Kildare bars win top accolades at hospitality awards ceremony

The premier stars of Ireland’s licensed trade were crowned on Monday August 24 at the gala ceremony of The Square Bar of the Year Awards 2026, hosted by Anton Savage, held at the Clayton Hotel on Burlington Road, Dublin.

Following a record-breaking year featuring over 1,000 national entries, the industry gathered to honour the extraordinary innovation, resilience, and craftsmanship defining Irish bars, hotels, craft breweries, and hospitality venues.

Led by overall headline sponsor Square, the national competition recognised gold, silver, and bronze winners across more than 30 dynamic categories.

Two Kildare bars received top accolades in the awards.

Leinster Champions: The Dew Drop Inn & Brewhouse in Kildare claimed Gold for Innovative Bar of the Year, with Silken Thomas, Co. Kildare sweeping both People's Choice Leinster and People's Choice Overall.

High-concept venues across the region rounded out a powerful showing, with Silver awards for mo chara, Co. Louth (Craft Bar of the Year), McSorley's Kilkenny (Best Newcomer). Left Bank, Kilkenny (City Bar of the Year), alongside Peadars Bar Moate (Traditional Bar of the Year), The Make & Mark, Laois (Outstanding Customer Service Award), and The Terrace, Carlow (Outside Space) won Bronze.

Trish Murphy, Sales and Sponsorship Director at Licensing World, said: “The sheer calibre of entries we received this year was nothing short of inspiring.

“Across every region, venues are setting new benchmarks and reimagining what top-tier hospitality looks like. The standard of entries highlights and industry rich in innovation, passion, and an unyielding commitment to delivering remarkable experiences.”

Dublin's Gold Rush: The capital led the charge across multiple major categories. Highlights include The Merrion Hotel (Gold - 5 Star Hotel Bar ); The Sackville Lounge (Gold - Best Newcomer), Café en Seine (Gold - City Bar of the Year); Rascals Brewing Company (Gold - Craft Bar of the year ); The Old Spot (Gold -Gastro Bar of the year); The Collins Club at The Leinster (Gold - Hotel Cocktail Bar of the year ); The George (Gold - Late Bar/Nightclub of the year); The Laurels Clondalkin (Gold - Local Bar of the year ); 37 Dawson Street (Gold - Outstanding Customer Service of the Year); SOLE Seafood & Grill (Gold - Restaurant Bar of the Year ); The Stags Head (Gold - Traditional Bar of the Year); and Celtic Nights at The Arlington Hotel (Gold - Visitor Attraction of the Year)