Tig Cóilí

Great pub, live music in the front and plenty of seating in the back. Smoking area out back is small but can host many and recommended if you're a large group. Seating out the front too.

A great Irish pub. Lovely Guinness and great friendly service. Lots of breweriana to look at..Highly recommend a visit here. Buskers in the street also to enjoy.

Had a few drinks here and enjoyed live music. It took a sec to find seating (good sign) and enjoyed a few pints while listening to some rather talented locals. Despite how busy it was we were easily able to get our pints and pay; they certainly have their system down well.

A little packed up and crowded but a very warm and friendly atmosphere with live local music. Good choice of drinks and good service. Recommended.

A fantastic traditional pub, with great music playing, it may be a little hard to hear though, as the atmosphere was loud and vibrant. The whole place is so wonderful, check out all of the USPD/FD badges behind the bar, awesome. I will try to head back to hear the music played in the week, when it's not so busy. Great staff, really great pub..

Interior is absolute gem, very maximalist, very cozy and with pleasant atmosphere. The staff was also very fast and professional on a busy day.

Outstanding pub for music Rick Steve’s sent us here Best spot we’ve for trad music so far

We didn’t eat, but enjoyed two great evenings of local beers (Galway Girl was my favourite!) and excellent live traditional music. Fantastic atmosphere and staff were lovely.

Friendly locals, live Irish music playing, Guinness and Murphy's ok tap! Am I in heaven? Loved this place in Galway, this is a cute little town and the vibe in this pub was off the charts. I stayed here for a few hours and even had a chance to make it back the next day. I loved everything about it! Take me backkkkkkk!

Absolutely the best place in Galway to have a drink or non drink and listen to amazing trad music. Went twice while in town and loved every minute. Great bar staff, super kind. I think their sessions are at 6 and 9 but double check.

We loved this local bar in Galway. Great live music on Sunday night and super friendly patrons. I also love a bar with a money wall. We left a bill with our names on it - come find it!

What I liked: - Large outdoor patio facing the Main Street. - Reasonable prices. - Guinness and Murphys on tap - live music you can hear indoors or outside.

I heard great things about this pub for its music, but unfortunately it did not meet the hype. We came around forty minutes before the music was supposed to start, and it was already packed. Which was fine, but people were incredibly rude and wouldn't let anyone through to get to the open seats in the back of the pub. I waited in line to get a drink for 30 minutes and was cut in line twice. The bartenders seemed incredibly overworked and were clearly irritated with everyone who was there trying to order. I ordered a pint of Guinness. It was not a good pint. It had an oily film on top. I couldn't even finish the pint. The music started 20 minutes after they were supposed to start, and when they started it was so loud in the pub with conversation you couldn't hear anything. We ended up leaving soon after the music started because we couldn't hear over everyone.

Fun pub with great music. One of many fab pubs in Galway center. Worth the time to visit.

Best pub In Galway for Traditional Irish Music ..... Fantastic staff.....unbelievable Guinness and a fantastic atmosphere!!! Staff are very friendly and the locals are funny and helpful! The Music is second to none with resisent and visiting musicians joining the twice daily sessions! ..................................................................................................................................................................................................

One of the best places to hear traditional Irish Music in a wonderful lively atmosphere.

We took a taxi and got dropped off right in the middle of downtown, the first pub we see is Tig Coili. Walked in and grabbed a table for the four of us and were insistently greeted. Ordered some nice cold beers, I went with a Galway Hooker pale ale! This place had a good crowd of people, everyone was super friendly. Met some friendly locals that pulled up chairs and sat with us and even bought a round of drinks! There was a few people playing traditional Irish music in the corner, a few sting instruments.. it was awesome. Lot's of photos and decorations all over the walls.Tons of history in this pub...Place was a little cramped but a great way to meet some new friends!

Great service. Live music. Fun atmosphere! Patio in the front and back. Tons of fun pictures decorating the walls

Good atmosphere and live music combined with great Guinness and nice service. It's definitely a nice bar to experience the local culture!

We went to Tig Coili as a recommendation from our airbnb host. Walked in and immediately bellied up to the bar where we were insistently greeted. Ordered a couple of pints, Smithwicks for hubby and a Guinness for me! After pursuing the area for a bit to check out the decor, we found it to be the very friendly even though it was incredibly crowded. There was a "band" of people playing traditional Irish music in the corner, a few sting instruments.. it was awesome. There are a lot of photos and decorations all over the walls.Tons of history in this pub... and is well worth the visit!

