Opening Hours

We are open seven days a week, from early morning coffee through to late-night drinks.

Coffee & Daytime

7:30am — Monday to Saturday

8:00am — Sunday

Brunch

11:00am — 4:00pm

Bar

10:30am — Mon to Sat

12:00pm — Sunday

Closes 12:30am Fri & Sat · 11:30pm all other evenings

Food Service

Until 9:00pm daily

Our Menus

From a hearty Full Irish to hand-crafted cocktails, there is something for every occasion at the Merchant Bar.

Brunch

Full Irish Breakfast€15

Eggs Benedict€13

Breakfast Burrito€14

Pancakes€14

Seafood Chowder€8.50

Double Smash Burger€17.50

View Full Brunch Menu →

Dinner

8oz Sirloin Steak€34

Pan Seared Seabass€26

Chicken Supreme€23

Moroccan Tagine€18.50

Gourmet Burger€19.50

Fish & Chips€19.50

View Full Dinner Menu →

Cocktails

Espresso Martini€14

Galway Bay€14

Aperol Spritz€14

Spicy Margarita€14

Pornstar Martini€14.50

Old Fashioned€14.50

View Full Cocktail Menu →

Menus are subject to seasonal changes. Allergen information available on request. Add-ons: soup or chips with any main €3.50, chowder €5.

Live Music & Entertainment

The Merchant Bar is one of Galway's best spots for a lively night out, with live acoustic music every Friday and Saturday evening and on Bank Holiday Sundays. We also have big screens for all the major sporting events — the perfect place to catch the match with friends over great food and pints.

Live Music

Every Friday & Saturday night, plus Bank Holiday Sundays

Acoustic sessions from 8:00pm

Sports Screening

Big screens showing all major sporting events

Rugby, GAA, soccer, horse racing and more

Cocktail Classes & Private Events

Cocktail Making Classes

Planning a hen party, birthday celebration, or team-building event? Our cocktail making class is the perfect start.

Join us for a lively 2-hour session where you'll learn the tricks of the trade from our experienced bartender. You'll master the art of cocktail-making while enjoying one signature cocktail and the chance to create a cocktail of your choice.

€30 per person · Minimum 10 people. Pre-booking essential.

Private Parties & Events

Whatever the celebration, the Merchant Bar is the ideal Galway city centre venue for groups large and small — from intimate gatherings to parties of up to 100 guests.

Packages available:
2-Course Dinner + Cocktail Class — €60pp
Finger Food Platters — €80 per platter

Group bookings preferred for 8+ guests. Walk-ins always welcome.

Reservations & Contact

Walk-ins are always welcome, and we recommend booking for groups of 8 or more.

Phone

091 864 810

Direct to Coffee Shop / Restaurant

dine@eyresquarehotel.com

For reservations, private events & cocktail class enquiries

Plan Your Visit

The Merchant Bar & Restaurant is located at the Eyre Square Hotel, 6 Forster Street, Galway City Centre.

Email Us Call 091 864 810

Dining in Galway City Centre

The Merchant Bar & Restaurant at the Eyre Square Hotel is one of the most popular dining and nightlife destinations in Galway city centre. Located directly on Eyre Square, just moments from Shop Street and the Latin Quarter, we welcome hotel guests and locals alike for brunch, dinner, cocktails, and live entertainment.

Our brunch menu is served from 11am to 4pm and includes favourites such as the Full Irish Breakfast, Eggs Benedict, fluffy pancakes, and a range of lighter bites including our seafood chowder and power salad. In the evening, our dinner menu features Irish favourites alongside international dishes — from a perfectly cooked 8oz sirloin steak to pan-seared seabass and Moroccan tagine.

The Merchant Bar is also known for its cocktail menu, featuring 18 hand-crafted cocktails including the Galway Bay, Espresso Martini, and Spicy Margarita. For something special, book one of our cocktail making classes — ideal for hen parties, birthday celebrations, and corporate team events.

With live acoustic music every Friday and Saturday night, big screens for all the major sporting events, and a welcoming atmosphere right in the heart of the city, the Merchant Bar is the perfect spot to eat, drink, and enjoy Galway.

Private Party Enquiry

Whatever the celebration, make Merchant Bar and Restaurant in Eyre Square your go-to Galway City Centre party venue for fantastic food, drink and a great nights' craic! We have plenty of options available for large groups and small get-togethers. Allow our team to create and craft your night exactly how you want it.

