We were in the area so popped in here on a recommendation and to our surprise there was a huge group of trad musicians playing outside. It was quite chilly but we enjoyed a Guinness and the music and it was a standout memory of our time in Galway. read more

If you are planning a visit to Galway, Crane Bar will probably come up time and time again as a recommendation from friends. Do yourself a favor and listen to your friends! Crane Bar is a quintessential Irish pub with traditional live music. I was able to catch some live music on this particular visit and it was truly wonderful. The biggest difference I noticed at Crane Bar was that it is expected that everyone is quiet during the music. Most other Irish pubs don't mind some chatter above the music but here, it is expected that you be silent during some songs. The staff won't be shy about shushing you either. I hadn't encountered this elsewhere in Ireland and I was told by a local that this is fairly uncommon for pubs. It just goes to show how central live music is to the Crane Bar experience. Beyond that, the pints were cold and the service was quick. I highly recommend stopping in to Crane Bar for a traditional Irish pub experience. read more

Crane Bar - View of the pub - Pubs Near Me - Galway, G

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When planning a visit to Galway last May with a friend, a NYC bartender friend of mine who happens to be from Galway told me that we needed to add Crane Bar to our list. That recommendation ended up being a highlight of our trip to Galway. This quaint pub has two levels. When we visited on a Monday evening, the second level is where the musicians were preparing to gather. We arrived just before they started so were able to score two stools right at the bar which was ideal as it's not a large room. There are several tables with shorter stools in the main section, as well a few smaller tables on the (raised?) side section against the windows. Note, the musicians gather towards the wall opposite of the bar. What I found fascinating about this bar is musicians continually came and went throughout the evening effortlessly. I think I counted up to 11+ musicians performing at any given time. The musicians alternated between songs with lyrics and songs without - both were equally enjoyable. Our bartender was super friendly. Even checking in on us when one tipsy guy was getting a little too chatty. I would highly recommend this pub to anyone visiting Galway who is looking for a traditional Irish music pub experience. read more

Crane Bar - Guinness & Bulmer's - Pubs Near Me - Galway, G

My Daughter & I saw the Sweeney band March 21st 2026. I'm 66 my daughter 37 were absolutely in awe. I said to her after 1st song do you feel it. She nodded at me tears in her eyes. We knew we were in for a vary special night . I never in my life time thought I would get the chance to see this part of History. This was the music that was popular when I was born in 1959. I felt like I was transferred back to peter Paul & Mary's 1st shows.to say the Least I was mesmerized the entire show. Loved the poetry the story telling the old Irish folk songs the actual Bob Dylan songs. At one point three Beautiful young ladies sat at my table. They started chatting. I heard one say two the other two . In-between songs. Do you girls feel that. They ya what is that. I piped up & said that's what you call magic. They all looked at me said really. I said yes just kick back & enjoy. When the next song was over all three looked at me tears in there eyes knodded there heads & said magic. What a night . One I'll never forget. Ken whalen read more

Had a great night here sitting at the bar for a few before the bartender told us there was music upstairs. We nabbed a spot upstairs and enjoyed some local music for a bit. Easy to get a drink and crowd was extremely friendly. read more

A short way off the main drag this spot is a must visit. Old school, no frills pub, doing classic Irish music right. Show up early to grab a seat before the 9:30 music start, sit back and enjoy. While we were there, there was around an 8 piece group playing just seated with the rest of crowd and feeding off the energy. read more

Ok, folks, this bar is quant. Which means small. Don't show up with 30 people and expect ample seating or reservations. What you should expect is live music upstairs from local musicians and a crowd of locals that are there to enjoy their evening, not provide you a tourist "experience". Relax, have a pint, and enjoy real music and real people. There are lots of comments online about people getting shushed if they talk while the band is playing (which I have no problem with) but I didn't see it. I didn't see people chatting or on their phones either so maybe "those" people weren't there that night? read more

Sadly, we missed the 3pm music but, the pub atmosphere was lovely and just what you you go looking for when visiting Ireland.

