Special shindigs require special surroundings and there's no shortage of cool spots to celebrate in Galway. Birthday bashes, hen parties, baby showers and everything in between are occasions that need to be remembered. So, if you’re searching for the ideal location to host your celebration, look no further..
McDongh's Thatch Bar & Beer Garden
Combining a large open-air beer garden with a gorgeous traditional thatched Irish bar, McDonagh’s Thatch Bar & Beer Garden is a truly unique party destination located only a short drive from Galway city. Home to a large beer garden, new cocktail bar, extensive bar menu, vibrant one-of-a-kind Irish décor, this spot should definitely be on your radar when planning a party in Galway, no matter if it's a birthday party, summer BBQ or corporate event.
Main Street, Oranmore / book your party here
above: photo courtesy of McDonagh's Thatch Bar
Mary Mullens Bar
Steeped in comfort and tradition, Mary Mullens Bar is one of the city's hottest party destinations. One of the highlights of Mary Mullens Bar is their large Courtyard. A sunlit oasis amidst Galway city’s busyness, this large beer garden is adorned with neon-lights and Asian influenced decor, at Mary Mullens guests can enjoy a fusion of Galway’s rich history and contemporary Asian inspired flair in a setting that both feels both familiar and refreshingly modern - exactly what you want when throwing a party in the City of Tribes.
10 Prospect Hill / book your party here
above: photo courtesy of Mary Mullens Bar
Seven Bar
Featuring private areas that can be reserved for groups of 20-200, if you’ll be needing more room than that, upstairs at Seven Bar the Loft venue can cater for groups up to 250 people. Home to 6 bars, Seven Bar are open late 7 nights a week, and have loads of amazing food options and absolutely great deals for groups. Their broad range of packages can be tailored to give your event a personal, unique feel. With live music every night, resident DJs each Friday and Saturday and platters of delicious finger food including their baskets of their famous chicken wings, at Seven all of your party wishes will come true.
5-7 Bridgestreet / book your party here
above: photo courtesy of Seven Bar
Kelehans Bar & Restaurant
Ready for a celebration that goes off without a hitch? Kelehans Bar & Restaurant are the go-to Galway pub for locals and visitors alike, known for its lively atmosphere, delicious food, and drinks. Whether it’s a birthday bash, a corporate event, or an unforgettable hen party, their brand new events space and organised team are guaranteed to make it happen. Suitable for parties 60-180 people with bar tab options and finger food platters. Additionally, with their large selection of delicious food, beers, spirits, and tasty cocktails, there’s food and drink for everyone to enjoy on your special night.
N59, Bushypark / book your party here
above: photo from Kelehans
Busker Brownes
Enjoy a late night with friends at one of the Latin Quarter’s most well loved bars - Busker Brownes. Busker Brownes is party central all week long so it’ll come as no surprise for you to learn that it remains to be the destination for many of Galway’s celebrations. For parties of 20-50 people, you can reserve their Slatehouse Bar area with a late bar and the option of adding gourmet finger food available. For larger groups, The Hall Venue can accommodate up to 80 people. So, whether a Birthday Party, Class Party, Corporate Event or Function, the team will help you make it an evening you won’t forget.
Cross Street Upper, Latin Quarter / book your party here
above: photo courtesy of Busker Brownes
The Skeff Late Bar & Kitchen
The Skeff Late Bar & Kitchen is one of the largest bars in the west of Ireland, making it perfect for hosting parties. The Skeff is a 7-night late bar offering live music most nights and a DJ every night, ensuring a lively atmosphere every time. The spacious venue, excellent staff, and quality food make birthdays, hen parties, stag dos, and work celebrations unforgettable. The Skeff also offer cocktail masterclasses, at €30 per person, which includes cocktails and prosecco on arrival, with optional finger food from €5. For engagement parties, after-wedding receptions, or rehearsal dinners, they provide delicious finger food platters and tailored packages. Enjoy your special occasions in their unique surroundings with live entertainment, a late bar, and regular cocktail specials.
27 Eyre Square / book your party here
above: photo courtesy of The Skeff
Pedal Power Galway
A fun, alternative way for you and your group to party your way through Galway city is with Pedal Power Galway. Suitable for groups up to 36 people, cycling your way along on their novel multi person bikes is a fantastic way for you to bond and enjoy the city's sights with all your favourite music playing via their Bluetooth speaker as you pedal. You can party as you go and make some stops along the way at a few bars for refreshments and to take the party up to another level. Pedal Power is one of the most sought after party activities in Galway so if you're party planning be sure to drop them a line to get things rolling.
