Best Pubs in Clare

Best Pubs in Clare

Top Spot 1 – Durty Nellys Bunratty Clare

This pub oozes Irish charm,tis located right next to a super cool old medieval castle called Bunratty Castle. You can site outside Durty Nelly’s and enjoy a few pints while taking in the beautiful view of the castle. The food in Durty Nelly’s is second to none, its very nice.

There’s a mixture of different dishes available to check out, a la carte menu, bar food, seafood, and a really good wine list and a children’s menu, what more do you need!

There’s salads, bruschetta, oysters and smoked salmon to choose from. In terms of location, Durty Nellys is up there with the best of them, you have the castle overlooking the pub, across the road the Woollen mills shopping centre which is a great place for getting some nice gifts.

The Bunratty Folk Park is just down the road a few minutes from the pub, the Folk Park is full of interesting stuff to see and do, you would easily spend a few hours in the folk park. Thre old Irish thatched cottages to see, farm buildings, Irish wolfhound dog breeds and a village street that takes you back in time to old Ireland.

Durty Nelly’s pub serves plenty of nice beers, spirits, wine and juices. They have a nice range of craft beers. Durty Nellys is almost 400 years old!!!
This drinking house is decorated with a dark wooden finish and nice lighting its a perfect place to enjoy a few creamy pints of Guinness, the Guinness is quite good in the bar.

There is a wonderful snug area and a piano bar, live music is always on in Durty Nelly’s, it’s a lively spot for music!
On a nice summer day when the sun is shining, it’s very hard to beat Durty Nelly’s as Irish pubs go!

Check out my article on Castles in Clare here!

Second place 2 – The Monks Ballyvaughan

The monks in Ballyvaughan is another Irish pub in a beautiful location. You can sit outside the back of the bar and look out at the beautiful Burren region and the Atlantic ocean.

The Monks is located next to the pier in Ballyvaughan. You can sit outside and tip away at a few pints while looking look at the view of one of the most scenic parts of Ireland! There’s is live traditional Irish music in the Monks, it’s a good spot for music.

The food is The Monks Ballyvaughan is unreal, they have a great menu, oysters and Guinness, seafood chowder, lobster and Fish and Chips. They serve beef and Guinness stew which is delicious.

The location of this drinking house and restaurant is really good, it on the Wild Atlantic Way route and close to county Galway and a number of very popular tourist attractions. The Monks is the kind of drinking house you won’t want to leave if you pop in there for a look!

Third Place 3 – Gus O Connors Doolin

Gus O Connors pub in Doolin has it all, is located in the centre of Doolin and a few minutes drive from the Cliffs of Moher. The drinking house dates back to 1832, it has seen many a good night.

The pub is a well know spot for Traditional music sessions, it’s a great spot for music really and great food. Doolin is a coastal village in the west of Ireland, it’s full of stuff to see and do! Gus O Connors serves loads of tasty cool beers, craft beers, Irish whiskeys and plenty of different spirits. Gus O Connors has seen many great Irish musicians play there over the years.

The food is really good with a traditional style Irish menu. You can have breakfast, lunch and dinner at Gus O Connors, and there is a set menu with some tasty dishes.

There’s Chicken Caesar salad, crab claws, Irish stew, Sirloin of Irish streak and fillet of salmon, the portions are not small so be prepared for it! You can sit outside and watch Doolin pass you by as you tip away into a few craft beers after a long day sightseeing.

4 – Knoxs Bar Ennis

This is a cool drinking house located in the town of Ennis County Clare on Abbey Street. Ennis has loads to offer, its full of stuff to see and do. Knox’s pub is the oldest pub in Ennis, its been around a while since 1864.

Knox’s has a nice feel to it, it modern but with many old-style features too. The location is great it is just a few minutes walk from hotels, shops and restaurants scattered all around Ennis.

The food at Knox’s is always good, the storehouse restaurant has many nice dishes to choose from, chicken wings with BBQ sauce, soup of the day and fish and chips. The evening menu has a vegetarian curry, steak sandwich and spicy beef burger.

Knox’s serves nice pints of Guinness, craft beers and plenty of cool beers on draught. Knox’s serve wine, and spirits and loads of different minerals. There is a really nice seating area upstairs in Knox’s bar and the décor is just pre-class!

5 – Joseph Mc Hugh’s Bar Liscannor

This drinking house is another one in a super location in the village if the charming Liscannor, the pub has a long history backing back to 1899, and there’s even a song about this pub! You can sit outside and peer out at the Atlantic ocean, the village of Liscannor is close to the Cliffs of Moher and right next to the seaside town of Lahinch.

Joesph Mc Hughs pub is quirky, warm and welcoming. There is a really nice beer garden out the back of the building, its super cool! This traditional drinking houses big asset is the scenic location in one of Ireland’s nicest fishing villages.

The food is top-notch, everything from nice starters too fresh fish and chips finished off maybe with some apple pie. The pub serves the famous Irish coffees and nice tasty pints of Guinness. If you like craft beers there is the western herd brewing company beers on offer. Theses craft beers are brewed in Kilmaley County Clare which is around 30 minutes from Liscannor. Mu Hughs is a pub you definitely need to check out.

6 – Keating’s Bar and Restaurant Pier road Kilbaha

This pub is another one with a super location, the pub was founded in 1879. It’s located overlooking the harbour of Kilbaha, you can enjoy the amazing views of the harbour while enjoying a few refreshments. The pub is located close to Loop Head lighthouse and the popular fishing area of the Bridges of Ross. The pub owners state its the closest pub to New York City!!!

They serve plenty of cold beers and stouts. Keating’s pub has a great food menu, to choose from there’s Atlantic prawn cocktail and seafood platter and crab claws, all the seafood dishes have super-fresh seafood.

If you fancy a nice steak that’s available too and lots of desserts to choose from. The pub is located on the Wild Atlantic Way route to Loop Head lighthouse, many people stop there for food and drinks every day. It’s just another great pub in County Clare.

7 – Kenny’s Bar Lahinch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k56tpcWQ6Q0

This bar is located in the coastal town of Lahinch, it dates back to the early 1900s, this drinking house that seen many a good music session.

Kenny’s pub has a buzzing music scene, lots of great acts have played in Kenny’s over the years including Mick Flannery, The Srypes, Luka Bloom, Hermitage Green and Declan Sinnott. Kenny serves great food, starters, mains and desserts.

They have a children’s menu too. Kenny’s is located on the main street in Lahinch, just a few minutes walk from Lahinch beach. The pub is known for great live music sessions, its a really good pub to see a live gig in and enjoy a live performance in a cosy setting. The music gigs are great craic in this cool traditional Irish pub! You have to check it out and experience it for yourself!

I hope you get to check out some these great bars, I welcome any questions or suggestions by email – info@allthings-ireland.com.

Thanks

John Conway

All Things Ireland