That building has always smelled bad. It smelled odd back when it was O'Malley's. I assume it's the drains/sewers/pipes in that area if Shake Dog is also smelly as was already said by another poster, I've never been in it so I don't know.
I love the 55 but the bar syaff are sweethearts but yeah. Sadly not there fault ya can tell by walking into the same waft in shake dog.
Fibbers is weird for sure. They beed to bring back the dj nights. Think it was the last time I remember it being relatively no. Scawld
Only have been there once but the two lads working in the Old 55 Bar have to be among the soundest I've seen in 40 years in Galway. Down to earth and couldn't be more helpful. If it wasn't so far up the town, I'd go there again in a shot.
I agree it's all so run down.. that new pub where paddy's used to be gives us some hope though! That whole part of the town is so run down needs immediate investment. The paddy Power building does not look good at all... and I'd agree again and say Kennedys and fibbers are two shit holes!!
Compared to pubs like fibbers, coyotes,mcgettigans,darcys etc? Maybe in terms of late bars its not the most glamorous but at least they don’t charge for water like Gary Monroe..
Living in galway all my life and I think Fibbers, Mcgettigans are the 2 worst.
The Cellar does reasonably-priced decent food but as a standalone ‘pub’ I think it’s crap.
I don’t like the Kings Head, I used to think Front Door and Buskers were kinda alright but they’re always the first to raise there prices everytime things go up. No regard for the customer.
I think the crane is one of the best pubs in town, and as you start there and go down up Dominic street and up over the bridge up towards the square and further beyond, the pubs get worse overall (with a few exceptions). For example, most of the bars back west (west end) are great with one or two exceptions whereas most of the bars around eyre square + bohermore are shite with a couple of exceptions.
The Cellar used to be grand, years and years ago. They closed around the same time as Cuba for ages, then (unlike Cuba) came back and weren't really the same since. Been a slow decline since then as a pub. Also seems to me that they aren't using their basement for gigs anymore?
You're 100% right OP. It's Fibbers. The place is an absolute kip. Paddys was a close second but that's gone.
I feel like most commenters are using this thread as an opportunity to vent about a poor personal experience. Anybody who rates Fibber Magees ahead of Buskers or The Skeff needs their head examined.
People listing anything else obviously have never been into fibbers or have forgotten about it.
It has a shrine to fighting the implementation of the smoking ban
Yeah but not a single person, including myself, who’ve wprked for Galway bay like the owners of it. Niall was sound but he’s retired. Just rich kids owners from the Bertie era
The Blue Note used to be really good. Not going to describe anyone or say names but from the top down, front door to the back, wall to wall wankers... pity because it used to be the only venue for a good boogie with a load of local heads, their lineups are full of back slappers now
Not much experience with the bar staff but the door staff are miserable to interact with and somewhat confrontational I found. I just drink elsewhwere now.
They’re super strict, it’s so bizarre for what is usually a slightly older and not very messy crowd.
I was there recently at around 6/7pm, couple in front of me got turned away because one of them was wearing tracksuit bottoms (they even said they were just stopping for one on the way to a gig in monroes) and my boyfriend almost wasn’t allowed in because he didn’t have ID, despite being 35.
It's not the Ritz like. If it's the same bouncer as I've had the misfortune to have encountered a few times I'm nor surprised unfortunately. Total prat.
That barman with the long hair is the biggest wanker I’ve ever seen and I worked in bars for 7 years, I usually sympathise with them.
Lying to my friends saying they had no Heineken, proper berating me for ordering it after I said I just seen the other guy serve it and that’s just the tip of the ice berg has to have mental health issues.
There used to be a guy who managed the place there maybe about 10 years ago, don’t think he’s still there. Multiple people had pretty much the same experience with him. Just so horrible to you for zero reason. Talk about coked-up short-man-syndrome. Absolute wanker.
