An underground bar in Killarney, Co. Kerry, has taken home the title of 'Bar of the Year' at the 2026 awards.
Pig's Lane is a candle-lit haven known for its hand-crafted cocktails, vegan wines, locally sourced snacks and live music, not to mention a whiskey parlour packed with over 400 rare, quality bottles.
Founded by Gemma Ring, owner of the O'Donoghue Ring Collection, a family-run Kerry hotel and hospitality group, the award-winning venue has become a popular destination since it opened in 2023.
Built on the site of the original Pig’s Lane, a laneway dating back to the 1800s, the subterranean venue can be found within Killarney Towers Hotel on College Street.
You can see the full list of winners from the 2026 Bar of the Year Awards here:
Bar of the Year: Pig's Lane, Co. Kerry
Gail Cotter Lifetime Achievement Award: Vivian Carroll
People's Choice Dublin
Regional winner - The George, Co. Dublin
People's Choice Connacht/Ulster
Regional winner - McHugh's Bar, Co. Leitrim
People's Choice - Leinster
Regional winner - Silken Thomas, Co. Kildare
People's Choice - Munster
Regional winner - Geary's Bar, Charleville, Co. Cork
People's Choice Overall Winner: Silken Thomas, Co. Kildare
Cocktail Bar of the Year
Gold - Pig's Lane, Co. Kerry
Silver - Cask, Co. Cork
Bronze - BAR 1661, Co. Dublin
Cocktail Bartender of the Year
Gold - Akram Bendjeddou, Paladar, Co. Cork
Silver - Stefi Fletcher, Bar 1661, Co. Dublin
Bronze - Maroje Milosevic, The Sidecar, The Westbury, Co. Dublin
Whiskey Bar of the Year
Gold - Sonny Molloy's Irish Whiskey Bar, Co. Galway
Silver - Mother Macs Public House, Co. Limerick
Bronze - The Horseshoe Bar, Co. Dublin
Visitor Attraction of the Year
Gold - Celtic Nights at The Arlington Hotel, Co. Dublin
Silver - Treaty City Brewery, Co. Limerick
Bronze - Franciscan Well Brewpub, Co. Cork
Innovative Bar of the Year
Gold - The Dew Drop Inn & Brewhouse, Co. Kildare
Silver - Botanic Dublin, Co. Dublin
Bronze - Cruises Bar Ennis, Co. Clare
Bar Manager of the Year
Gold - Joe O'Callaghan, Tom Sheridan's Bar & Restaurant, Co. Galway
Silver - Samantha Brauer, r.i.o.t., Co. Dublin
Bronze- Oisin Kelly, The Sidecar, The Westbury, Co. Dublin
Five Star Hotel Bar of the Year
Gold - The Cellar Bar, The Merrion Hotel, Co. Dublin
Silver - The Sidecar, The Westbury, Co. Dublin
Bronze - Prince of Wales, Ashford Castle, Co. Mayo
Hotel Bar of the Year
Gold - Cask, Co. Cork
Silver - The Mercantile, Co. Dublin
Bronze - Fitzgerald's Bar at The Imperial Hotel, Co. Cork
Hotel Cocktail Bar of the Year
Gold - The Collins Club, The Leinster, Co. Dublin
Silver - The Sidecar, The Westbury, Co. Dublin
Bronze - Pen & Player Cocktail Bar, The Green Hotel, Co. Dublin
City Bar of the Year
Gold - Café en Seine, Co. Dublin
Silver - The King's Head, Co. Galway
Bronze - Left Bank, Co. Kilkenny
Traditional Bar of the Year
Gold - The Stag's Head, Co. Dublin
Silver - Mother Macs Public House, Co. Limerick
Bronze - Peadar's Bar, Moate, Co. Westmeath
Local Bar of the Year
Gold -The Laurels Clondalkin, Co. Dublin
Silver -The Bath Pub, Co. Dublin
Bronze -Deery's Bar & Lounge, Co. Monaghan
Tourist Bar of the Year
Gold - Sin É, Co. Cork
Silver - An Pucan, Co. Galway
Bronze - The Quay's, Temple Bar, Co. Dublin
Visitor Attraction of the Year
Gold - Celtic Nights at The Arlington Hotel, Co. Dublin
Silver - Treaty City Brewery, Co. Limerick
Bronze - Franciscan Well Brewpub, Co. Cork
Gastro Bar of the Year
Gold - The Old Spot, Co. Dublin
Silver - Mikey Ryan's Bar & Kitchen, Cashel Palace, Co. Tipperary
Bronze - The Eagle Glasthule, Co. Dublin
Bar Food of the Year
Gold - Paladar, Co. Cork
Silver - The White House, Co. Cork
Bronze - Blake's Bar Galway, Co. Galway
Restaurant Bar of the Year
Gold - SOLE Seafood & Grill, Co. Dublin
Silver - McSwiggans Galway, Co. Galway
Bronze -The Gables Foxrock, Co. Dublin
Best Bar to Watch The Match
Gold - Woolshed Baa & Grill Cork, Co. Cork
Silver - Slattery's of Beggars Bush, Co. Dublin
Bronze - Rising Sons Brewery, Co. Cork
Late Bar / Nightclub of the Year
Gold - The George, Co. Dublin
Silver - 4 Dame Lane, Co. Dublin
Bronze - Crane Lane Theatre, Co. Cork
Best Live Entertainment Bar
Gold - The King's Head, Co. Galway
Silver - Disndat, Co. Dublin
Bronze - The Landmark, Co. Dublin
Best Designed Bar / Best Inside Space
Gold - Pig's Lane, Co. Kerry
Silver - SOLE Seafood & Grill, Co. Dublin
Bronze - Flight Club, Co. Dublin
Outside Space of the Year
Gold - Henehans Venue, Co. Mayo
Silver - McHugh's Bar, Co. Leitrim
Bronze - The Terrace, Co. Carlow
Best Newcomer
Gold - The Sackville Lounge, Co. Dublin
Silver - McSorley's Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny
Bronze - MJ Wright Pub, Co. Dublin
Outstanding Customer Service Award
Gold - 37 Dawson Street, Co. Dublin
Silver - Arcadia, Co. Dublin
Bronze - The Make & Mark, Co. Laois
Staff Personality of the Year
Gold - The Porter House Westport, Co. Mayo
Silver - Donnelly's of Barna, Co. Galway
Bronze - Soho Bar Venue & Space, Co. Dublin
Craft Bar of the Year
Gold - Rascals Brewing Company, Co. Dublin
Silver - mo chara, Co. Louth
Bronze - Brickyard Dundrum, Co. Dublin
Best Wine Bar
Gold - Maddens Bridge Bar & Restaurant, Co. Donegal
Silver - The Grayson, Co. Dublin
Bronze - Old Town Wine Bar, Co. Dublin
Pub Group of the Year: Cork Heritage Pubs
