Founded in 1988 by John and Phyl Cleere, Cleere’s Bar & Theatre has grown into one of Kilkenny’s most loved cultural landmarks. What began as a traditional Irish pub on Parliament Street soon evolved into something more distinctive, with the addition of an intimate theatre space to the rear of the building in the early 1990s. This unique pairing of pub and performance venue helped shape Cleere’s identity as a place where conversation, creativity and community naturally come together.

From its earliest years, Cleere’s established a reputation for championing live performance. The theatre space has hosted an extraordinary range of events — from music and comedy to theatre, poetry and spoken word — and has become a regular and much-loved venue for major festivals including the Cat Laughs Comedy Festival, Kilkenny Arts Festival, and Kilkenny Roots Festival. Many Irish and international performers have passed through its doors, drawn by the warmth of the room and the closeness of the audience.

Music has always been at the heart of Cleere’s. The bar is particularly renowned for its long-running traditional Irish music sessions, widely regarded as the longest-established in Kilkenny. For decades, these sessions have brought together local musicians, visiting players and music lovers in an atmosphere that is authentic, informal and deeply rooted in tradition.

In 2010, long-time managers Johnny Holden and Paul McCabe took over the running of Cleere’s, continuing the ethos established by the Cleere family while carefully evolving the venue. Under their stewardship, Cleere’s has remained true to its character — offering quality food, well-kept pints and a genuine welcome — while strengthening its role as a cornerstone of Kilkenny’s social and cultural life.

Today, Cleere’s Bar & Theatre stands as more than just a pub or a venue. It is a place where stories are told, songs are shared, laughter fills the room and visitors are welcomed as locals. For over three decades, Cleere’s has been woven into the cultural fabric of Kilkenny — and its story continues every night the doors are open.