Booze-up in Kilkenny

Angry Troll

hi folks, i might go to kilkenny for a weekend sometime this spring, never been there before, and am looking for suggestions on nice pubs…my focus is on quality pints and a nice atmosphere (no stag parties etc.) for someone my age (40) with a friend or two…anything traditional or cool modern would be of interest…maybe someone can also recommend a nice b&b or hotel or something…any feedback welcome…cheers

p.s.: i am aware there are similar threads here but the ones i found seemed to be more focused on hen/stag parties etc.

Threadhead

Ryans, Friary Street
Left Bank, The Parade
Cleeres, Parliament Street
Tynan's, John's Quay,
Billy Byrne's, John Street

They cover the nice atmosphere, good pints, no stag and hen criteria so you'd be in good shape in any of those pubs.

PhilipMarlowe

A couple to ad to that...
The Tholsel bar (hasn't changed much since 1970 probably) is a small sport (rugby) bar in town on the High St....
The Nore Bar is very nice for a pint and If you wanted to stay in The Newpark Hotel then you could wander into town after stopping off at The Nore for a few.

Captain Havoc

Licksy wrote: »

The Nore Bar is very nice for a pint and If you wanted to stay in The Newpark Hotel then you could wander into town after stopping off at The Nore for a few.

Nore bar does an excellent pint as does in Dohertys and Riedys. Pump House has a mixed bag of customers (not in a negative way) and the music is usually really good. The other pubs previously mentioned are all good spots.

Benny Cake

I'd start out in the Nore bar on greens bridge, a great little pub with the best Guinness in Kilkenny. Then head over the bridge into Irishtown, you have your pick here but Cleeres, O'Riodas and The Pumphouse are all good spots. You can also get some grub round here in Ming Dynasty, Italian Connection or La Rivista.

From here you can head towards the left bank for a more lively atmosphere, Tynans or Ryans are also good spots to finish off a night out.

Accomodation wise you really cant go wrong. Check out booking.com and you will find something to suit your budget and taste..

Best of luck, kk's a great place for a session!!!!!

500sel

Dont forget leinahans or Syd's

Bootsy.

+1 for Threadhead's recommendations.

You can head for Parliament Street and make your way along.
First pub is ORiada's: Mature crowd, friendly, no music, great pints.
Then The Pumphouse (my home!): Mixed crowd, good music, highly, highly recommended on a Sunday night with The Barflies playing, americana, indie, rootys stuff, Neil Young, Tom Waits, Springsteen, Nick Cave, Wilco, Dylan, Stones etc.
Then Cleere's: good friendly crowd and staff (same as all the rest I'm mentioning), occasional gigs, good pub.
Then skip Dignity (gay bar with horrific music and messy drinkers) and Phelan's (grumpy old men) and onto Anna Conda's which is open till 2am Friday and Saturday and gets the crowd from the other pubs.
Make sure to wander up to Ryan's: live music every Friday/Saturday, always quality, flip all space though but good beer garden and great athmosphere.
Throw in a visit to Billy Byrne's and Tynan's and you'll go home happy!

Angry Troll

thanks to all for the recommendations so far...great stuff...will be sure to check out as many of those as possible...