The Quays Bar and Restaurant

Stopped in here for lunch and it did not disappoint. I got the mushroom toast and my boyfriend got the fish and chips. Both were really great and we left very satisfied. The service was great and attentive! Highly recommend checking out whether for food or drinks! Great ambience.

We can hear for our dinner. It is at downstairs. We ordered the sirloin steak, oyster, and an Irish coffee. They are delicious. After the dinner, we went upstairs for some live music. The moment we went up, there is a switch for the singer. So we walked to a different bar for live band.

We are lunch here and sat outside. Despite telling us there was table service, we had to go to the bar and ask for drinks, ask to order food, and ask for the check. We ordered fish and chips (terrible), the burger (great), the chicken panini (very good), the ham toastie (terrible), the vegetable soup (terrible), and the Shepard's pie which should have been called cottage pie since it was made with beef (passable but no flavor). It is rare for me to review a place and give them less than four starts, but this place is definitely a three. Would recommend fish and chips at McDonagh's across the way or lunch at The Front Door around the corner.

The food was available on the lower level only, which was fine as the music was really loud when you walked in, in the afternoon and evening. Outdoor seating is at a premium. Food was excellent; best steak I had all vacation. Service was inconsistent; one waitress was very attentive (solo traveler) for one visit; on my second I was all but ignored and had to step in front of a server to ask for my check. There aren’t a lot of tables (20?) so get there early. What I liked best is that I could get off my feet, listen to the music, have a bite, and not be jostled by tourists. I stayed at the Snug right across the street and that made for an enviable commute in a busy area.

Nice staff, yummy food, decent drinks, great music!!! Amazing energy. Really loved it here, it was one of my favorite places that we went to during our trip.

We had amazing time. The food was nice and the drink was also amazing. We love the service provided by the staff the were so kind and humble and asking in between if everything is ok this show that they care about their customers and not ignored even if its busy.

So glad to have visited here. Delicious & flavorful food, wonderful atmosphere, friendly people. The restaurant is downstairs. Not a large menu so it's easier to decide on your meal. Easy to have a conversation in this area. Live music is in the bar area on the ground floor. Gets loud, rowdy and fun!

If you're looking for a party and a good time, Quays Bar and Restaurant is the place for you. Whether you're a tourist or a local, you can tell instantly from first stepping into the establishment that the vibes will be good. It does get quite busy and loud upstairs especially with the live music. There's more seating downstairs for the restaurant which isn't as hectic. The bathrooms are located upstairs, so during peak times, just be aware it can take a bit of time navigating through the hustle and bustle of the restaurant and the bar crowd. Also, make sure to keep track of your group because it can definitely be easy to lose track of them with everything going on. However, you can tell everyone there is there to have a good time. The food was pretty good, although I wasn't a super huge fan of the oysters. I probably wouldn't order them again if I went back. The cottage pie was good but maybe a bit on the salty end. For the most part, I was pretty satisfied with my experience here. But as I mentioned before, it can get quite busy. I do feel like it was hard to get a hold of our server while we were eating. It probably took about 30 minutes just to get the check after we finished our food. And overall, it was just hard to get service in general. Granted, the servers are probably swamped with all the guests they have to attend to. I don't fault them for it; it's just something to keep in mind if you visit. Don't plan to get in and out quickly if you're in a rush during peak times.

As a tourist I loved this place! We were a bit confused where to find the restaurant portion since the top level is a bustling bar. Walk a bit further back and you'll smelll the wonderful food cooking from down the stairs. We had a short 10 minute wait on a Saturday night and were seated next to the kitchen window. It was a great seat with a view of the lovely chefs getting fresh food prepared. Perfect spot by the stair to hear the live music and peak at the chefs. Our waitress was kind and helped us make our decision of food. I got the battered fish and chips- classic and my sister got the special which was fish focused as well. The fish was fresh and crisp and the chips were delicious. Star of the show for my was the mushy peas- never thought I'd enjoy something like that as an American. However everything was wonderfully seasoned and fresh, I was obsessed. We weren't sure what to get to drink but we requested any popular cider and our waitress recommended orchard Thieves cider. After the first sip I was hooked, it was the main thing I drank the rest of my time in Ireland! We finished and found ourselves upstairs enjoying the live music and joyous atmosphere. The singer was awesome 11/2/24 and we stuck around with another pint to end our night.

