Best Party Hostels
in Galway
3 reviewed party hostels · from €19.00/night · verified ratings
Party Hostels in Galway
Galway’s nightlife starts in the pubs along Shop Street and Quay Street, where fiddles and tin whistles spill out onto cobblestones by 9 pm. By midnight, the crowd has shifted to places like The Blue Note or Club Áras, where backpackers and locals mix under sticky ceilings and fairy-light ceilings. The hostel scene here is small but sharp: most places sit within a ten-minute walk of Eyre Square, so you can roll out of bed and into a trad session or a pub crawl without breaking a sweat.
Stay at Barnacles Quay Street or Kinlay House if you want a social vibe without the cover charge of a club. Both run free walking tours that end in a pub, and Kinlay’s bar serves €3 pints of Guinness until 11 pm. If you’re travelling in a group, private rooms in these hostels cost less than a round of drinks in Dublin.
Top Party Hostels in Galway
Ranked by verified guest rating · Prices per dorm bed per night
Galway City Hostel
Galway's most popular solo traveller hostel delivers an unbeatable combination of prime Eyre Square location and legendary social atmosphere. With a 97% rating from nearly 4,000 guests, this award-winning hostel guarantees daily opportunities to meet fellow party travellers through its intimate common room design, organised pub crawls (€15), and community dinners (€5). The compact layout naturally forces interaction, whilst legendary staff member Tom ensures solo travellers feel included from day one. Free substantial breakfast and direct transport links make this the perfect base for exploring Galway's nightlife scene.
Kinlay Eyre Square Hostel
Ireland's Best Hostel 2025 winner combines award-winning facilities with unbeatable transport convenience. Located directly on Eyre Square with 24-hour reception, this modern hostel features spacious common areas including a pool table, 70" TV, and fully equipped kitchen that naturally encourages socialising. The POD bed system offers hotel-level privacy with curtains, charging ports, and personal lighting in 4, 6, or 8-bed dorms. Tour buses pick up directly outside for Cliffs of Moher trips, whilst nightly pub crawls and daily activities ensure constant social opportunities. Free towels, substantial breakfast, and professional staff make this the premium party hostel choice.
Snoozles Hostel – Galway City Centre
This modern, welcoming hostel delivers exceptional value through meticulous attention to detail and genuine hospitality. Located next to the coach station with spacious rooms featuring ensuite bathrooms, privacy curtains, and charging plugs, Snoozles feels "more like a hotel than hostel." The standout features include 24/7 free coffee, tea, and fruit, plus organised events like sip-and-paint sessions and pub crawls that foster organic connections. With a 95% rating from nearly 300 guests, this hostel attracts a diverse mix including students and families, creating a more relaxed social atmosphere than typical party hostels.
Airport Transfers to Galway
Pre-booked private transfers and shared shuttles. No queues, no surprises.
Which Area Should You Stay In?
How Galway's nightlife zones break down
Latin Quarter
A warren of narrow streets between Shop Street and the Corrib River. Home to Tig Cóilí, The King’s Head, and most of the city’s hostels. The cobbles get slippery after rain, so wear grippy shoes. Daytime is all about cafés and street performers; nighttime is pubs and buskers.
Eyre Square
The city’s transport hub and nightlife nucleus. Kinlay House and Club Áras sit on the square’s east side. The area gets rowdy after midnight, with kebab vans and taxi queues. During the day, it’s a meeting point for walking tours and buskers.
Salthill
A seaside suburb 3 km west of the city centre. Pubs like The Oslo Bar have live music and sea views. The promenade is perfect for a post-pub stroll, but buses back to the city stop at 11:30 pm. Hostels here are quieter, so it’s a good option if you want to party but sleep through the night.
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Bars and Clubs in Galway
Bars, clubs and live music in Galway
The Blue Note
Galway’s only dedicated club, tucked behind Shop Street. Expect cheesy pop, R&B, and the occasional live band. The dance floor gets rammed after midnight, especially on student nights. Entry is €7, but hostels often hand out flyers for €5 entry before 11 pm.
Tig Cóilí
A no-frills pub on Mainguard Street with two back-to-back trad sessions every night. No cover charge, just €5 pints of Smithwick’s and locals who’ll teach you the words to ‘The Wild Rover’. Gets busy by 9 pm, so arrive early for a seat.
Club Áras
A basement club beneath the Kinlay House hostel. Plays indie, rock, and throwback anthems. Entry is €6, but Kinlay guests get in for €4. The bar serves €4 vodka mixers until midnight. Open Thursday to Saturday, 11 pm–2:30 am.
The King’s Head
A sprawling pub on High Street with live bands most nights. The upstairs bar has pool tables and a balcony overlooking the street. Pint of Guinness is €6. Open until 12:30 am, but the crowd spills into the street after last call.
The Crane Bar
A tiny pub on Sea Road with the best trad sessions in town. No standing room by 8:30 pm on weekends. Pint of Beamish is €5.50. If you’re lucky, the fiddler will let you try the bodhrán.
Sally’s Bar
A dive bar on Forster Street with €4 pints and a jukebox. The crowd is a mix of students and old-school regulars. Open until 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays. Cash only: ATM in the back.
Events & Festivals
What's on in Galway