Galway Nightlife

The nightlife in Galway is renowned, offering a vast selection of pubs, bars and nightclubs to choose from. It is a student city, which makes every night feel like a Saturday, and ensures that there is always something going on.

There are great traditional music sessions held at the Crane Bar on Sea Road, Taaffes and Tigh Chóilí on Shop Street, and Western Bar near Eyre Square. The smaller country pubs just out of town are also very popular and a great way to experience true Irish culture. On any given night there will be wonderful folk music on offer in Galway and as you wander down the cobbled streets you will be drawn into the pubs and bars by the jolly live music.

The legal drinking age is 18 and most nightclubs open at 11pm, closing round 2.30am. There is usually a cover charge of €5 to €12 at the door but free/reduced admission stamps are often handed out on Shop Street. A few trendy bars stay open till the early hours, including the Front Door on the corner of High and Cross streets, the Living Room on Bridge Street and the Quays (which also has a club with live music) on Quay Street. Other good clubs are Central Park, Halo and Karma. Cuba, on Eyre Square, is another great night spot.