Galway is known for its community spirit and come match day, it’s always at an all-time high at these sports bars. There’s nothing quite like teetering on the edge of your seat, pint in hand, waiting for your team to score with the whole pub erupting into a collective roar. While Galway’s absolutely flooded with quality places to cheer on your team, here are some of the best sports bars in Galway...
Taylor’s Bar
For a match day experience you'll never forget, head straight to Taylor's Bar in Galway's Westend. With two massive screens in the beer garden and five more inside, no matter where you end up sitting you will have a stellar watch point for all the action. If you're planning on making a day of it with your pals, book ahead of time and you might just be able to reserve their nook specifically for yourselves. Topping it all off, Taylor's offers 20% off on all cocktails from Sunday to Thursday, so really why wouldn't you choose Taylor's as your match day venue?
7 Dominick Street Upper, Galway's Westend // more here
above: courtesy of Taylor's Bar & Beer Garden
McGettigan’s
Well-known as one of the leading sports bars in Galway, McGettigan’s continues to draw people from far and wide to view every type of sporting event. With a whopping 16 large-screen HD TVs across the bar's two floors, all showing the world's top sporting events including Formula 1 races, horse racing and golfing tournaments. Home to a high-energy buzz and ideally located on the edge of Eyre Square, this is just the spot to stay fueled with delicious bar foods and cocktails before, during and after the action.
9-11 Prospect Hill, Eyre Square // more here
above: photo of McGettigan's, by Ado Lyons
McGinn's Hop House
The best spot in town to visit ahead of all Galway United FC matches in Eamonn Deacy Park, McGinn's is well known locally as proud supporters of all local teams and clubs. They are also the home of the Galway Celtic Supporters Club so if you're a fan of football and want to take in some pre-match excitement you'll always be in good company at McGinn's. Showing all matches and races live on their screens throughout the bar, enjoy their quality bar food with your pints as you cheer on your team.
19 Woodquay // more here
above: photo courtesy of McGinn's
An Púcán
An inviting atmosphere, terrific drink offerings and quality food, An Púcán really is the whole package. If you’re an avid rugby or football follower, this city centre spot is always showing the latest match day madness on their big screens. There are over 11 screens scattered throughout the pub and you will always feel like you’ve ended up with the best seat in the house. Not to be forgotten their huge Heineken themed beer garden now boasts Galway's largest screen and is always buzzing on big match days so if you're looking to watch the game with fellow supporters of your team this is the spot.
11 Forster Street, East Village // more here
above: courtesy of An Púcán
Capones
If you're after a sports bar that serves up unique match day specials, Capones in Knocknacarra can't be beat with their unmissable deals on pints, pizza and burgers. Having built up a reputation as the place to be come match day, the Speakeasy Bar at Capones offers a range of Italian inspired dishes and an incredible cocktail menu that is packed with the classic and delicious house creations. The sound team at Capones will have you feeling at home from the moment you step in door.
1 Kingston Road, Knocknacarra // more here
above: photo of Capones courtesy of Evan O' Flatharta
Hole in the Wall Bar
In amongst the bustle of Woodquay is the stunning Hole in the Wall Bar and when it comes to watching the match with a sound group of people, very few places do it better. They've got plenty of big screens to keep you tune into all the action, so no matter where you're seated inside or out in their beautiful spacious beer garden, you are sure to have terrific seats. Hole in the Wall is the perfect spot for large groups so if you're planning on enjoying the game with your mates, this might just be the spot for you.
17 Eyre Street, Woodquay // more here
above: courtesy of Hole in the Wall Bar
Harry's Bar
Bringing together handcrafted cocktails, tasty food and big screens galore to create one of the most enjoyable drinking experiences in the city, Harry’s Bar is without a doubt one of the best bars in Galway for watching the match. Screening all the very best sporting action on their big screens, just pull up a chair and let the cheering commence. Having won multiple awards for their burgers and cocktails you can enjoy some seriously delicious pub grub while you tune into the game.
77 Bohermore // more here
above: courtesy of Harry's Bar
The Skeff Bar & Kitchen
The Skeff are always match-ready. With a full sports listing across their numerous screens, when it comes to watching the game of your choice you can bet that The Skeff will be showing it. As well as screening all the big fixtures, this team are big supporters of all things Tribal including Galway County’s hurling and football teams as well as Connacht Rugby. When it comes to the Six Nations we've known them to offer pints of Guinness and even give away match tickets for lucky supporters!
