The Irish Pub Guide

Summertime is here and with spectacular weather greeting us since early May in Ireland, drinking by the seaside is all the rage.

They say there’s no place better than Ireland when the sun is shining, and while some may disagree, there is undoubtedly no superior country for craic at the pub once the sun is out.

With a breathtaking coastline littered with a plethora of great scenic pubs, you will be able to find a sunny coastal haven within an hour’s drive nearly anywhere in Ireland.

We’ve picked out some of the very best spots to enjoy a drink by the coast.

And of course, if you have any suggestions that we left out, make sure to leave a comment below.

The Vic – Tramore, Waterford

We’re going to start in the sunny south-east, what better place, and in the busy summer destination of Tramore, Co Waterford.

It feels almost unfair to single out one pub with the beachside town being so filled with top bars and nightlife, but The Vic stands out to us here.

It’s a vibrant old traditional pub that has been transformed since reopening in 2018 – with a beer garden overlooking the Atlantic, live music, a great selection of beers, food and just a great atmosphere, Victoria House as it’s officially known is superb.

Other pubs in the area: The Ritz, O’Neill’s and One the Waterfront(more of a restaurant/bar) all have great views

The Strand Bar – Dunmore East, Waterford

Just over the road from Tramore is Dunmore East and even more spectacular views of Hook Head, with the Strand Bar – part of the Strand Inn hotel – great for a sea view while enjoying a drink.

They’re huge range of bars here attract both tourists staying in the accommodation as well as locals with weekends during the summer tending to be very busy.

You can get a tan, stare out at the sea and enjoy good food and drink here.

The Strand – Duncannon, Wexford

A top gastropub overlooking the beautiful Duncannon beach makes The Strand massively popular with all who frequent the area.

Well-known for having great seafood along with everything else, it’s a beautiful spot to spend a summer’s day while having a drink.

The Anchor Bar – Dungarvan, Waterford

Down as we head more south-westerly, The Anchor Bar in Dungarvan is another beautiful pub nestled just in slightly from the coast but boasting a nice view of Dungarvan Harbour.

It’s a busy spot at any time of the year but especially when the sun is shining in the summer months.

They’ve a small area out the front for an alfresco pint or two so you won’t be stuck inside, albeit with a lovely traditional feel to the interior, there are worse places to be.

Kelly’s Bar – Cobh, Cork

Our first Cork entry in the list and with such a vast coastline, you can bet that is one of many – first stop here is Cobh and the lively Kelly’s Bar.

It’s always busy, one of the more obvious signs of a good pub of course, and this is certainly that – outdoor seating will allow you take in the view of Cobh harbour while inside you’ll be treated to live music and great craic.

A top pub, worth a visit if nearby.

Other pubs in the area: Mansworth Bar and The Roaring Donkey are two others great local spots.

O’Sullivans – Crookhaven, Cork

Ireland’s most southerly pint and an absolute must visit if you find yourself in this part of West Cork.

This pub has been family-run through four generations now and with a view like they have, why would you ever dream of getting rid of it?

It’s one of the very best pubs in Ireland, as their awards would suggest, and doesn’t need much more said other than you need to try it.

The Tin Pub – Ahakista, Cork

Along the Sheep’s Head Peninsula, The Tin Pub is a local attraction that is a must visit when passing by.

The beer garden overlooks the bay and provides a view that very few other pubs in Ireland can replicate.

And if it’s good enough for a visit from Graham Norton, it should be good enough for you.

The Bulman – Kinsale, Cork

A little orange pub in beautiful Kinsale, The Bulman overlooks the seaside and makes for a terrific summer’s pint or bite to eat.

One of the most popular spots in the always busy coastal town.

The Pink Elephant – Kilbrittain

Not all that far from Kinsale, The Pink Elephant is a beautiful bar and restaurant that may be the most scenic on this entire list.

It is more so a restaurant than a bar but there is nothing stopping you having a pint on the patio overlooking the magical views.

Also worth checking their social media as opening hours vary.

Murphy’s Bar – Brandon, Kerry

Heading along the Dingle Peninsula you will be spoiled for choice when it comes to breathtaking views, and the pubs are no different.

Again with many candidates in the area it’s hard to choose just a handful for a list here, but Murphy’s in Brandon has to be up there as one of the best.

It’s a family-run pub open seven days a week and just happens to have incredible views of Brandon Bay and Mount Brandon.

The Jolly Roger – Sherkin Island, Cork

It does require a boat trip from Baltimore, but once you’re drinking a cold pint, breathing in the sea air and overlooking the beautiful bay it’ll be worth it.

The Jolly Roger is a big hit with tourists and during the summer months it’s home to buckets of people who have been out sightseeing for the day.

A very pleasant pub with a lovely ambience.

