One of Cork’s most iconic and oldest pubs, Clancy’s, is raising the bar—literally and figuratively—as it enters an exciting new chapter in its remarkable 200-year history.
Located in the heart of Princes Street, the popular venue is closing its doors this week as it undergoes a transformative refurbishment, backed by nearly €500,000 in investment and a landmark partnership with Diageo. It will reopen on Friday 11th July.
Owner Paul Montgomery and his team are reinventing the venue to place it firmly at the forefront of Cork’s food and drink scene—a city gastropub with Guinness in its soul and local food at its heart.
Clancy’s will have four new experiences under one roof – Arthur’s Bar @ Clancy’s, offering an immersive Guinness experience; 1824 @ Clancy’s, a new first floor restaurant serving contemporary Irish food; a premium cocktail lab; and a rooftop party bar in their Sky Bar.
Arthur’s Bar: A Guinness Experience with the Best Pint
The ground floor bar on the Marlboro Street side will be re-imagined as Arthur’s Bar @ Clancy’s – a Guinness Experience. Created in collaboration with Guinness (Diageo), Arthur’s Bar will be an immersive experience that showcases the art, science, story and taste of the perfect pint.
It will be a dark atmospheric space with a heritage-speakeasy vibe. The retrofit will also incorporate elements of the original 200-year-old bar.
And yes—it’s here to stay, not a pop-up. Whether you book a 2-hour immersive experience or drop in for a quiet pint of the best Guinness in town, Arthur’s Bar is a place to sip, explore, taste and talk.
1824 @ Clancy’s: A New Neighbourhood Restaurant
Upstairs, 1824 @ Clancy’s will be a brand-new dining destination in Cork, named for the year Clancy’s first opened its doors in celebration of its incredible history. The menu will feature contemporary Irish cuisine and local produce.
Previously reserved for private events, the Georgian first-floor space has been elegantly reimagined with exposed brick, warm wood, and soft lighting. Expect a piano restaurant vibe every weekend.
At the helm is Head Chef Mark Nevin from West Cork. After training in London in fine dining, his love for Irish ingredients, traditions and the unique food culture of Cork, drew him back home where he has been a chef in West Cork for almost 10 years.
The menu includes scallops, ham hock croquettes, feather blade of beef, fish and chips, bacon and cabbage, surf and turf and more.
This is the first dedicated restaurant space at Clancy’s and marks a renewed focus on food for Clancy’s, as it sets its sights on becoming one of Cork’s top gastro pub destinations.
Clancy’s will also serve breakfast and lunch seven days a week. Breakfast will include a Full Irish, smashed avocado mushrooms, eggs benedict and granola. Lunch will feature pork and black pudding sausages, wild mushroom bruschetta, chowder, lamb and Guinness stew, smash burgers and more.
Cocktail Lab and Party Bar
Back on the ground floor and rising to the rooftop, Clancy’s is introducing two new cocktail experiences. A premium cocktail bar on the ground floor perfect for pre-dinner aperitifs; and a Party Bar on the Sky Bar rooftop. Both will feature cocktails from Clancy’s cocktail lab where mixologists will experiment with infusions, seasonal ingredients, and made-to-order creations—with city views to match.
There will also be live music seven days a week.
New Leadership Team & Jobs
Leading the new era is well-known publican and owner of Clancy’s Paul Montgomery, who has been the driving force behind many pubs in Cork over the past 30 years. An entire new team has been brought on board to help deliver his vision of honouring the past while preparing for the future. These include Dave Daly, as Group General Manager, and Shane Spillane, a well-known West Cork restaurateur, as Head of Food & Beverage, Together, they have assembled a passionate team of service staff, adding 15 new local jobs.
Commenting, Paul Montgomery said, “This is more than a refurbishment—it’s a reimagining to bring us into the future. We’re proud of Clancy’s 200-year history, and we’re building on that legacy with something truly special. Cork’s food and beverage scene is growing more ambitious, and we want to be right at the heart of it. Arthur’s Bar and 1824 @ Clancy’s are the first step in that journey. We now have a venue with multiple experiences under one roof. Whether you’re a local catching up with friends or a visitor discovering the city, we want Clancy’s to feel like home.”
Established in 1824, Clancy’s Cork has been a cornerstone of Cork City’s social scene since the early 19th century—a place where generations have gathered, stories have been shared, and the city’s vibrant culture has been reflected pint by pint. The venue has continually evolved and embraced change while staying true to its rich history. The current refurbishment marks a new chapter in this history.
Whether you’re pouring your own pint, enjoying the best gastro food, sipping cocktails on the rooftop, or soaking up live music, Clancy’s Cork invites you to experience the best of Cork under one historic roof. Bookings are now open at clancyscork.ie, with walk-ins welcome.