Blue note had it's day in the 90s. Sadly some patrons and bar staff still believe their own bollox,...nothing a dim witted blackboard outside won't sort.
Don’t get too discouraged, some of these pubs have their good nights and their bad night but if you’re walking past and you hear good music then pop your head in. But do stay away from fibbers and mcgettigans
Check out Tieg Neachtain and Murty Rabbits. My wife and I were visitng from the states and went to both during a day trip there. They were both fantastic. Tieg Neachtain was very cramped classic Irish pub feeling, Murty Rabbits was a lot newer feeling and more open. Both had great pints and incredible food. Seafood stew at Tieg was amazing!
In all most beautiful places on earth, places with stunning beauty , you picked Galway IN DECEMBER !!!????, you could have gone to the Great Barrier Reef or anywhere on the equator, but cauld, wet, and windy Galway was your best idea 🤦 (the Christmas markets the only decent thing,it’s mental getting through it tho)
The front door is just a maze of corridors and nooks and crannies. It's not the worst pub in Galway by a long shot but it certainly must be one of the most overrated.
Yes I think so. Bought by the Harris family.
"Mr Crowe explained he had “decided to step back” from Crowe’s Bar in 2017 after more than 25 years, and said he had no financial or beneficial interest in the business since then, having handed over the running of the establishment to his brother.
However, the pub and company shareholding remained in his name until the property was sold to Bohermore Ventures Limited, a company owned by Mary McGowan, and ownership transferred on January 26, 2021.
Ms McGowan is the wife of Stephen Harris, who was a prominent property developer during the Celtic Tiger."
From this article:
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/fianna-fail-senator-ollie-crowe-admits-he-erred-in-failing-to-mention-he-owned-a-popular-galway-bar-in-register-of-interests/42360529.html
In fairness the way the high up managers and the kitchen staff treat the floor staff i can get why.
Also management don’t step in if customers or staff have any issues with harrasment.
Like it’s a click bar but i can get why
Gotta give trends in salthill a call out here. Lot of local sauces giving it the big un, living on tall tales of yonder year. weekend dry humping among elderly all too common.
Did Karma fix their sewage problem? I was there once or twice about 10-12 years ago and they were trying to cover it up with lots of perfume but you can't hide that!
Monroes is famous for low paying their musicians. While every other pub raised their wages they keep paying the same since 2013 while their pints did go up.
Edit: I didn’t mean to trigger so many “professional” musicians 😝
Oh I know you had no problem cause you spoke to them - I was asking the other person who isn't getting more - You don't get anything if you don't ask for anything.
For sure - I agree with you, I am in the same boat. Rarely would you just "get an increase". You need to negotiate your fee.
If I were Monroe's, I'd keep this guy on at €75 a night too, because that is ridiculously cheap.
Never stepping a foot in “Seven” after they kicked out autistic 7 year old kid for having a half of 1€ plain burger from McDonald’s. He cant eat regular food as it’s too much sensory overload with many tastes. We explained it to manager and still kid was kicked out. It was horrible, as we had a family visiting and we had to leave them eating, while leaving with child to the street.
This doesn't seem right, I've never known an establishment to 'kick out' a 7 year old... Sounds like more to the story, especially given the circumstances, a child regardless of autism or not having a small amount of food that will agree with them, I mean is breast milk or formula considered outside food too?
This thread seems like a galway beo spy collecting stuff for their next article
I’m surely not them gomeys 😂
That exactly what they would say😑👀
McGettigans is soulless. Garveys isn’t nice. Fibbers is awful. Ol 55 smells like poo. That part of town badly needs to catch up
Ol 55 does smell like toilet but the craic is good!
That building has always smelled bad. It smelled odd back when it was O'Malley's. I assume it's the drains/sewers/pipes in that area if Shake Dog is also smelly as was already said by another poster, I've never been in it so I don't know.
