Galway bars took home eight medals in the 2026 Bar of the Year Awards on Monday night in a great showing for hospitality on the west coast. Seven bars took home gold and silver prizes in eight categories.
The premier stars of Ireland’s licensed trade were crowned on Monday, August 24 at the gala ceremony of The Square Bar of the Year Awards 2026, hosted by Anton Savage, held at the Clayton Hotel in Dublin.
Following a record-breaking year featuring over 1,000 national entries, the industry gathered to honour the extraordinary innovation, resilience, and craftsmanship defining Irish bars, hotels, craft breweries, and hospitality venues.
The Kings Head in Galway City struck gold, taking home the Gold Award for Best Live Entertainment Bar and earning recognition as the best in Ireland in that category.
The historic Galway venue also picked up Silver for City Bar of the Year, further cementing its reputation as one of the country’s leading bars and entertainment venue.
With more than 800 years of history, The Kings Head is renowned for its live music and entertainment, with free live music seven nights a week alongside trad sessions, comedy and theatre.
Joe O’Callaghan of Tom Sheridan’s Bar & Restaurant in Knocknacarra was another gold medallist in the Bar Manager of the Year category.
The third gold medal of the night went to Sonny Molloy’s Irish Whiskey Bar in Galway City Centre for Whiskey Bar Of The Year.
Other silver medal winners include McSwiggan’s in Woodquay, which came second in the Restaurant Bar of the Year category.
Located on Eyre Street in Woodquay, McSwiggans has been at the heart of Galway life for more than 40 years, combining its traditional public house with an award-winning Steak & Seafood Restaurant.
This latest recognition adds to an impressive run of national awards for McSwiggan’s, which was named Ireland’s Best Gastropub in 2025 and Best Pub Restaurant by the Bar & Cocktail Awards.
An Púcán in Galway City won silver for Tourist Bar of The Year, while Donnellys of Barna was the runner up for Staff Personality of the Year.
