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Location: 24 Parnell Pl, Centre, Cork, T12 HV2X
Venue Type: Early Bar / Traditional Pub / City Tavern
Year of Inscription: 2025
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| EBG Rating: | 8.5/10 |
| Choice/ Quality of Drinks | ❤️❤️❤️ Familiar beer selection, the highlight being the back bar selection of whiskies. |
| Style/ Décor | ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ A wonderful little bar room. Smaller than anticipated from the huge Murphy’s hoarding out from. Limited seating in the corners with a compact bar area. Standing room in the centre, with a few perches (often occupied by the regulars) either side of the bar. Decorated with the city’s heritage. Fireplace in the middle of the wall, TV in the corner. |
| Atmosphere/ Character | ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ The rhythms of Cork’s social scene can be marked by Welcome Inn’s early opening, making it a staple option for a morning drink. Some colourful characters can be found, and occasionally you may need your wits about you. However, in large part, the atmosphere is warm, welcoming (you’d hope so given the name), jovial and with a bonhomie you find in these rare places where most of the customers are standing rather than seated. Add to that the live music performances and you’re onto a sure thing, trust us. |
| Amenities/ Events | ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Live music, fireplace, snacks limited outdoor seating, TV |
| Value For Money | ❤️❤️❤️ Close to the going rate for the centre but some decent deals to be found. |
| Description | One of the remaining “earlies”, in the 1970s Cork boasted 33 public houses that opened up at 7am onwards, usually supplying drink to dockworkers. These days, the opening time here remains 7am. Morning drinking has taken on a lurid, almost taboo reputation in modern times, but the rhythms of a city have to include all who dwell within in it. The Welcome Inn are proud of their hours and are not shy of acknowledging that as a result, they host a few colourful characters. It would be a disservice to define the pub only around this aspect, but it’s important to know of it before visiting. The Welcome Inn has a classic “drop-in” feel. As soon as you walk through the doors you feel at the heart of everything. The fire is crackling, the telly is on, the regulars in front of you are quipping, and a host of customers are gathered, standing around the bar. As you look around, the sight of Cork’s heritage is pinned to the walls of the bar. It’s a vibrant sight and gladdens our hearts to see a true mixture of people from different ages and class enjoying the place. Live music performances are regularly hosted, a small corner seating area transformed into a stage. While this is the city centre (so don’t expect miracles) there are some decent value drinks to be found here. Although the beer selection is familiar and firmly traditional, there are some decent whiskies to be spied, including some rarities and antiques, they say. Despite some exceptionally strong competition in the city, the Welcome Inn still qualifies as a true standout and for sheer versatility as the answer to the question “where next?” Don’t be shy on your visit, get involved in the crowd and you’ll find you get the most out of it. (Added February 2025) |