A super fun bar with a great vibe, but there are very important tips to drinking here! TIP: It's super busy in there; if you need find a seat right next to the stage to enjoy the live music. We were only a few tables away, and we couldn't hear a thing. They pour a good Guinness, but it's crowded-and not the cheapest in the area, so do it if you can get a music spot, otherwise try another pub.

A truly traditional Irish pub where tourists and locals can gather to enjoy a pint and listen to Irish folk music together.

The music was good, the bar was crowded but fun, and the whiskey was fine but the barkeeps were second to none. A special shoutout to Shane Fitzgerald for allowing me to help make him famous and to his associate (I'm sorry I didn't get your name!) who recommended a whiskey I enjoyed (Green Dot) and was never without a smile. I highly recommend a stop here when you need a rest from exploring Old Town. Come early if you want to sit as you listen to the music!

This was exactly what we were looking for in Galway. Music starts early around 6 and the Guinness is flowing. Although I did enjoy their house beer, the one with grandma's pic on it. We found a seat at the bar and the place was packed. We had a blast and the bar tender was very attentive, she said it was slow for a Wednesday so know that this place gets even more packed. Enjoy!

I asked about five staff people at the hotel, a taxi driver and locals on where I could go to hear traditional Irish jam band that was at a decent hour. I never thought I would actually find this place but I did! And it had jam bands at 6:30. It truly was the highlight of my trip. Local people with their instruments just came in and started jamming traditional Irish music. Two banjos , a mandolin and barrom which is basically a drum which a local told me about. Gosh, the Irish are so friendly! I will never forget this place for giving me the true Irish experience that I dreamed of. Thank you!!

Stopped in for a pint on our Ireland country tour. Irish music, great atmosphere. Met Mary a regular at the bar. Such a great person. Lots of craic. A vacation of a lifetime for myself and my family from Boston. Hope to return at some point. Place was packed. Everyone so very nice. Music was uplifting. Many thanks. :)

Good pub for good music sessions. Overall about the same as many pubs in Ireland. But the 3 times we have been here the music has been above average. The number of people playing is always at 4 or more. Of course there is no fare tee to that because the pub only pays one or two to hold the session but this place attracts good drop- ins.

One of the nicest pints of Guinness in all of Galway. Very cozy bar with traditional Irish music sessions.

The best trad music we heard in Ireland! This is a great place for a pint of the black stuff. My hubby and I came in right after the airing of the Ireland vs Sweden game during the Euro cup 2016, so when we arrived it wasn't too crowded but as the people poured out of the other bars airing the game, they poured into this one for music. I would say there were more tourists than locals and when it gets crowded there's only standing room available, the place isn't that big. I would definitely come back here next time I am in Galway. Another tip: Pay your bar tab in cash, cards are cumbersome and take a while- and probably very annoying to the bartender and other patrons waiting for a drink.

As an American I really enjoyed this authentic Irish pub in downtown Galway. Great live Irish music. Many different pints available. Friendly bar tenders. Yes it is old and cramped but that is the way it should be.

Absolutely amazing pub. Have visited Gallway twice and this time I remember to bring a DEPT patch. Pints are well priced and the people are amazing.

Meh I didn't understand the hype. I've been to a lot of pubs in Ireland (I live in the North) and this didn't stick out. Crowd was a lot of locals, which is normally fun, but it wasn't *those* type of locals if you understand me. The music started about 30 minutes late and they played one song before taking another break. I'm sure you can have a great time here, but with hundreds of pubs on your doorstep in Galway, you don't need to go out of your way here.

Super awesome local pub vibe. Great live music. Really cramped and tight spaces in the front, opens up well in the back with more seating and space. Fun decorations and great vibe overall!

An amazing place. They have live music every night I'm told. On a Wednesday, had traditional music playing and the place was jam packed standing room only. People are amazingly friendly, and it's been known that one of the regulars that attends may stand up and break into song that can quiet the entire bar ad they listen to him. Also, if you all for a market and you can post your money on the wall. I was told periodically they take it down and donate it to local charities top make room for more people who want to post theirs.

This is a great pub frequented by locals and visitors alike. They do not have food service, however their beer and wine prices are very reasonable. Traditional Irish music starts at 6pm everyday and makes for a good and memorable time. The bar tenders are very friendly and attentive. I highly recommend this pub if you want the feel of true Irish hospitality.

We came for the Trad which was amazing on the night we visited. It gets pretty crowded and you'll notice there are a lot of tourists there for the music too. If you're looking to make friends with other travelers this is a good place to grab a pint and hang out for a bit.

