Cork Nightlife • A Complete Guide

When someone plans on visiting Ireland, ‘Cork’ is not the first place they have in mind. Located in the southwestern part of Ireland, Cork is the second-largest city in the country. As soon as you reach the city, you will be able to see tons of beaches. There are some mind-blowing activities that you can do during the daytime in Cork. From visiting the local markets to taking a tour to the Crawford art gallery –you will never be out of options when it comes to daytime activities in Cork. But what about the city’s nightlife? Don’t worry! There are several activities that you can be a part of at night. Read on to know more about it!

Best bars in Cork!

Best bars in Cork!

Cork is a city where several University students reside. Hence, it is a place bustling with energy. Moreover, several bars serve a wide range of beers in this city. From stout to pale ales –the bars in this city hold up the Irish tradition and serves the best beers in Ireland. Moreover, another crowd-puller is the music played at these bars. While in some places you will find traditional Irish music, others joints play modern electronic beats. Here are some of the best bars in Cork:

  1. Larry Tompkins Pub
Larry Tompkins Pub

It is one of the most affordable bars in Cork. Even if you are on a tight budget, you can grab a drink or two at this place. It is a sports bar, and hence, it is rarely empty. Apart from the hearty breakfast meals available at this place, you can get delicious finger foods to complement your drinks at Larry Tompkins Pub. You can even attend live music events at this place on the weekends. The live music events start from 10 pm on Saturdays and 8 pm on Sundays. 

  1. The Mutton Lane Inn
The Mutton Lane Inn

This dimly lit pub was found in the year 1780. Located right next to English Market in Cork, this place is an ideal hangout spot after some heavy-duty shopping. As soon as you enter the place, you can see murals and artworks on the wall. This pub aims to provide a calm ambiance and is not pretentious at all. Moreover, it is quite affordable, and you can get a wide range of beers. The music is not overpowering, and there are no televisions. Hence, there is a chance of free-flowing conversations at this place without any interruption.

  1. Jim Cashmans Pub
Jim Cashmans Pub

This pub is a favorite amongst locals as well as tourists in Cork. You can get a ton of Irish delicacies at this joint. One of the top-rated dishes on the food menu at this place is the Irish stew. Keeping in sync with the Irish spirit, you can get a ton of alcoholic beverages as well. The staff is extremely courteous. You can grab a chilled glass of beer and watch the sporting event on the television at this place. If you like live music events, you can drop by any weekend. 

  1. Gallagher’s Gastro Pub
Gallagher's Gastro Pub

Another pocket-friendly option when it comes to pubs in Cork is the ‘Gallagher’s Gastro Pub.’ This is the place where a maximum number of live music events take place. Every Wednesday to Sunday, local musicians play at this pub. You can get a variety of cocktails as well as craft beer here. Moreover, the food prepared at Gallagher’s Gastro Pub is lip-smacking. The chill atmosphere and the friendly staff make it one of the best pubs in Cork.

  1. Abbot’s Ale House
Abbot's Ale House

If you love beer, look no further. ‘Abbot’s Ale House’ is located on the upper floor of a beer shop. It is a bar where you can get a vast collection of beers. The beers are not just from Ireland but entire Europe. Moreover, you can buy draught beer from this place as well. The beer menu changes regularly. However, there is no food available at this joint. If you want to engage in some heavy-duty drinking at night, then this is the place you should be.

  1. Dan Lowery’s Tavern
Dan Lowery's Tavern

This place is an authentic Irish Pub that serves the best beer in town. One of the most famous beers on the menu is the Guinness. The atmosphere of this place is lively, and the staff is extremely friendly. Pasta, shepherd’s pie, chips – these are some of the popular items on the food menu. Dan Lowery’s Tavern is the perfect place to spend time with your buddies.

  1. An Bodhran
An Bodhran

This pub is ideal for all the Blues lover in Cork. ‘An Bodhran’ is a shrine for Rory Gallagher and Phil Linnet. As soon as you enter the pub, you will see that the place’s décor mainly comprises memorabilia and pictures of the artists mentioned above. Both youngsters, as well as old people, like to chill at this joint. Apart from the great beer, you can play your favorite songs on their jukebox. 

Moonlight kayaking in Cork!