While we could only sit outside, the Crane Bar had awesome vibes, located outside Galway City Centre on Sea Road. They had set up a lovely outdoor patio area across the street from the pub that was laid back and chilled out, filled with locals who were enjoying a pint or two. When we return to Galway on our next trip to Ireland, we'll need to return to Crane Bar to enjoy some live traditional music inside. read more

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Our hotel concierge mentioned that this was his favorite spot to go to for live traditional music, and so we came here and had a good time. It's a small spot and I believe that the music session is typically on the second level, but that was closed when we were there and the musicians performed at a reserved table a little bit past 9pm. The space is cozy and there was a good amount of people who came to watch, but it wasn't overbearing. read more

Crane Bar - Interior - Pubs Near Me - Galway, G

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History. Comfortable, staff welcoming. Could sit all day listening to stories. A real pub

Went here for a Story Telling event and the atmosphere of the upper room was very cozy and intimate. It was a fun night, with lots of laughter, captivating stories, and live trad music. It was packed and a hot, sweaty night but still such a great time! read more

Crane Bar - Pubs Near Me - Galway, G

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Local feel, traditional Irish music, according to Mick at my hotel, they pour the best Guinness. Music upstairs. Definitely check it out

This is a fantastic venue for listening to trad Irish music and enjoying a pint of your favorite brew. It is an upstairs space that is intimate and filled with old wooden stools and tables. Can't get more authentic than this! read more

Crane Bar - The group playing tonight - Pubs Near Me - Galway, G

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This pub is the best place for live music in Galway! Every night around 9pm a line of people shuffle upstairs to hear local musicians play trad music and songs at their finest. During my time in Galway I visited this pub every night and enjoyed endless Craic. There are a number of legends who come here to play regularly, including the 84 year old Frank Boyle who can be heard playing harp here pretty much every night. This place is slightly off the beaten path, but don't let a tad bit of extra walking deter you from an unforgettable experience. The pints here are awesome but just a heads up, this pub is a cash only establishment so make sure you bring enough cash for your bill! I highly recommend this pub as a must visit in the city of Galway. read more

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A highlight to our trip so far! It's sticky and loud and filled with life and trad music!

This bar is a little more off the beaten path, not as crowded in the area but the bar is quite popular so if you want a seat, come early, especially for the live music which is upstairs during busy times. Musicians were wonderful - we had a variety of people, some arriving later to join in. Two were members of a band called Galway Ramblers. In the end, there were 8 people - end meaning when we left at almost midnight, they were still going. The usual selection of beers and whiskeys. Friendly bartender and lots of locals as well as tourists. Have to rate it five for great traditional Irish music read more

If you are looking for legit Irish music, come here. We had a fantastic experience hanging out upstairs with the music the locals and the whiskey! We had such a fun night in a room full of friendly Irish folks listening to live music, just sort of random musicians playing all kinds of music, all different instruments and styles of music. LOVED this place. We actually had other spots to hit, were reluctant to leave, we did but immediately returned. Does not get much better than this if you want a taste of a real Irish pub. read more

This pub is exactly what you picture when you think of Ireland. Our friends who have been living in Galway the past few years recommended it and it was my most favorite pub from the trip. We were lucky enough to be there on St. Patrick's Day and to see how the locals celebrate it. The pub, which children can enter, is more of a "homey" feel. Musicians play, sitting on small stools, while people drink and laugh around the fireplaces which are everywhere in Ireland. I loved the atmosphere here & there are bars both up and down stairs. We sat upstairs to listen to the music and I could have stayed for hours. If you are ever visiting, stop by here for sure. We ordered Bulmers Cider & Guinness, both so great! read more

