Finest Galway City pub for Cheltenham Races?

Reginald P. DuM

Hello Westerners, I'm not from the west so this my first time visiting this part of Boards. The reason for my visit is I'm seeking the advice of people who know the city social scene, and who can point me in the right direction.

Myself and a group of friends will be arriving in Galway in March for a big weekend of partying. We're bringing Euros!! Now we all are horse racing fans, and it being Galway I'm sure there's no shortage of pubs that would be good to spend the day in. The day is Cheltenham Gold Cup day, Friday the 19th.

So I am looking for suggestions as to the best pub to spend the afternoon in. Priorities are, close to a bookies, the closer the better. Plenty of screens in the pub and a good racing friendly atmosphere. I have looked in the stickies and didn't really find any joy. A place in the city centre would be ideal but a taxi ride to the right venue would not be unacceptable seen as we will be spending the rest of the weekend in the usual haunts around the centre. Oh and close to a bank too so we can safely deposit our winnings and the days end! Ok ye may ignore that bit.

Thanks in advance,

Reg.

Wompa1

Reginald P. DuM wrote: »

Hello Westerners, I'm not from the west so this my first time visiting this part of Boards. The reason for my visit is I'm seeking the advice of people who know the city social scene, and who can point me in the right direction.

Myself and a group of friends will be arriving in Galway in March for a big weekend of partying. We're bringing Euros!! Now we all are horse racing fans, and it being Galway I'm sure there's no shortage of pubs that would be good to spend the day in. The day is Cheltenham Gold Cup day, Friday the 19th.

So I am looking for suggestions as to the best pub to spend the afternoon in. Priorities are, close to a bookies, the closer the better. Plenty of screens in the pub and a good racing friendly atmosphere. I have looked in the stickies and didn't really find any joy. A place in the city centre would be ideal but a taxi ride to the right venue would not be unacceptable seen as we will be spending the rest of the weekend in the usual haunts around the centre. Oh and close to a bank too so we can safely deposit our winnings and the days end! Ok ye may ignore that bit.

Thanks in advance,

Reg.

The only pub I know of thats races friendly is Kennedys in Eyre Square and it's right beside a bookies too. But as a pub its....not so great. Sorry I'm not more help but it's an option I guess!

Reginald P. DuM

Wompa1 wrote: »

The only pub I know of thats races friendly is Kennedys in Eyre Square and it's right beside a bookies too. But as a pub its....not so great. Sorry I'm not more help but it's an option I guess!

Ok Wompa cheers.. What you mean its not so great? Is it the state of the place or the people who go in there?

AdamantApproach

The Hole in the Wall on Eyre Street is exactly what you are looking for.

muppetkiller

I'd say Freeneys or Murphys. Both great Drinkin pubs and always have the Racing on. And there's a Ladbrokes next door.

biscuits1981

u should go to TRENDS in salthill very good racing pub with 2 bookies within 20 feet of each other if ur down for the w end ya should pop out to salthill ya will be long enough in town...

Tedole

Second vote for Trends in Salthill. If you want to stay in town, as previously mentioned, Hole In The Wall on Eyre Street and Freeneys and Murphy's on High Street are also good racing pubs.

Reginald P. DuM

The Trends place does hold some appeal seen as we will be in the one area Friday and Saturday night. How far is Salthill in a cab? I will have to put it to the group to get a consensus in any case.. Thanks folks these are very helpful.

Murphys shows the racing, bookies next door too, and excellent Guinness.

howyanow

trends is great craic and the customers all mad for anything to bet on,anything at all!!cab from eyre sq be 5 mins and ten euro

simongurnick

Trends in Salthill would be your best bet. It's only 5/10 mins in a cab from town. Mulhollands bookies next door and powers directly across the road. EVERYONE in that pub is a punter.

In town, Hughes Bar and the Hole in the Wall in Woodquay. 3 bookies between each pub.
Freeneys and Murphys on high st. Only a small ladbrokes right beside though.
Richardsons might not be bad with a couple of big bookie shops close by.

The Hunstman on Dublin rd will have it on big screens with bookies right next door.

muppetkiller

muppetkiller wrote: »

I'd say Freeneys or Murphys. Both great Drinkin pubs and always have the Racing on. And there's a Ladbrokes next door.

+1 for Freeneys

Mrs OBumble

Barr an Chaladh on Woodquay.