This is the perfect spot in Galway for a pint and some live Irish trad music! We didn't try the food - but the drinks were great. The place is often packed, but we were able to find a seat each time. Such fun vibes and the highlight of our time in Galway!

Gather around and let me tell you the tale about a burger I once ate in Quays Bar in Galway. It was a delicious morsel. Rather unique in that it had a very strong char. The center defied physics and somehow remained juicy and melty. There was a tangy sauce to accompany it, all sandwiched in a delicious bun to die for. I was in shock! What culinary wizardry had I unexpectedly encountered on my travels? Definitely an all-time ranked burger on my list. With some coaxing, I was able to convince the wife to go with me again on a second night. Sad to report, the coveted burger was not as well-executed in its encore appearance, but still good. At least one of the cooks knows exactly what they are doing with that burger, so good luck on your night. In seriousness the bar and restaurant are excellent. The live music beautifully sets the scene. The food was all very high quality. The service was attentive and they genuinely cared whether you were having a nice time and enjoying the food. A must-stop for the traveler through Galway.

Can't help but like this spot. In the middle of the action, easy during the day to get a pint, great wings, and no rush to move out! Service is like I experience in Ireland, friendly but need to flag down! The background music is all Irish classics and pub tunes etc. This is one of the few late night pubs.

Delicious Fish & Chips! The breading is so light and crispy compared to American fried fish. Service was quick and friendly, which we truly appreciated because we were on a schedule. A nice pub-like atmosphere. Worth the money.

We had the Goat Cheese wrapped in Filo appetizer and the oysters. Both were good. The service was slow to start but after the pint of Guinness was delivered, it made the waiting much easier. The place is really neat with a good Irish vibe.

Beautiful pub. A romantic story of love started this pub, when an Irish gentleman bought it for his wife. Doreen was a fantastic bar tender. Food starts at 12:15 we arrived a little early and had a pint of Guinness. Great Irish tunes played in the background.

Loved the food and pints. Horse races were on, and it was fun to chat about. Would definitely visit again -- very cool pub.

I read some of the negative reviews and don't really get it. This place was fun, I had the stew and a beer. The staff was very friendly. The service was quick. The food tasted very good. The atmosphere is casual, it is a bar after all. It didn't feel touristy but I'm sure being on the main drag there are plenty of us tourists that stop in. Regardless the staff and food made you feel local. If I'm ever back in Galway I will stop back in.

One of my favorite restaurants in Ireland. Everything was delicious and they had the best Irish coffee I had in Ireland. Also got to take a pic with Galway Girl outside. Would absolutely go back.

Great, big, spacious bar with amazing live music and good drinks. My fiancé and I ended up spending hours here having Guinness, Bulmers, and just listening to good music and dancing. The establishment is quite large so can accommodate a lot of people for both food and drink, we had a cozy little spa in the corner under the stairway, which I thought was great because you could see the stage and really enjoy yourself or you could walk out to the main floor and dance around. So definitely had a wonderful time and would recommend to locals and tourist alike. I hope to come here again in the future!

A classic! Old, historic bar with a long history. Lots of character. Came in when the band was playing. We only heard one song and then they went on break until it was time for us to leave. Pretty bummed. Everyone was really nice, though.

Great music and atmosphere! I only had the Guinness, so can't really comment on more.

Only had drinks - but service was so friendly. Fun talking to the locals. Great authentic pub!