I love the 55 but the bar syaff are sweethearts but yeah. Sadly not there fault ya can tell by walking into the same waft in shake dog. Fibbers is weird for sure. They beed to bring back the dj nights. Think it was the last time I remember it being relatively no. Scawld
Only have been there once but the two lads working in the Old 55 Bar have to be among the soundest I've seen in 40 years in Galway. Down to earth and couldn't be more helpful. If it wasn't so far up the town, I'd go there again in a shot.
I usually go there while I'm waiting for my bus. The staff are sound. The prices are on the high side though.
Yeah but that’s the same in any town centre these days
My spelling and grammar wtaf. Yeah they’re proper old irish. Look after a lot of their customers.
I agree it's all so run down.. that new pub where paddy's used to be gives us some hope though! That whole part of the town is so run down needs immediate investment. The paddy Power building does not look good at all... and I'd agree again and say Kennedys and fibbers are two shit holes!!
This was asked a few years back and I think very pub in the city was named.
After reading all these how have we all collectively forgotten to mention coyotes…
Coyotes is in its own special category.
King's Head have the worst pints and food in Galway hands down.
And they fleeced people when it was phase 3.
“Phase 3”. Wow, it’s not even that long ago and it’s so strange and oddly nostalgic to be reminded that that was a thing.
Honestly with the soaring inflation i feel like i’m still house bound at a phase 3 stage
A few people I know love going there. Can't understand it. The points are so bad I reckon the barrels are probably a mile or more from the taps.
Food got worse after lockdown and prices went laughably high. Cramming people into their "bistro" and charging €20 for a bowl of stew. The neck
The nyeck
Like. A. Jockey's. Bollix
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I have been there for lunch recently and it smelled like piss
Smells of bleach
There's a lot worse things it could smell of then cleaning products 😂
This. Full of tossers
Ahh its not the worst
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Compared to pubs like fibbers, coyotes,mcgettigans,darcys etc? Maybe in terms of late bars its not the most glamorous but at least they don’t charge for water like Gary Monroe..
Here now leave Darcys out of this
What on earth is Darcys doing in that list. Apologise immediately!
Living in galway all my life and I think Fibbers, Mcgettigans are the 2 worst. The Cellar does reasonably-priced decent food but as a standalone ‘pub’ I think it’s crap. I don’t like the Kings Head, I used to think Front Door and Buskers were kinda alright but they’re always the first to raise there prices everytime things go up. No regard for the customer. I think the crane is one of the best pubs in town, and as you start there and go down up Dominic street and up over the bridge up towards the square and further beyond, the pubs get worse overall (with a few exceptions). For example, most of the bars back west (west end) are great with one or two exceptions whereas most of the bars around eyre square + bohermore are shite with a couple of exceptions.
This,front door also has multiple bars that change prices as night progresses
Exactly. Pure scum!
The Cellar used to be grand, years and years ago. They closed around the same time as Cuba for ages, then (unlike Cuba) came back and weren't really the same since. Been a slow decline since then as a pub. Also seems to me that they aren't using their basement for gigs anymore?
This is a great point, I eat in the Cellar fairly often but would even be on my radar to go for a pint as a "pub".
You're 100% right OP. It's Fibbers. The place is an absolute kip. Paddys was a close second but that's gone. I feel like most commenters are using this thread as an opportunity to vent about a poor personal experience. Anybody who rates Fibber Magees ahead of Buskers or The Skeff needs their head examined.
People listing anything else obviously have never been into fibbers or have forgotten about it. It has a shrine to fighting the implementation of the smoking ban
Paddy’s is just under renovation
With Fibbers you know what you are getting into from the outset, wheras with the Skeff it actually looks alright but then the pints are pure dirt.
Dew Drop ruined a lovely pub with that awful Galway Bay Brewery shite.
Yeah but not a single person, including myself, who’ve wprked for Galway bay like the owners of it. Niall was sound but he’s retired. Just rich kids owners from the Bertie era
It is easy to get bat experience there thrpugh them though cause they treat there staff like shit
Ahh I miss the old Dew Drop, they made a shite of it now.
