Billy Byrne's
39 John St Upper, Kilkenny, R95 K091
Café by day and lively bar by night, with craft beers from Kilkenny and further afield, a music venue at the back and a beer garden with a converted double-decker bus.
Brewery Corner
29 Parliament St, Kilkenny, R95 PV44
Kilkenny's first dedicated craft beer bar (2013), owned by O'Hara's: about 13 taps of O'Hara's and Irish guest beers.
Cleere's Bar & Theatre
28 Parliament St, Kilkenny, R95 YR61
Traditional front bar with a 100-seat theatre at the back. Usually has an Irish independent beer or two on tap; trad session Monday nights.
Kyteler's Inn
27 St Kieran's St, Kilkenny, R95 RP40
Medieval inn linked to the 14th-century 'witch' Dame Alice Kyteler. Pours Sullivan's beer and its own Black Cat stout, brewed for the pub by O'Hara's. Nightly trad music.
Smithwick's Experience
44 Parliament St, Kilkenny, R95 VK54
Guided brewing-heritage tour on the old St Francis Abbey brewery site, with a pint at the end. Open daily; last tour 5pm (March–October) or 4pm (November–February).
Sullivan's Taproom
15 John St Lower, Kilkenny, R95 H2CE
Taproom of the revived Sullivan's Brewing Company (founded 1702, relaunched 2016): Maltings Red Ale, Irish Gold and Black Marble Stout plus rotating guests. Brewery viewing area, wood-fired pizza, big heated beer garden. Open seven days; food until 9pm.