THERE is a unique joy that comes with dining out at Christmas Time. The festive season is an opportunity to gather your friends together and catch up with people you may not have seen all year and what better way to enjoy the company of friends and family than to indulge in your traditional festive favourites without having to slave away in your own kitchen.

Part of the magic of dining out at Christmas time is the festive charm that the holiday season brings. Restaurants often go all out with decorations, creating a magical setting filled with twinkling lights, festive ornaments, and seasonal themes that evoke the spirit of the holidays. That Christmas feeling wouldnโ€™t be complete without some classic Christmas songs playing in the background as you enjoy your relaxing night out.

Here at The Clare Echo we want to make planning your Christmas party as simple as possible, so we have put together a list of the top ten venues in Co.Clare to host your Christmas night out. To make the decision easier weโ€™ve clearly outlined the type of food on offer, the location and the atmosphere of each venue. Since music is such an important part of any holiday party we have even paired each venue with, what we believe to be, their perfect holiday soundtrack.ย 

  1. Dromoland Castleย 
  • Cuisine: A sparkling soiree with themed cocktailsย 
  • Location: Dromoland, Newmarket on Fergus, Co. Clare
  • Ambience: Luxurious, festive, graceful
  • Holiday Soundtrack: Baby itโ€™s cold outside by Idina Menzel and Michael Bublรฉ
Dromoland Castle

2. Nora Culliganโ€™s

  • Cuisine: Flavorful Finger Foods
  • Location: 26 Abbey St, Clonroad Beg, Ennis, Co. Clare
  • Ambience: Classic, comfortable, fun
  • Holiday Soundtrack: Rockinโ€™ around the Christmas tree by Brenda Lee
Nora Culligans

3. The Old Ground Hotelย 

  • Cuisine: Festive Favourites with all the trimmingsย 
  • Location: Station Rd, Clonroad Beg, Ennis, Co. Clare
  • Ambience: Comfortable Elegance with twinkling lightsย 
  • Holiday Soundtrack:ย  Silent night by Josh Groban.
the Old Ground Hotel, Photo Joleen Cronin

4. Knoxโ€™s Pubย 

  • Cuisine: Comforting meals that evoke fond Christmas memories
  • Location:18 Abbey St, Clonroad Beg, Ennis, Co. Clare
  • Ambience: Nostalgic, traditional, just great craicย 
  • Holiday Soundtrack: All I want for Christmas is you by Mariah Carey
Knox’s Bar & Storehouse Restaurant in the heart of Abbey Street, Ennis

5. JP Clarkeโ€™s

  • Cuisine: Specially crafted Christmas menu
  • Location: Bunratty West, Bunratty, Co. Clare
  • Ambience: Relaxed, joyful, homeyย 
  • Holiday Soundtrack: Have yourself a merry little Christmas by Frank Sinatra
JP Clarkes, Bunratty

6. The Creamery Pub & Food Barnย 

  • Cuisine: Classics with a modern twistย 
  • Location: Old Bunratty Rd, Bunratty East, Bunratty, Co. Clare
  • Ambience: Cosy, casual, rustic
  • Holiday Soundtrack: Wonderful Christmas time by Paul McCartneyย 
The Creamery Pub and Food Barn

7. Inn at Dromoland Hotelย 

  • Cuisine: Christmas dishes with some of Clareโ€™s best local ingredientsย 
  • Location: Dromoland, Co. Clare
  • Ambience: Lively, bright, energeticย 
  • Holiday Soundtrack: I wish it could be Christmas everyday by Wizzard
Shannigans Gastro Pub at the Inn at Dromoland

8. Shannon Springs Hotelย 

  • Cuisine: Traditional Christmas dinnerย 
  • Location: Ballycasey, Ballycasey More, Shannon
  • Ambience: Traditional, festive, charmingย 
  • Holiday Soundtrack: The Christmas Song by Nat King Coleย 
Shannon Springs Hotel

9. The Grove Bar & Restaurantย 

  • Cuisine: Timeless classics
  • Location: Tulla Rd, Rosslevan, Ennis
  • Ambience: Warm, cheerful, invitingย 
  • Holiday Soundtrack: Feliz Navidadโ€™ by Josรฉ Feliciano
The Grove Bar and Restaurant

ย 

10. The Temple Gate Hotelย 

  • Cuisine: Fine-dining with a holiday menuย 
  • Location: The Square, Clonroad Beg, Ennis
  • Ambience: Elegant, classy, stylishย 
  • Holiday Soundtrack: Mistletoe and wine by Cliff Richardย ย 
The Templegate Hotel

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