When Davy Mac’s Bar opened its doors on John’s Avenue as the South East’s first dedicated gin bar, the timing felt exactly right. Craft gin had gone from niche curiosity to genuine movement, distilleries were appearing around every corner of Ireland, and Waterford — a city with strong opinions about its drinking culture — was ready.
Several years and multiple awards later, the premise has proved itself many times over.
Over 110 gins on the menu. Ask for a recommendation and you’ll get a genuine conversation about botanicals and pairings — not a polite shrug toward the nearest shelf.
The gin selection is extraordinary. With over 110 gins on the menu, the list covers the full spectrum: botanical-forward London drys, coastal gins with Atlantic influence, Irish distillery releases, international heavyweights, seasonal and limited editions. The bar staff know their stock thoroughly — ask for a recommendation and you’ll get a genuine conversation about botanicals and pairings rather than a polite shrug toward the nearest shelf.
The awards speak for themselves, but what awards tend not to capture is the experience of actually being here: the long bar stocked with bottles that make the light work, the considered glassware, the tonic selection that reflects the same level of care as the gin list. A gin and tonic at Davy Mac’s is not a default drink. It’s a considered choice, and the difference shows in the glass.
The private party space — accommodating 35 to 40 guests — has made Davy Mac’s a popular choice for celebrations, corporate events, and gatherings that want to do things properly. A private gin tasting in a space this dedicated to the craft is a fairly exceptional way to mark an occasion.
The bar’s positioning on John’s Avenue puts it in the heart of Waterford’s evening geography — close enough to John Street’s main strip to be part of the action, distinct enough to have its own identity. The clientele reflects the breadth of gin’s appeal: enthusiasts who’ve done their research, curious newcomers wanting to be pointed in the right direction, and people who simply know a good bar when they find one.
First dedicated gin bar in the South East. Multi-award winning. One hundred and ten reasons to visit.
The Gin Selection
Davy Mac’s stocks well over a hundred gins at any given time — Irish craft distilleries sitting alongside international benchmarks and obscure European botanicals that reward the curious. The staff know the range properly, which makes this a good place to ask for a recommendation if you don’t know where to start. The tonic selection is taken seriously too, with several options available to match different spirit profiles. Waterford’s own Blackwater Distillery gin and Wexford’s Jackford Gin both feature prominently and correctly.
Good to Know
Davy Mac’s is on John’s Avenue, Waterford City, a short walk from John Street and the main city centre bar circuit. The bar is quieter earlier in the week and builds through Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Gin flight options are available for those who want to explore the range systematically. The outdoor seating area is pleasant in fine weather. Opening hours are standard licensed premises hours with late extensions on weekend nights.