The Octagon to Bridge Street

Best time: Friday or Saturday from about 5pm (The Old Grainstore opens at 5pm on weekdays and 1pm at weekends), finishing at Matt Molloy's for the 8pm weekend session. Any evening works, since all five open daily; on Sunday–Thursday aim to reach Molloy's by 9:30pm. Opening hours change, so check each venue before you set off.

The stops

1. Cobblers Bar

   The Wyatt Hotel, The Octagon, Westport, Co. Mayo, F28 TD76 · Westport railway station (trains from Dublin Heuston) is about a 15-minute walk from the Octagon

   Hotel bar at the Octagon that bills itself as Westport's craft beer specialist, with local and international beers including Mescan from just outside town, a Grub bar food menu served daily 12pm–9pm, and live music five nights a week, including a popular Sunday trad session. Open daily from noon.

   Open in Google Maps

2. 

   J. McGing's

   13 High Street, Westport, Co. Mayo, F28 E670 · Town centre, 2–3 min walk from the Octagon

   Bright, century-old traditional pub on High Street with an open fire, live music most nights and a long-standing tradition of free sandwich trays on Friday evenings.

   Open in Google Maps

3. 

   The Porter House

   Bridge Street, Westport, Co. Mayo, F28 W421 · Town centre, walk down from the Clock Tower

   Cosy wooden-floored trad pub with an open fire and heated beer garden, named Ireland's Traditional Bar of the Year 2025 and Best Music Pub in Ireland 2022. Live trad sessions every night, with extra afternoon sessions at weekends in summer. Open daily from 1pm (to 11:30pm Sunday, midnight Monday–Wednesday, 12:30am Thursday–Saturday).

   Open in Google Maps

4. 

   The Old Grainstore

   Bridge Street, Westport, Co. Mayo, F28 E922 · Town centre

   Late-1800s pub, general merchants and grain store restored into a warren of snugs and wood-burning fires, with a hidden whiskey bar through the heated beer garden. All-Ireland Whiskey Bar of the Year 2025 and Pub of the Year 2024, with 180+ whiskeys, tasting platters and local craft beer. Open Monday–Thursday 5pm–11:30pm, Friday 5pm–12:30am, Saturday 1pm–12:30am, Sunday 1pm–11pm.

   Open in Google Maps

5. 

   Matt Molloy's

   Bridge Street, Westport, Co. Mayo · Town centre, near the river end of Bridge Street

   Westport's most famous pub, owned since 1989 by Chieftains flautist Matt Molloy, with live traditional music seven nights a week. Sessions in the back bar start around 9:30pm Sunday–Thursday and 8pm Friday–Saturday, and the Yard Bar out the back hosts bigger gigs. Open Monday–Thursday 2pm–11:30pm, Friday–Saturday 12:30pm–12:30am, Sunday 12:30pm–11pm.

   Open in Google Maps

Honest warning: Westport has no brewery taproom or craft beer bar in town. Cobblers is the best bet for local craft (look for Mescan); the rest are traditional pubs worth visiting for the music and atmosphere.

Eat at Cobblers (bar food daily to 9pm). Matt Molloy's serves no food.

Mescan Brewery runs tours and brewing courses at its farm in Kilsallagh, about 8 km west towards Croagh Patrick. You'll need a car or taxi, and should book ahead.

Matt Molloy's gets very busy in summer and at weekends. Arrive before the session to get near the musicians.