Go to Republic of Ireland 🇮🇪 page 

Location:  108 Oliver Plunkett St, Centre, Cork, T12 E6CX

Venue Type:  Traditional Irish Pub / Boozer

Year of Inscription: 2025

Map

Description

Gallery

EBG Rating:	8.7/10
Choice/ Quality of Drinks	❤️❤️❤️ A classic familiar range of Irish stout and lagers, the whisky selection being perhaps a little more enticing.
Style/ Décor	❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Situated on the first floor of a grand old building on Plunkett Street, The Hi-B mosaic and grand old hallway is interest in itself, a relic of a different era, the 1920s, which shows in the rich red paint and the flair applied in its execution. The bar room itself is loungey, with low slung seating and a fireplace in the corner, other homely decorations and a fairly long sleek bar top you can sit around.
Atmosphere/ Character	❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Highly social. One of the main points of Hi-B to note is the need to get stuck in to the chat in this pub. Once you pass the threshold don’t expect to be pawing at the pages of a book quietly in a corner. People will ask after you, get a conversation going and expect a bit of engagement in return. If you’re a shrinking violet this may not be for you. Also known for impromptu singalongs.
Amenities/ Events	❤️❤️ Fireplace, snacks.
Value For Money	❤️❤️ City centre prices which, while not unlike many venues close by, remain unyielding.
Description	Although we are in a new era, The Hi-B remains known even in recent memory for its idiosyncratic former owner Brian O’Donnell, who applies his strictly “no phones, no pint, no please” policy (which is still plastered on the walls today, but not quite as rigorously enforced), and had a reputation for refusing service if he didn’t like the cut of your gib, or if a particular phrase caught his ire. The pub became infamous, but equally loved by its adherents, regularly making the list of best bars in Cork. Upon re-opening after Covid, the Hi-B has carried over some of the best aspects of that – its quirkyness and social focus – with a slightly more laid back hospitality and a few modern perks (card payment? stone the crows). It’s a very informal place – don’t stand on ceremony if you’re here. Get to the bar and tell the bartender what you want. If you want a chat, then basically anyone you see is fair game. Situated on the first floor of a grand old building, The Hi-B mosaic and grand old hallway is interest in itself, a relic of a different era, the 1920s, which shows in the rich red paint and the flair applied in its execution. The bar room itself is loungey, with low slung seating and a fireplace in the corner, other homely decorations and a fairly long sleek bar top you can sit around.  One of the main points of Hi-B to note is the need to get stuck in to the chat in this pub. Once you pass the threshold don’t expect to be pawing at the pages of a book quietly in a corner. People will ask after you, get a conversation going and expect a bit of engagement in return. If you’re a shrinking violet this place may not be for you. A combination of its heritage flair, idiosyncratic setup and bloody-mindness to see it through various eras makes it one of Cork’s absolute must-visit pubs.  (Added February 2025)