Ireland’s best bar of 2025 has been revealed

A Dublin pub took home the title for 2025.

The black-tie event took place at the Clayton Hotel on Burlington Road last night, August 18, with the gala awards ceremony hosted by Anton Savage.

BAR 1661 are celebrating after winning the title.

In further celebrations, their sister bar, the Sackville Lounge’s head bartender, Dave Taylor was named Cocktail Bartender of the Year. 

BAR 1661 also won awards for Cocktail Bar of the Year and Innovative Bar of the Year, bringing their winnings to a total of four awards. 

It’s the second time BAR 1661 has been named Ireland's best bar, having previously received the recognition in 2022.

The establishment opened its doors in 2019, with a mission to showcase their poitín and to lift Irish cocktail culture to new heights internationally.

Dubliner Dave Mulligan, who makes poitín under his own brand Bán, founded BAR 1661.

He commented: “Six years ago, we opened BAR 1661 on a street nobody wanted to go to, serving a spirit nobody wanted to drink.

"To be this relevant today in Ireland’s iconic bar scene is something we never could have imagined. An incredible amount of work from an incredible team of people.

"Not only did we change the neighbourhood, but we've changed the conversation around poitín forever. We are delighted to be recognised on home soil amongst our peers, and are excited for the future of Irish hospitality," continued Mulligan.

BAR 1661's sister bar, The Sackville Lounge, opened its doors this past April and has gained attention for its cocktails and city glamour.

These awards add to Mulligan's accolades as his team continues to garner their small corner of Dublin’s Northside from the international bar and beverage industry.

Furthermore, the BAR 1661 team will be bringing their signature serve, Belfast Coffee, made with Bán poitín and cold brew coffee, stateside in the coming months when they take over the Liberty Bar in downtown LA with their good friends at the iconic Dead Rabbit and Casements Bar.

World Top 50 bar takeovers will be happening this side of the pond too at both BAR 1661 and The Sackville Lounge, including this Sunday, August 24, when the famous New York bar Attaboy will bring their world-class cocktails to the heart of Dublin 1.

You can see the full list of winners from last night's award ceremony below:

5 Star Hotel Bar of the Year
The Rooftop Bar & Terrace, Marker Hotel, Co. Dublin

Bar Food of the Year
The Blue Haven Kinsale, Co. Cork

Bar Manager of the Year
Darren Geraghty, Hawksmoor Restaurant, Co. Dublin

Bar of the Year
BAR 1661, Co. Dublin

Best Bar to Watch the Match
Searsons of Baggot Street, Co. Dublin

Best Designed Bar / Best Inside Space
Pig's Lane, Co. Kerry

Best Live Entertainment Bar
Canty's Bar, Co. Cork

Best Newcomer
The Monks Well, Co. Clare

Best Wine Bar
Old Brennans Wine House, Co. Cork

City Bar of the Year
Garavan's Bar, Co. Galway

Cocktail Bar of the Year
BAR 1661, Co. Dublin

Cocktail Bartender of the Year
David Taylor, Sackville Lounge, Co. Dublin

Craft Bar of the Year
Mo Chara, Co. Louth

Gail Cotter Special Recognition Award
Patrick McGowan Sr., McGowans Group

Gastro Bar of the Year
Arthur Mayne’s, Co. Cork

Gin Bar of the Year
101 Limerick, Co. Limerick

Hotel Bar of the Year
Cask, Co. Cork

Hotel Cocktail Bar of the Year
The Sidecar, Westbury, Co. Dublin

Innovative Bar of the Year
BAR 1661, Co. Dublin

Late Bar / Nightclub of the Year
37 Dawson Street, Co. Dublin

Local Bar of the Year
The Laurels Clondalkin, Co. Dublin

Outside Space of the Year
The Anglers Cork, Co. Cork

Outstanding Customer Service Award
Lock 13 Brewpub, Co. Kildare

Pub Group of the Year
Cork Heritage Pubs

Restaurant Bar of the Year
The Gables Foxrock, Co. Dublin

Tourist Bar of the Year
The Quays Bar Temple Bar, Co. Dublin

Traditional Bar of the Year
The Porter House, Co. Mayo

Visitor Attraction of the Year
Celtic Nights Dinner & Show, Co. Dublin

Whiskey Bar of the Year
Mother Macs Public House, Co. Limerick

People's Choice
Leinster – Left Bank, Co. Kilkenny
Dublin – The George, Co. Dublin
Munster – Costigans Pub, Co. Cork
Connacht / Ulster – McHughs Bar, Co. Leitrim
Overall Winner – McHughs Bar, Co. Leitrim