Moonlight kayaking in Cork!

Another unusual yet beautiful activity that you can experience at night in Cork is ‘moonlight kayaking.’ The County Cork’s waterworks can be explored at night under the stars and the moon. The company ‘Atlantic Sea Kayaking’ conducts this activity. You can easily book a ticket for this tour online. The tour takes place in Lough Hyne, at least 1-2 hours away from the main city. Do not worry as it is extremely safe. Every tourist in Cork must go for moonlight kayaking. 

Best nightclubs in Cork!

If you are not feeling very adventurous to try out the moonlight kayaking, you can still try other things to experience Cork’s Nightlife. There are some of the finest nigh-clubs of Ireland in Cork for all the party animals out there. Here are some of them:

  1. Bodega Nightclub
Bodega Nightclub

This joint is located inside St. Peter’s Market. The word ‘Bodega’ means Winery in Spanish. True to its name, it offers a long list of wines to its customers. If you do not like wine, you can choose from a wide range of cider, beer, and cocktail options. The décor of this place is elegant and timeless. The place is made up of one restaurant and a club area. Moreover, the place offers two bars. Occasionally, you can even get to experience live music events at this place.

  1. Havana Browns
Havana Browns

It is one of the oldest nightclubs in Cork, and yet, Havana Browns is still a hot favorite amongst the party-goers in this city. Since 1998, it has been charming its guests with a vibrant atmosphere as well as attractive décor. The lighting, as well as the sound system of this joint, is top-notch. The place has been newly renovated to incorporate a LED wall near the dance floor. If you like a new setup and a glamorous environment, this is where you should in Cork.

Visit the Cork City Gaol at night!

Cork City Gaol at night!

The Cork City Gaol is a former prison that was set up in the 1800s. The museum has an interactive exhibition where you can visit at night. The place is designed by Sir Thomas Deane and is one of the celebrated pieces of architecture in the city. At night, the eerie atmosphere can be exciting for a lot of tourists out in the city. Hence, it is a popular part of the rich nightlife of Cork.

Visit the Crawford Art Gallery!

Crawford Art Gallery

Not everyone likes to party all night long. If art and culture interest you, then you must visit the Crawford Art Gallery. You can look at sculptures and paintings that date back to the 18th century. Apart from the permanent displays, there are a few temporary exhibitions as well. These events help to promote the local artists of the city.

LGBTQIA bar in Cork!

LGBTQIA bar in Cork!

Even though all the bars in Cork are safe, there is an LGBTQIA+ exclusive bar in Cork. Known as the ‘Chambers Bar,’ this is the place if you want to meet someone from the community in Cork. Located on Washington Street, the staff here is extremely warm and friendly. It has a bar where you can get some of the best alcohol available in the city. The dance floor is all yours in case you want to party all night. Apart from that, you can use the karaoke machine and sing your favorite tracks. You can also witness the drag shows which take place regularly. 

Pay a visit to the Cork Opera House!

Cork Opera House!

If the usual nightclubs and pubs do not excite you, ditch all of that and visit the ‘Cork Opera House’ at night. Since 1852, the place hosts an array of live performances. You can catch a performance of some of the prominent global musicians at Opera House. Sometimes, comedians also perform their acts at this place. Do not worry about the drinks as you will have full access to two bars at this place. In case you get hungry, there is a café downstairs where you can grab a quick bite.

Conclusion

There are a lot of things you can experience in Cork. Irish pubs, live music performances, nightclubs, moon kayaking – these are just the tip of the iceberg. What are you waiting for? Now that you know about the endless possibilities start planning for your trip today. This city upholds the Irish tradition and yet, modernized enough to hold onto the young crowd.

Video To Watch To Discover

Is Cork good for a night out?

If you’re in Cork for a visit, and itching to get out and experience the nightlife, you’re in for a treat! Cork is a university city – meaning that its streets are teeming with young and energetic students looking for cheap drinks and a good night out!

What should you not do on a night out?

DONT take up smoking cause “you’ve had a drink” it’s not cool kids. DONT steal a bike to get home, and end up head first in a hedge along the way, karma guys karma. DONT Drunk text ! You’ll regret it in the morning (speaking from experience) those texts can’t be reversed.

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