A favourite Cork watering-hole, featuring four bars set within St Peter’s Market, Bodega displays work by artists such as Jack Butler Yeats which are offset by chandeliers and pewter counters. It’s a listed building, a bar, a nightclub and a restaurant rolled into one that takes the English Market as its inspiration and serves traditional Irish food throughout the day.
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Cork Nightlife
Whether your passion is for music, dance, film, theatre, or you simply want to soak up the atmosphere in a traditional bar, the best of Cork’s nightlife is only a short walk (or jig) away. It’s an easy city to find your way around and you’ll soon discover that there is nothing more romantic than making your way home along the River Lee after an evening of uniquely Irish hospitality.
Bars in Cork
Bodega
A favourite Cork watering-hole, featuring four bars set within St Peter’s Market, Bodega displays work by artists such as Jack Butler Yeats which are offset by chandeliers and pewter counters. It’s a listed building, a bar, a nightclub and a restaurant rolled into one that takes the English Market as its inspiration and serves traditional Irish food throughout the day.
Telephone: (021) 427 3756.
Website:
SoHo Bar
Stylish and modern, if Corkonians didn’t have homes to go to, they could stay in SoHo Bar forever. Not only is this the place to come to watch all major sporting events (they even have plasma screens in the bathrooms), but there are four levels of the venue to choose from and each suits a different mood. So whether you’re in need of breakfast, lunch and dinner, cocktails on a rooftop terrace or DJs and dance floors until the wee hours, SoHo Bar will be your host seven days a week.
Address:
Grand Parade, Cork, County Cork, Ireland
Telephone: (021) 422 4040.
Website:
The Long Valley Bar
This old-fashioned establishment is a classic Irish pub that was founded back in 1842. When British constables from the Black and Tans burned down much of Cork, The Long Valley Bar remained untouched thanks to its popularity with British soldiers. Still family-run, the snug tavern has etched-glass doors as well as a door salvaged from The Celtic, an ocean liner that ran aground in Cork harbour. Inside, the main taproom is a long space with a polished wooden bar and the famous, thickly-filled sandwiches are perfect for soaking up the beer during the pub’s traditional music sessions.
Telephone: (021) 427 2144.
Website:
Clubs in Cork
SoHo Bar
The Newport Bar is a trendy bar, restaurant and club.
Telephone: (021) 425 4872.
The Bowery
The Bowery is one of Cork’s finest late night spots. Inside, The Berwick Room harks back to the speakeasy era, with timeless furnishings and decor, mood lighting, subtle art and classic cocktails. Dancers, though, head for The Stage Room with its LED lighting and Turbosound sound system. A firm favourite among the city’s dance music fraternity, the music runs late, but there is always its rooftop terrace for those after a breather.
Address:
Tuckey Street, Cork, County Cork, Ireland
Telephone: (021) 425 1438.
Website:
The Hanover
This New York-inspired venue is housed in a former warehouse, where it’s been stripped back to reveal rusted columns, exposed brickwork, steel caging and graffiti-splashed walls from world-class artists. Drink at a large sweeping bar or in a separate cocktail lounge, before taking to the dance floor. There is a pulpit-style DJ area with a state-of-the art sound system and amazing lighting. Table service is offered in four large booths which hold up to 15 people.
Address:
Hanover Street, Cork, County Cork, Ireland
Telephone: (021) 427 9250.
The Voodoo Rooms
When it opened in spring 2014, The Voodoo Rooms had punters queuing all the way along the Grand Parade, and the late night music venue didn’t disappoint. It still doesn’t with its sophisticated cocktails and a first floor chill out area. Expect lasers, disco balls and DJs spinning through the night.
Address:
Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork, County Cork, Ireland
Telephone: (021) 427 0075.
Website:
Live Music in Cork
Sin É
Once providing haircuts with your pint, Sin É is now one of the city’s top venues for live traditional Irish music. Pronounced ‘shin ay’, meaning ‘that’s it’, the name is a reference to the funeral parlour next door. Far from being past its expiry date, the walls, which are covered in postcards and posters, shake with the sounds of fiddles and flutes as locals strike up the sounds of Ireland.
