If 6 people designed their perfect bar without talking to one another and they joined it all together, it might look a lot like JM Reidy’s. Right in the centre of Killarney, this multi-room, maze-like pub feels like you’ve stepped through a time portal where whiskey, pizza, and pints all meet under fairy lights and cobblestone charm. Could this strange venue be the Best Pub in Killarney?
It’s a pub, it’s a café, it’s a bakery and at night, it transforms into one of the best spots in Kerry. Whether you’re here for Guinness and a wood-fired pizza or a craft drink tucked into one of the secret snugs, Reidy’s hits different. It may look unassuming from it’s street front area but it stretches for miles!
JM Reidy’s AKA Reidy’s.
A Walk Through History—With a Drink in Hand
You don’t just enter Reidy’s you explore it.
Through narrow passageways, under stone archways don’t forget to “Mind Your Head,” past framed photos and handwritten notes, you’ll discover a winding world of cozy corners, candlelit booths, and an antique cash register so beautiful it could be in a museum.
Every room feels like a discovery with its own story and your drink changes with the vibe. Sip a pint in the main bar, share a cider in the “bakery,” or tuck into a shadowy booth in the back with a whiskey flight and some solid people-watching.
I’ve been to Reidy’s a few times now, and every visit is different. Once, I stayed far, far, far too long here to celebrate the halfway point of a Malin to Mizen cycle. Safe to say, the pints flowed freely, the tunes were mighty and getting back on the bike the next morning was… well, less graceful than the pizza slice I dropped on the floor the night before. But that’s the magic of this place. It’s a labyrinth of wonder and discovery, and if you’re lucky (or brave), you’ll stumble into a night you didn’t plan but won’t forget.
What to Eat & Drink at JM Reidy’s
Reidy’s isn’t just a looker, it delivers the goods.
🍕 Woodfired Pizza
I eyed the Quatro Meat Pizza (whiskey salami, chipotle chicken, spicy sausage, BBQ) and the Greek Vegetarian, both served on a perfect charred crust with quality toppings. Crisp, flavourful, and rapid. You’ll find the pizza about half way down to the right tucked behind a makeshift shopfront (this will make sense when you see it).
🍻 Murphy’s Stout & Bulmers
Sometimes simple is best. A pint of Murphy’s poured perfectly, and a chilled Bulmers Original. Both ideal for a low-lit evening with a few good tunes playing in the background. Drank in the front bar admiring the decor and chatting about the good ole days.
If you are drinking stout and want to know more about it check out Stout About Ye! for all the info!
🍸 Cocktails (Next Time, For Sure)
The cocktail bar was in full swing, and judging by the crowd, it’s clearly a favorite. Names like the Honey Highball and Smoked Old Fashioned were being passed over the bar with smiles. We’ll be back for those.
To be fair this offering might put it at the top of the tree for the claim of the Best Pub in Killarney.
You could also check out more of the best pubs in Killarney: HERE
Bags of character at the Best Pub in Killarney
JM Reidy’s blends nostalgia and novelty in a way that feels both authentic and intentional. From the rustic drawers labeled “Screwdrivers” and “Fuses” as a nod to a time before to the faded portraits on the walls, it’s like drinking inside a memory but with way better beer.
And despite the quirks, this place knows how to handle a crowd. Service is fast, friendly, and unfussy. Even when it’s packed, there’s a corner where you can hear yourself think.
Whether you’re a tourist looking for charm or a local who just needs a proper pint and a bit of calm, Reidy’s gives you space to roam and reason to linger. Honestly it could be a sociological study on how diverse drinking demographics work in a since pub so effortlessly.
This place kicks off in the evening!! Live music fills room after room, the bars (all 15 of them) become busier and busier and if you have bumped into someone 10 years ago in Austrilia chances are they will be there that very same nice. It is one of the most unique bars in Ireland and a must for anone in Killarney.
Pro Tip: If you are meeting people in J.M. Reidy's get them to explain exactly where they are, otherwise you could be searching for many a pint and still not find them!
I want you to go, go to all the pubs in Killarney and enjoy them all and then come back and tell me if you think this deserves the title of Best Pub in Killarney.
Quick Info
📍 Location: Main Street, Killarney, Co. Kerry
🍕 What to Order: Quatro Meat Pizza, Murphy’s on draught
🕯️ Vibe: Historic, buzzing but cozy
🔥 Perfect For: Groups, couples, cocktail lovers, pizza fans, vintage pub nerds