4 Best Nightlife in The Southwest, Ireland

With its selection of more than 60 Irish and 30 Scottish whiskeys and a vast range of Irish craft beers, this family-run traditional bar in the town center is an excellent spot for discovering Ireland's distilling and brewing traditions. A favorite of local and visiting musicians, it hosts live traditional sessions Monday to Thursday in season, with live contemporary music every Friday night.

There's traditional fireside music at this busy pub year-round on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in the front bar starting at 9 pm.

An Daingean's pubs are well-known for their music, but among them O'Flaherty's, a simple, stone-floor bar at the entrance to town, is something special and a hot spot for traditional musicians. Spontaneous sessions occur most nights in July and August, less frequently at other times. Even without music, this pub is a good place to compare notes with fellow travelers.

An old-fashioned pub, this one is typical of the age of Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes. There's no music, but you'll find big-game rugby matches playing live on TV. Drop by for hearty bar food and a drink while the local side, Munster, is playing.