Very racing friendly all year round

Like Hole in the Wall, but without the student grunge factor.


(Interestingly, it's not listed in http://www.galwaycitypubguide.com/all-pubs/ ... don't say they missed something out!)

Reginald P. DuM

JustMary wrote: »

Like Hole in the Wall, but without the student grunge factor.

The Hole in the Wall was right up near the top of the list til I read that!
Them days are well behind us.

I disagree with Trends, it's a bit of a kip tbh, hasn't been done up since i was a child, tellys are ancient and won't be many in there, you'd probably end up watching the races in the bookies out there.

Same with the Hole in the Wall, will be empty, it's a kip and the bookies is a bit of a trek(in comparison terms).

Kennedys would be grand spot, someone didnt recommend it and it was asked what it was like, it's fairly new, it's a bit of an old mans pub, but there the only ones you''ll get it in and there tellys are lovely, massive one down the back.

Murphys wouldnt be too bad either and it's close enough to check what the Kings Head would be like

Reginald P. DuM

Very good gilberto, thats Trends gone, I'd be lynched if I took the party out there and it turned out we were looking at old school Bush TV's and came out smelling of the 1980's. Waching the races in the bookies is not an option, dag in do our bets and back to the pints. What you make of the Feeney's option?

EI111

Go down towards Woodquay
Hughes' has a punting crowd and I've seen groups come from around the country during the galway races and really enjoy it
The lads in the bookies next door are good craic too

Reginald P. DuM

Reginald P. DuM wrote: »

Very good gilberto, thats Trends gone, I'd be lynched if I took the party out there and it turned out we were looking at old school Bush TV's and came out smelling of the 1980's. Waching the races in the bookies is not an option, dag in do our bets and back to the pints. What you make of the Feeney's option?

Not sure what there tellys are like tbh, it would be mid-90's pub along with Murphys as opposed to Hole in the Wall/Trends which would be more 80's(to compare by years) but even from that area you'd have Murphys right across, think they have decent screens, and Kings Head although they mightnt show it.

Kennedys would only be a 5min walk from there and it's pretty tidy, wouldnt go in there on a night out, but for Cheltenham it does be grand, two nice TV's and 4 bookies within 100 yards, they might have some Guiness promo too, they do it Mon-Thurs and the owner is known for taking custom for events(they've opened the club part for FA cup finals and that on big screen), they might even open the back for it and have cheaper drinks all round.

Barr an Chaladh(spelling) around same length from Murphys/Freeneys and has decent enough screens and a decent enough layout

I wouldnt bother with Salthill anyway, there aint much happening there now and if Trends didnt suit you'd nearly hhave to head straight back to town, at least from Shop St most pubs would be 5min walk.

Reginald P. DuM

Think we might be getting places now, honing in on Woodquay direction. So Hughes or Barr an Chaladh. Another deciding factor could be this. I'd prefer a drinking pub, and not a place that does pub grub with a lunchtime crowd arriving in clogging up the place with their toasties and soup!!

Tedole

If you are looking for decent telly sizes, forget Murphys, all wall-mounted fairly small-screen jobs. Barr a Chaladh has 2-3 tellys (or did last time I was there) but could be your best bet if you are based in town, and if doesn't work out, Hole In The Wall and Hughes are both a 30 sec walk away

EI111

Reginald P. DuM wrote: »

Think we might be getting places now, honing in on Woodquay direction. So Hughes or Barr an Chaladh. Another deciding factor could be this. I'd prefer a drinking pub, and not a place that does pub grub with a lunchtime crowd arriving in clogging up the place with their toasties and soup!!

Hughes' is your spot so

happyoutish

Stay away from the Kings Head, they do lunches and it gets really busy in there.. Any pub down in Woodquay would suit..

Have a look at this link it might give you some ideas Good luck and have fun

http://www.galwaycitypubguide.com/

Arnold Layne

Cullinanes at the end of Eglington Street used to be a good pub for the racing. The Barmen used to have great knowledge of the horses and used to provide great tips. I don't know what it is like now TBH. It is near Woodquay as well

happyoutish

Arnold Layne wrote: »

Cullinanes at the end of Eglington Street used to be a good pub for the racing. The Barmen used to have great knowledge of the horses and used to provide great tips. I don't know what it is like now TBH. It is near Woodquay as well

Didn't that close down? Yeah it used to be a great pub for the racing

Arnold Layne

Arnold Layne wrote: »

Cullinanes at the end of Eglington Street used to be a good pub for the racing. The Barmen used to have great knowledge of the horses and used to provide great tips. I don't know what it is like now TBH. It is near Woodquay as well

I don't know what Cullinanes is like now, it was my cousins pub and they are big into racing but it has changed ownership a few years back so don't know what it would be like now.

