The Kings Head is an 800 year old family run pub steeped in history located in the heart of Galway’s ‘latin Quarter’ and run by Mary and Paul Grealish, owners snce 1989. This landmark Pub features Live Music every night, craft beers, cocktails, Bar Food and Bistro over 3 floors. The Kings Head menus are underpinned by a longstanding commitment to sourcing fresh, local and seasonal produce sfrom artisan suppliers – or, as they put it, “...pub food, only better!”
Once the Mayor’s House, The King's Head has historical linksd to the beheading of King Charles 1 in 1649 and is part of Galway’s medieval history. The building’s comparatively small frontage belies its extent. Revealing itself over three floors, it caters to a broad audience to fill its seats and does so with style. At over eight hundred years old, this popular bar offers great live music and comedy, sport on the big screen, and serves fresh food every day. The original medieval walls, windows and medieval fireplace dated 1612 give the Pub its unique atmosphere.
Cosy and casual, the thick stone walls are hung with tapestries and an upstairs gallery overlooks the action on stage. In the evenings those wanting to eat are encouraged up here to separate the diners from the tipplers. At night it is a very popular watering hole for students, locals and tourists.
Recently, proprietors Paul and Mary Grealish have made some major changes. Summer 2015 saw the transformation of the long-established adjoining business, The Malt House, which they had owned for eleven years, into The Kings Head Bistro. The Bistro features a cosy wood-clad dining room, Bar and courtyard strung with twinkling coloured lights.
The Bistro serves the same great food as the Pub, with one menu throughout. The Menu is short and to the point. Fresh local Seafood features prominentlly including lobster and chips, crab claws and scallops. Given it’s history and location, 'The Head' is a popular tourist destination and there’s traditional Irish stew, Kellys oysters on the half shell with dillisk scones and a pint of creamy Guinness for a truly Irish treat.
The ongoing commitment to sourcing the best local produce is very evident: free-range chicken from the Friendly Farmer in Athenry features, as does organic pork and sausages from Andarl Farm, smoked Connemara lamb from McGeough's of Oughterard,, organic vegetables from Sloe Hill Farm, Sliabh Aughty Honey, Linalla ice cream from across the bay in Co Clare and, of course, Griffin’s bread from the famous bakery next door.
With Head Brendan Keane at the helm for over 20 years, the cooking is rock steady. Local seafood is given equal billing to local lamb, and drink pairings have been carefully considered: while there are dishes like brill on the bone with summer vegetables, that demand a chilled glass of white wine, others such as brisket and smoked bacon toastie beg for a pint of The Kings Head ‘Blood Red Ale’ beside it - and there is plenty of both to keep everybody happy.
Speciality drinks make an equally important contribution to the expereince. The Kings Head ‘Blood Red Ale’, for example, is inspired by history and made locally by the highly respected craft brewers, Galway Hooker, and other Irish speciality drinks include Irish Whiskeys, Cocktails and a Gin Menu.
The King’s Head has come a long way since the days when the food offering here, as elsewhere, was just a bowl of soup with a ham sandwich. It's an asset to Galway city and a great credit to the Grealish family.
There is something for everyone here, whether student, tourist, families or revellers.
