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RTÉ News
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Winner of the Irish Bar of the Year Awards 2025 revealed
Bar 1661 in Dublin has been crowned as the 'Bar of the Year' at the 2025 Irish Bar of the Year Awards. The Northside spot, which opened in 2019, has been praised for its inventive cocktails, many of which are dedicated to the revival of Ireland's traditional spirit: poitín. Located on Green St, Rotunda, the establishment was named after the year the drink was banned, with the team branding themselves as "staunchly Irish and fiercely independent". The extensive menu, which pays homage to local community heroes, also earned the bar the 'Best Cocktail Bar of the Year' and 'Innovative Bar of the Year' awards at this year's ceremony. Hosted at the Clayton Hotel in Dublin 4 on Monday, 18 August, the 2025 awards celebrated businesses across the country through a rigorous selection process, including judging panels and blind site inspections. With over 1,000 entries from over 300 entrants, this year was the most heavily entered awards to date. You can find the full list of winners below: BAR OF THE YEAR BAR 1661, Co. Dublin 5-STAR HOTEL BAR OF THE YEAR Gold Winner - The Rooftop Bar & Terrace, Marker Hotel, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - Prince of Wales Bar at Ashford Castle, Co. Mayo Bronze Winner - The Guinness Bar at Cashel Palace Hotel, Co. Tipperary BAR FOOD OF THE YEAR Gold Winner - The Blue Haven Kinsale, Co. Cork Silver Winner - Blake's Bar Galway, Co. Galway Bronze Winner - Moody Cafe Vin, Co. Cork BAR MANAGER OF THE YEAR Gold Winner - Darren Geraghty, Hawksmoor Restaurant, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - Ashley O'Reilly, voco The Club, Co. Kildare Bronze Winner - Akram Bendjeddou, Paladar, Co. Cork BEST BAR TO WATCH THE MATCH Gold Winner - Searsons of Baggot Street, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - Slattery's of Beggars Bush, Co. Dublin Bronze Winner - Woolshed Baa & Grill, Co. Cork BEST DESIGNED BAR / BEST INSIDE SPACE Gold Winner - Pig's Lane, Co. Kerry Silver Winner - K Sixty Seven Bar and Grill, Co. Dublin Bronze Winner - Laura's Restaurant @ Old Fashioned Sam's, Co. Dublin BEST LIVE ENTERTAINMENT BAR Gold Winner - Canty's Bar, Co. Cork Silver Winner - Backstage Bar at Gleneagle Hotel, Co. Kerry Bronze Winner - Dwyers of Cork, Co. Cork BEST NEWCOMER Gold Winner - The Monks Well, Co. Clare Silver Winner - Ciss Maddens, Co. Dublin Bronze Winner - Pitch Ireland, Co. Dublin BEST WINE BAR Gold Winner - Old Brennans Wine House, Co. Cork Silver Winner - Old Town Wine Bar, Co. Dublin Bronze Winner - Flannery's Bistro, Co. Mayo CITY BAR OF THE YEAR Gold Winner - Garavan's Bar, Co. Galway Silver Winner - Disndat, Co. Dublin Bronze Winner - r.i.o.t., Co. Dublin COCKTAIL BAR OF THE YEAR Gold Winner - BAR 1661, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - Cask, Co. Cork Bronze Winner - Pig's Lane, Co. Kerry COCKTAIL BARTENDER OF THE YEAR Gold Winner - David Taylor, Sackville Lounge, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - Maroje Milosevic, The Sidecar, Co. Dublin Bronze Winner - Luka Breskovac, Collins Club, Co. Dublin CRAFT BAR OF THE YEAR Gold Winner - Mo Chara, Co. Louth Silver Winner - Franciscan Well Brewpub, Co. Cork Bronze Winner - Revolution Craft Beer & Whiskey Bar, Co. Waterford GAIL COTTER SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD Patrick McGowan Sr., McGowans Group GASTRO BAR OF THE YEAR Gold Winner - Arthur Mayne's, Co. Cork Silver Winner - JP Clarke's, Co. Clare Bronze Winner - Left Bank, Co. Kilkenny GIN BAR OF THE YEAR Gold Winner - 101 Limerick, Co. Limerick Silver Winner - Conor's Bar & Lounge at Castle Leslie Estate, Bronze Winner - Tigh Nora, Co. Galway HOTEL BAR OF THE YEAR Gold Winner - Cask, Co. Cork Silver Winner - Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa, Co. Cork Bronze Winner - NORTH at The Address Connolly, Co. Dublin HOTEL COCKTAIL BAR OF THE YEAR Gold Winner - The Sidecar, Westbury, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - The Collins Club, The Leinster, Co. Dublin Bronze Winner - Brownes at Great Southern Killarney, Co. Kerry INNOVATIVE BAR OF THE YEAR Gold Winner - BAR 1661, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - Flight Club Dublin, Co. Dublin Bronze Winner - Soho Bar, Venue & Space, Co. Dublin LATE BAR / NIGHTCLUB OF THE YEAR Gold Winner - 37 Dawson Street, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - 4 Dame Lane, Co. Dublin Bronze Winner - The Front Door Pub Group, LOCAL BAR OF THE YEAR Gold Winner - The Laurels Clondalkin, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - Molloy's Pub Dublin, Co. Dublin Bronze - Peggys Bar & Restaurant, Co. Galway OUTSIDE SPACE OF THE YEAR Gold Winner - The Anglers Cork, Co. Cork Silver Winner - House Dublin, Co. Dublin Bronze Winner - J.M. Reidy's, Co. Kerry OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD Gold Winner - Lock 13 Brewpub, Co. Kildare Silver Winner - Paladar, Co. Cork Bronze Winner - The Hideout Pub, Co. Kildare PUB GROUP OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Redmond Fine FoodsWinner - Cork Heritage Pubs RESTAURANT BAR OF THE YEAR Gold Winner - The Gables Foxrock, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - The Grayson, Co. Dublin Bronze Winner - The Brooklyn, Co. Dublin TOURIST BAR OF THE YEAR Gold Winner - The Quays Bar Temple Bar, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - The Locke Bar, Co. Limerick Bronze Winner - An Púcán, Co. Galway TRADITIONAL BAR OF THE YEAR Gold Winner - The Porter House, Co. Mayo Silver Winner - The Becks, Co. Meath Bronze Winner - Francie Sheahan's Bar, Co. Kerry VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR Gold Winner - Celtic Nights Dinner & Show, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - Durty Nellys, Co. Clare Bronze Winner - Rascals Brewing Co, Co. Dublin WHISKEY BAR OF THE YEAR Gold Winner - Mother Macs Public House, Co. Limerick Silver Winner - The Horseshoe Bar, The Shelbourne Hotel, Co. Dublin Bronze Winner - Sonny Molloy's Irish Whiskey Bar, Co. Galway PEOPLE'S CHOICE Leinster - Left Bank, Co. Kilkenny Dublin - The George, Co. Dublin Munster - Costigans Pub, Co. Cork Connacht / Ulster - Mc Hughs Bar, Co. Leitrim Overall Winner - Mc Hughs Bar, Co. Leitrim
Extra.ie
17 hours ago
- Business
- Extra.ie
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.
