The inside of Cask, named best bar in Ireland for the second year runningCask/Hotel Isaac
What's the best bar in Ireland? For the second year running, newcomer Cask bar in Cork City has claimed the #1 spot.
Ireland is home to some of the oldest pubs and bars in the world, like Sean's Bar in Athlone, which dates back to 900 AD. But some newcomer bars are giving them a run for their money!
At the Irish Bar of the Year Awards, held Monday night at the Clayton Hotel in Dublin, Cask in Cork's Victorian Quarter was named Bar of the Year. It was Cask's second year in a row snagging the top award, which is especially impressive considering it only opened in 2017.
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Cask bar, Cork. Photo: TripAdvisor
A beautifully appointed cocktail bar, Cark specializes in using local Irish ingredients. Aside from the spirits, everything that goes into their cocktails is grown and made in Ireland. They also serve up a menu of small plates, tapas, and street food.
They seemed delighted to have kept the title for a second year!
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Other categories included Local Bar of the Year, which went to The Old Orchard in Galway; Trad Bar of the Year, which went to Lowry's Irish Music and Whiskey Bar, also in Galway; and Tourist Bar of the Year, which went to perennial favorite Durty Nelly's Bar in Clare, right near Bunratty Castle.
Check out the full list of winner below. Have you been to any of these? Let us know what you thought in the comment section or on social media.
Bar of the Year - Cask, Cork
Local Bar of the Year - The Old Orchard, Galway
Trad Bar of the Year - Lowry's Irish Music and Whiskey Bar, Galway
City Bar of the Year - Café en Seine, Dublin
Hotel Bar of the Year - Panorama Bistro & Terrace @ The Montenotte Hotel, Cork
Hotel Bar of the Year (Five-Star Hotels) - The Sidecar Bar @ The Westbury Hotel, Dublin
Tourist Bar of the Year - Durty Nelly's Bar, Clare
Restaurant Bar of the Year - Wild Honey Inn, Clare
Bar Food of the Year - Blakes Corner Bar, Galway
Gastro Bar of the Year - Knights Bar @ Clontarf Castle, Dublin
Outside Space of the Year - The Central, Meath
Best Designed Bar/Best Inside Space - J.M. Reidy's, Kerry
Live Entertainment Bar of the Year - The Workmans Club, Dublin
Late Bar/Nightclub of the Year - Opium Club, Dublin
Best Bar to Watch the Match - Buskers On The Ball, Dublin
Cocktail Bar of the Year - Cask, Cork
Craft Bar of the Year - Impala, Cork
Gin Bar of the Year - Russell's Saloon, Louth
Whiskey Bar of the Year - The Shelbourne Bar, Cork
Best Newcomer - J.M. Reidy's, Kerry
Innovative Bar of the Year - The Virgin Mary Bar, Dublin
Dog-friendly Bar of the Year - Peadars Bar, Westmeath
Wine Bar of the Year - Piglet Wine Bar, Dublin
People's Choice Overall - 101, Limerick
People's Choice Dublin - Igo Inn
People's Choice Leinster - Left Bank
People's Choice Munster - 101, Limerick
People's Choice Connacht/Ulster - Janey Mac's
Special Recognition Award - Charlie Chawke Group and Louis Fitzgeralds Group