The Crane Bar

We went to listen to music and have some drinks. This was an incredible experience and everything I could have wanted from a traditional Irish pub. I loved how everyone would quiet down for the music, especially when someone was singing. It made the entire experience more intimate. The musicians were all very talented and we thoroughly enjoyed listening to them. I hope to visit again some day.

Trad music in an intimate setting with musicians that have been playing here for years or even decades. Whenever a musician plays their solo, they shush everyone to total silence so full attention is on the artist. I appreciated that so much. I’m a tourist that doesn’t drink, came alone to enjoy the music and felt at home the whole 3 hours I was there. I laughed, cried, clapped along to the music and met some wonderful people, tourists and locals alike. It’s an experience I won’t soon forget. Seating is a challenge on a Saturday night because the entire upstairs is packed. But if you stick around and have patience, you will find seating or at least comfortable standing space with a view of the musicians as folks leave. If you stumble across this place during a pub crawl, excuse yourself from the group and stick around. You won’t regret it.

Amazing live music on the second floor on a Saturday night. Friendly service. Locals were very welcoming, but it does get crowded so make sure you are respectful of the space and the musicians particularly during the quieter songs.

Cannot recommend this place enough! Think this place can easily be missed since it is not in the Latin Quarter. Crane Bar was a great mix of tourists and locals. It was magical to patrons see celebrate and perform music so organically. Someone would sing acapella randomly from the bar. Someone put their hand up to play an instrument. Yes, it was mostly Irish traditional music but people sang other genres too (Blues, French, Italian Opera). Met a young Irish 20 year old man who eagerly performed an Irish song for the first time, he was so nervous. It was such a beautiful moment to see traditions continuing and flourishing. Also, the beer was very fairly priced too.

Live trad music is amazing here. Squeezing into the bar to listen to incredible music over a pint. I came back two nights in a row and had the best time. If you want to feel like you're drinking like a local come here, prepare to be a little bit cramped and make some new friends! would for sure recommend to all.

Came to have a pint and listen to tradition music but we're disappointed to find that the upstairs was full and it wasn't made clear online that the trad music was only certain times so we missed the show

If you are looking for the quintessential Irish bar experience while in Galway, The Crane should be your cup of tea...or pint of Guinness more likely. The bar was full with the sounds of ruckus yet had thar typical jovial feeling that some many places in Ireland have. The barkeep was quick to pull a pint and kept the tab even all the while juggling multiple customers ordering rounds. It's a great place to sit for a drink or two and just soak in the atmosphere.

Came to Galway City on holiday and wanted to listen and experience a traditional Irish session. This place does not disappoint. Everyone was incredibly friendly from the bartenders to the patrons both local and from far way places such as myself. The music and musicians were wonderful and I really appreciated how people respected their time by listening intently and quieting down during each song. Great experience, I am sad I only spent one night here. Cheers from Boston!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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

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.

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.

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

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

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!

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!

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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

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!

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

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.

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?

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.

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!

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.

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!

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

This is was the type of pub I had been searching for the entire trip. Sad I found it on our last day. The people were amazing. The musicians were amazing. The Guinness was amazing.

The atmosphere will make you think you are in a relaxed countryside pub. The €4.40 a pint for Guinness will be the best price for a pour pint you will find. Come here to relax. We came during the races so it was a welcomed relief.

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

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.

Nice local bar. We missed the music though so can't fully rate.

Listened to trad (traditional Irish music) and sean-nós.... what an unexpected treat! It's an original place for locals. I loved it.

Definitely the best spot in Galway. Very personal, fabulous music, and good beer! My favorite night ever was when almost 5 separate groups of people, young and old, joined together to play some trad. Each let the other do a solo or two, even some sean nos was done. It was amazing seeing all the generations connecting over music. Plus, the music didn't suck! This is truly one of the best bars in the world, in my opinion!

Your basic old style Irish pub, filled with nice people, traditional Irish music (think concertina, banjo, violin, flute), and inexpensive prices on good beer. That's the Crane.

Off the beaten track, you may need a local to get you here, but if you manage to find it you won't be disappointed. Downstairs is grim and less than charming, but make your way to the first level almost any weekend of the year and you'll be garaunteed some of the best offerings in the country on the Irish traditional music scene. Miles away from the tourist drivvel of Ti Coili or The Kings Head, this is one of the places that stood tall in the trad renaissance of the 1960's and 70's and continues to stand at the forefront of innovation in Trad music on a national level. The guinness, like almost everywhere else in Galway, is to die for.

This pub is a little out of the way but it is most atmospheric. The beer is pretty good and the service is very definitely with a smile. The crowd is a regular one although outsiders will be made to feel warmly welcome. This pub is not self-conscious. It is a little shabby but some find that alluring. One hears Irish folk music here from time to time.

I'm a little late in writing this, having spent a month in Galway back in March. The Crane was my go-to place many evenings for some great trad music and a great pint of Guinness. Friendly, music-loving staff, comfortable space, and a music-loving clientele. Brought my bodhran and my voice several nights and joined in with the music-making, and felt very welcome doing both.

This is the spot to take in good trad music in Galway. Unpretentious and as un-touristy as Galway can provide. Session on a Monday started around 10ish

It has the feel of a traditional Irish pub with a good variety of music on nearly every night and day. Great for tourists