Iconic stop while you're in Galway with phenomenal live music - everything you've been looking for in a Pub. Some inviting traditional Irish favorites on the menu to pair with your favorite beers and whiskeys. A must stop for sure!

The bartender upstairs was extremely friendly and observant and noted on our long wait to be seated at the restaurant (which was a good hour wait and was told would be only be a 30 minute wait.) After finishing our drinks we went to check on how much longer our wait was. We discovered our names were crossed off the list. We were seated at the bar as instructed by host and within beeper range. Realizing the error the host seated us at the bar downstairs. When finally acknowledged they were unable to fulfill our order due to lack of lettuce (come on .... Lettuce!) the service was less than desirable. Would not recommend and will not return. However I will give two stars because of the nice bartender upstairs. He deserves a 5 star.

The beef and Guinness stew is a bit salty, but so good! We also enjoyed the fish and chips. Very nice breading.

OMG, this place kicks ass! One of the best party spots in ALL of Galway, if not all of Ireland! The pix attached were taken on a *Tuesday* night around 12:30 am, so that should tell you how seriously they take their partying at this place. Who else does this on a school night kids??? The lively band was perched on a stage one story above the ground floor, but not too far up that you couldn't experience their live performance. The interior of the place has a lot of wooden arches and paneling, so it kind of seems like an old church. The crowd was rowdy as hell, and made up of all ages. It was one of my best nights in Ireland, I swear! The band is REALLY what made the most of the night, they were awesome. There are at least two bars (maybe more). One upstairs and one downstairs. I wandered between bars to find the shortest lines, and the wait wasn't too bad at all. Especially considering how many people were loaded into this place. This place is a MUST visit for anyone looking for a fun night on the town in Galway. Pints of Smithwicks are €4.80. Jameson and ginger ale is €7.30. Reasonable.

Stopped here with our tour group for lunch when visiting Galway, loved the bright blue building! It was raining on and off so we sat inside. We were seated immediately, on the basement level. We were in this cozy table in the corner but it wasn't cramped. I ordered the traditional Irish Stew ( very tender pieces of lamb with potatoes and vegetables) Large serving that was very filling. Accompanied by a few pints of Guinness hop house 13 larger. We asked our server what places here in town had great live music, she recommenced their place. We ended up stopping back later that evening to check out the live music. This time we went to the main level where the bar was and limited seating. We lucked out grabbing a table, it was a bit tight because this place was packed. The stage area was on the next level but since it overlooks the bar area we could see the band. People were standing anywhere they could to see/hear them on the staircase, out these little church windows above the bar. The music was great, they played a little of everything but always got the crowd going. People were singing and dancing all around us. I continued drinking the Guinness hop house 13 larger, we were even treated to a few rounds by locals and the staff. They really make you fill like family here and not tourists. It was a wonderful evening!

The Fenians played Friday night. Wow! Awesome band. Blew the roof off!! No food tho as the kitchen is being referred. Excellent bar. High energy. Love this venue.

Well, music is good, ample beer offerings, and tourist trap t-shirts behind the bar. Food not so much, but the problem is that the Quay has taken it upon themselves to instill a 21 year-old drinking age, despite Irish law being at 18. We waited to go to Ireland until our youngest son turned 18 for this reason, but after serving once, they carded him and refused further drinks. We aren't drunks, but let's face it, most Americans equate grabbing pints in a pub a quintessential part of the Irish experience. Enforcing your own rule of law? Pretty ridiculous in my book. This was the ONLY place we had this problem in 6 cities we visited, so plenty of other options, especially if you're traveling with 18 year olds.

Very fun place to visit. The music was amazing! We came back a few times on our trip.

Had two of the best evenings in Ireland to date at this wonderful place. The beer is cold, and their cocktails are extremely good. I've been able to hear live music twice, and what energy it adds to a pub. Go in, have a pint and enjoy.

