublin
TOURIST BAR OF THE YEAR Franciscan Well Brew Pub, Cork
TRADITIONAL BAR OF THE YEAR Kehoe’s, Dublin
WHISKEY BAR OF THE YEAR Sponsored by The Dubliner Whiskey The Shelbourne Bar, Cork
BUSHMILLS COCKTAIL BARTENDER OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Bushmills Traford Murphy Ballymaloe House, Cork
SOUTHERN COMFORT PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD Sponsored by Southern Comfort An Púcán, Galway
SOUTHERN COMFORT PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD Sponsored by Southern Comfort LEINSTER Johnnie Fox’s Pub, Co. Dublin
SOUTHERN COMFORT PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD Sponsored by Southern Comfort DUBLIN Devitt’s of Camden Street, Dublin
SOUTHERN COMFORT PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD Sponsored by Southern Comfort MUNSTER Dolan’s, Limerick
SOUTHERN COMFORT PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD Sponsored by Southern Comfort CONNACHT / ULSTER An Púcán, Galway
Written by Michael Kehoe @michaelcalling
