The best bars, pubs, cocktail bars and late-night venues in Waterford and the South East.
From a 265-year-old spirit merchant still bottling its own whiskey to the city's best cocktail rooftop and a Victorian spirit grocer frozen in amber — every bar in Waterford worth your time, reviewed.
Read moreRun by Melisa and Martha at 1 Bridge Street, the Grattan Bar does Irish stew, fresh seafood, sticky toffee pudding, and live music nights with the kind of genuine warmth that only a family-run pub can manage.
Read moreMurphy's on John Street does one thing extremely well: proper fish and chips at honest prices. A reliable, popular Waterford institution that doesn't need to be anything other than what it is.
Read moreEstablished 1886, Thomas Maher Bar on O'Connell Street serves its signature Whiskey Mac, a house-blend whiskey, and growler bottles to take home. One of Waterford's oldest pubs, still doing things its own way.
Read moreTully's on O'Connell Street runs 12+ beers on draught, collaborates with a local brewery for rotating exclusives, and hosts live music that draws the right crowd. A pub that's made its commitments clear.
Read moreThree floors of bar at 57 John Street: DJ 80s/90s/00s on the ground floor, cocktail bar in the middle, K Club live bands Friday to Sunday upstairs. Plus a heated roof garden. kazbar is Waterford's most complete night out.
Read moreOrganic Italian flour, a wood-fired oven, and Neapolitan technique applied with discipline. Burzza on John Street is making a genuine case for pizza as serious food. Burgers too, done with the same care.
Read moreOn Parade Quay at the edge of the Viking Triangle, La Fontana is a warmly Italian restaurant with a distinctive red and white exterior, generous hospitality, and the kind of atmosphere that makes mid-week feel like an occasion.
Read moreWinner of Best Casual Dining in Waterford and Munster at the RAI Awards, Bodega on John Street is a Mediterranean wine bar and restaurant that balances genuine quality with genuine warmth. Seafood, steaks, a serious wine list.
Read moreTucked into Ballybricken near the Waterford Visitor Centre, The Tap Room is a proper family-owned local with dark wood panelling, stained glass, and well-kept pints. Old city Waterford, done right.
Read moreThe South East's first dedicated gin bar, Davy Mac's on John's Avenue stocks over 110 gins and has the awards to prove the quality. Staff who actually know their product. A private party space for 35-40. A very serious operation.
Read moreKaraoke that gets the whole table involved, darts that gets surprisingly competitive, and themed nights that keep it interesting. The Woodman Bar on John Street is Waterford at its most gloriously unpretentious.
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