The Final Draft > Best Pub Picks Irish Trad 2026
Where to go in Kilkenny for proper trad music and a cool pint of Smithwick’s?
There’s nothing quite like it – you’re tucked away into a cosy corner in a great Kilkenny pub,
you've got a creamy pint of Smithwick’s in front of you, and the trad session is absolutely
flying. The lilting melody of fiddles floats through the air, the heartbeat thump of the bodhran
pulses through the room, and the flutes and whistles and music boxes and banjos sing
together in a chorus that can only be heard in Ireland — it just hits differently. That authentic
Irish trad energy is pure magic, and Kilkenny serves it up beautifully.
It serves up Smithwick's red ale beautifully too, and isn't it just a perfect partner to a rousing
trad session? To celebrate such a wonderfully authentic Irish partnership, we've put together
a shortlist of some of the best places in Kilkenny to enjoy a proper trad music session and
a pint of Smithwick's red ale.
Kyteler’s Inn
In any list of the best pubs in Kilkenny for both trad music and Smithwick's, Kyteler’s comes
up repeatedly. This place is one of Kilkenny’s most popular attractions, a truly historic spot, tied up with the wild witchcraft stories of Dame Alice herself... and it still feels properly
medieval. The pub is dedicated to keeping trad music alive in Kilkenny and as such, they’ve
got trad music on every night, with weekend sessions that get going nice and early. The
atmosphere is warm and welcoming, the pub is beautifully decked out in historic pub
paraphernalia, and the music is always hopping. If you're on a group trip to Kilkenny and
you're looking for a great night, this is a perfect spot - just arrive early to make sure you get a
good seat!
Cleere’s Bar & Theatre
Cleere’s has been holding the trad torch for many years now, and it still feels like one of the
most authentic spots in town, with a fantastic music schedule. You’ll get a great mix of
locals, musicians, and blow-ins here, all rubbing shoulders and raising pints together. The
Monday night trad session at Cleere's is legendary, and there are usually a few more
through the week depending on the season and the schedule.
The Barrel Yard
Tucked inside the old brewery grounds, The Barrel Yard gives you that heady, happy mix of
industrial heritage and live music vibes. It’s a courtyard space that feels intimate even when
it’s buzzing, warm even when the weather's sketchy, and is now one of the city's go-to spots
for cracking traditional and folk sessions, especially at the weekends.
Check the schedule in summer to find the right trad session for you. Grab yourself a pint of
Smithwick’s right at the place it was created, enjoy some hearty grub from the on-site food
truck, and settle in. This is a brilliant spot to kick off a night, or the perfect place to end your
Smithwick's Experience Kilkenny Brewery tour.
Matt The Millers
Matt’s is a bit of a legendary Kilkenny spot, having built a serious reputation as a proper live
music haunt in a stunning riverside spot in the heart of the city. It’s got that energetic but still
friendly "local" feel that means even passing visitors will feel right at home straight away.
You’ll catch plenty of trad in the mix alongside plenty of other live acts. The pints of
Smithwick’s are spot on, the food menu is just what you need after a day pounding the
medieval streets, and the whole place just has that easy, welcoming Kilkenny warmth.
O’Riadas
This one’s a wee gem that still manages to feel a bit like a local’s secret, even when it’s
busy. It’s got the Irish pub classic – the toasted cheese sandwich – on the lunch menu, and
baskets of food in the evening, so don’t expect gourmet gastropub cuisine. What should you
expect? A lively spot with a great atmosphere, with rousing trad nights every Wednesday
and a great crowd of locals who’ll probably try to get you in on the sing-song.