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While in Galway, I had to attend a trad session, and this was the place I stumbled upon. The music is upstairs, which also offers bar service as well. The start time of the trad session is tentative, not set in stone. Think jam session. The night I attended, there were about fifteen musicians that showed up and played together. Bar staff are nice and locals seemed nice as well. read more

The best spot in Galway for an authentic Irish experience of banter and traditional music. Serves a lovely pint too :)

Authentic, traditional Irish music nightly! We went in for pints and to hear the locals play together at 9:30pm on a Friday night. A group of six or seven musicians gathered in the packed upstairs room. Some of them had played together, others were new--every night it's a mixed bag of whoever decides to come, which makes for great diversity and potentially a different "show" every night! They played old Irish standards as well as a few originals. A really marvelous time in a warm, welcoming environment. read more

If you're looking for a good place in Galway to catch local traditional Irish music this is the bar you want to go visit! Arrive a little before 9pm to grab a seat up stairs! read more

You'll hear some brilliant trad in here. It's squarely oldschool; a nice dark bet up pub, the type of place that unites brilliant musicians and chronic alcoholics. The serious session is Sunday afternoon. Chunes and quality Guinness, what more do you want? read more

Came for the music but found we missed a Scottish story teller that starts at 8:00 to 9:30. 10 euro. We would have liked to hear him, sounded well liked. Traditional music starts at 9:30 ish. In the summer they use the up stairs room. Nice venue but the people around the edge really wanted to talk. It made it hard to hear. Also some stools made it hard to see the fingering. The music was fine and a few people joined as time went on. The musicians were in a circle and seemed to have a good time playing together. Worth getting away from shop street. read more

I didn't go to any other pubs because I was so enchanted with this place the first time I went. Great music and atmosphere. Very relaxed and friendly. read more

Crane Bar - Local musicians - Pubs Near Me - Galway, G

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This is definitely a locals kind of bar. The group that plays traditional music here was amazing. The place had kind of an enchanting feel for a pub. Beware- no credit cards accepted! read more

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I am SO glad that I made it out to this place. It's definitely a "dive" but they pour a nice pint of Guinness. Though, the Traditional ("Trad") music is what lured me here. As you may or may not already know, Trad music is typically played in a "session" as it is not a performance. Meaning, there is no stage. Musicians just take up space in a nearby booth/bench and random people join the jam session as the night progresses. It's pretty spectacular and definitely a place I recommend in checking out. read more

One of the best bars in Galway. You will leave here feeling like a local. The trad music here is mesmerizing! read more

Holy cow. If you see trad music in Galway, this is the most amazing old school joint to hear it in. Don't be fooled by the quiet bar on the ground floor. There is a large room and bar on the second floor that packs it in after 10pm. Trad music with guitar, banjo, and squeezebox. Every few songs a random local will start singing a cappella while others eventually join in. Or a local barbershop style quartet will start singing accompanied by a harmonica. Amazing magical Irish experience that made our trip. Thank you Crane Bar! read more

We did the typical Quay Street thing our first night in Galway and found some fun music, but the trad music we found here was just what we were looking for. Off the beaten path and we appeared to be the only tourists in the place at the time, which was great. The music was awesome, but we were a little bummed when the crowd got too loud for people outside of the musician's corner to really hear anything. We didn't stay for the music upstairs, so can't comment on that at all. Look forward to going back the next time we're in town! read more

Great Trad, good people, decent priced. Went over Christmas when school wasn't in session - so I don't know if it's full of college kids. There were probably 8 guys playing traditional music, and it was really fun. There's also an upstairs bar that features music. The night we were there, a solo female singer/songwriter was playing. the sound was good, intimate and fun. The bartenders seem like good people, and the regulars were friendly drunks (in a way, only Irish can be). when I go back, I'll definitely go here again. read more

It was traditional music and bar. Nothing stood out and it left us a little wanting more. We ended up at Monroe's which is where we wished we had started instead. read more