Starting point at The Harbour Hotel (unless otherwise arranged) / book your party here
above: photo courtesy of Pedal Power
Queen Street Galway
Why would you book a party if you can't take loads of gorgeous photos? And at Queen Street every moment captured is a picture-perfect shot. This is an ideal venue for a day two of wedding, upcoming birthday, retirement, graduation or a family gathering. They can cater from 6-100 people and also have a private bar and function room available for hire as well as a variety of packages and menus! Leave your party in good hands and allow the Queen Street team to create and craft your night exactly how you want it.
Victoria Place, Eyre Square / book your party here
above: photo courtesy of Queen Street Galway
MacNeill's Pub
If you are planning a party in Galway, chat to the team in MacNeill's Pub and they will help you plan your perfect celebration! Ideal for birthdays, hens and stags, work-dos and anniversary celebrations, at MacNeill's you and your group can enjoy reserved areas or private hire of the entire space and finger food packages. Complete with trad music on Thursdays, live music on Fridays & Saturdays, warm hospitality, and an extensive selection of beverages, MacNeill’s continues to be a cherished hub for those seeking to throw a fabulous party right in the city centre.
Downstairs at The Hardiman, Eyre Square / book your party here
above: photo courtesy of MacNeill's Pub
John Keoghs Gastropub
John Keogh’s is the party venue that has something to offer everyone. Offering top quality freshly prepared finger foods and a late bar, for groups of up to 120 people. There are semi-private and reserved areas available for smaller groups and for groups of 70-120 people, you can enjoy dancing the night away with music provided by your own DJ and a fully serviced late bar in the spacious private party room.
22-24 Dominick St Upper, Galway's Westend / book your party here
above: photo of John Keogh's Gastropub, by Anita Murphy
The Quays Bar
This famous Latin Quarter late bar really comes alive every evening with their exceptional showcases of local and visiting artists. The phenomenal live performances at The Quays Bar has seen them win numerous awards throughout the years, including winning ‘Best Live Entertainment Pub’ at the Bar of the Year Awards. So, if you’re planning on hosting a party in Galway city, you can’t go wrong when selecting The Quays. Also home to the Galway Girl Restaurant, for food, drinks and a show, no one does it better.
11 Quay Street, Latin Quarter / book your party here
above: photo courtesy of The Quays Bar
LUASCA Golf
Days of unrivalled fun can be enjoyed at LUASCA Golf. Their facility caters to golf enthusiasts of all levels, from beginners looking to improve their swing to seasoned players looking for a new challenge - the perfect setting for your next party in Galway. Set in a relaxed and fun environment, everyone in your group will have a great time. With 6 simulator bays, a pool table, dart board, foosball table, multiple large screen TVs and food packages, LUASCA Golf have every angle covered for parties of all sort, both big and small.
Unit 5 Pairc An Clochair, Innplot / book your party here
above: LUASCA Golf, photo by Ciarán MacChoncarraige
Taylor’s Bar & Beer Garden
A night out at Taylor’s Bar & Beer Garden is the stuff of legends so it probably won’t be any surprise to you to see that they have made it onto our party list. Live music late every night, cocktails, shots, a heated beer garden, your food supplied by either their Westend neighbours; Smashbird and Niche Burger from Tuam. Be sure to drop them a line to discover how they can help you enjoy a party or a summer BBQ event, that you’ll never forget.
7 Dominick St Upper, Galway’s Westend / book your party here
above: photo courtesy of Taylor's Bar and Beer Garden
Virtual Reality World
Providing loads of fun for people of all ages, interests and skill levels. Galway’s Virtual Reality World offers custom-built virtual reality booths, Ireland’s first Katwalkers, VR Racing Cars and VR Escape Rooms which are all kitted out with the latest technology. You and your party group can travel to exotic climates, drive fully simulated racing cars or enjoy some friendly competition multiplayer experiences all without leaving the city!
Unit 3 Liosban Industrial Estate,Tuam Road / book your party here
above: photo courtesy of VR World Galway
Rè Nao
Welcoming and atmospheric, Rè Nao offers a range of delicious food and drink varieties that will appeal to every palate. Not to mention their beautifully decorated fully stocked bar has an exciting selection of cocktails, all of which have been made in-house using fresh and tasty ingredients. Complete with gorgeous views of both the Lough Corrib and Spanish Arch, this party spot is always a crowd pleaser.
Spanish Arch / book your party here
above: photo courtesy of Ré Nao
Massimo
For drinks and dirty dancing, Massimo in Galway's Westend is the spot for you! Choose between their various party areas; the snugs, their large function area, the palm tree decorated Soul Garden, or in their cosy party van sitting outside their front door. Here, the cocktail menu will ensure everyone’s in merry spirits and their party platter options will leave you ready to boogie the night away. During the week, the entertainment schedule includes Thursday night karaoke, Wonderwall Wednesday and of course amazing DJs take to the decks each weekend to ensure the party never stops!