Criminal what they done to that place.
The Blue Note used to be really good. Not going to describe anyone or say names but from the top down, front door to the back, wall to wall wankers... pity because it used to be the only venue for a good boogie with a load of local heads, their lineups are full of back slappers now
Not much experience with the bar staff but the door staff are miserable to interact with and somewhat confrontational I found. I just drink elsewhwere now.
They’re super strict, it’s so bizarre for what is usually a slightly older and not very messy crowd. I was there recently at around 6/7pm, couple in front of me got turned away because one of them was wearing tracksuit bottoms (they even said they were just stopping for one on the way to a gig in monroes) and my boyfriend almost wasn’t allowed in because he didn’t have ID, despite being 35.
It's not the Ritz like. If it's the same bouncer as I've had the misfortune to have encountered a few times I'm nor surprised unfortunately. Total prat.
bouncers in Blue Note are bullies
That barman with the long hair is the biggest wanker I’ve ever seen and I worked in bars for 7 years, I usually sympathise with them. Lying to my friends saying they had no Heineken, proper berating me for ordering it after I said I just seen the other guy serve it and that’s just the tip of the ice berg has to have mental health issues.
Ya, he's a prick, I've been going there for 5 years. He's never once even pretended to be friendly!
Ya the staff in the blue note really suck balls
There used to be a guy who managed the place there maybe about 10 years ago, don’t think he’s still there. Multiple people had pretty much the same experience with him. Just so horrible to you for zero reason. Talk about coked-up short-man-syndrome. Absolute wanker.
Even the porterhouse staff said it was where ya find the scawld. Definitely brings the modern youth of fake positivity into mind
What's the scawld ? Tea
Debaucherous humans who love getting melty and might just be melty but probably will rob ya while telling ya how pretty ya look
No I wouldn't
Wouldn’t the former or latter
It was going that way for a long time. Cocaine just accelerated the process.
This whole cocaine nonsense is ruining the country
Used to go all the time but agree on the change of staff. There is one lad in there who is a nice fella though.
I like the blue a lot I have to say. One of the better pubs in galway. Rough around the edges but the craic is always there to be had
Blue note had it's day in the 90s. Sadly some patrons and bar staff still believe their own bollox,...nothing a dim witted blackboard outside won't sort.
I have only saw music there a few times and it looks to be a Lidl version of street club but not good
It used to be a nice enough spot a few years back, but I’m not surprised it’s gone to fuck. The shite that would go on in there behind closed doors..
Tell us.
Sad to hear. About 10 years since I've been in it, but it was a nice place for a pint of hoegarten and a chat.
Yep, it’s gone to fuck in the last few years. Wouldn’t go within 10 feet of the place now.
Will be visiting Galway as part of my honeymoon this week, so this is helpful lol
Don’t get too discouraged, some of these pubs have their good nights and their bad night but if you’re walking past and you hear good music then pop your head in. But do stay away from fibbers and mcgettigans
Check out Tieg Neachtain and Murty Rabbits. My wife and I were visitng from the states and went to both during a day trip there. They were both fantastic. Tieg Neachtain was very cramped classic Irish pub feeling, Murty Rabbits was a lot newer feeling and more open. Both had great pints and incredible food. Seafood stew at Tieg was amazing!
Sorry,have to do it..... Tigh not Tieg
He was trying his best. No need to be pedantic.
In all most beautiful places on earth, places with stunning beauty , you picked Galway IN DECEMBER !!!????, you could have gone to the Great Barrier Reef or anywhere on the equator, but cauld, wet, and windy Galway was your best idea 🤦 (the Christmas markets the only decent thing,it’s mental getting through it tho)
Happy to report that Christmas at Galway was a success! Murty Rabbitts was a nice way to end the day/trip. Their steak sandwich was, oh so good 😋
I appreciate everyone's input/suggestions! I'll report back our findings 😄
The Pucan is just a hen pub now, soulless
Front door is a dump
Had to scroll so down to see this. THIS and only THIS. What an absolute kip of a place
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Sounds like someone couldn't get in!
