Galway City is famously home to some of the best music pubs in Ireland. Acclaimed artists perform live gigs, impromptu sessions delight, and the buskers that get your toes tapping are set to be the next big thing. Moreover, the city’s pubs provide something even rarer: a chance to savour a rich musical experience that eloquently reflects Ireland’s soul.
A Musical Tradition
Music pours from the pubs and flows through the streets of Galway. In this city, it’s utterly authentic – from the music shops selling sheet music and Irish instruments to spontaneous pub performances and scheduled gigs.
Along with the tunes, listen out for two key terms. The first is craic: the ultimate Irish entertainment experience. Broadly meaning fun, music, jokey exchanges, and good times, Galway provides it in abundance. The second term is trad: traditional Irish folk music, a melodious swirl that could feature any combination of flutes, fiddles, whistles, pipes, guitars, banjos, squeezeboxes, and hand-held drums. These mesmerising refrains resonate through the city’s age-old pubs and linger in memory long after you leave.
Where’s the Craic?
Galway feels like a village, a community packed with quality trad music pubs that are easy to explore on foot. Much of the action focuses on the streets leading southwest from Eyre Sq, down William St, and along Shop St, High St, and Quay St, with bridges crossing the River Corrib to Galway’s West End. For many locals, this district represents the true heart of the city, where cafes, restaurants, and bars showcase the real rapport between music lovers and musicians.
Tour Galway’s Best Music Venues
If it feels like music is everywhere in Galway during the day, wait until evening sets in. Everything steps up a notch after 5pm, as office workers flock to the pubs and nightly music sessions commence. Pretty much any walk through the city center yields musical discoveries, but following this route guarantees a stellar night out.
Eyre Sq
Start with a stroll from Eyre Sq down William St (pausing for selfies at the statue of Oscar Wilde and Eduard Wilde) to appreciate the buskers bringing top-notch music to the city’s streets. The bars of Shop St might tempt you, but continue walking for some early-evening music at one of Galway’s most cherished music pubs.
Taaffe’s
Stone-fronted Taaffe’s is renowned for nightly Irish music at 5.30pm that commences any evening in fine style. In warm weather, the front terrace fills quickly, but head into the bar to experience some classic craic – a buzzing atmosphere, friendly banter, and irresistible tunes. It’s a spot to sip Guinness, engage in humor, and nurture friendships.
Tig Cóilí
It’s sad when the live music stops playing at Taaffe’s, but don’t worry; another performance is about to start just over the road at Tig Cóilí. This bright-red music pub is famous for its two hugely popular live trad sessions held each day at 6pm and 9.30pm. While you listen, check out the photos of those who’ve played here – they form a timeline that illustrates the depth of the city’s musical heritage.
The Quays
Your next musical destination is a quick walk down bustling High St. En route, stop by one of the city’s finest pubs, Tigh Neachtain, to soak up the atmosphere and admire their impressive selection of over 130 whiskeys. Next, continue down Quay St to The Quays. This large tavern features striking décor – the Gothic arches, burnished beams, and stained glass once adorned a French medieval church. The maze of rooms offers prime viewing for enjoying the regular live rock, country, and trad gigs.
Monroe’s Tavern
Next, it’s time to cross the River Corrib and enter Galway’s lively West End. Head down Quay St and over the Wolfe Tone Bridge before turning right along Raven Terrace. You’ll soon spot the iconic black-and-white façade of Monroe’s Tavern. It has been at the epicenter of West End nightlife for over half a century and still delivers a vibrant vibe, live music nightly, and an eclectic range of acts.
Crane Bar
A quick walk up Upper Dominick St and along William St W leads you to a lively two-storey pub. The Crane Bar hosts music every night on both levels and is among the best places in Galway to catch an informal céilidh, an energetic session of traditional music and dancing.
Róisín Dubh
Retrace your steps toward the Wolfe Tone Bridge to find your final musical destination. Róisín Dubh not only boasts a highly popular roof terrace but is also the place in Galway to see emerging acts before their big break. Watch out for open-mic nights and the eclectic music mix that defines Strange Brew. It’s a fitting spot to conclude your tour of Galway’s best venues and a perfect place to start envisioning your next trip to a city rich in musical heritage.
