3 days ago
Dublin pub wins big at 2025 Irish Bar of the Year awards
Dublin pub 'BAR 1661' has been named Bar of the Year at the distinguished 2025 awards ceremony, which took place at the Clayton Hotel on Burlington Road.
Amid a stellar field of contenders, the most outstanding bars were honoured for their remarkable impact on the hospitality scene.
The venues have 'redefined excellence in mixology, atmosphere, and guest service, leaving lasting impressions on all who visit'. The winners of the Bar of the Year Awards 2025 have been announced.
After a thorough and thoughtful judging process by respected experts in the field, the finest bars emerged victorious, earning well-deserved recognition.
The winners were announced on Monday, August 18, at a gala awards ceremony hosted by Anton Savage.
One of the most coveted categories, 5 Star Hotel Bar of the Year, sponsored by London Essence, saw The Rooftop Bar & Terrace at The Marker Hotel in Dublin take home the Gold Award. BAR 1661 has been named Bar of the Year at the distinguished 2025 awards ceremony.
Prince of Wales Bar at Ashford Castle, Mayo earned Silver, while The Guinness Bar at Cashel Palace Hotel, Tipperary claimed Bronze.
For those craving a bite with their pint, the Bar Food of the Year category, sponsored by Coca-Cola, recognised The Blue Haven in Kinsale, Cork as the Gold Winner. One of the most coveted categories, 5 Star Hotel Bar of the Year, sponsored by London Essence, saw The Rooftop Bar & Terrace at The Marker Hotel in Dublin take home the Gold Award.
Blake's Bar in Galway secured Silver, and Moody Cafe Vin, also in Cork, rounded out the category with Bronze.
The highly respected Bar Manager of the Year title went to Darren Geraghty of Hawksmoor Restaurant, Dublin.
Ashley O'Reilly of voco The Club in Kildare earned Silver, while Akram Bendjeddou of Paladar in Cork received Bronze. As mentioned, Dublin's BAR 1661 was crowned the overall Bar of the Year, a fitting honour that complements their additional accolades across several categories.
As mentioned, Dublin's BAR 1661 was crowned the overall Bar of the Year, a fitting honour that complements their additional accolades across several categories.
In the always-popular Best Bar to Watch the Match, sponsored by Sky Business, Searsons of Baggot Street, Dublin won Gold.
Slattery's of Beggars Bush, also in Dublin, took Silver, while Woolshed Baa & Grill in Cork scored Bronze. In the always-popular Best Bar to Watch the Match, sponsored by Sky Business, Searsons of Baggot Street, Dublin won Gold.
The Best Designed Bar/Best Inside Space category saw Pig's Lane in Kerry take the top spot.
K Sixty Seven Bar and Grill, Dublin took Silver, with Laura's Restaurant at Old Fashioned Sam's, also in Dublin, earning Bronze.
Live music and entertainment remain integral to our nightlife and the Best Live Entertainment Bar, sponsored by Tequila Rose Strawberry Cream, awarded Canty's Bar in Cork the Gold prize. The Best Designed Bar/Best Inside Space category saw Pig's Lane in Kerry take the top spot.
Backstage Bar at the Gleneagle Hotel, Kerry took Silver and The Old Quarter Pub and Townhouse in Limerick brought home Bronze.
The emerging talent category, Best Newcomer, recognised The Monks Well in Clare with Gold.
Dublin's Ciss Maddens and Pitch Ireland earned Silver and Bronze respectively.
Wine lovers will toast Old Brennans Wine House in Cork, which won Best Wine Bar, sponsored by Classic Drinks. Live music and entertainment remain integral to our nightlife and the Best Live Entertainment Bar, sponsored by Tequila Rose Strawberry Cream, awarded Canty's Bar in Cork the Gold prize.
Old Town Wine Bar in Dublin and Flannery's Bistro in Mayo followed with Silver and Bronze.
Urban excellence was celebrated in City Bar of the Year, sponsored by Schweppes.
Garavan's Bar in Galway earned top honours, with Disndat and r.i.o.t., both based in Dublin, claiming Silver and Bronze.