Mrs OBumble

Kaitlyn Refined Biker wrote: »

I don't know what Cullinanes is like now, it was my cousins pub and they are big into racing but it has changed ownership a few years back so don't know what it would be like now.

It closed. Rumours say that the guy who had it was just a little too fond of the horses - don't know how true they were though.

It was re-opened during 2009 as Blakes, by one of Galway's big-name pub owners, but closed again after a few months. The signs outside say "Closed for renovations until further notice".

Col200sx

Reginald P. DuM wrote: »

Very good gilberto, thats Trends gone, I'd be lynched if I took the party out there and it turned out we were looking at old school Bush TV's and came out smelling of the 1980's. Waching the races in the bookies is not an option, dag in do our bets and back to the pints. What you make of the Feeney's option?

If you're worried about the smell of a pub, avoid Murphy's.

Was in there for a pint over Xmas and the place stank. Clothes smelt after being in there for 20 mins.

If you wanted a big open space to fit ye all, somewhere like the Skeff would be good too. Plenty of good sized tv's, and you're in Eyre Square already, and there's 3 bookies within the Square too:)

happyoutish

JustMary wrote: »

It closed. Rumours say that the guy who had it was just a little too fond of the horses - don't know how true they were though".

Don't think theres any truth in that..

EI111

Col200sx wrote: »

If you wanted a big open space to fit ye all, somewhere like the Skeff would be good too. Decent carvery lunch for ye and also plenty of good sized tv's, and you're in Eyre Square already, and there's 3 bookies within the Square too:)

Not a racing pub

happyoutish

Col200sx wrote: »

If you're worried about the smell of a pub, avoid Murphy's.

Was in there for a pint over Xmas and the place stank. Clothes smelt after being in there for 20 mins.

If you wanted a big open space to fit ye all, somewhere like the Skeff would be good too. Decent carvery lunch for ye and also plenty of good sized tv's, and you're in Eyre Square already, and there's 3 bookies within the Square too:)

Don't the Skeff only have a small tv in the back bar and you strain your neck watching it its so high up? I can't think of were the others are.

Col200sx

EI111 wrote: »

Not a racing pub

Ah ya, just realised that now. Although every pub claim to be a racing pub during Cheltehnam:D

happyoutish wrote: »

Don't the Skeff only have a small tv in the back bar and you strain your neck watching it its so high up? I can't think of were the others are.

There's a pretty big LCD tv down on the left, just before you go up the stairs to the carvery;)

howyanow

trends has two brand new huge flat screens installed about a month ago,things are looking up!

simongurnick

gilberto_eire wrote: »

Not sure what there tellys are like tbh, it would be mid-90's pub along with Murphys as opposed to Hole in the Wall/Trends which would be more 80's(to compare by years) but even from that area you'd have Murphys right across, think they have decent screens, and Kings Head although they mightnt show it.

Kennedys would only be a 5min walk from there and it's pretty tidy, wouldnt go in there on a night out, but for Cheltenham it does be grand, two nice TV's and 4 bookies within 100 yards, they might have some Guiness promo too, they do it Mon-Thurs and the owner is known for taking custom for events(they've opened the club part for FA cup finals and that on big screen), they might even open the back for it and have cheaper drinks all round.

Barr an Chaladh(spelling) around same length from Murphys/Freeneys and has decent enough screens and a decent enough layout

I wouldnt bother with Salthill anyway, there aint much happening there now and if Trends didnt suit you'd nearly hhave to head straight back to town, at least from Shop St most pubs would be 5min walk.