Address:
8 Coburg Street, Cork, County Cork, Ireland
Telephone: (021) 450 2266.
Website:
The Kino
Formerly an art-house cinema, this building has been given a new lease of life by a group of young entrepreneurs who run it as a concert venue. It is also the city’s only all-ages, alcohol-free venue for live music, film and theatre. It operates as a cafe during the day and presents performances in the evenings, ranging from music shows, theatre and film screenings to charity balls and private functions.
Address:
Washington Street, Cork, County Cork, Ireland
Telephone: (021) 123 4567.
Website:
The Oliver Plunkett
The Oliver Plunkett boasts live music seven nights a week, featuring everything from blues and jazz to rock and soul. It serves breakfast, lunch and evening meals and is filled with interesting and quirky facts about Cork, its history and its people. The walls and ceilings are lined with a collection of old photographs (such as John F. Kennedy’s visit to the city in the 1960s) and Irish quotes, plus lines from poems and songs. The place has a great atmosphere that’s only bettered by its superb Guinness and fine cocktails.
Address:
Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork, County Cork, Ireland
Telephone: (021) 422 2779.
Website:
The Pavilion
Located in the historic Huguenot Quarter, The Pavilion is a music venue that’s making some history of its own. Expect a selection of world-beating bands and live acts to come through the doors as bookers get the best names in indie, rock, jazz and traditional Irish music, including many before they break into the big time. A little rough around the edges, visitors will find the speakers turned on and up every night of the week with DJs and dinner often thrown into the mix as well.
Address:
Carey’s Lane, Cork, County Cork, Ireland
Telephone: (021) 427 6230.
Website:
Opera in Cork
Cork Opera House
There has been a theatre on the present site of the Cork Opera House since 1855. It stood for 100 years until it was destroyed in a fire in 1955. Following a 10-year fundraising campaign, a modern 1,000 seat opera house was designed and rebuilt on the same site. It now offers one of the largest stages in Ireland for opera and ballet, with the latter an inextricable part of Irish culture for more than 60 years.
Address:
Emmet Place, Cork, County Cork, Ireland
Telephone: (021) 427 0022.
Website:
Dance in Cork
Firkin Crane Dance Centre
The Firkin Crane Dance Centre hosts an eclectic weekly programme of dance shows including jazz, tap, international folk styles and movement techniques based on yoga and Pilates. For those wanting to get involved, there are classes, workshops and recitals too. There is also an interactive display with original costumes, vintage film and theatrical posters at the venue, which promotes contemporary dance and celebrates the story of Joan Denise Moriarty, credited with bringing professional ballet to Ireland.
Address:
John Redmond Street, Cork, County Cork, Ireland
Telephone: (021) 450 7487.
Website:
Theatre in Cork
Cork Arts Theatre
Established by the arts community, for the arts community, this club opened in 1976. Fondly known as the ‘CAT Club’, Cork Arts Centre is a venue for amateur and professional shows and is a socialising hub for all arts enthusiasts. It has pioneered outreach programmes, writing competitions and community drama festivals to make theatre more accessible to the city.
Address:
Camden Court, Carroll’s Quay, Cork, County Cork, Ireland
Telephone: (021) 450 5624.
Website:
Everyman Palace Theatre
This iconic 650-seater venue, and listed building, was built in the late Victorian era and has a rich music hall history. It is a favourite with audiences and performers alike for its intimacy and atmosphere. It hosts visiting companies from the UK, USA and of course all-Irish productions. Amateur dramatics enthusiasts can get married on stage too as the theatre has been approved for civil ceremonies.
Telephone: (021) 450 1673.
Website:
The Half Moon Theatre
Located to the rear of Cork Opera House, this is a fringe venue for music, comedy and drama. In contrast to its 1,000-seat neighbour, the Half Moon Theatre is an intimate place that accommodates an audience of just 120. When not open for public performances, it is a flexible space used by artists’ groups to develop new work and a rehearsal facility for the city’s performing schools.
Telephone: (021) 427 0022.
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