The best place in Waterford for a pint, according to five people who know best
Pat McGuinness and Donagh Cronin, owners of the Vic bar. Photograph: Patrick Browne
Where to get the best pint in Waterford is the easiest way to get a lively debate going. One could go about trying to quantify the best pub in Waterford scientifically but I think it's best to ask the locals who know this county the best.
Sgt Deirdre O’Neill said: “Oh that’s a tricky one! I think it would have to be either The Vic or The Ritz in Tramore.”
Local historian Dermot Power said: “I don’t drink anymore but I used to love T&H Doolins on O’Connell Street. That was where the folk movement blossomed in the 1960’s.”
WLRFM host Dymphna Nugent recalled: “Years ago the Grand Hotel in Tramore was the place to be on Christmas Eve. After Christmas Eve mass, everyone would congregate in the Grand Hotel in their finest Christmas clothes in the freezing cold.
“Now, I have absolutely no social life. But if I was to go out, it would probably be the Vic in Tramore. You can be guaranteed to meet everyone you’ve ever known there on any random night. The toilets are gorgeous, the view is spectacular.”
Mayor Seamus Ryan gave the Waterford News & Star an on-the-ground report. He said: “I do have a favourite pub and I’m sitting in it right now. O’Sullivan’s on the Mall, I don’t drink but I really enjoy having a cup of tea or coffee here.
"They’re open a year this month. Their food is excellent. What I also really like is their open mic nights on Thursday, and I love their music sessions.
The staff in here are just lovely as well.”
Cllr Jason Murphy is passionate about his favourite pub. He said: “My favourite place to go for a drink is Jordan's on the quay. I’ll be going there on Christmas Eve. What I really like about the place is that you could meet anyone there. You could bump into a consultant, a postman and a guy hanging around the street corner all on the same night.
"My drink of choice is very boring, I like a pint of Heineken."
At the end of the day, you could walk into any pub in Waterford and have a lovely Guinness, meet an interesting character and not have to take out a second mortgage in the process. Happy drinking!