Average food - but fun Quay and High Street are filled with restaurants and pubs. So, there's lots of choice....but is there? Most places cater to tourists and offer similar menus for similar prices (often 2-3 courses). So don't expect too much of it - like at this place. But why we chose it anyways? It's in the middle of the action, people had fun (drinking some pints) and it's a perfect spot to watch the world go by. And allows dogs (outside). We went for a bunch of beers, half a dozen of Oyster, fried shrimp and a set-menu (Chowder, Irish Stew and Pavlova). The Oysters were decent, nowhere near the very top, but fresh enough. Fried Shrimp....well, what could go wrong. It was fine. The Chowder was pretty good, creamy and lots of flavours. The Stew was pretty bland. Pavlova was ok. So, nothing that really blew us away....but nothing was really bad either. It was an ok meal in a fun restaurant. Prices were very fair though. Would I go back....probably not. There are other options to check out.

In my opinion, one of the best bars that I've been to in Ireland (maybe even the world??), not because of the food or drinks but because of the ambiance, interior, and music! We decided to stop at this bar because in Galway, you're supposed to get the oysters, and there was a sign outside of the bar that advertised these oysters! Now, normally, I would not let that assuage me to walk into a restaurant, but I decided this time to just give it a go. When you walk in, especially in the early to late evening, you're going to be hit by the soft red light, the roiling noise, and the stream of people flowing in and out around you. There's a bar right by the door, and in order to get food, you have to walk deeper into the bar, go down the mezzanine level, then down another set of stairs to the hostess. Since we wanted to order only oysters, we were able to pay right there without needing to wait for a table. We went upstairs and sat down right behind the very excellent band, waited for our oysters, and then slurped those down when they arrived about 10 minutes later. My favorite part of this place is the setup and the live music. It's wonderful for people watching, and bathing in what you hope Ireland is all about: good people, good food, good drinks, and good music. Definitely recommend this place!

The night we were here there were a couple of guys playing music and singing and it just added to the great ambiance this very welcoming place already had. Our bartender was awesome and gave us the full story and instructions on how to properly enjoy a Guinness. Now there is truth to that whole ritual because I'm gonna say that it actually was the best Guinness all of us have had. The place itself is an intriguing array of large and small rooms and hallways with beautiful woodwork and stained glass. We could have stayed here all night and if we lived close by would come here to relax and enjoy life often.

Cheap drink, quick service, right on the main drag in town so super convenient! Nothing fancy

My new favorite pub! 7 bars- a performance area with 3 bars- dinning area, several different levels- sacred motifs dark wood.

Our tour company (Wild Rover) allotted 2 hours to explore the city of Galway, which was cut short somewhat due to the traffic experienced earlier somewhere along the Burren. And in order to make it back to Dublin on time some time past 8, there was no option to extend the stay. About 1.5 hours in Galway with the rain continuously pouring (as is the case throughout much of Ireland) and being somewhat famished I followed three other tourmates towards one of the recommended restaurants - Quay's (pronounced "keys") Bar It's a homey bar with 3 levels of dining. It was a Saturday afternoon and it was quite busy. Main bar on the 1st floor but we were ushered to tables on the ground level. Service was good as one of my tourmates was able to get a mistake fixed and had her soup replaced with seafood chowder. My tab was €22 and contained the following. Half-dozen oysters - Considering I was here just as Galway oysters were in season I thought these oysters were nothing special. Good oysters but nothing that screamed out "I *have* to travel to Galway just to try these oysters". I think I had better oysters in SF. Seafood chowder - one of the more soupier chowders but still great considering that the salmon was fresh and you can taste chopped salmon pieces in every sip. Think a creamy chicken soup or a New England clam chowder with a chicken broth with salmon. Pint of Guinness - They poured a perfect pint. A thick, creamy head with the texture of a beery milkshake. You'll see a LOT of this description in my ideal pint, which I had quite a bit. If I only had 1.5 hours to spend in Galway in the rain I might as well spend time on a pub with good company. It made the day go by more quickly and before long we had to get back on the bus on the way to Dublin.

