The three words I would use to describe Irish pubs are loud, friendly, and alive. The feeling of warmth is contagious as everyone is there to have some craic (meaning “fun” in Ireland) and to make memories. Sometimes it can be a bit too crowded (I’m looking at you, Taaffes!!!), and other times it's cozy and relaxing. I’ve spent nights chatting away for hours just as much as I’ve been up and dancing to the live music, which is something I never got to experience back at my home university.  

I’ve been surprised by how much my routines and habits have changed since coming to Ireland, and I am so happy that I can still manage to have fun after the hardest of weeks. For example, my roommates love to go out together as a group, so they always invite me whenever they have something planned. A few times, I have had to stay in because I’m either sick or working on an essay, but they are always very understanding, and I never feel pressured to do anything I don’t want to do. 

A local band performing at Taaffes on a Thursday night 

To Sing or Not to Sing at Karaoke 

One of the first things I remember doing when I arrived in Galway was attending Karaoke Night at Sult. Sult is the University of Galway’s own café/pub on campus that hosts events like this one all the time. I went with my CEA CAPA group, and we were all able to get a table where we could easily watch all the different performances. One by one, the brave people in our group sang karaoke as we cheered them all on. I wanted to sing up there with them, but I was way too nervous, and I regretted not joining them the whole night. I’m not a very extroverted person at all, but I love poorly singing along to my favorite songs, so I made a deal with myself that next time I would sing. 

A month or so later, that’s exactly what happened when my friends and I went to Karaoke Night at Massimo’s. I sang (or yelled, more like) along to Total Eclipse of the Heart, and it was the most fun I had ever had! It felt great to conquer my fear of singing in front of strangers, and now I have the confidence to sing karaoke whenever I want to. 

My friends and I at Massimo for Karaoke Night! We showed up early to get this table. 

The Magic Within Monroe’s Tavern 

Monroe’s, to me, is the perfect pub experience that can never go wrong. They have a great menu with plenty of options to choose from, so you can have a nice dinner before the music starts around 7:30 p.m. The music is performed by local artists and bands, making this a very traditional Irish pub experience. The crowd is usually older than the college-age range, but I also spot people I know from classes hanging out here all the time. I’ve danced here, sung along, and shared so many laughs with people at Monroe’s. I love this place so much that I chose to go here toward the end of February to have a nice anniversary dinner with my boyfriend, and we were lucky enough to get good seats for when the music started. 

Sean, Jack, and Sam are all attempting to do a fun little dance together after being infected by the power of Irish music at Monroe’s 

Late Nights + Loud Music = My Time at The Kings Head 

My friends and I always seem to go back to The Kings Head for the high-energy environment when it gets late. They play plenty of throwback songs here, and the bottom floor can get very packed with people dancing. I’ve spotted a few bachelorette parties here and have lost my voice from singing at Kings Head. My two biggest takeaways from this pub are that it is best to stop by later in the night rather than earlier and to beware of it being overpriced once you’re inside. 

More local performers at The Kings Head; this night was one of my favorite nights out yet! 

Walking around at night, I’m always in a group to be safe, and thankfully, there’s never been any real danger to us. There are always a lot of people around and places to go to. Sometimes it feels even busier than in the daytime during the cold months. And because I refuse to spend money on a taxi to get anywhere, I’ve had to walk through some intense weather just to make it in time to see some live music. That 20-minute walk downtown quickly feels like an eternity when it’s raining, dark, and windy! 

Group selfie of my friends and me during a Girls' Night! 

How a Good Mindset Leads to a Good Night 

Galway is a city full of music and laughter throughout the day and especially at night. Nothing compares to the feeling you have when you are out with your friends in a local pub, listening to music, and enjoying each other’s company. No matter what day of the week it is, there is always going to be a spot playing either traditional Irish music or ABBA (ABBA plays way more often than you would think). 

In my experience, anyone who thinks that Irish pubs are just about getting drunk is going to them with the wrong mindset. Every time I enter a pub, I wonder what the crowd is going to be like that night, whether it will be lots of locals or tourists, and how that will shape the night. Sometimes I go in just to escape the rain, and other times I use it as a “third place” where I can casually hang out with friends. Overall, alcohol is a big aspect of pubs, but it is not the only part of it or even the most important part. For me, the most important part is the community I surround myself with, and when I know I’m with good people, I know I am in for a good time.