Irish whiskey is an ever-expanding spirit that is a must to sample if you are visiting. Luckily, Galway has an abundance of whiskey pubs and trails to choose from. There are even tour operators offering whiskey tours to find your favourite pub for a tipple. A favourite here is Powers John’s Lane Edition which is now available on most top shelfs. If you’re looking for somewhere that offers professional advice, great hospitality and are stockists of both rare and common Irish Whiskey look no further than the pubs listed here.
Freeneys
Freeney’s is without question one of the best places in Galway for a whiskey. It is the hidden gem of Galway’s Latin Quarter. Freeneys on High Street has been a family run business since 1938 when Martin and Julia Freeney opened as a bar, grocery and firearms business. Since its early days Freeney’s have a reputation for its fishing tackle and bar. Its bar offers a very local feel with partitions on its main bar front offering secluded and intimate sections. One could mistake Freeneys for a Whiskey Museum, given the walls throughout contain a showcase of Ireland and Scotland’s best whiskies. The best thing about here is their knowledgeable staff and it is one of few to have a takeaway licence for its alcohol so you can even purchase a bottle of your favourite choice of a vast selection of whiskeys.
For more information see:
https://freeneysfishingtackle.ie/
Tigh Neachtain
This cosy all-wooden pub is brought to you by Louis Fitzgerald Group and has hospitality down to a tea. They serve food daily too. When it comes to whiskey with atmosphere you are sure to get it here. They have a great selection of vintage and rare whiskey for you to choose from. You can grab a seat in their infamous outdoors seating area or relax by the fire knowing the finest of whiskey is only an order away. They are located on Cross Street in Galway’s Latin Quarter and are open daily from 10.30am.
For more information see:
https://www.tighneachtain.com/
M.P Walsh
Galway WestEnd’s newest pub offers a great selection of whiskey and drinks in general. This pub has gotten a makeover to compliment its traditional Irish bar feel and has all the ingredients to make it a great addition to Galway’s hospitality scene. There is plenty of memorabilia on the walls alongside televisions where you can catch the latest sporting events. Knowledgeable staff such as Séan are there not only to welcome you but guide you through a list of some of Ireland’s finest whiskeys. They have live music most nights too!
For more information see:
The Universal
Located in Galway’s Westend this gem is situated between Massimo and The Blue Note. This cosy bar packs a punch too with its selection of craft beer and whiskies. Not to mention their plates which have become infamously popular. Inside you will straight away see the intent of their professional and friendly staff who are willing to go above and beyond with their knowledge. Not only will they guide you through a list of some of the best whiskey in Ireland but they will also recommend dishes to compliment them too.
For more information see:
https://theuniversal.business.site/
Taaffes
Famous for their traditional Irish music sessions Taaffes is a pub with much more than meets the eye. This family run pub offers food, a nice smoking area and a great selection of Irish Whiskey. So if you’re looking for a bit of an Irish session this traditional pub has it all. The staff are very welcoming and so are the customers who frequent it. You’ll be sure to get recommendations from their selection of Irish Whiskeys both from their staff and the locals who come and go throughout the day. There is also outside seating on one of Galway’s main thoroughfares, Shop Street.
For more information see:
John Keoghs
John Keogh’s is a multiple award winning gastro pub located in the heart of Galway’s WestEnd. The interior of this place is a must see, it’s hard to tell that growing up this was the same location that housed clan video. John Keogh’s was renovated to an immaculate standard, its wooden and authentic Irish feel goes hand in hand to its beautiful gastro offering and of course, its great selection of Irish Whiskey. Experienced bar staff are on hand to offer a high standard of professionalism and customer care. Their whiskey selection is well presented behind the bar and their service of it is second to none. Don’t be shy to ask for tips as their staff are highly trained and experienced to compliment any whiskey palate.
For more information see:
The Skeff
Also known as Galway’s Meeting Place, The Skeff is a bit of an institution in Galway. Not only does The Skeff offer live music seven nights a week but it is also home to 1852 Whiskey Bar. Their award winning 1852 is a testament to their staff and is the perfect place in EyreSquare to explore the tastings of a whiskey or four. Their Irish Whiskey menu includes favourites such as RedBreast, Jameson, Powers, Connemara and Teelings to name a few. They also have a late bar until 2am seven nights a week so it’s a definite choice as a final destination.
For more information see:
O’Connell’s
There are a lot of good places listed here that offer Whiskey, The list couldn’t be complete without including O’Connell’s. O’Connells is a traditional Irish bar with an amazing beer garden located in Eyre Square. Busy in the evenings with aplenty of locals whom have just finished work and come in for a pint or even a whiskey or three. The bar itself was originally a grocer and small bar but has been restored immaculately in recent years. Their staff are quick on their feet and know a thing or five about whiskey. The place exudes a cosy atmosphere and there is plenty of nostalgia throughout. They have a great selection of the finest of whiskeys and are always on hand to offer some guidance.
For more information see:
https://www.facebook.com/oconnellsbar/
Taylor’s Bar & Beer Garden
Originally a Merchant House, this Bar was converted to a bar and grocery in the late 1800’s. Located in Galway’s Westend Taylor’s Bar & Beer Garden has been beautifully restored to its former glory. The pub now boasts some of the best cocktails and a vast selection of spirits including Irish Whiskey; they won Best Pot Still Whiskey Bar in 2019. Taylor’s offers of Whiskey Platters too which have been carefully put together by their team. You can choose from ‘the perfect blend’, ‘styles of Irish Whiskey’, ‘Irish Pot Still’ and ‘Tastes of Irish Malt’ whiskey platters. There is no need to choose a Whiskey Platter here however, they stock over eighty whiskeys which are all beautifully presented and you can be sure the staff on duty will be happy to share their knowledge on them. Not only is their whiskey selection impressive but they also have live music nightly, they are dog friendly, they have an amazing heated beer garden, show live sports on seven screens and run late bars on the weekends.
For more information see:
Sonny Molloy’s
Sonny Molloy’s is an award winning whiskey bar located on Cross Street. As whiskey bars go this one is up there close to the top of the list. Not only can you sample the best of Irish Whiskeys but Sonny Molloy’s is connected to The Front Door too. The Front Door is one of Galway’s original late bars and is probably the most infamous in Galway. The staff in Sonny’s have been around for a long time so they know exactly how to treat your whiskey taste buds. They even have their own exclusive whiskey, The RedBreast 19 Year Old Oloroso Sherry Single Cask and Sonny Molloy’s Redbreast 16 Year Old. They were chosen as the first on trade establishment in the world to release a 16 year old single cask whiskey! Best of all they have late bars seven nights a week too so you are always in good hands. They offer the Midleton Very Rare Collection, they run whiskey masterclasses and have whiskey platters too.
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