Gets a bit loud but that's why we came here. Seafood chowder, fish & chips and Guinness. All were great. Wait staff friendly and reasonably attentive (lots of tourists here). Recommended.

For atmosphere, this pub had it all -- cozy spaces, quirky decor, live music, charming vibe. The bar was packed, and the wait for the basement-level dining area seemed to move quickly. Eating around 5-6pm was just the time to beat the hungry crowds. The food itself was nothing to postcard home about, with a panko-style fish fry as opposed to classic golden brown batter. Taste was average. Waitstaff were often rushed and apathetic, with shared service that sometimes meant being overlooked/not checked in on for a while. On the plus side, a pitcher of water was provided (vs the shot glass of water many other pubs favored). Fish plate earned its own ketchup and tartar sauce gravy boats (vs the measly tablespoon or pesky packets offered by almost all other restaurants we experienced in Ireland). Kids Chicken Goujons meant only three small pieces of chicken with many more chips. Very small portion of chicken. Roast turkey dinner was generous and delicious, as was beef stew. The dining atmosphere was a cozy basement with exposed stone foundation and crooked old doors and windows in the walls. Unique and terrific. Overall, I would recommend the pub and dining area for visitors desiring the weird little hidden gems. The food is adequate and the atmosphere is delicious.

This is a cute little pub located right in the Latin Quarter of Galway. I loved the decor, the cool color cubes in the floors and the weird carving of a man/demon climbing up the walls. I also liked how dark and cozy the booths are. We actually met another (much, much older) couple from New Jersey sitting in the same corner of the same pub as us in Galway. What a small world it is. The oysters are delicious. My BF & I could not believe how briny & perfect these oysters were. They blew any American oysters we've had right out of the water. Great paired with Guinness. Right before we got on the train to head back to Dublin, we stopped in here for another round of oysters & Guinness because we had to have them one more time. Other food was fairly average but good pub fare. Beef & Guinness stew & veg soup were satisfying but nothing to write home about.

Lamb and sambuca, place has ambiance, the service could be better it was not that busy, overall the food was good and it was centrally located for a stop and drinks or just a good meal. Overall great place to just walk in and enjoy.

Relaxing place. I don't think it will ever be the same after the Pandemic. I hope it can have the atmosphere and the good bands

Very nice. Formerly a church and has a fantastic layout with plenty of architecture reminiscent of its past life. Great pub.

As soon as you sit down you are given a warning "Sorry we cannot split bills." When the first thing you see is a negative sign, that's a negative sign. This tourist trap cranks out uninspired Irish clichés. We wished we had done more research rather than yelp. Rushed, bland food, rushed again and four types of potatoes with an unseasoned roast lamb makes me want to warn you away from the gushing reviews. On a positive note, the vegetable soup was good.

A friend and I went here during our visit to Galway. We were seated quickly and service was very fast. I got the beef and Guinness stew and she got the Irish strew. The stews and sides of potatoes/vegetables were fine, but not great - especially for the price. To top it off, we both had upset stomachs after eating there. Something must've been off since we both got sick. Do not recommend - there are plenty of other great spots in Galway that are much better prices and hopefully won't leave you feeling unwell.

Didn't get a chance to eat here but the service was fast and the Guinness was cold! We came back later for the live music and it is very touristy and was all American songs but it was such a fun and inviting atmosphere. Recommend you make it a part of your late night bar hopping in Galway.

Fantastic place to drop by, great staff, friendly and great seafood. We ordered the seafood platter and oysters and were incredibly surprised by the freshness. Definitely pop by this place if you find yourself in Galway.