Cocktail Bar of the Year, sponsored by Maker's Mark, once again highlighted BAR 1661 as the best in the country. Garavan's Bar in Galway.
Cask in Cork and Pig's Lane completed the podium.
In the Cocktail Bartender of the Year category, sponsored by Edward Dillon, David Taylor of Sackville Lounge, Dublin, was the standout performer.
Maroje Milosevic of The Sidecar and Luka Breskovac of Collins Club, both in Dublin, were awarded Silver and Bronze.
The Craft Bar of the Year, sponsored by Mad March Hare, went to Mo Chara in Louth. The Craft Bar of the Year, sponsored by Mad March Hare, went to Mo Chara in Louth.
Franciscan Well Brewpub, Cork and Revolution Craft Beer & Whiskey Bar, Waterford, earned the remaining honours.
Celebrating culinary excellence, the Gastro Bar of the Year, sponsored by Bunzl, saw Arthur Mayne's in Cork win Gold, with JP Clarke's in Clare and Left Bank in Kilkenny earning Silver and Bronze.
In the ever-growing gin category, 101 Limerick won Gin Bar of the Year, sponsored by Brockmans Gin.
Conor's Bar & Lounge at Castle Leslie Estate in Monaghan took Silver, and Tigh Nora in Galway claimed Bronze. In the ever-growing gin category, 101 Limerick won Gin Bar of the Year, sponsored by Brockmans Gin.
For Hotel Bar of the Year, sponsored by Poacher Drinks, Cask once again impressed judges, winning Gold.
Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa, also in Cork, received Silver, with NORTH at The Address Connolly, Dublin earning Bronze.
The best Hotel Cocktail Bar of the Year, sponsored by Gifford Premium Liqueurs, was The Sidecar at The Westbury in Dublin.
Silver went to The Collins Club at The Leinster and Bronze to Brownes at Great Southern Killarney, Kerry.
More glory came to BAR 1661, which also secured Gold in the Innovative Bar of the Year category, sponsored by Musgrave Marketplace.
Flight Club Dublin and Soho Bar, Venue & Space followed closely behind.
For those who love a night out, 37 Dawson Street, Dublin, was crowned Late Bar/Nightclub of the Year, followed by 4 Dame Lane and The Front Door Pub Group.
In the Local Bar of the Year category, The Laurels Clondalkin in Dublin won Gold.
Molloy's Pub and Peggy's Bar & Restaurant followed in second and third place.
Outdoor spaces were also recognised, with The Anglers Cork winning Outside Space of the Year, ahead of House Dublin and J.M. Reidy's, Kerry.
For outstanding customer service, The Hideout Pub in Kildare led the way, winning the Outstanding Customer Service Award, with Paladar and Lock 13 Brewpub earning Silver and Bronze.
In the Pub Group of the Year category, sponsored by Redmond Fine Foods, Cork Heritage Pubs emerged as the overall winner.
Dining with drinks was celebrated in the Restaurant Bar of the Year category, where The Gables Foxrock in Dublin, took Gold.
The Grayson and The Brooklyn, both in Dublin, rounded out the winners.
Tourists were not forgotten, with The Quays Bar in Temple Bar named Tourist Bar of the Year, sponsored by Sullivan's Brewery.
The Locke Bar in Limerick and An Púcán in Galway also made the podium.
For a classic experience, the Traditional Bar of the Year, sponsored by Simpli Finance, was awarded to The Porter House in Mayo.
The Becks, Meath, and Francie Sheahan's Bar, Kerry, completed the category.
Visitor Attraction of the Year, sponsored by Excel Recruitment, went to Celtic Nights Dinner & Show in Dublin.
Durty Nellys, Clare and Rascals Brewing Co, Dublin, earned Silver and Bronze.
Finally, for whiskey connoisseurs, Mother Macs Public House in Limerick was named Whiskey Bar of the Year, sponsored by Roe & Co.
The Horseshoe Bar at The Shelbourne Hotel and Sonny Molloy's Irish Whiskey Bar, Galway, were also honoured.
The awards reflect the innovation, dedication, and creativity that define the Irish bar industry, setting a high standard for hospitality across the country.
