For a quaint little town, the best pubs and bars in Kinsale can stand against any throughout the country when it comes to the great experience they can offer visitors.
Being a beautiful seaside town with a famous port and home to many great annual festivals and events, Kinsale draws many tourists to its town regularly with ease.
Many of these tourists are delightfully surprised to discover the sheer amount and quality of pubs and bars that Kinsale has to offer.
In this article, we will list what we believe to be the top ten best pubs and bars in Kinsale that everyone needs to experience.
10. Oscar Madison’s – the best sports pub in Kinsale
Oscar Madison’s is without a doubt the best sports pub in Kinsale as it always has a great offering of live sports on a regular basis.
In a comfortable, relaxed bar atmosphere, you can enjoy a great selection of food and drinks on offer.
Address: 7 Main St, Sleveen, Kinsale, Co. Cork, Ireland
9. Sam’s Bar – a gem of a traditional pub
Sam’s Bar is an absolute gem of a traditional Irish pub with friendly staff and a beautiful, vibrant exterior. You can expect to hear regular live traditional Irish music here too.
Address: 4 The Glen, Kinsale, Cork, P17 AP90, Ireland
8. Greyhound Bar – one of the town’s best-kept secrets
The Greyhound Bar, with its rustic interiors, inviting open fire, delicious pints of Guinness, and the bountiful supply of bar stools is one of Kinsale’s best-kept secrets.
This is one pub that you owe to yourself to discover and is an easy addition to our list of the best pubs and bars in Kinsale.
Address: Market Square, Sleveen, Kinsale, Co. Cork, Ireland
7. The Folk House – the quintessential Irish pub
The Folk House in Kinsale is the perfect example of a truly quintessential Irish pub, thanks to its relaxing atmosphere, roaring open fire and exposed stone walls.
The pub also has a great selection of beer and whiskey to choose from too.
Address: Guardwell, Sleveen, cork, P17 WD92, Ireland
6. The Bulman – an award-winning pub
The Bulman is an award-winning pub; thanks to its character, friendly locals, and an idyllic location, it earned itself the ‘Black and White Pub of the Year’ award.
Whether you are looking to cosy up by the fire on a winter’s night or soak in the sun with a summer pint, then the Bulman is the place to be.
Address: The Bulman Bar, Summercove, Kinsale, Co. Cork, Ireland
5. The Spaniard – a pub full of character and charm
The Spaniard is a quaint little public house that sits on a century-old site bursting with character and charm.
With an intimate interior with low ceilings and wooden beams, this watering hole and restaurant has live music regularly and is always full of friendly village locals.
Address: Scilly, Kinsale, Co. Cork, Ireland
4. Dalton’s Bar – a proper old school drinking pub
Dalton’s Bar is a proper old school drinking pub if ever there was one in the beautiful town of Kinsale.
It is also regarded as one of the best bars in Kinsale thanks to its friendly locals, lively music, cosy tables, and its great selection of drinks.
Address: 3A Market St, Sleveen, Kinsale, Co. Cork, P17 E068
3. Jim Edwards –a classic Irish public house
Jim Edwards is a classic Irish public house in both appearance and offering, as this family-run pub always puts customer service first.
The pub serves some of the finest pub grub to be found anywhere in the coastal town of Kinsale, too, with an extensive dinner menu that runs all day until 10 pm!
If you wish to spend the night, there are also many affordable rooms to choose from too.
Address: Market Quay, Sleveen, Kinsale, Co. Cork, Ireland
2. Kitty Ó Sé’s Bar and Restaurant – for great drink and food
Located in the heart of Kinsale, Kitty Ó Sé’s Bar and Restaurant offers the perfect amount of respite for any weary travellers.
Here you will find great drinks and food, lovely surroundings, great music, and friendly and helpful staff, too. You have to try the clam chowder!
Address: 1 Pearse St, Sleveen, Kinsale, Co. Cork, Ireland
1. The Armada Bar – the best bar in Kinsale
In first place on our list of what we believe to be the top ten best pubs and bars in Kinsale that everyone needs to experience is the Armada Bar.
This is a family-run guesthouse and public bar that epitomises everything great about locally-run Irish businesses.
Besides being very affordable when it comes to food and drink, the bar also has many comforts such as fireplaces, a pool table, darts, cards, and cosy seating, amongst many other things.
Also, with live music that plays into the night, you will not find yourself getting bored. If you do get tired, the bar even offers accommodation upstairs!
Address: Pearse St, Kinsale
That concludes our article on what we think are the ten best pubs and bars in Kinsale that everyone needs to experience at least once. Have you been to any of them already?
Other notable mentions
The Lord Kingsale: Lord Kingsale is a 250-year-old pub that will take you back in time once you step through its doors.
The White House Kinsale: The White House offers quality accommodation, a great restaurant and best of all a huge pub with a bustling bar and plenty of live music from great local bands and musicians.
Sidneys Bar & Brasserie: This bar offers people a relaxed setting to enjoy a delicious meal or quality drink in surroundings that are truly spectacular and breath-taking.
Actons Hotel Kinsale: Actons Hotel Kinsale has a great bar to grab a drink as it sits on the town’s lovely harbour.
FAQs about the best pubs and bars in Kinsale
What Kinsale pubs are good for live music sessions?
Kitty Ó Sé’s, The Folk House, The White House and Dalton’s tend to run live music regularly.
What is the oldest pub in Kinsale?
The Spaniard is the oldest pub in Kinsale. It was built sometime around 1650!
Where can I enjoy a pint with a view in Kinsale?
It’s hard to beat Bulman’s on a sunny day if you can grab one of the few seats outside!