27 Eyre Square // more here
above: courtesy of The Skeff
Merchant Bar & Restaurant at Eyre Square Hotel
Just a stone's throw from the city train and bus stations, Merchant Bar & Restaurant is a perfect place to tune into all the sporting action. They have plenty of big screens for the major events, whether it is GAA, soccer or rugby that's showing. To accompany your matchday viewings the team at Merchant Bar have got a fantastic food and drink menu available. Original selection of craft cocktails from their own in-house mixologist, a modern wine list and great tasting beers available every day of the week.
6 Forster St, East Village // more here
PJ Flaherty's Pub
If you haven't already been to see a match live on the screens in PJs Bar Salthill, you need to ASAP! They're known locally for their electric atmosphere, stunning seaside location and their terrific in-house bar offers on big match days, not to mention their brand new speaker system! For all of your match day needs, cheer on your favourite teams with a pint in hand in the company of the sound heads at PJs, it really is every sport's lover dream.
82 Lower Salthill // more here
above: photo of PJs Bar
Seven Bar
With multiple big screens in prime locations throughout the bar, Seven Bar is a sports lover’s heaven. Pints have a tendency to be flowing, so make sure to get a round in and try out Seven's famous chicken wings or their all day Irish breakfast before it all kicks off. When the action is all over, stick around to enjoy the live music and resident DJs, and party the night away no matter whether you're celebrating or commiserating the outcome of the game. It's always a good time at Seven.
5-7 Bridgestreet, City Centre // more here
above: photo of Seven Bar
The Dáil Bar
For all the big matches and sporting events, it's a safe bet that The Dáil's will be showing it! They are already the proud supporters of a selection of local teams including Connacht Rugby and Galway United, so rest assured that this bar knows how to show sports fans a good time. Great craic, delicious food options and a vast drink selection, you're certainly in for a treat every time you end up at The Dáil Bar on match day.
42-44 Middle Street, Latin Quarter // more here
above: courtesy of The Dáil Bar
The Cellar
GAA, soccer or rugby, you name it and The Cellar will be showing it on their HD screens. Any day of the week, passersby will hear roars of encouragement echo from the walls of this Eglinton Street gem and once you’ve stuck your head in the door, chances are you’ll be joining them. Make sure to grab some of their delicious food offerings to keep you going while you power through the pints especially as they usually have a special offer on their burgers & pints on the bigger match days.
12 Eglinton Street, City Centre // more here
above: courtesy of The Cellar
Carroll's on Dominick Street
A popular choice for groups thanks to the size of their huge beer garden, Carroll's on Dominick Street is the perfect destination for meeting with all of your pals ahead of a big sporting event. They are also home to Birdhouse, meaning you'll have plenty of deliciousness to keep you fueled throughout all the cheering. They've got loads of screens throughout the bar ensuring you won't miss out on any of the action, and if putting on a little bet to you sounds like a plan, the bookies are right next door. What are the odds of that?
Dominick Street Lower, Galway's Westend // more here
above: courtesy of Carroll's on Dominick Street
Porterhouse
One of the best spots in East Galway for watching live sports, Porterhouse has got all your match day needs covered. They have plenty of room for groups of all sizes, TVs throughout the venue's two floors and a top quality drinks menu. We also highly recommend combining your pints with some of the delicious food offerings by their neighbours GIGAS Dinergrill, as this whole experience really is one of the best in the west.
Main St, Oranmore // more here
above: photo of Porterhouse, by Ado Lyons
MP Walsh
Widely known for serving a quality pint of Guinness, and a large portfolio of whiskey and spirits, M.P. Walsh is also a great place to watch the match or the racing, with all sporting events shown live. Open from 2pm throughout the week, this is the best spot for catching all the early horse races and sports events, be sure to ask the regulars their tips for the horse racing, these guys definitely known their stuff. Just be sure to get them a pint back if you win!
55 Dominick St Lower, Galway's Westend // more here
above: photo of MP Walsh
The Front Door
All your favourite sporting events are screened live at The Front Door, they have large HD TV’s throughout the venue and are supporters of Connacht Rugby players so you never know who you might run into on match day. Spread over two floors with five bars, it’s always a hive of activity and is also home to Sonny Molloy’s Whiskey Bar & Tigh Nora Gin Bar so you can be sure you'll have a great spot for watching the match no matter what.
8 Cross St, Latin Quarter // more here
above: courtesy of The Front Door
Feature photo of Porterhouse, photo by Ado Lyons
Published on Updated on
