Gorgeous weather, good tunes, great people and an unbeatable atmosphere, there really isn't anything better than Galway on a sunny day, so make the most of it and get out to enjoy the sunshine in Galway's best beer gardens.
The joys of sitting out in a Galway beer garden are truly endless. Whether you're visiting Galway on your holidays or a local and call Galway home, there's something about the beer gardens of Galway that everyone falls in love with.
McDonagh's Thatch Bar & Beer Garden
Main Street, Oranmore // more here
Combining a large open-air beer garden with a gorgeous traditional thatched Irish bar, McDonagh’s Thatch Bar & Beer Garden is a truly unique drinking destination located only a short drive from Galway city. Home to an extensive bar menu, which includes one of the best pints of Guinness we’ve ever tasted. They also have recently opened a stunning new cocktail bar in their beer garden, and launched a menu that features a diverse selection of freshly made cocktails, with both the classics and new favourites.
above: photo courtesy of McDonagh's Thatch Bar & Beer Garden
Taylor's Bar & Beer Garden
7 Dominick Street Upper // more here
In Galway city head west to spend a night in one of the city's best beer gardens. Taylor's Bar & Beer Garden has an authentic party look and feel, and is home to an atmosphere that comes alive every night of the week. Equipped with huge outdoor screens, Taylor’s is also a live sports hotspot, catering for GAA, soccer, rugby and more! Sun trapped and heated, this beer garden is a perfect venue for a few after work pints, with live music seven nights a week and brilliant DJs looking after the late bar on Friday and Saturday night, a night out at Taylor's is always a good idea.
above: photo courtesy of Taylor's Bar & Beer Garden
An Púcán
11 Forster St // more here
From the front of the bar you would never guess that An Púcán would stretch back so far and include one of the city’s very best beer gardens, but once you experience this sun trap once, you’ll soon become a regular. An Púcán’s multi-award winning outdoor area is a treat for the eyes, ears and taste buds. It was named the most photographed bar in Ireland outside Dublin and it's really no surprise. From the wall art to the fresh floral displays, this picturesque garden has been brilliantly captured all over social media.
above: photo courtesy of An Púcán
Tom Sheridan's Bar & Restuarant
Clybaun Road, Knocknacarra // more here
Only a 10 minute drive from the city centre and 5 minutes from Salthill promenade, Tom Sheridan's Bar & Restaurant is conveniently situated in the vibrant heart of Knocknacarra. Acting as a popular meeting place for locals and tourists alike, it’s an ideal stop-off for sunseekers on a summer's day. At the front there is a sheltered outdoor seating for those sunny afternoons and ample on-site parking, making it the perfect spot to while away the day al fresco in Galway.
above: photo courtesy of Tom Sheridan's Bar
Mary Mullens
10-12 Prospect Hill // more here
One of the highlights of Mary Mullens Bar is its spacious courtyard that acts as an oasis amidst the city's bustle. The large space, is adorned with neon-lit accents and Asian influences offers a serene escape. The décor, a fusion of Galway's rich history and contemporary Asian inspired flair creates a setting unlike any other in Galway. Thanks to their impressive food menu and unbeatable drinks selection, there is loads to enjoy at Mary Mullens Bar while you bask in the music and good vibes of their vibrant beer garden.
above: photo courtesy of Mary Mullens Bar
Kelehans Bar & Restaurant
Bushypark // more here
When the sun is shining, you'll want to gather your pals and get out the road to Kelehans Bar in Bushypark, here the giant beer garden is home to ample space for mingling with spectacular views to boot. We highly recommend sticking around to watch the sun go down from a high stool in Kelehans' beer garden because the sunsets from here are truly special. As well as being nice to look at the beer garden has everything you need to go day-drinking or a night out with pals; heaters, a large TV screen for live sports and a variety of both food and drink offerings.
above: photo of Kelehans Bar
McHugh's Traditional Pub and Restaurant
Tuam Rd, Killeen, Castlegar Village // more here
On the outskirts of Galway city, the beer garden at McHugh's is the hidden gem of Galway beer gardens. It's full of picnic tables that are capable of sitting a couples of hundred and has its own sheltered area with heated seats for those damp Galway days. Serving food all week long, alongside their unreal bar menu McHugh's truly is a dining delight. They also host live music on the weekends and topping it all off they have an abundance of free parking on site, so, we weren't kidding this beer garden really does rival some of the best in the country.
