The Playwright

We got to Kilkenny early afternoon and needed to eat. The shopkeeper at Smithwick's was super…read morehelpful in recommending a place to eat. Kyteler's was one of them. So glad we chose this place. Immediately got a table, perused the menu, for me, I found the bangers & mashed potatoes. It was awesome, and plentiful. Almost too much. The others picked the signature dish of Vol Au Vents (open faced chicken pot pie). They loved them, cleaned their plates. All meals were hot and freshly prepared. Quite good! Again, the service was awesome, many people covering all the tables. NO waiting. The beer selection was really good. I enjoyed a Kilkenny ale, others had the O'hara's witches brew. Very Good as well. The restaurant was busy, but not noisy. Good atmosphere for eating and having a conversation. Thank you!

The ambiance was very neat as the architecture and history within the building is like nothing I…read morehave ever seen. From the moment you walk in the doors, you have to walk up steps and are greeted right at the bar. The atmosphere is cozy and the waiters are all pretty fun with the typical Irish sarcasm we have learned to smile at and join in with. The food was just okay. We had the burger and the lasagne. It was nothing epic, was edible, but nothing wowed us. I would have loved to try the Kytler's whisky and beers, but they were interestingly not offered so we stuck with the Guiness.

The beer taps.

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Pints of Kilkenny

The Hole In The Wall

4.6(50 reviews)

0.2 km

•€

Fantastic little bar that you would miss if you didn't know it was there. The owner was there…read moreserving pints and chatting with customers. The bar holds about ten people, cash only. There is a small garden area outback. We were lucky and got to sit in on a trad session upstairs one night. We came here several times during our week stay. Nice people and friendly atmosphere.

Our first visit was 2023 and we had a wonderful time chatting with the amazing owner. We are in…read moreKilkenny for 2 night and went back both nights. There is a lovely group of people from Canada, US, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland in attendance. There are various instruments in the pub for anyone to pick up and play which we witness which added to the charm. We will be back. If you are in Kilkenny at night seek this place out down the Alley.

Bathroom

Small outside sitting area.

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Part of the bar.

Matt The Millers Bar & Restaurant

4.4(151 reviews)

Kind of sad to report, but happy to give Matt The Millers credit, for being the first pub we…read moreencountered with live Irish music before 9pm during a seven day trip around the island. We stayed in four different cities, and traveled to many more, had lunch or dinner in a variety of pubs, and most, if they had music, were playing 2000's American pop hit junk. Some of those other pubs did have live music schedules for later evening, but we were trying to get our pub experiences at lunch and then 6p-9p range each day so we could get to sleep for the next day's exploring. It's also really nice that this pub is along the water (the river through Kilkenny) and some of the seating overlooks it via window, including open windows if you like. The kitchen closes early here, even on Fridays; 8pm during our June 2026 visit, so plan around that if you are intending to get dinner. Food-wise: * Really enjoyed the beef stew; good price no complaints. * Margherita pizza is great * Caprese Salad is not expensive but pretty mediocre * Seafood Chowder was very good * Tortellini was fine for Ireland Take all the above in context with the overall Irish food scene, which is mostly average at best. These feelings are based on seven days of eating around the country, so when I'm saying the beef stew was really good, that's compared to the rest of Ireland where I had one I liked more and a few others that were not good at all. Drink pricing is on par with other tourist cities; not bad. As with most pubs, beer and liquor selection is limited outside of the extensive Irish Whiskey options. For example, two rums, one bourbon, beers were what we encountered everywhere and no deviation. Service was similar to the rest of Ireland; initial order taking and then you have to flag someone down for anything after that.

Located in downtown Kilkenny with parking near the library. My husband and I were the first ones in…read morethe pub around 4:30pm. Shortly after multiple people showed up. We got in and snagged a table in the perfect location. We started off with food. The fish and chips were amazing. The fish wasn't too breaded or oily. The piece of fish was huge! The fresh green onions and homemade tater sauce elevated the dish. We stayed at the pub until Irish music started, which was so good! Hearing the tin whistle, guitar, and beautiful Irish singing was such a treat. We enjoyed a handful of cocktails and Guinness! Very enjoyable night!