O’Carroll’s Cove – Caherdaniel, Kerry

One of the most beautiful beaches in Ireland in Caherdaniel is of course overlooked by a locally run bar and restaurant which as a result, also has a spectacular view.

O’Carroll’s Cove is famous for its sandy beach and otherworldly feel and the pub of the same name is just as tranquil.

There’s not many pubs where you can sit and maybe spot a pool of dolphins in the distance, but this is one of them.

Keating’s – Kilbaha, Clare

Ireland’s closest pub to New York, or so it is claimed, Keating’s of Kilbaha is a lovely traditional pub that has a superb view over the Atlantic Ocean.

On the mouth of the River Shannon and overlooking the Bay, the idyllic setting makes it one of Clare’s most beautiful places to have a pint.

Gus O’Connor’s – Doolin, Clare

Home to top class traditional music multiple nights a week, and a stopping point for many before ferrying to the Aran Islands, Gus O’Connor’s is ideally located to draw a big crowd – and it certainly does.

It’s a beloved spot by locals and tourists and with a real traditional feel combined with a beautiful view, it’s well worth a visit when on the Atlantic coast.

Tigh Ned – Inis Oirr, Galway

We’re taking you off the mainland again to Inis Oirr this time for a very well-known pub called Tigh Ned – although we should give a disclaimer that any pub on any of the Aran Islands is great for a view.

But with Tigh Ned you can sit in a frontal beer garden with stunning views of the Atlantic, Galway bay and the Clare coastline.

Not to mention they have great food and a fine selection of drink.

Padraicins – Furbo, Galway

A pub and restaurant right on the coast of Galway in Furbo, Connemara – Padraicins is a special place to visit.

Atlantic views, great locally brewed beers, a lovely seafood menu and a buzzing atmosphere, it’s a really great place to come and enjoy a drink or meal.

Gielty’s Bar – Achill, Mayo

Of course Ireland’s most westerly pub will have a pretty good view of the sea and Gielty’s bar and restaurant boasts exactly that.

In Doonagh village and on your way to Keem beach, the lovely pub is a great place to go post-swim for a relaxing few drinks in a scenic environment.

Live music is common place and during the summer it’s almost guaranteed to be busy.

The Beach Bar – Aughris, Sligo

Set in a beautiful location beside the sea, The Beach Bar in Aughris, Co Sligo sits alongside the unspoiled Aughris Beach and could be the most beautiful destination for a pint in Ireland – on a sunny day at least.

If you happen to visit the postcard worthy pub in the summertime, their large beer garden is the perfect setting for a drink as you feel the Atlantic breeze at your neck.

Smuggler’s Creek Inn – Rossnowlagh, Donegal

This famous bar in Donegal is located along the Wild Atlantic Way and with views of Rossnowlagh Beach no matter where you sit inside, thanks to the incredible panoramic set-up.

It’s a massive destination for tourism with Wild Atlantic Way visitors frequently stopping in and locals taking advantage of the fine establishment on their doorstep.

The inside also happens to be very quirkily decorated so it’s not just looking out the window that will have you in awe.

McClean’s Pub – Malin, Donegal

One review said McClean’s, one of the most northerly pubs in all of Ireland, has the best beer garden in the entire country, maybe the world.

And with a review like that, you have to try it out? Whether it is or isn’t, it’s definitely a very scenic one with beautiful views and a lovely atmosphere.

It’s another gem in Donegal’s vast catalogue of pubs with great views.

The Glyde Inn – Annagassan, Louth

We’ve swapped back to the east coast here with The Glyde Inn of Annagassan, crowned the national pub of the year in 2018.

The traditional pub with outdoor seating overlooking the Irish Sea is one of the best on the east coast when it comes to scenery.

And as the award would suggest, their food, drink and service is top notch.

The Brass Fox – Wicklow

This pub may be the first on this list not to quite have a stunning sea view, but it’s by the sea, has a superb beer garden and has all the other traits you’d want so we had to include it.

Their wide food menu, top selection of drinks as well as a great interior and exterior look has led to award nominations in recent years and make it a hugely popular place to go.

Wilde’s Bar and Restaurant – Bray, Wicklow

Situated along the Bray seafront, Wilde’s is well-known for having really good food and a lovely ambience.

Whether you’ve just had a swim or taken a walk along the promenade, you owe yourself a drink or meal here.

The Bloody Stream – Howth, Dublin

We could make an entire list on Howth – yes, we already did – but for this we’re choosing our favourite.

The Bloody Stream, just out from the Dart station, is just a terrific summer destination to have a drink or maybe multiple. 

It has a top class beer garden, more seating out the front and it’s lovely and traditional inside – one or Dublin’s very best. 

More Dublin pubs?

There are generally a lot of people looking for pubs by the seaside in Dublin so we made a list of 8 here for that – it of course includes the one above.