While Galway’s absolutely flooded with quality places to cheer on your team, here are the best sports bars in Galway...
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.
Due to the sheer amount of fantastic options for watching live sports in Galway we have decided to break up our list into different sections of what you might be looking for when you are selecting where in Galway to watch live sports; beer garden, big screens, match day deals, good for groups and more. Check them out below!
above: photo courtesy of Taylor's Bar & Beer Garden
Watch Live Sport in a Galway Beer Garden
Taylor’s Bar & Beer Garden
Location: Galway’s Westend / check them out
For a match day experience you'll never forget, head straight to Taylor's Bar & Beer Garden in Galway’s Westend. With two massive screens in the beer garden and five more inside, you will have the perfect seat for all the action no matter where you are. Their beer garden has earned them a phenomenal reputation among sports fans so you don’t have to take our word for it; the experience speaks for itself. This is also another great option for groups if you want to go out for the night afterwards.
McDonagh’s Thatch Bar
Location: Oranmore / check them out
Combining a large open-air beer garden with a gorgeous traditional thatched Irish bar, McDonagh’s Thatch Bar & Beer Garden is a truly unique destination for watching live sports and best of all it’s only a short drive/bus journey from Galway city. Throughout the bar and beer garden are 7 screen TVs showing all manner of live sports, from racing to GAA and Football. Their beer garden is also now home to a stunning new cocktail bar and their extensive bar menu includes one of the best pints of Guinness we’ve ever tasted.
O’Connell’s Bar
Location: Eyre Square / check them out
Home to an award winning beer garden just off of the public transport hub on Eyre Square, O’Connell’s Bar is a fantastic option when it comes to selecting somewhere to watch the match from. The garden features plenty of picnic-table style seating, as well as covered nooks and shelters with heating lamps. There is also an outdoor bar as well so you won’t miss one second of the action while getting your pint. In the garden, The Dough Bros are cooking up their world famous pizzas and you know that is the perfect match food so be sure to drop by.
Watch Live Sports on a Big Screen
An Púcán
Location: Forster St / check them out
The spectacular and massive Heineken themed beer garden at An Púcán stands them apart from the crowd as come match day if you find yourself here you will always feel as though you’ve ended up with the best seat in the house. During live sporting events this beer garden is always packed with fans eager to watch their favourites win and the craic is always incredible to be a part of. The beer garden is now home to Galway's largest screen and inside you’ll find 11 more big screens capturing all the action.
above: photo courtesy of An Púcán
Merchant Bar & Restaurant
Location: Eyre Square Hotel / check them out
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. With a 12ft x 9ft projector screen, four TVs, and an electric matchday atmosphere, this is a fantastic match day option. To accompany your matchday viewings they have got a fantastic food and drink menu available, as well as an 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.
Eye Cinema
Location: Wellpark / check them out
The newest addition to this list and perhaps is more of a honourable mention is Galway’s Eye Cinema. Recently they have been showing the biggest sporting events on a great cinema screen with surround sound system and if you want to ensure that you don’t miss one second of the match this is the screen to watch it on. Head over to the link above to check out what sporting fixture they are showing next.
Watch the Match with a Group of Friends
Carroll’s on Dominick Street
Location: Galway’s Westend / check them out
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 friends to watch live sports. They are also home to Birdhouse, who’s tasty wings, burgers, and dawgs will help keep you fueled throughout the cheering. They've got loads of screens throughout the bar ensuring you won't miss out on any of the action, and their cocktail menu will definitely hit the spot as you support your team.
above: photo courtesy of Carroll's on Dominick Street
McGettigans’
Location: Eyre Square / check them out
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 17 large-screen HD TVs across the bar, all showing the world's top sporting events including Formula 1 races, horse racing and golfing tournaments. They also have fantastic snug areas that will have you and your pals feeling as though you have an entire screen to yourselves. This is just the spot to stay fueled with delicious bar foods and cocktails before, during and after the action.
Kelehans Bar & Beer Garden
Location: Bushypark / check them out
Bringing your group of friends to Kelehans Bar to catch all the action of whatever live sports are taking place is a fantastic idea. Here, you and your friends can opt to cosy up in snugs or enjoy the spacious beer garden with its humongous screen and beautiful scenery. Streaming live sports across their 6 big screen TVs, along with a daily food service until 9pm and extensive bar menu, you and your pals will be well fed and happy as you watch all the live sports action unfold in front of you.
above: photo courtesy of Kelehans Bar
Glynn's Bar
Location: Oranmore / check them out
If you haven't already been to Glynn's Bar to see a match live on their screens, you need to asap! Their huge beer garden is always buzzing so we feel that this spot works best for groups looking to enjoy a night out while watching live sporting events. Their quirky beer garden as we mentioned is massive so there is plenty of space for the whole gang to come along and enjoy cheering on your favourite teams. Pair your pints with some delicious wood-fire pizzas from Urban Fire for the ultimate match day experience.
Mary Mullens Bar & Courtyard
Location: Prospect Hill / check them out
Thanks to its central location just off Eyre Square, Mary Mullens is a great option for friends looking to get together ahead of a big sports tournament or match. The bar features loads of cosy nooks and crannies that are suitable for smaller groups however if you are gathering everyone for the occasion we highly recommend scoring some seats in their courtyard. Its covered from the elements and is home to not one but two bars, and a massive big screen TV - catering perfectly for groups of all sizes to cheer on your team as one!
above: photo courtesy of Mary Mullens
Hole in the Wall Bar
Location: Woodquay / check them out
Tucked away among the bustle of Woodquay is Hole in the Wall Bar and when it comes to watching the match with a sound group of people, few places do it better. They've got plenty of big screens to keep you tuned 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. The Hole in the Wall is also perfect for large groups so if you're planning on enjoying the game with your mates, this might just be the spot for you.
