Summer is approaching rapidly, have you made your Summer plans yet? We definitely have you covered, live music 7 nights a week, non-stop entertainment, club nights, trad & folk sessions, funky disco, beer, food, cocktails & wine. It’s all ahead of you this summer.
HEADING TO THE CONCERTS?
So last month, we delved into sun-traps and where to find them, check all that right here. Let’s start this month’s blog by inviting you back to some of our hottest spots especially if you’re looking for the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat and a drink before or after (or both!) all the upcoming gigs happening in Cork this Summer. We are so excited to welcome back all the gleaming faces before they spend endless evenings in the Marquee, Pàirc Uí Chaoimh & Virgin Media Park this summer. Cork is so fortunate to welcome the likes of Bryan Adams, Ne-Yo, Christy Moore, Tom Odell, The Wolfe Tones, Take That, Bruce Springsteen & many more to our amazing city this summer. We all know what summer gigs means?. Yes. Summer Pints but where to go? We’ve got you covered.
PUBS YOU HAVE TO GET TO BEFORE…
Whether you’re heading to either venue this Summer, you can’t go wrong in visiting El Fenix before or after, it’s the perfect mid-point, lovely pints right by the lee in the sun, what else would you want. The Poor Relation on Parnell Place is always a popular destination for you concert goers, it’s one of the last pubs you’ll hit before the Marquee or Páirc Uí Chaoimh, make sure to pop your head in, we have an extensive pint/whiskey & wine range, you will NOT be disappointed with the ambience inside, you may even be able to catch a free gig there afterward.
Crane Lane Theatre & Canty’s Bar on Pembroke Street are always a fan favourite if you want electrical atmosphere before the gigs, our lovely lane will be full of concert go-ers, drinking, chatting and don’t forget there will be a full menu on offer from Arthur Maynes, while there’ll be no food in Canty’s Bar, the atmosphere will be the very same, sports will be roaring in the background, all outside areas will be booming, you can always ask the barman for a pack of tayto to keep the energy levels up.
Upstairs cocktail bar will be open from 5PM if you need that margarita fix before the walk and believe us when we say (Delicious!!), all homemade ingredients and of course the in-house cocktails are world class. If you’re seeking something more subtle, Brennans will be open by the time the gigs come around, step-in, enjoy some top class vino and take in the mesmerising renovation, it will be one for the history books. If you’re not full enough by the time the concert is over, Crane Lane & Arthur Maynes are open until 2.30AM with live bands and DJs 7 Nights A Week, the craic is next level.
All of the venues have something for everyone this May. Let us break it down for you. Wherever you’re staying in the city or heading out , we’re never more than a 5 minute walk away from you. Shopping on Patrick’s Street?
CORK HERITAGE PUB TRAIL
TO START…
We have some of the most delicious pints the city has to offer right in Mutton Lane, one of Cork’s oldest pubs, a relic to a punter which has a direct lead into Cork’s infamous English Market. The Two Johnnies Podcast stated we had the best pint of Murphys in Cork in one of their recent podcasts. Head into the Pavilion and take in the beauty of everything inside, catch a show or dance the night away, Intermission below has one of the most mesmerising interiors in Munster, there’s bars, there’s nightclubs but there’s only one lounge in Cork City.
FURTHER AFIELD…
If you find yourself taking in some history or visiting Elizabeth’s fort, The Oval on Tuckey Street is one of Corks most unusual bars, the name says it all, the oval shaped bar is just something you have to experience, can you really say you visited Cork if you didn’t have a pint in the Oval? Jump next door to The Park and enjoy the cool vibes, welcoming atmosphere & delectable cocktails.
Further down the spine of the city you’ll find one of the best beer gardens Cork has, The Vicarstown, you can’t not be in awe of the artistic flavour of the place, the artwork, the scenes, it’s all right on North Main Street. The Vicarstown swings and connects to The Black Dog. Here you’ll taste some of the best tequila in the Western Hemisphere and get a direct taste of Mexico. The food is die to for, tacos, nachos, succulent meats & dips all made in- house to your delight.
FOOD & NIGHTLIFE…
It won’t be long before you find yourself on Cornmarket Street where all the magic happens, delve into some fine whiskey in the Old Town Whiskey Bar at Bodega, dig into some food, steaks, wings, nachos, burgers, brunch options (honestly whatever you’re feeling). *Unless* you’re in the mood for pizza, you’ll find that across the road in The Rising Sons Brewery, the brewery is a magical place, almost like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate factory for beer. Sports all day long, award winning Rising Sons Beers, Pizzas, Calzones & much much more. Cornmarket street is also one of the more popular sectors for nightlife in the city with live DJs late all weekend in both venues (a few steps away from one another).
TRAD MUSIC & METROPOLITAN AREA…
Let’s talk about trad music, Sin É, it’s famous and one of Cork’s best loved pubs, trad music every night from 6-11PM, mighty craic, we don’t judge in the Sin É, come in, learn, laugh and most importantly enjoy. Take a stroll down the Metropolitan area of the city. Walk across Mary Elmes Bridge onto Parnell Place and The Poor Relation is in your eye-line, a much loved establishment near Cork’s business district. El- Fenix is right across Parnell Bridge where you can further enjoy more trad music on Thursdays & Folk music on Tuesdays.
THE MUSIC DISTRICT…
South Mall is next, you’re literally less than 100m away from Corks Music District. Arthur Maynes and Upstairs right on Pembroke Street where you can eat some Portuguese-styled Tapas and evidently indulge in some Portuguese wines. There’s a vast selection of wine available in Arthur Maynes, a refurbished chemist with a charm like no other, step into the hustle and bustle of the Crane Lane Theatre where the music does not stop and the people don’t sleep. A house of jazz and good times. Right next door you have Canty’s Bar, an eye-catching sports bar with pints, craic and live music. Two dynamic venues, literal non- stop entertainment – 7 Nights A Week.
Don’t forget our lovely pub Artys in Ballincollig will be having a special on Rising Sons Beers all summer long, €5 all summer long!! WOW, they also have live music 3 Nights A Week.
Cork may seem hard to navigate, stick to the above plan and believe us when we say, you’ll find history and good beer wherever you may end up!.