The name is deceptive. itty bittys on Bank Lane is not a small place in spirit, even if the narrow lane that leads to it suggests otherwise. Directly opposite Waterford’s Theatre Royal, in a beautiful red brick and wood interior that manages to feel both cosy and sophisticated, it has established itself as the city’s premier cocktail bar — a place where the drinks list is taken seriously and the atmosphere rewards staying late.
The Cocktails
The bar runs classic cocktails with a modern twist alongside inventions that are genuinely worth trying rather than merely novel. Signatures like the Dolce & Banana and the Raspberry Razzle Dazzle have become regulars on people’s orders — the kind of house cocktails that explain why people come back. The cocktail-making classes the bar runs periodically are an excellent alternative to a standard night out.
The Rooftop Terrace
Upstairs, a DJ booth and bar for those who want to dance. On the roof, arguably the sunniest terrace in Waterford City — a genuinely outdoor space that comes into its own on a summer evening and is busy well into autumn. Dinner and light bites are served throughout the venue.
Great cocktails, a sun-trap rooftop, live music at weekends, and an energy that makes Thursday feel like Saturday. itty bittys is Waterford’s most fun night out.
Live music every weekend. Cocktail classes and special events throughout the year.
itty bittys
Bank Lane, Waterford City
📞 051 347 303
🌐 ittybittys.ie
The Cocktails
The cocktail menu at itty bittys is more considered than most — a mix of classics done precisely and house specials with enough personality to justify the name. The bartenders know what they are doing, which matters more than the length of the menu. On a summer evening, something cold and rum-based on the rooftop is the correct call. In winter, the interior hits that particular combination of warmth, low lighting and good music that makes a cocktail bar feel like it was designed for exactly the night you are having.
The Rooftop
The rooftop at itty bittys is one of the better outdoor drinking spaces in Waterford City. Directly above Bank Lane with views over the Theatre Royal and the rooftops of the Viking Triangle, it gets the afternoon sun and holds it. It fills up fast on warm evenings — booking ahead is strongly recommended if the rooftop is the reason you’re going. The resident DJ set — laid-back house and disco rather than anything that interrupts conversation — sets a pitch-perfect tone.
Good to Know
itty bittys is on Bank Lane, Waterford, directly opposite the Theatre Royal — an easy landmark to navigate to from the Viking Triangle or John Street. Phone: 051 347303. Booking is recommended, particularly for the rooftop in summer — if your booking is within 24 hours, call directly as online reservations cannot be guaranteed. Live music and DJ nights run regularly throughout the week. Follow @itty_bittys_waterford on Instagram for the current programme.
itty bittys has built a reputation in Waterford that goes well beyond its size or its location. Bank Lane is not the most obvious address in the city, which is exactly why finding it feels like a reward. The combination of a strong cocktail menu, a rooftop that genuinely deserves its reputation, and a music programme that knows what the room needs has made it one of the most consistently talked-about bars in the south-east.