Irish pubs are special because they are about more than drink. They are where people meet, chat, watch the match and play music together, and many have been run by the same families for generations.
What makes an Irish pub
- Conversation: it is normal to end up talking to the people beside you at the bar.
- Live music: trad sessions where musicians simply sit in and play, as well as gigs and singers.
- Character: old wooden bars, snugs, open fires and walls covered in history.
- Stout: in Cork, that means Murphy’s and Beamish, the city’s own stouts, as well as Guinness.
Where to find the real thing in Cork
Cork is one of the best places in Ireland for a proper pub. Try Sin É for music, the Oval for an old-style bar, or browse our full Cork pubs guide.