Every great Galway adventure involves paying a visit to some of Galway’s top wine bars and we are determined to help you discover the best of the lot. Find all of our favourite spots for enjoying a glass of wine in Galway below and let the good times commence...
Daróg Wine Bar
A name that means 'small oak tree' Daróg Wine Bar is an intimate space that has laid down its roots in Galway's bohemian Westend. Owned and run by husband and wife team, Zsolt Lukacs and Edel McMahon, they have curated gorgeous pairings between their artisan wine list and their range of hot and cold plates, as well snacks and cheese & meat boards. Zsolt, a sommelier for twelve years in the Michelin-starred Aniar Restaurant, has put together a wine list that promotes unique wines from small producers off the beaten track. Open 5 days a week, we bet that this spot will soon become your new favourite spot to catch up with pals over a glass of wine.
56 Dominick St Lower, Galway's Westend / more here
above: photo of Daróg Wine Bar, by Ciarán MacChoncarraige
Trieste Café & Wine Bar
Run by husband and wife team, Barry and Kate, Trieste Café & Wine Bar is a testament to all that they love. It opened on Valentine's Day in 2020 and has been a popular spot for friends and loved one to catch up over delicious wines and meat and cheese boards. In creating Trieste, they were inspired by its namesake Trieste in North-East Italy, which is famous for its visual splendor, gilded angels, sunrise-colored facades, a port city of latticed alleyways, and hushed boulevards. Their wine list features wines from Italy, Spain and France, and combines Old World classics, with a New World sense of adventure. Additionally, Trieste have made the reputation thanks to their delicious and seasonal charcuterie and cheese boards, which are made using fresh Irish produce, along with Cured Meats from the continent. These boards are available for takeaway also, the perfect option for a date night in.
5 Buttermilk Walk / more here
above: photo courtesy of Trieste
Éan
Éan is a café, restaurant and wine bar that is located on Druid Lane next to the city’s prestigious Druid Theatre Company in The Latin Quarter. The food served at Éan has all been baked or made fresh in-house, highlighting their passion for using both artisan methods and locally sourced seasonal ingredients in all their dishes. By night, Éan specialises in natural, biodynamic and organic wines and a selection of exquisite boards and small plates. All their menus change frequently reflecting the availability of seasonal produce so asking for recommendations is always a good idea. Éan is one of those places that everyone falls in love with from their first visit. Gorgeous food and wine in a stunning setting - how could you not love it?!
Druid Lane, Flood Street, Latin Quarter / more here
above: photo courtesy of Éan
The Lane Wine + Cheese
A neighbourhood wine bar and restaurant, The Lane Wine + Cheese is a cosy and relaxed place designed in the style of the neighbourhood bistros we all know and love, where people could meet friends and like-minded fellows to discover great food and beautiful wines. They stock a primarily European wine list, focusing on real wines that reflect a sense of place with producers who mainly use organic and bio-dynamic practices and rare grape varietals with a nod to sustainability. They especially aim to highlight beloved regions of the Loire, Languedoc, Ribero del Duero, Rioja and the oxidative style of Jura. Their work with independent merchants allows them to forever evolve and adapt their wine list to their new discoveries, ensuring that your palate is introduced to new flavours with every visit. Due to this, some wines are only made available in finite quantities so when they are gone.. they’re gone!
Kirwan's Lane, Latin Quarter / more here
above: courtesy of The Lane Wine + Cheese
Rúibín Bar & Restaurant
With a focus on local seasonal Irish ingredients, an extensive careful curated wine list, exceptional service and breathtaking location, you can guarantee that Rúibín Bar & Restaurant excel at everything they do. Which is why we’re sure it’ll come as no surprise to you to discover that Rúibín stocks some of the tastiest wines in Galway. Offering a diverse selection of wines that includes a range of natural, organic, and biodynamic wines from small producers. The wine list here also takes care to showcase high quality wines from a variety of winemakers from different regions. We can guarantee that your taste buds are in for a treat whenever you stop by Rúibín for a glass or two of vino. Check out our conversation with Ophelia, Rúibín's sommelier, right here.
1 Dock Rd, The Docks / more here
above: Rúibín's sommelier, Ophelia, photo by Ciarán MacChoncarraige
Armorica
What goes better with a glass of vino than a phenomenal performance of live jazz music? Every Thursday night and Sunday brunch, Armorica is filled with the sounds of upbeat jazz tunes. Their menus reflect their love for French flavours and their wine list is no exception! It's full of classic French wines and rosés and since it is regularly welcoming new additions to its collection we simply must recommend that you bring your friends along with you to Armorica and experience an unforgettable night of delicious French wines and incredible jazz music at Armorica.
Main St, Oranmore / more here
above: courtesy of Armorica
Sheridan’s Wine Bar
Tucked away a floor above Sheridan's bright cheese shop is their fabulous wine bar. Serving an array of cheese boards and a wine selection comprising of all biodynamic, organic and natural wines. There are always some new flavours and combinations to discover at this wine bar. Sheridan's also regularly host wine and cheese tastings which are always worth keeping an eye out for. During the day you can sit and relax away from the busyness of the city streets with a glass of wine and small plates of cheeses and cured meats. Alternatively, return during the night and be swept up in the magic of Sheridan's when it becomes a place lively characters gather to enjoy some wines and cheeses after a long day of work.
14-16 Churchyard St, City Centre / more here
above: courtesy of Sheridan's Cheesemongers
The Universal
We’ll let The Universal’s incredible reputation speak for itself when we tell you need to treat yourself to a late night out at this Westend gastrobar. An inviting interior, amazing dining options and a range of heavenly full bodied wines, it’s no wonder that it quickly becomes a favourite of everyone who walks through their doors. From light and fruity flavours to rich and earthy tones, The Universal showcases a variety of wines to suit all palates and stock the best range of natural wines in the west. Regardless of which you prefer, when it comes to great tasting wines, The Universal will never let you down.
9 William St West, Galway’s Westend / more here
above: courtesy of The Universal
Feature photo by Kelsey Knight on Unsplash
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