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Paladar in Cork named Ireland’s bar of the year

From gin bars to gastro pubs, the Bar of the Year Awards 2023 brought together some of the best hospitality in Ireland

Bar of the Year Awards winners at the event in the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin, August 2023
Bar of the Year Awards winners at the event in the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin, August 2023

‘’On the 21st of August at a gala awards ceremony hosted by Anton Savage at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, where over 600 were in attendance, Paladar in Cork City was named Ireland’s Bar of the Year.

Other winners on the night included Bar No 23 at The Merrion Hotel which won gold in the Five Star Hotel Bar of the Year category, sponsored by London Essence, and Bar 1661 which took home Gold for Innovative Bar of the Year, sponsored by Istil 38.

The Bar of the Year Awards recognise and reward Ireland’s most exceptional bars, celebrating their extraordinary contributions to the hospitality industry. These establishments have elevated the art of mixology, ambiance and service, impressing patrons with unforgettable experiences.

Opening the award ceremony, Trish Murphy, Sponsorship Director of Bar of the Year Awards, thanked the award sponsors, without their support and commitment to the sector, the award would not be possible Alliance Ireland, Barry & Fitzwilliam for their brands Cointreau and Tia Maria, Beam Suntory with Makers Mark, Britvic with London Essence, Classic Drinks, Coke for Schweppes, Coole Swan, Diageo with Roe & Co, Excel Recruitment, I Still 38, New Payment Innovation, Quick Tips, Sky Business, Xin Gin. We are very grateful for their support of the Awards which are viewed as the ‘Oscars’ for the drinks trade.

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Paladar in Cork named Ireland’s Bar of the Year

The Bar of the Year Awards recognise and reward Ireland’s most exceptional bars, celebrating their extraordinary contributions to the hospitality industry. These establishments have elevated the art of mixology, ambiance and service, impressing patrons with unforgettable experiences.

Bar of the Year 2023 winners

Bar of the year winner Paladar, sponsored by Licensing World. Photograph: Paul Sherwood
Bar of the year winner Paladar, sponsored by Licensing World. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Bar of the year

Winner - Paladar

Sponsored by Licensing World

Five Star hotel bar of the year winner Bar No 23. at the Merrion Hotel, sponsored by The London Essence. Photograph: Paul Sherwood
Five Star hotel bar of the year winner Bar No 23. at the Merrion Hotel, sponsored by The London Essence. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

5 star hotel bar of the year

Gold winner - Bar No 23. at The Merrion Hotel, Dublin

Silver winner - The Courtyard Bar at Carton House, a Fairmont managed hotel, Co Kildare

Bronze winner - The Sidecar Bar at The Westbury, Dublin

Sponsored by London Essence

Bar food of the year

Gold winner - Blake’s Bar, Galway

Silver winner- The Blue Haven, Kinsale, Co Cork

Bronze winner - The Hideout, Kilcullen, Co Kildare

Best bar to watch the match winner Woolshed Bar & Grill Cork, sponsored by Sky Business. Photograph: Paul Sherwood
Best bar to watch the match winner Woolshed Bar & Grill Cork, sponsored by Sky Business. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Best bar to watch the match

Gold winner - Woolshed Bar & Grill, Cork

Silver winner - Dignam’s Bar, Castleblaney, Co Monaghan

Bronze winner - Buskers On The Ball, Dublin

Sponsored by Sky Business

Best designed bar/inside space

Gold winner - The Montenotte Hotel, Cork

Silver winner - The Gables, Foxrock, Co Dublin

Bronze winner - Paladar, Cork

Best live entertainment bar

Gold winner - The Porter House, Westport, Co Mayo

Silver winner - The Blue Haven, Kinsale, Co. Cork

Bronze winner - O’Donoghue Public House, Killarney, Co Kerry

Best newcomer

Gold winner - Paladar, Cork

Silver winner - Kodiak, Rathmines, Dublin

Bronze winner - The Gables, Foxrock, Co Dublin

Best value pub

Gold winner - Oasis Bar, Letterkenny, Co Donegal

Silver winner - The Black Forge Inn, Drimnagh, Dublin 12

City bar of the year

Gold winner - Left Bank, Kilkenny

Silver winner - Lemon & Duke, Dublin

Bronze winner - The Front Door Pub, Galway

Sponsored by Schweppes

Cocktail bar of the year

Gold winner - BAR 1661, Dublin

Silver winner - Paladar, Cork

Bronze winner - 9 Below, Dublin

Sponsored by Maker’s Mark

Craft bar of the year

Gold winner - Caribou, Galway

Silver winner - Lock 13 Brewpub, Sallins, Co Kildare

Bronze winner - Impala, Cork

Gastro bar of the year winner The Dew Drop Inn & Brewhouse, sponsored by Classic Drinks. Photograph: Paul Sherwood
Gastro bar of the year winner The Dew Drop Inn & Brewhouse, sponsored by Classic Drinks. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Gastro bar of the year