Cool pub! Love how it looked like a church inside but yet had a stage with a rockin band!! Gave you heaps of seating or standing selections. Drinks are decent, nothing fancy. Just lots of good craic! Good for late night as they also have a nightclub after hours

At the recommendation of a local, we stopped in for what we thought would be just one drink. 4 drinks later we had the best seat in the house for the live band, playing a mix of classic American hits and Irish favorites. The band was great and the drinks options were pretty extensive. We didn't eat dinner but the plates coming from the kitchen looked good. The layout is fun too- there are several different levels all with a church theme. For instance, the bar on the basement level is built into the arches of an old church. We didn't close the place down, but I could see how easy it would be to stay all night here. Lots of fun!

I've had countless huge nights out at The Quays Bar... oh wow, what a place. What good craic. It's one of those places where I always run into people I know - and I don't even live in Galway! There is always a band playing on the balcony, sometimes 80s and 90s covers, sometimes trad, but no matter what type of music, it's always going to be a grand old good time. Once I asked one of the band members on a date (it was a joke and a dare!) and have seen him almost every time I've been there since - a little bit embarrassing, but I'm sure he's long since forgotten me!! Another time a group of us came across a sozzled fella who'd fallen asleep on a chair in the middle of the bar. We had ourselves a lovely little Irish jig around him, dressed him up in sunnies and hat and even pecked him on the cheek - and he STILL didn't wake up! Deep sleeper, huh?!? I definitely recommend the Quays for both the Galwegians and the out-of-towners... note of warning (or advice!) - the Paddywagon tour stops in here on a Wednesday night, so expect a riotous good time from some boozed-up foreigners!

Great traditional Irish bar! I feel like this bar was the bar that all the Waxy O'Connor bars are themed on. The pub decor and build itself is just stunning - there are around 7 different seating areas across 4 different levels of wonderfully high and low ceilings. The walls and floor are all dark wooden but lit perfectly so you really feel cosy and warm within its walls. There's also a small outdoor seating area at the front. The waiters and waitresses were wonderfully friendly as is to be expected and I just loved the overall vibe. I even loved the stale beer smell! Drinks were standard prices for the area and I really enjoyed my vodka blackcurrant! Different worth a pit stop!

I was in this restaurant with my family, it had beautiful surroundings but very poor service, the server never asked us if we wanted dessert so I had to ask another server about desserts, she gave me some menus and no one ever asked us if we wanted anything from the dessert menu

We went to the Quays on a Thursday night specifically to listen to live music, and we weren't disappointed. Both bands were great and the overall atmosphere was great! We'll definitely be back next time we're in Galway!

So, this is the first place in Ireland I felt rushed eating despite many own tables. Ordered the traditional stew, and the lamb was tough. Veggies were good though, and the cabbage was tasty. Server required you to go to the bar to get your own drinks, which I found odd.

I love this place. Tiny little pub opens into a cathedral of a bar. The decor is literally from a disassembled French church. Great, usually live, music. Gets a little touristy but still well worth it. Have to give a huge shout-out to bartender Nheaca who was not only an outstanding bartender who poured the perfect pint, but gave my companion and me many excellent suggestions for pubs to go to when we got to Dublin, including one that turned out to be one of the best nights of our trip. She's a gem and everyone should go to the Quays and enjoy her hospitality and more than a little bit of craic!

This review is for the food. We were there as a group of 10 one evening recently and the atmosphere is really cool, many levels for places to dine and I'm sure when the bars get going it's a real blast but the food was ehhh. The spring roll app was up and down. The rolls themselves were spectacular but it had a side of pasta salad that tasted like cold noodles and a cole slaw of sorts that was also bland. The fish and chips was dry and overdone and also came with the same side of noodles and slaw... Could we have substituted something, maybe, but the beers were great and that's most important! The ladies that took care of us were really fun and gave us a few good places to go for the rest of our night. Had we been here for pints and late night I'm sure we would have had a different experience but there's gotta be a better place for dinner but having only one night in town this is what we had.

The seafood chowder was the best I've had yet. Also had the irish stew and the roast lamb dinner which were both delicious.Great ambiance with live music. Highly recommend.