4 Best Nightlife in County Clare, Galway, and the Aran Islands, Ireland

Behind the subtle, light-yellow timber-front entrance, this whiskey and tequila bar is a long warren of Victorian-bar idiosyncrasies, with lofty ceilings, barrel tables, two-story-high whiskey cabinets that manifest like the love child of an old west saloon and a traditional Irish pub. The evening entertainment reflects the same hybrid, with jazz, blues, acoustic sessions, and the occasional bit of reggae offered back-to-back with trad-music sessions. It's the best place in town for a refreshing cocktail, and the antidote to an overindulgence in ballads and fiddles.

On the corner of the main street, this sandstone cottage, with its low roof, is the place to cozy up for a post-surf pint. Traditional food is served until 9 pm---specials are on a chalkboard, and there's live Irish music on weekends.

Gin is having a moment in Ireland right now and nowhere is that more evident or celebrated than Hyde Bar and Gin Parlour, where you will find more than 500 brands of gin, featuring flavors from potato to rhubarb to "Unicorn Tears." The bold interior, with electric-blue and shocking-pink furnishings and larger-than-life wall murals, comes as a surprise after entering the classic ivy-clad doorway. There's also a good selection of craft beer and the old reliable beverages. By day, this is a hugely popular brunch spot.

Cocktails, beer, and wine are served in this tiny bar on a quiet street just beyond the city center. It has a DJ and live entertainment, plus student night on Wednesday---and a very loyal LGBTQ customer base.