M. Fitzgeralds Bar
Location: Latin Quarter / check them out
If your ideal match day involves sharing plates of delicious food with friends, M.Fitzgeralds is the perfect venue for you. Their Mediterranean influenced tapas menu is a feast for the senses and perfect for sharing with friends or family as live sports plays from the TVs all around you. Not to mention you'll also have a full bar menu at your fingertips as well as the company of seriously sound staff and live music every evening to follow your viewing experience.
Enjoy Match Day Deals on Food & Drink
The Skeff Bar & Kitchen
Location: Eyre Square / check them out
The team at The Skeff are always match-day ready and in order to ensure you get the most out of your experience with them, they frequently run some of the best match day offers in all Galway. If it is on TV, then your sporting event will be available at The Skeff! With 10 screens around the bar and a massive projector, we usually show more than one sporting event at a time. Hit the link here to check out their extensive upcoming live sports lineup and then head over to their socials to see what impressive specials they are running.
above: photo courtesy of The Skeff
Busker Brownes
Location: Latin Quarter / check them out
The home of rugby in Galway, Busker Brownes are heavily involved in all support of the Connacht Rugby team and every time they play rest assured there are loads of special offers and competitions to be a part of. Thanks to their support they almost always are welcoming players for pints so who knows who you might run into during your visit. However it’s not just about rugby here as they show the full variety of sporting fixtures across their screens so if you want to catch a game live it’s a safe bet that Buskers will be showing it.
Seven Bar
Location: Latin Quarter / check them out
With multiple big screens in prime locations throughout the bar and unmissable match day drinks and food deals, 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.
above: photo courtesy of Seven
The Cellar
Location: City Centre / check them out
GAA, soccer, rugby - you name the sport and The Cellar are almost guaranteed to 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.
The Sliding Rock
Location: Newcastle / check them out
If you are after a sports bar that offers terrific match day specials, The Sliding Rock in Newcastle will never let you down. All week long, it is open for food from 9am until 9pm, and shows all types of sport fixtures across their screens throughout the week. It’s on the bigger game days however that The Sliding Rock regularly runs their offers and these range from drink specials to deals of a pint and wings or burgers. And, if you are interested in placing a few bets, you can always fly into the bookies next door between drinks.
above: photo from The Sliding Rock, by Ciarán MacChoncarraige
Soak up the Sporting Atmosphere
Harry’s Bar
Location: Bohermore / check them out
Bringing together cocktails, tasty food and big screens galore to create one of the most enjoyable experiences for watching live sports in the city, Harry’s Bar is without a doubt one of the best bars in Galway for watching sporting fixtures. The large screens that decorate the bar make sure that no one misses out on the action as it unfolds in real time. Additionally, their award-winning burgers and cocktails are served until 9.30pm every night and this bar food is the perfect complement to all match days in the city.
Porterhouse
Location: Oranmore / check them out
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 and they've got a killer reputation to show for it!
above: photo courtesy of Porterhouse
Donnelly’s of Barna
Location: Barna / check them out
Donnelly’s of Barna is the perfect bar for watching all sporting events; rugby, football, horse-racing to name a few. On game day, they are alway busy serving up pints and their delicious bar food, making them the ideal match spot to rub shoulders with fellow supporters and sports enthusiasts. If you want to make an event of it (and we will always recommend that they do) they can cater to larger groups of up to 50 people with private areas that are available to be booked.
The Front Door
Location: Latin Quarter / check them out
Rest assured that all the live sporting fixtures you want to watch will be screened live at The Front Door. Here, they have large HD TV’s throughout the venue across multiple levels 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 where in the bar you're seated.
above: photo courtesy of The Front Door
MP Walsh Bar
Location: Galway’s Westend / check them out
Well known for their quality pints of Guinness, and for offering a large variety of whiskey and spirits, but did you know that M.P. Walsh Bar is also a great place to watch the match or the racing? With all sporting events shown live and an earlier opening time of 2pm throughout the week, this is the best spot for catching all the early races and sports events. An insider tip: be sure to ask the regulars their advice before placing any horse racing bets as these guys really know their stuff. Just remember to get them a pint as thanks if you win!
McGinn’s Hop House
Location: Woodquay / check them out
The very best spot in town to visit ahead of all Galway United FC matches in Eamonn Deacy Park, McGinn's Hop House 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.
above: photo from McGinn's, by Ciarán MacChoncarraige
The Dáil Bar
Location: Latin Quarter / check them out
For all the big matches and live sporting fixtures, it's a safe bet that The Dáil Bar's will be showing it! With multiple screens across multiple levels, delicious bar food menus and a vast variety of drinks, you're certainly in for a treat every time you and your pals opt to soak up the excitement of match day in the heart of Galway city’s Latin Quarter at The Dáil Bar. Afterwards, be sure to stay on to enjoy the best tunes with their DJ and late bar and party on with pals into the early hours.
Tom Sheridans Bar & Restaurant
Location: Knocknacarra / check them out
Don't miss out on any live sporting action by visiting Tom Sheridans Bar on match day! They have got multiple screens throughout the bar that will all be showing all manner of sporting events live and rest assured you'll be in great company as you cheer on your team. As you watch it all unfold, you can enjoy their all-day food menus and the full bar menu which includes everything from cocktails to premium Irish whiskey, along with the ‘Galway Gold IPA’ that's brewed exclusively for the bar.
above: photo courtesy of Tom Sheridans
Feature photo courtesy of An Púcán
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