IRELAND IS home to some of the best pubs and bars in the world.
Known for their distinctive, friendly, atmosphere and fine selection of drinks, many a hazy night has been had in an Irish boozer down the years.
It’s a unique experience and one wholly exclusive to the Emerald Isle.
Further proof of that was provided this week at the annual Bar of the Year Awards.
It’s a chance to celebrate all that is great and good in the world of pubs and bars across Ireland and this year was no different.
The main winner this time around was the Cask in Cork, which was named Bar of the Year at the beer-soaked gala event.
A popular venue since it opened back in February 2017, the MacCurtain Street venue beat off stiff competition to claim the top prize.
Much of that was down to the bar’s distinctive cocktail menu, which has proven a hit with customers old and new.
With all of Cask’s cocktails made using ingredients grown in Ireland, it’s also a distinctively Irish experience, making it an essential experience for tourists visiting the region.
Cask wasn’t the only big winner on the night with The Old Orchard in Galway winning the award for Local Bar of the Year, while the Galway bar, Lowry's took home the Trad Bar of the Year award.
1100 years to create the perfect pint. (Séan's Bar)The full list of winners can be viewed below. Drink them in:
Bar of the Year - Cask, Cork
Local Bar of the Year - The Old Orchard, Galway
Trad Bar of the Year - Lowry's Irish Music and Whiskey Bar, Galway
City Bar of the Year - Café en Seine, Dublin
Hotel Bar of the Year - Panorama Bistro & Terrace @ The Montenotte Hotel, Cork
Hotel Bar of the Year (Five-Star Hotels) - The Sidecar Bar @ The Westbury Hotel, Dublin
Tourist Bar of the Year - Durty Nelly's Bar, Clare
Restaurant Bar of the Year - Wild Honey Inn, Clare
Bar Food of the Year - Blakes Corner Bar, Galway
Gastro Bar of the Year - Knights Bar @ Clontarf Castle, Dublin
Outside Space of the Year - The Central, Meath
Best Designed Bar/Best Inside Space - J.M. Reidy's, Kerry
Live Entertainment Bar of the Year - The Workmans Club, Dublin
Late Bar/Nightclub of the Year - Opium Club, Dublin
Best Bar to Watch the Match - Buskers On The Ball, Dublin
Cocktail Bar of the Year - Cask, Cork
Craft Bar of the Year - Impala, Cork
Gin Bar of the Year - Russell's Saloon, Louth
Whiskey Bar of the Year - The Shelbourne Bar, Cork
Best Newcomer - J.M. Reidy's, Kerry
Innovative Bar of the Year - The Virgin Mary Bar, Dublin
Dog-friendly Bar of the Year - Peadars Bar, Westmeath
Wine Bar of the Year - Piglet Wine Bar, Dublin
People's Choice Overall - 101, Limerick
People's Choice Dublin - Igo Inn
People's Choice Leinster - Left Bank
People's Choice Munster - 101, Limerick
People's Choice Connacht/Ulster - Janey Mac's
Special Recognition Award - Charlie Chawke Group and Louis Fitzgeralds Group