As an American, if you've never left the country, you have NOT been to a proper Irish pub. It is simply not possible for Americans to replicate the feeling of walking in the door and being immediately swept up into the arms of a man waiting to swing and serenade you... Much to our detriment, this is something that American's simply would not do... This pub is a gem of Galway that is not to be missed. Among and city and country of innumerable other places, this pub is the absolute reflection of what a local pub should be - Think Cheers...with better music and friendlier people - whether or not they know your name... As expected, the Guinness is exceptional. Probably, you'll likely not find better in the country outside of the Guinness Storehouse. What you won't find anywhere else, including at the Storehouse, is the reigning Guinness World Pouring Champion. He is the son of the owner, a musician himself, and a genuine example of a friendly bartender. The work of the master of the dual-pour can be seen in the uploaded photo - see Guinness with the shamrock poured into the head... I've literally never been to another bar - stateside or abroad - that made me wish more for it's presence in DC. That, should speak for itself.

Spent a few hours at this pub last night listening to a small group of minstrels (no other word for it, really) flute and strum their way through songs sung by gandalph's irish brother - floppy hat and all. My husband shed a tear or two in a beer soaked maudlin overload as I stood outside drinking whiskey, smoking like a chimney, chatting up Austrians...which for me is kinda unusual. I think this pub is magical - feel lucky to have experienced it. Warning - no food - just tiny little bags of delicious bacon crisps.

Love this place! Great live music and cozy, busy atmosphere. Convenient location on the streets of downtown Galway.

A little over 3 years late but... I spent my birth month doing a UK/Ireland tour, and ended up in Galway on my birthday. I had already spent last night partying with my tour group, and as fun as that was, I wanted to celebrate 32 quietly and with a pint in hand. Little did I know I would walk in during a live music session. It was great! Lively music, and a few beers in me, and I was a happy and content man. Life is funny, because a few months after my trip, I ended up finding an Irish bar w/ live music sessions in Chicago (Shout out to the Galway Arms). But this bar will have a special place in my heart. Hope to return one day. Slainte!

Loved this pub! People were friendly and the pints were delicious. We will visit again when we are back in town.

The pub was mobbed on a Tuesday night, at 10pm. We managed to get into the doorway, where the bartender made eye contact with us and took our order! We promptly received 2 pints and paid... We then proceeded to watch a 6 person band play a traditional music session for a couple hours. The crowd thinned out and dancing started as the lights flickered on and off for last call. This place is a must see in Galway!

Just came back from our first trip to Ireland. This pub typifies what I expected in a proper pub. The first think I liked was that there was no tv. The traditional music has its own little cove area of seats. The bartenders were friendly and fast. The music was spot on. The Guinness was great as was the cider and blonde ale. Lots of old photos on the walls and covered in patches, currency, and neat memorabilia. We loved it.

We originally came here to see some music. We grabbed some seats by the bar far before the band came on so we'd have a good view! The bartender was incredibly kind and attentive. Not to mention, they have a great selection of beer from your standard Guinness and Smitchwicks R/G to a bunch of local brews on tap. The bar has some amazing decor: pictures, police patches from all over the world, different world currencies adorning the bar. When the music started up, the bartender joined the band as the fiddle player, so cool!

This was a super fun bar with a great atmosphere at vibe. It's super busy in there (like all the bars in Galway) but if you are able to find a seat I recommend staying there at least until the live music comes on. The set it up in the corner twice a day and it's a great band with really fun Irish music. I liked that it wasn't TOO loud so you can still enjoy conversation while you listen to the music. Overall this was a great bar and a lot of fun!

Amazing experience while visiting Galway. We came for the traditional music they hold in the evenings, and it was fantastic! Everything you would expect when you think of Ireland. This pub is very old and rich with history. It gets pretty cramped and claustrophobic, especially while the music is playing, but thats all part of the fun. Some of the decor seemed to be brought over by other American tourists, which was interesting and unexpected. Wish I could have had something to stick on the wall as well

Brought here by Galway native who told me I'd have a lovely time between the convo and the music. Unfortunately, he was wrong. One of the musicians was surly and pointed me out in a huge crowd of chatting folks. My whole group was embarrassed about the incident even though I laughed it off and we all left even as those those around us continued to chat loudly. Not the most welcoming of places to be sure. Don't think I'll be back to pay for a pint with a side of derision.