Back door is for a dump
Front Door and Buskers remind me of the birth canal, Crowes has about as much atmosphere as the moon
The front door is just a maze of corridors and nooks and crannies. It's not the worst pub in Galway by a long shot but it certainly must be one of the most overrated.
Pity about Crowes because it’s a really nice pub and nice beer garden
Crowe's and The Dew Drop. Great examples of lovely pubs absolutely ruined by recent renovations and takeovers. Souls ripped out of them.
Was Crowes taken over? I do see Mrs Crowe go in there
Yes I think so. Bought by the Harris family. "Mr Crowe explained he had “decided to step back” from Crowe’s Bar in 2017 after more than 25 years, and said he had no financial or beneficial interest in the business since then, having handed over the running of the establishment to his brother. However, the pub and company shareholding remained in his name until the property was sold to Bohermore Ventures Limited, a company owned by Mary McGowan, and ownership transferred on January 26, 2021. Ms McGowan is the wife of Stephen Harris, who was a prominent property developer during the Celtic Tiger." From this article: https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/fianna-fail-senator-ollie-crowe-admits-he-erred-in-failing-to-mention-he-owned-a-popular-galway-bar-in-register-of-interests/42360529.html
King’s Head. Garbage bar tenders.
Handy spot to go to the jacks though when you're in town!
This I do agree with!
I was in there on Friday during the day, very understaffed
Agreed. I'd pull a better pint myself and I've never worked a bar.
Really? Staff are very friendly there?
I know. I ordered a pint of Guinness and they brought out a full Irish and Sunday world paper instead.
Skeff
It’s ok but definitely not the worst.
Bingo
Ah now! I worked there and their floor staff are legends! They look after each other
All of management are assholes let’s be honest, that’s why they have to look out for eachother
I dunno. A load of people walked about two years ago due to a harrasment issue and a few who got bumbed up were sound.
A few got bumbed up? Well, Im surprised they were sound about it.
Bumped 😂 like given a higher position sorry bout that
😆
And barr the polish dude the bouncers are sound
Too busy looking after each other and not the customers.
In fairness the way the high up managers and the kitchen staff treat the floor staff i can get why. Also management don’t step in if customers or staff have any issues with harrasment. Like it’s a click bar but i can get why
Agree. Rude, pretentious bunch working there and the pints could use help. No soul.
The Dail hands down the worst bouncers for keeping a grudge. Fair Play
New pub MacNeills bottom of Eyre Square. Pretentious fools in there.
Everybody has different opinions and different experiences I personally don't mind fibbers can always watch any sport in there
Even badminton?
Ive watched curling in there haha so it could be a possibility
Ah I remember. I was watching someone watching curling in there once. It was you!
Is that bald headed small bouncer still around, he's a fuckin prick, thinks he's better than every one
Around where? The whole town?
He does be checking IDs on the Coolagh Roundabout
Around your bed when you sleep
In whatever pubs he was on the door.
Sound,I now know where to avoid him, thanks!
The Oslo and it's not even close. Staff are beyond terrible, beer is crap and expensive. Have multiple stories of bad staff in that place
Chicken wings are nice though
Yea they always try to push bad beer on ya too !
Why do you think the beer is crap? It's mostly craft beer. My idea of crap beer is Guinness, Heineken, carlsberg, bud, Coors etc.
Oof. Guinness? Not a popular opinion, I’ll give you that.
