7 Kinsale Pubs Perfect For Post-Adventure Pints

The best pubs in Kinsale are the Greyhound, the Bulman and the Tap Tavern. I’ve happily supped many-a-pint in each and I’m confident you’ll enjoy them, too!

With that being said, the lively town of Kinsale has plenty to offer in the way of bars, and the trio above are just the tip-of-the-iceberg!

The Spaniard, with its colourful exterior, Kitty Ó Sé’s (a good spot for live music in Kinsale) and the Dock Bar (for a pint with a view) are all worthy contenders for your time.

Below, you’ll find a map showing the various bars in Kinsale along with why I think you’ll enjoy each of them. Cheers!

The best pubs in Kinsale

The map above shows where each of the Kinsale pubs mentioned below are located. As you can see, they are reasonably spread out.

If you’re stuck for time, stay in the town centre and head to the Tap and the Grey Hound.

If you have time to spare, the Dock is one of the best pubs in Kinsale for a pint with a view while the Bulman… well, see why below!

1. The Grey Hound

With a license dating back to 1690, The Greyhound on Market Square is the oldest of the many pubs in Kinsale.

As you stroll inside, you’ll get the sense of stepping back in time, and I mean that in the best possible sense. 

The interior of the Greyhound feels immediately inviting. This could be due to the roaring fire that crackles away during winter, but it’s more likely down to the interior.

This rustic pub is brought-to-life by candles flickering away on each table, reflecting against the red panelling and giving the interior a very cosy feel.

Why I think you’ll like it: Few Kinsale pubs have as ‘old’ a feeling as the Greyhound. Throw in the fact that they do a great pint of Guinness and Murphy’s and you’re on to a winner!

2. The Bulman Bar

The Bulman with its bright orange exterior and its seaside-setting is one of the more famous pubs in Kinsale, and it’s a welcome pit-stop on the Scilly Walk to Charles Fort.

You’ll find it a 30-minute walk from the town centre at Summercove, 10 metres from the ocean.

During the winter months, the Bulman’s exposed brick walls, wooden beams and fireplace provide the perfect setting for a pint or a bite-to-eat.

During those often-rare warm summer days, the Bulman is one of the best pubs in Kinsale for a drink with a view, thanks to their highly sought after outdoor seating.

The pub also houses one of the better restaurants in Kinsale, which dishes up some tantalising dishes, many of which star freshly caught seafood.

Why I think you’ll like it: Good food, great pints, a cosy interior and mighty views… what’s not to like?!

3. The Tap Tavern

Have you ever sauntered into a pub and been hit with an almost instant realisation that you’re about to experience something special?!

It happens to me every once and a while and by God it happened at The Tap Tavern.

When you enter The Tap, you’ll get a moment of, “Eh, is this not someone’s house?” before quickly realising that no, you’ve just stumbled into one of the finest examples of a traditional Irish pub in Cork.

Weathered, comfy armchairs, walls dotted with memorabilia and history, and an open fire make this place nearly impossible to prise yourself from.

Why I think you’ll like it: The Tap has been in the same family since 1886 and they’ve mastered service and setting. They do very good Guinness, too!

4. The Spaniard Inn

The Spaniard is another of the more famous Kinsale pubs and you’ll find it a 10-minute walk from the town.

This is a very old pub that’s said to date back to around 1650, when it was built on the grounds of an old castle.

Originally coined ‘the Castle Bar’, it was renamed the Spaniard in the 1960s to honour a key figure from the Battle of Kinsale, Don Juan d’Aquila.

The interior is the very definition of rustic, with exposed stone walls, wooden beams and a general feel of an old-coaching inn

Why I think you’ll like it: It’s worth visiting the Spaniard to enjoy the interior alone. However, on good days, the outdoor seating is a great place for drinks with friends/family!

5. The Dock Bar

The Dock Bar is one of the few Kinsale pubs that tends to fly under the radar a bit, likely due to its location.

Tucked behind Kinsale Beach and James Fort, the Dock is outside of the hustle and bustle of the town centre, a 40-minute walk away.

Slightly off the beaten track, it boasts a fantastic outdoor seating area that overlooks the marina.

It’s peaceful compared to the town centre pubs, but not without atmosphere. Do note that they don’t serve food!

Why I think you’ll like it: You’ll feel a world away from the hustle and bustle of the town, savouring your drink while gazing out across the water

6. Kitty Ó Sé’s

Kitty’s is arguably one of the best pubs in Kinsale for live music, with regular sessions taking place throughout the week (check their Facebook).

Located right in the heart of town (you can’t miss its bright, yellowy-orange exterior), this is one of the livelier pubs in the town.

They dish-up a decent feed here, too, with the seafood chowder and the fish and chips being the show-stoppers.

The service here, whenever I’ve visited, is warm and friendly, which can sometimes be rare in a busy tourist town.

This bar is good for: Those after live music and good pub grub in the town centre

7. Oscar Madisons

I’m going to round things off with Oscar Madisons on Main Street.

Now a very bright shade of pink (the photo above is old), Oscars is hard to miss. Thankfully, however, it’s interior is much less flash.

Spacious and lively, wood dominates the decor, with natural wooden beams and barrels aplenty (there’s also a fire during winter!).

Arguably best known as ‘the pub’ in town for watching live sport, the service is good and the setting comfortable. 

This bar is good for: Watching any kind of sport. The beer garden also has plenty of seating.

Explore beyond the Kinsale bars

There are many things to do in Kinsale that you should dedicate your time to before nipping into the pubs!

The Scilly Walk, Kinsale Museum, James fort, Charles Fort and the Old Head of Kinsale to name a few!

Oh, and if you need a place to stay, hop into my Kinsale hotels and Kinsale B&Bs guides!

FAQs

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from what are the best pubs in Kinsale for live music to which ones do the best food.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.