above: photo courtesy of McHugh's Traditional Pub & Restaurant
Carroll's on Dominick Street
39 Dominick Street Lower // more here
Anyone familiar with Carroll's won't be suprised to find them on our list! Equipped with Birdhouse - a double decker bus that dishes out some seriously tasty chicken dishes - you can be sure that your stomach will be well lined before a feed of pints! As well as the great food, the outdoor area is also extremely easy on the eye. The caravan club pops with colour and is also home to a super impressive church organ which doubles as the stage. Good tunes echo throughout the garden, with regular live music performances and DJ sets from great local talents.
above: photo courtesy of Carroll's on Dominick Street
Massimo
10 William St West // more here
A visit to Massimo's beer garden is good for the soul, hence it's name! Massimo's Soul Garden has its own bar and atmospheric palm trees you'll feel like you are on holiday every time you pop in for a drink with pals. And when it's time to throw your next shindig look no further, this beer garden is fully equipped with all the drink, tunes and finger foods you need to hold an unforgettable celebration with your friends and family. Perfectly suited to both a quiet chat on a sunny day and a boisterous bop on a night out, Massimo’s has made our list of Galway's best beer gardens for a reason and it's there for its loyal visitors come wind, rain or shine.
above: photo courtesy of Massimo
Hole in the Wall
17 Eyre St // more here
Stamped into the memories of many Galwegians, Hole in the Wall is famous for its incredible nights of craic and ceoil. Featuring a full bar and cocktail menu that is to die for, big screens for all unmissable matches, cosy interiors and plenty of unique eye-catching décor, Hole in the Wall has all your pinting needs covered. They are also home to quality food options which are honestly some of the best we've ever had so when Friday night comes a-calling get on over to the beer garden at Hole in the Wall and experience a night out you'll never forget.
above: photo of Hole in the Wall
Glynn's Bar
Dublin Road, Oranmore // more here
Home to one of the quirkiest beer gardens we've ever seen, you truly never know what you'll find when you roam about the cool outdoor are at Glynn's Bar. A night out at this bar almost demands a camera due to the large amount of unique decorations at every turn. We've never seen anywhere quite like it so we insist you pay them a visit and check it out for yourself! Alongside this incredible picture-perfect beer garden you are guaranteed to find great craic, top-class pints, tasty grub from Urban Fire Pizza and cracking live music. It's one for Galway's best for a reason!
above: photo from Glynn's Bar, by Ciarán MacChoncarraige
O'Connell's Bar
8 Eyre Square // more here
If you haven’t experienced the magic that is O’Connell’s beer garden, you need to as soon as possible! Their outdoor offerings consist of two outdoor bars and an old Victorian street known as Gin Lane, it's no wonder that this beer garden was recently voted the best in Galway. They’ve also got plenty of covered seating and heating so that even on those rainy days, a good time is guaranteed. If that wasn't enough to convince you to pop in, the international pizza heroes The Dough Bros, and the proper Irish chippy Prátaí, are set up inside. With DJs playing every weekend, O’Connell’s have you covered for pints, grub and dancing.
above: photo of the beer garden at O'Connell's Bar, by Crash Records
O' Reillys Bar and Kitchen
232 Upper Salthill // more here
Where better to enjoy a cold pint than on a rooftop beer garden overlooking Salthill's promenade and beyond?! During the summer months, the team at O'Reillys regularly host BBQ buffets cooking up all your barbecue favourites along with refreshing cocktails and unbeatable craic. If this sounds good to you, drop them a line to find out how you can book in for a private BBQ summer party with your pals. With new additions on their cocktail menu, delicious foods and some of the soundest staff in the west, after your first visit to O' Reillys you'll soon see why this Salthill spot is so renowned for its quality service and craic.
above: photo courtesy of O'Reillys Bar & Kitchen
Murty Rabbitt's
23 Forster St // more here
Live sports, pints and sunshine - there are no better trio than that! If these are what you're after Murty Rabbitt's is calling your name. One of the top beer gardens Galway has to offer, The Garden at Murty Rabbitt's has screens for all kinds of live sporting events as well as an outdoor bar with live DJs playing Friday and Saturday. Its retractable roof takes Galway’s changeable weather into consideration, so you’ll be nice and cosy no matter what. For a proper Galwegian pub experience, Murty Rabbitt's beer garden really offers one of the best.
above: photo courtesy of Murty Rabbitt's
Feature photo by McHugh's Bar & Restaurant
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