Cheap pints, fantastic music, and friendly company. I tried the local brew, Galway Hooker pale ale, at the suggestion of the bartender and really enjoyed it. The closer the brewery, the more delicious the pint. You'll get to know everyone else in the bar - a mix of travelers and locals - as they're all within about ten centimeters of you at all times. The craic is strong with this one.

Typical tourist pub in Galways center of everything. It gets really crowded. They have all the police and fire badges from all over the USA and everywhere which is fun to see. Pour a great pint of Guiness...

Such a fun place to stop in Galway for Americans. The Galway mayor is frequently there with lots of traditional Irish music and good crowd with good beer. Awesome service with pretty cheap prices! Will definitely come back on our trip! Thanks a lot!

This is one of my favorite pubs of Galway. It is all about enjoying the "craic" here. Feel free to stop in for tea or coffee here in the afternoon to take a break from shopping on shop street or to escape a lashing rain. It was much cheaper than going to a cafe. This would be the best time to go to relax than to be caught in the lively crowd of the evening. You can always find the tourists at the home of traditional music in the evenings. The trad sessions are at 5:30 pm and 9:30 pm. I advise you to get there early and spend quite a bit of time socializing or stomping to the beat. There has been times I walked in and had to make my way to the bar. Many enlightening conversations I had here where I learned from different types of people. This is surely no one crowd type of place. The bar staff are friendly and the service is quick. Although the Guinness is excellent I found it to be higher than other pubs. Did come across Red Breast, 10 year old Jameson Whiskey for 4 euro a shot much cheaper than other pubs. Just a heads up the bathrooms are down a narrow stair case where you wait for another person to pass. Besides this , another downer is Tigh Coili closes earlier compared to the Quays or the Front Door, especially if you are having a good time and not ready to go home yet. Tigh Coili should be high on the list of pubs to visit in Galway. I will be sure to return to Tigh Coili when I return to Ireland.

Great pub for a Guinness and some traditional Irish music. Full of regulars. Dollar bills plastered over the bar; faded but smiling photographs of musicians who have gone before tacked to the walls. Sessions at 5:30 and 9:30pm. A surprisingly small space given its prime real estate near the shops and its legendary reputation for music - thus, at times, very crowded and difficult to order up at the bar. There is some nice seating outside in the front of the pub and on sunny days you'll see dozens of bodies spilling out for the entrance, vying for a slice of the sun. Cheery and inviting! One thing this place has over the Quays is that it's not a Fitzgerald pub (part of a chain) and it's family-run. For me, this authenticity beats a franchise any day of the week. It feels old, it feels handed down, it feels like social history. Now go!

A real Irish Pub with top traditional music! This is my goto pub when I'm in Galway, fabulous staff and the best of trad music!

This bar is in an amazing location, and has great beer prices. Great place to stop and enjoy a pint! The atmosphere screams Ireland, although it is a popular tourist site it still looks like a local Ireland pub at heart.

One of the best pubs in Galway. As good a pint of guinness as you'll ever get anywhere. Daily sessions. just near the market. At the bottom of shop st. and if you're there in the mornings, i actually love the coffee, i dunno why really. my dads favourite spot. slan

Free live music twice daily? Check (though sometimes it's not really at the times everyone says; one night, the 9:30 pm music didn't start until about 10:30 pm). Friendly bar staff serving pints for under €5? Check. Crowds of people warming you up on a cold evening? Check. This place is ALWAYS full, so prepare to meander through this tiny bar if you want to check it out or search for a seat or a place to rest your Guinness. It has both a front and back door though, so maybe sneak in the back if you want a higher chance of finding something... though the music is always in the front. And, if you are more than about 5 feet away, to be honest, you simply can't hear it very well over the hum of the crowd. But, the friendly bar staff and even friendlier drunk crowd will make it worth your while--even as a solo traveler. Though I didn't love when that drunk married guy tried to kiss me, it was nice to catch up with his more age-appropriate brother-in-law. Bottom line: Stop in for a pint and soak in the warmth of the Irish culture on a cold Irish night.

My family and I were visiting the weekend before Halloween and stopped in during the Parade for a pint. We found a spot with a friendly staff, historic charm, and patron eager to chat and enjoy each other's company. Unfortunately, no music the night that we were there (which does give me a reason to go back if I make my way to Galway again). The bar is covered in patches from a variety of departments of emergency responders (police, fire, rescue) and currency covered in notes of memory and cheer. It's a popular spot, so prepare to be crowded -- but in a good way, in my opinion. Easy to see why Tig Coili is listed on the top pubs in Galway.