Trends will be full and everyone in there will be backing horses, so if you want to mix with some local punters go for it. It's a bit of dump, but that's part of the allure with the place.
Freeneys and Murphys just have normal tv's too.
Woodquay would be could for town. The lads in Hughes own a few horses so they might all be over at cheltenham. Also hole in the wall has 2 bookies right across the road

Reginald P. DuM

simongurnick wrote: »

Also hole in the wall has 2 bookies right across the road

Negotiating Friday afternoon city traffic with a feed o pints on board not ideal!! I'm probably being a bit picky now. In any case it seems like Woodquay will be the area we'll hit.

simongurnick

There's probably about 50 pubs withing walking distance in the city centre anyway so if you don't like one, there won't be far to go!

Op its depends what your really looking for. If its a real racing crowd go somewhere like freenys(my choice). They have two tv's, one lcd and one older widescreen. If its somewhere more modern with lots of tv's and just showing the racing but not necessarily a racing pub there are plenty of choices around the city centre.

gandroid

Just to throw my tuppenceworth in. McAlinden's on Dominick St. is right next to a bookies and always shows the racing....also has betting slips at the bar...if I was measuring a "racing pub" then surely this must count as a good candidate.

Reginald P. DuM

Another person who used to work in a betting office in the city has recommended the Front Door... What do we think?

starie

i spent a few days during race week in 'the front door' and the bookies is next door, so i had a great time

also for the late race meetings we went to busker brownes which is directly across from the front door, but might not be your cup of T, also close to the bookies

Barr an Chaladh in woodquay is also good, guy in there used to run a bookies and lives for all kinds of sport, bookies across from there too

gandroid

Reginald P. DuM wrote: »

Another person who used to work in a betting office in the city has recommended the Front Door... What do we think?

I would have to say no, although it's a spot you will probably hit over the weekend of your visit, I would not watch racing in there. Just my personal opinion of course.

starie

meant to say i work in a bookies now

shaggykev

this is cheltenha,, not some meeting at tramore or lingfield

most decent pubs will have it on- feeneys is a kip imo, murphys and mcalindens are old school bookie pubs but front foor or buskers would be your best bet- nice big screens, great characters about that week- its mad galway race week and cheltenham week- dont forget paddies day falls during cheltenham so they'll all be geared for the racing

the quays is also good for the big racing but the bookies is a little further up

ladbrokes is about 100 yards away, mulhollands a bit closer

gandroid

shaggykev wrote: »

this is cheltenha,, not some meeting at tramore or lingfield

most decent pubs will have it on- feeneys is a kip imo, murphys and mcalindens are old school bookie pubs but front foor or buskers would be your best bet- nice big screens, great characters about that week- its mad galway race week and cheltenham week- dont forget paddies day falls during cheltenham so they'll all be geared for the racing

But maybe part of the reason the OP is asking the question is to find a pub that is a racing pub which shows races regularly and hence will welcome a racing clientele. In fact, as you point out it's Paddy's Day...that would be a good reason to avoid the more popular pubs as they will be more interested in playing to the majority crowd....I can imagine them having the racing on (maybe) but playing the latest chart hits instead of the commentary, plus they will be packed so coming and going to place bets won't be very easy....so for me, that would be a good reason to avoid locations such as the Front Door etc.

For Gold Cup day (which isn't the Wednesday that is Patrick's Day) every pub worth its salt will cater for people into racing, especially in the current fecked economic climate. The Hole in the Wall is one of the main spots for raceweek (many of the jockeys go there), as said above Front Door may be the best option, I honestly wouldn't worry though, there will be loads of options.

gandroid

RoverJames wrote: »

For Gold Cup day (which isn't the Wednesday that is Patrick's Day) every pub worth its salt will cater for people into racing, especially in the current fecked economic climate. The Hole in the Wall is one of the main spots for raceweek (many of the jockeys go there),

The Cheltenham jockeys....! You're talking about the Galway Races....seriously though...plenty of pubs will show the racing but you might as well drink in one that appreciates it.

shaggykev

the quays would have best atmosphere and biggest screen for cheltenham

but front door and buskers are closer to bookies- they'll all have the racing with commentary on- bunch of grapes is another in the area that will be very racing friendly- lot of the northerners go there during the galway races

tom looks after them in there

evil_seed

Crowes ftw!!! Bookies is right nextdoor, great pints, and good pub grub too. And always has racing on

EI111

Reginald P. DuM wrote: »

Another person who used to work in a betting office in the city has recommended the Front Door... What do we think?

i also used to work in a bookies. have to say woodquay is the spot. try and knock a bit of banter out of mick in brian fahy's bookies too, some character