10 William St West, Galway's Westend / book your party here
above: photo courtesy of Massimo
JEKYLL at HYDE Hotel
An extension to the gorgeous HYDE Hotel, JEKYLL quickly made itself known as one of the best party venues in the City of Tribes. Large celebrations, birthdays, corporate networking events, pre & post wedding get-togethes, this event space and private dining area is the perfect place to host your gathering. So, let your hair down and go wild as you party the night away at JEKYLL.
HYDE Hotel, Forster St / book your party here
above: photo courtesy of HYDE Hotel
The Dáil Bar
A welcoming ambiance, delicious food and award-winning cocktails, the party scene over at The Dáil Bar is always flawless. Featuring an exclusive whiskey selection, late bar and live entertainment seven nights a week. Whether it’s a sit-down meal or a casual get-together with finger food and drinks, trust that the Dáil team known to throw one hell of a shindig. The combination of Galway’s vibrant atmosphere with the electric beats of DJs and local bands makes the atmosphere in The Dáil Bar an unmissable party destination!
42-44 Middle St, Latin Quarter / book your party here
above: photo courtesy of The Dáil Bar
An Púcán
Perfect for any celebration, An Púcán bar and beer garden is the heart of Galway, with something for every taste and style. Their menus cater to all tastes and throughout the night you can explore a variety of creative cocktails and craft beers. Topping it all off their lineup of live music ensures your night is anything but ordinary. Don't just take our word for it. Experience the magic of An Púcán yourself, book your celebration and make it one for the history books!
11 Forster St / book your party here
above: photo courtesy from An Púcán
BóTOWN
This casual eatery can seat up to 50/60 people in their upstairs area ensuring that you and your pals get to enjoy an intimate get together while tucking into some of the best burgers around. BóTOWN burgers are all seriously divine, just take a look at their menu for yourself we can guarantee you'll be drooling! Burgers, sides, craft beers and cocktails - now that sounds like the perfect start to the party of a lifetime.
57 Dominick Street Lower, Galway's Westend / book your party here
above: photo courtesy of BóTOWN
Coyotes
Four floors on non-stop partying can be enjoyed every night out at Coyotes. They offer a variety of packages for you and your guests where you receive guest entry, reserved seating areas and a glass of bubbly or round of shots for each member of your group. These fabulous party hostesses and booking staff will take care of everything on the night, and resident live bands and DJs will keep the music going until the early hours.
34 Shop Street / book your party here
above: photo from Coyotes
Porterhouse
If you're planning on throwing a big birthday bash, let the sound heads at Porterhouse be your guide to a fabulous celebratory night out. This trendy bar is the perfect place to while away your day with your nearest and dearest with delicious food and drink and plenty of craic. They’ve also got regular live music and their bar offers a tasty range of handcrafted cocktails as well as wine and plenty of delicious beer on tap.
Old Galway Rd, Loughrea / book by emailing porterhouse@galway.com
above: photo from Porterhouse
M. Fitzgeralds
When it comes to throwing parties, M. Fitzgeralds have made quite the name for themselves. Their cocktail Penny Bar is the perfect venue for all occasions, tucked away towards the back of the bar your group can enjoy some exquisite cocktails and delicious sharing plates while you party the night away. Be it a small gathering, a reunion or match-day party in front of the big screen, M. Fitzgeralds will help you plan for a night you won’t forget!
14 Quay St, Latin Quarter / book your party here
above: photo courtesy of M. Fitzgeralds
Merchant Bar & Restaurant
Merchant Bar & Restaurant at Eyre Square Hotel caters to group sizes of up to 100 people and has easy access to all the city major modes of transport, accommodation and entertainment. Not to mention their group menu options which include the best drink and fine dining catering for traditional Irish and European palates with menus to please both adults and children!
Eyre Square Hotel, 6 Forster St / book your party here
above: photo from Merchant's Bar & Restaurant
O'Reilly's Bar and Kitchen
Located in the heart of the bustling Salthill, the rooftop Tiki bar at O’Reilly’s Bar makes for an unbeatable party venue -Birthdays, Graduations, Work Parties, Christmas Parties and even Weddings they do it all! They offer full tailored packages for small and medium size parties with private and semi-private areas. No matter what it is you’re celebrating, bring the gang out for the party of a lifetime with delicious food and drinks and the view to match.
232 Upper Salthill / book your party here
above: O'Reillys Bar & Kitchen, photo by Ciarán MacChoncarraige
If you decide to throw your special shindig at home instead, no worries because we have an article to help you plan your party at home too! Galway is full of fantastic businesses that offer top quality catering services so hit the link HERE to learn all about them!
Feature photo courtesy of Busker Brownes
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