It seems to me that the Crane is a great place where there is music - and there is *great* music, both trad and well-know folkies and blues. But it reverts to much more of a local bar on weeknights - the sort of place where everyone looks up when you come in, as if you've interrupted something. Upstairs and downstairs are pretty small; when there's music on expect to be packed in. Which adds to the ambiance. read more

Great trad music. Over 40 students from the university nearby playing. One told my husband and I that there isn't a music program at the school and students are working to change that. Really wonderful place. read more

Boy, do they pack 'em in here! We wandered all over looking for trad (traditional Irish music) and finally we found it here. Though we had to squeeze in and sweat through the performance (it was hot as an oven!). A couple of the players are paid, the rest join in to jam. The music was wonderful. Wish there had been a little more room to get comfortable and really soak it all in! read more

This is the best pub we visited in Ireland. It's a little off the main path and over the river so you won't run into too many tourists. We never would have found this place without the help of a musician we met at another pub nearby. This is a place where traditional irish music is alive and well. The place was packed with people there for good tunes and storytelling. We met a lot of locals and everyone was very friendly. The night we went we were the ONLY non locals and had a truly magical experience. When an older gentleman got up to sing the entire bar got quiet. He played guitar and sang "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" and many people had a tear in their eye. His music was so beautiful and sad. This man with twinkling eyes was one of the best storytellers I have ever seen. (That's saying a lot coming from a theatre person!) He then did a reciation of a poem about acid rain and cows and clouds. He walked all throughout the bar, even opened up a door and yelled a few lines out. He was engaging and entertaining. THIS is the place to go in Galway for a truly remarkable evening. (We were there on a Thursday night) This is the place to sip a pint and listen to the remarkable stories around you. Please don't go if you are looking for a rowdy time, this is not the place. There was also another performance going on upstairs, we were in the downstairs area. read more

Favorite Night pub!!! Locals drop in to jam on a nightly basis. Heard about this place from another USA couple we talked with at Sonny's.. They said that this pub is a must NOT miss pub.. So, not to seem rude.. we did our drop in! We dropped in for a pint and stayed for the night!! Wanted to go again, but the next day was off to Dublin. I will be back here and that's for sure!! That night I was lucky enough to get there about 11 musician's dropped in for local fun, the upstairs was packed and I loved it! read more

A bit off the beaten path of Tig Coili and Taafes, Crane Bar offers a chance at finding a stool to sit on next to a table where you can rest your Guinness while enjoying some free live music. Yes, every night of the week they have live music (like most places in Galway, which is really the charm of this city over places like Dublin), usually around 9:30 pm onwards until when the bar shuts down around midnight. The music varies each night depending upon who is playing, but it's always good and often played by regulars--including some guy who travels weekly just to go play there from a land far far away. (If I knew Ireland better, I'd tell you the city, but it did not stick in my head, and the way the Irish pronounce things always leaves me baffled. I think I've pronounced almost everything wrong here!) Anyway, the music is awesome, and yet it's possible to have a conversation--either by venturing to the other floor where the musicians aren't playing or simply by talking closely with people around you (as the music is loud enough such that it really isn't "rude" to the musicians). Also, like with the other places in Galway, the Guinness is under €5 (some places, it's €3, but those places are a bit of a walk) and you get a full, overflowing pint (yes, let it settle and then be filled to the brim and then suck up that foam!). And, the Guinness tastes different than in the US (better). So, enjoy! Bottom line: If I ever return to Galway, it will likely be purely for this bar and its music. read more

I have to agree with Jessie down below. This place is great for Traditional music and a laid back scene where you want to just throw back some pints and listen to some good tunes. We came here just about every night we were in Galway- My brother brought his guitar and jumped right in on the music. Everyone was so friendly and it was cool to see a mix of young and old making music. One night, a local came in - His name was Stephen I believe- he had the most amazing voice. There is an upstairs and a downstairs- I only spent time upstairs but can comment that both floors are pretty tiny so you're not always guaranteed a spot read more