One of the bars

Crispy Brie Parcel

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Views from the bar

The World's End

4.2(5 reviews)

0.5 km

Service - 5 Value - 5…read moreAtmosphere - Dive Bar 5 People - 5 This is a great bar to people watch and do some heavy drinking... Don't worry, you won't be "That Person", because there's always someone else. The bathrooms are ok after a lot of drinks. They are not the best, but they work... The beer is fairly priced and the locals are very friendly and hospitable. We spent the morning with the local women's Hurling Team... Great people who needed to blow off some steam after a hard game. I look forward to going back and spending some time with some great people.

I SURVIVED THE WORLD'S END…read more I deserve a bumper sticker with that slogan written on it. Or something. Allow me to explain... The World's End is a very authentic Irish Pub, in the very authentic Irish town of Kilkenny, with a cast of VERY colorful regulars. Think Cheers, but SOAKED in at least 10x more alcohol. The front entrance has a little diner feel to it, but all the action happens in the back bar through another set of doors. We walked in at 3 in the afternoon with full intentions of 1 drink and a quick bite...but that all changed when the bartender and locals heard our accent. Clearly not Irish. Before long, everybody was chatting us up, asking where we're from, our plans in Ireland, offering us drinks, pouring us drinks, offering us more drinks. I'm pretty sure we're now Facebook friends with a few of them. One of the locals, fascinated that we're from California, stuffed a bunch of change in the jukebox and selected every song about or with the word California in it. We stayed for at least two hours, half of it listening to the likes of California Girls, Hotel California, California Love, & It Never Rains in Southern California. Good times.

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Lanigans Bar

4.0(26 reviews)

Popped in for a bite to eat. Live music was amazing. And staff was so attentive and quick. Food was…read morefresh and fair priced! Bruschetta was to die for. Worth the stop!

Our group of 6 had a terrific evening at Lanigan's Bar. The…read moreIrish dishes we ordered (Cottage Pie, Beef Stew) were tasty. The live band played high quality traditional Irish Music that made us feel like singing along. And the service was friendly. Recommended!

Cottage Pie

Live band playing Traditional Irish Music

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The Field Bar & Restaurant Fao Sally Ann Phelan

4.4(29 reviews)

A warm and welcoming pub in central Kilkenny, catty corner to the castle. Local pub vibe. Ordered 2…read moreGuinness pints, a ham & cheese toastie with a cup of their seafood chowder, hubby ordered goat cheese crostini and seafood chowder. Amazing chowder, chunky fish bites, creamy deliciousness! Felt like a warm hug on this cold day.

Such a fun pub! Great atmosphere friendly and welcoming locals and the live music was great. Highly…read morerecommended!

The Field Bar & Restaurant Fao Sally Ann Phelan - Bar

Bar

The Field Bar & Restaurant Fao Sally Ann Phelan - Pub

Pub

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Found some friends here.

Cleere's

4.8(15 reviews)

0.1 km

Favorite pub in Kilkenny- cozy vibes, real fireplace going, and friendly service with good food to…read morematch. We got the chicken caesar wrap, the lamb stew, and the toastie with the carrot ginger soup (special of the day)- food portions were large so I shared a little bit of everyones food. The chicken caesar wrap was very American style and tasted like home- a good sauce ratio as well. The lamb stew was nice, with the lamb being not too gamey. The sandwich was tasty along with their soup- some of my favorite pub food all trip. Great irish coffee and great Guinness near the fire.

Cleere's was recommended to us by a gentleman at the Smithwick's brewery for Monday night Irish…read moretraditional music. The Guinness beer was excellent but the coziness and traditional music just was awesome. Definitely a must on a Monday night!

Local only pours

Make sure you say SMITH WICK :)

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Left Bank

4.3(71 reviews)

The Left Bank pub restaurant was highly recommended. So of…read morecourse, we had to check it out. We were not disappointed. We were promptly seated at a table near the bar. The menu has so many delicious choices. The live music adds to the ambience. You can't go wrong at this restaurant for food and drink!

Stopped by this pub which was once an old bank (hence the name) on a day trip & just had to have a…read moreSmithwicks which apparently is from this small town! Didn't order any food, just popped in for a beer but the vibes were so cool!

Smithwicks

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An Poc Fada

5.0(3 reviews)

A Irish Pub with an awesome atmosphere. The staff are all excellent and excel in providing superb…read morecustomer service. We happened to be there on a night with a live music and what great fun it was listening to the duo play Irish folk songs and many other lovely tunes! If you're in Kilkenny go to the An Poc Fada pub, you truly won't regret it!!!

My husband and I were searching for a place to watch American football and all the games were on…read more The service was great the food (fish and chips) was excellent. Highly recommend for pub food and music.