Gold winner - The Dew Drop Inn & Brewhouse, Kill, Co Kildare

Silver winner - Monks, Ballyvaughan, Co Clare

Bronze winner - Russells Seafood Bar, Doolin, Co Clare

Sponsored by Classic Drinks

Gin bar of the year winner Andy’s Bar, sponsored by Xin Gin. Photograph: Paul Sherwood
Gin bar of the year winner Andy’s Bar, sponsored by Xin Gin. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Gin bar of the year

Gold winner - Andy’s Bar, Monaghan

Silver winner - Tigh Nora, Galway

Bronze winner - Hyde Bar & Gin Parlour, Galway

Sponsored by Xin Gin

Hotel bar of the year winner Hyde Bar, sponsored by Tia Maria. Photograph: Paul Sherwood
Hotel bar of the year winner Hyde Bar, sponsored by Tia Maria. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Hotel bar of the year

Gold winner - Hyde Bar, Galway

Silver winner - The Montenotte Hotel, Cork

Bronze winner - Dunes Bar & Bistro at Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa, Co Cork

Sponsored by Tia Maria

Innovative bar of the year winner Bar 1661, sponsored by Istil Vodka. Photograph: Paul Sherwood
Innovative bar of the year winner Bar 1661, sponsored by Istil Vodka. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Innovative bar of the year

Gold winner - Bar 1661, Dublin

Silver winner - Nevins Newfield Inn, Newport, Co Mayo

Bronze winner - Cask, Cork

Sponsored by Istil 38

Late bar/nightclub of the year

Gold winner - 37 Dawson Street, Dublin

Silver winner - Riot, Dublin

Bronze winner - 1314 at Jerry Flannery’s, Limerick

Local bar of the year

Gold winner - Dignam’s Bar, Castleblaney, Co Monaghan

Silver winner - Peadar’s Bar, Moate, Co Westmeath

Bronze winner - The Railway Tavern, Fahan, Co Donegal

Sponsored by New Payment Innovation Limited

Outside space of the year

Gold winner - House, Dublin

Silver winner - Kenny’s of Lucan, Co Dublin

Bronze winner - Nevins Newfield Inn, Newport, Co Mayo

Outstanding customer service award

Gold winner - The Landmark, Dublin

Silver winner - Russell’s Saloon Gin Emporium, Dundalk, Co Louth

Bronze winner - Harrigan’s Bar & Grill, Newbridge, Co Kildare

Sponsored by Cointreau

Restaurant bar of the year

Gold winner - Fire Steakhouse & Bar, Dublin

Silver winner - The Club at Goffs, Kill, Co Kildare

Bronze winner - Mama Yo, Dublin

Sponsored by Coole Swan

Tourist bar of the year

Gold winner - The Brazen Head, Dublin

Silver winner - The Locke, Limerick

Bronze winner - Brass Fox, Wicklow

Sponsored by QuickTips

Traditional bar of the year

Gold winner - The Stag’s Head, Dublin

Silver winner - Gracie’s Bar, Sligo

Bronze winner - The Brazen Head, Dublin

Visitor attraction of the year

Gold winner - Roe & Co Distillery, Dublin

Silver winner - Lock 13 Brewpub, Sallins, Co Kildare

Bronze winner - The Black Forge Inn, Dublin

Sponsored by Excel Recruitment

Whiskey bar of the year winner The Shelbourne Bar Cork, sponsored by Roe & Co. Photograph: Paul Sherwood
Whiskey bar of the year winner The Shelbourne Bar Cork, sponsored by Roe & Co. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Whiskey bar of the year

Gold winner - The Shelbourne Bar, Cork

Silver winner - Sonny Molloy’s Irish Whiskey Bar, Galway

Bronze winner - Costigan’s Pub, Cork

Sponsored by Roe & Co

Pub group of the year

Gold winner - Nola Clan

Sponsored by Alliance Ireland

Staff personality of the year

Ian Murray

Bar manager of the year

Conor Moloney of of An Púcán, Galway

People’s choice awards

Dublin - The Black Forge

Leinster - The Hideout, Kilcullen, Co Kildare

Munster - The Locke, Limerick

Connacht/Ulster - McHughs Bar, Carrick-On-Shannon, Co Leitrim

Overall winner - The Locke, Limerick

Judges’ Choice

Winner - Jimmy Rabbittes, Dublin

Gail Cotter special recognition award

Winner - Mary Kerrigan, Clayton Hotel Burlington Road