Ireland Guide
Galway and Mayo
Pubs and clubs
1 Arus na Gael 45 Dominick St Opening time: Traditional music on Sat, and DJs on FriCavernous Irish-speaking pub and club.
2 Bazaar Quay Lane Opening time: DJs most Sats, live traditional music early evening Sat & SunIncongruous Moroccan-themed bar in a venerable, heavy-stoned building, with plenty of scatter cushions and low lighting, as well as tables outside on the piazza.
3 Blue Note William St West Despite its name and the huge mural outside, this is not a jazz club. DJs play funk, soul and other laid-back sounds into the farthest snugs of this dimly lit, slightly scruffy but fun bar.
4 Busker Browne's Cross St Opening time: DJs at weekends, jazz at Sun lunchtimesThis welcoming, popular bar in a former Dominican convent offers original medieval fireplaces, a lofty, Gothic hall on the third floor, and floor upon floor of alcoves and armchairs in a complementary modern design for comfy eating and drinking. Seafood chowder, salads and full meals are served daily till late.
5 The Crane Bar Sea Rd Opening time: Nightly live musicInvariably busy bar owned by two musicians, with excellent traditional and country sessions, plus singer-songwriters, every night.
6 Cuba Eyre Square 
091/565991 
www.cuba.ie Three floors of pulse-raising beats at this club with an unobtrusive Cuban theme, which hosts DJs and live bands throughout the week, as well as a comedy club on Sun.
7 GPO Eglinton St 091/565376 www.gpo.ie Lively club popular with students offering a wildly varied programme, ranging from hip-hop to indie, which occasionally includes top live acts and international DJs
8 The King's Head High St Opening time: Live music nightly; Thurs– Sat by DJs until 2amBusy three-storey pub in an impressive medieval building with flagstone floors, bare stone walls and a seventeenth-century bridal fireplace, that's a great spot for lunch, or pizzas in the evenings. Cromwell's military governor, Colonel Peter Stubbers, who was widely rumoured to have been Charles I's executioner, requisitioned this building, hence the name. Live music nightly – anything from rock to big bands, though not traditional – followed Thurs– Sat by DJs until 2am.
9 Living Room Bridge St Trendy, popular makeover of the old Lisheen Bar, though not strictly bang up to date: the place now has a strong Seventies retro feel, heavy on browns, reds and pale wood, with plenty of padded bench seats. DJs and a late bar Thurs– Sun nights, and decent food during the day.
10 Massimo William St West Stylish, modern bar done out with comfy booths and couches, soft lighting and lots of bare wood, hosting up-tempo DJs at weekends.
11 Monroe's Upper Dominick St Huge, sociable and unpretentious pub with traditional or acoustic music nightly, sometimes with set dancing or a sing-along, and pizzas available from Pizza Cabin next door.
12 
Neachtains 17 Cross St Opening time: Live music, usually Thurs– SunGalway's finest traditional pub, in what was once the town house of Humanity Dick. In winter, the homely warren of small rooms, bars, bench seats and snugs draws a diverse crowd, who tend to migrate to the plentiful tables on the busy corner of Cross and Quay streets in summer. Traditional, bluegrass and jazz.
13 The Quays Quay St Opening time: Early-evening traditional sessions Fri & SunRegular two-storied facade conceals an eccentric, warren-like, medieval superpub, decorated with mullioned and stained-glass windows, carved beams and Gothic wooden arches. Features a balconied venue with a large stage for regular live bands and DJs.
14 Roísin Dubh 9 Upper Dominick St 091/586540 www.roisindubh.net Opening time: Comedy club Wed nightThis pub is Galway's best live venue, hosting gigs of every style from rock and reggae to folk and funk, with a late bar every night and a pleasant terrace overlooking the river.
15 Sheridan's on the Docks Queen St Opening time: Closed Mon– Wed lunchtimes & Sun (though this may change if they're granted the necessary licence)An offshoot of the excellent deli on Churchyard St, this spruce but cosy gastro-pub serves soups, salads, sandwiches, oysters and delicious plates of cheese, meat and smoked fish. There's also a huge selection of wines and beers, including the local, microbrewed Galway Hooker, a pale ale from County Roscommon.
16 Tigh Choili Mainguard St Opening time: Sessions around 6pm and 9.30pm, plus 2pm on SunWelcoming, central and sociable traditional pub with daily sessions.