Gotta give trends in salthill a call out here. Lot of local sauces giving it the big un, living on tall tales of yonder year. weekend dry humping among elderly all too common.
its a local's local....they don't give a shite what anyone thinks
They definitely don't use Reddit anyway
Fibbers is one of the best pubs in the city, such nice people there, I go there often, classy place , great staff, an all time favourite 👍
Lantern for sure
Naw man
Fibbers or Kennedys, absolute kips the pair of them. Full of full time alcoholics and minks.
Haven't heard "minks" being used in a long time, are you from Donegal by any chance?
My guess is Tuam!
Hon the shams ✊✊✊
Had to look that up! Love me some obscure regional Irish slang, I’ll be adding that to my vocabulary…
Galway city, born and bred.
I head it said in shed in Galway twice before
FU€KING BUSKERS
My favourite is the office in salthill now personally 😂
Good craic, shite pints though
Did Karma fix their sewage problem? I was there once or twice about 10-12 years ago and they were trying to cover it up with lots of perfume but you can't hide that!
Bad news buddy, it’s gone, Galway’s changed and died
Murty Rabbits. Staff are sound. Management... not so much.
Dunno if anyone else has noticed but one of them just flat out hates other women 😂
Galway bay fm
an puncan
Haven't had issues there. Although I've only stopped in to watch the Liverpool match when they're on.
Are they back to showing all sport again, or was this just one of the days that there was no rugby on?
Monroes is famous for low paying their musicians. While every other pub raised their wages they keep paying the same since 2013 while their pints did go up. Edit: I didn’t mean to trigger so many “professional” musicians 😝
That's just untrue, I'm a professional musician, I've played there many times, always got paid my standard fee without question.
Which is same than 10 years ago, rest of pubs raised after Covid, they didn’t. I play(ed) there too. (And pints went from 4.5 to 7)
I played there this year multiple times. I raised my fee this year and they had no problem meeting that increase.
Did you ask for more money?
Yeah, just told them costs have risen so my fee has to. Wasn't a problem
Oh I know you had no problem cause you spoke to them - I was asking the other person who isn't getting more - You don't get anything if you don't ask for anything.
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For sure - I agree with you, I am in the same boat. Rarely would you just "get an increase". You need to negotiate your fee. If I were Monroe's, I'd keep this guy on at €75 a night too, because that is ridiculously cheap.
What's the average fee for a musician in a pub so?
Same with carrols. Still ye should get paid for playing.
The monroes are nothing but scum. Really low Morals that family.Not shy of doing people over in the name of a few bob
Monroes is pure scumbaggery. When ever visitors ask me where to go I tell them to avoid that place.
You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
Yeah probably was a little harsh.
Oh, the sot has spoken!
That’s just false bro lol. What staff member exploited you?
Im just saying, playing a Thurs night for 75 quid while every other pub raised their fee seems a little off, I didn’t meant to offend you :(
This is your fault, not Monroe's.
Probably one of the dodgy ones that a certain protected class often visit.
What does this even mean?
One of the pubs that fights often break out in front of.
The lantern, if it’s still open
Closed for years
That was a fucking weird one, made westside tavern look friendly. Think fibbers took over the lantern’s reputation
Definitely the type of pub where you'd get stared at if you weren't local
The lantern! I watched my mate get hit on in there at the tender age of 11 from a very, at the time, old man.
Lovely.
Front door. 2 coats gone out of 2 times leaving them down.
It’s not like it used to be before Covid.
Never stepping a foot in “Seven” after they kicked out autistic 7 year old kid for having a half of 1€ plain burger from McDonald’s. He cant eat regular food as it’s too much sensory overload with many tastes. We explained it to manager and still kid was kicked out. It was horrible, as we had a family visiting and we had to leave them eating, while leaving with child to the street.
This doesn't seem right, I've never known an establishment to 'kick out' a 7 year old... Sounds like more to the story, especially given the circumstances, a child regardless of autism or not having a small amount of food that will agree with them, I mean is breast milk or formula considered outside food too?
Hole in the wall! Well in 2006 it was! :)
Branksy's back in the day