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING

Our Reviews

Stayed two nights and the room was at the very top, above what appears to be the last floor. A few steps, just do you’re aware.The toilet flush was broken and needed repair. It was repaired but broke again. We didn’t report for the second time since we knew how to make it flush but I’m sure they’re well aware.The bed was comfortable and the room was nice and warm.I’d stay here again whenever I come back to Galway.Parking is 5 minute walk and very cheap with the hotel discount applied.
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Peter Kieran 12/13/2025

I have come here for breakfast with my boyfriend twice. The coffee is served in big cups and the food is lovely. I get the pancakes with caramelised peaches and my boyfriend loves the irish breakfast. Good value for money. The staff are very friendly, helpful and give efficient service
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Keeva Goodwin 10/13/2025

Walking distance Great location right on Eyre Square. My friends and I stayed here for two nights while on a short getaway to Galway. The Christmas markets were on during our stay which was lovely. Hotel was comfortable, breakfast was decent and the staff were polite and helpful. Everywhere we needed to go was within walking distance of this hotel which was ideal. We picked the perfect weekend to go to Galway. Weather was dry and mild while the East of the country was battered by a storm! I would recommend Eyre Square Hotel for a short break as it is the perfect location to explore the surrounding shops and pubs.
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O.L 12/28/2025
Fantastic hotel with wonderful staff. Rooms have been upgraded and were very comfortable with a delicious breakfast
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Anne Corcoran 12/13/2025

It was a great stay with very welcoming and friendly staff. Such a good Atmosphere. lovely live music. We will definitely be back again on our next visit to Galway.
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sarahdE9602JZ 11/13/2025

Perfect accommodations and location for everything we wanted to do in Galway!
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Matt Yount 10/13/2025
I spent one night in this hotel and have to say that it was very comfortable. The room was very nice and modern, and the location is fantastic; you are directly in the city center. I will definitely come back and stay again.
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Stevie0m1 1/13/2026

Eyre Square Hotel is in a terrific, central location just off of Eyre Square and near the bus and train stations. The rooms are small but well-appointed. The rooms were quiet (very little noise from the hall or the adjacent rooms) and the staff was very helpful. The hotel provides a discount at a nearby parking garage if you are driving. The coffee in the hotel restaurant is excellent but we didn't get a chance to try anything beyond a breakfast pastry. Overall a good value for the price.
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heatherc359 10/13/2025

Great location I spent one night in this hotel and have to say that it was very comfortable. The room was very nice and modern, and the location is fantastic; you are directly in the city center. I will definitely come back and stay again.
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Stevie 12/15/2025
Зручне розташування отеля, смачні сніданки, великий вибір продуктів, привітний персонал, який одразу допомагає вирішити всі питання, можливість залишити багаж до заселення в отель.Не сподобалося · Вікна номеру виходили на внутрішній "колодязь", не дуже добра звукоізоляція, чутно як тече та зливається вода в сусідньому номері.
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Anna Sazonova 12/13/2025

Great location, clean hotel with friendly staff
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Amy Toric 10/13/2025

Oh what a great visit everyone was professional, helpful and cheerful. The room was fantastic and the addition of the bottles of water were inspired especially arriving back to the room after a night socialising in Galway city
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Deborah McMahon 12/13/2025
Good Hotel with Great Location in Galway Stayed three nights in this hotel in Galway. Hotel is very well situated in the midst of all the shopping, pubs and restaurants in the area, including a couple of nice pubs with good food and traditional music right next door and across the street. Close to bus station if you are coming to city by bus and also to the city bus stop for local buses to places such as the Salthill Promenade. Our recently renovated room was clean, quiet and comfortable. The room at times had a faint smell of bacon frying which we thought was coming in from our open window but even with window closed you could smell it. It didn't really didn't bother us and you got used to it quickly but others might be put off by it. The reception staff were friendly and efficient. Hotel restaurant offers the full Irish breakfast buffet-style so you could serve yourself. Restaurant staff were very friendly. .
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MariaReginaCanada 9/29/2025

Terrific location Eyre Square Hotel is in a terrific, central location just off of Eyre Square and near the bus and train stations. The rooms are small but well-appointed. The rooms were quiet (very little noise from the hall or the adjacent rooms) and the staff was very helpful. The hotel provides a discount at a nearby parking garage if you are driving. The coffee in the hotel restaurant is excellent but we didn't get a chance to try anything beyond a breakfast pastry. Overall a good value for the price.
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Heather C 9/23/2025

Beautiful, clean rooms, bar and restaraunt.
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Robert Blan 10/13/2025
Perfect for us. A quiet,comfortable room in a substantial, historic building, close to the centre of a vibrant city.
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430ronniec 11/13/2025

Amazing Stay It was a great stay with very welcoming and friendly staff. Such a good Atmosphere. lovely live music. We will definitely be back again on our next visit to Galway.
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Sarah D 10/25/2025

Recommended Perfect for us. A quiet,comfortable room in a substantial, historic building, close to the centre of a vibrant city.
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ronnie c 10/19/2025