Cooke's Thatch Bar — Restaurant in Galway

We were looking for a nice place to host our family and some of my daughters close friends for a small 21st celebration. My daughter booked this "venue" as she had attended a similar function there previously and misguidedly thought it appropriate. We turned up to be "greeted" by a sulky barman who seemed like he genuinely couldn't be bothered. Served us Guinness and largers in PLASTIC containers. The flattest larger we had ever seen. We simply queried (VERY politely) why we could not have pint GLASSES (like every other bar ANYWHERE) and were told that their policy was to give out only plastic containers to parties. We found it highly irregular and laughable to not be trusted with a glass. We are NOT a bunch of unruly troublemakers. Simply a family, looking to have a nice time. 5 minutes later, my daughter receives a text message from the "owner", telling her that he heard people were "being rude" and that if it continued, he would have to "close the party". We were told to "enjoy your night and be nice to the staff". It was SO INSULTING, considering all we had done was QUERY, very politely, the lack of proper glasses. The barBOY had obviously run to tell tales of the terribly "RUDE" people who dared to ask for a decent pint for their money!! It was his own barman that was being RUDE. Later on......we were even served Jameson and ginger in plastic pint containers. WHO serves whiskey in PINT glasses anyway??? I have never been in more of a seedy establishment in my life. Dark, dirty, depressing, loose wiring exposed everywhere, HORRIBLE atmosphere. There was ONE barmaid and she was very nice and friendly. (Dark hair and ponytail). But the guy dressed as a lumberjack definitely has issues. I wanted to take my family and LEAVE this hovel IMMEDIATELY upon reading this insulting and condescending text message, but my daughter wished us to stay as the party could not be moved at short notice, so we saw it through to the end, which couldn't come fast enough. A sarcastic "hope you enjoyed yourselves" from the barman as we left, was the final insult. On the plus side, you could tell that the toilets HAD been cleaned in the past decade. If I had known the place my daughter had booked, we would NOT have gone NEAR this DUMP. It's for sale currently and that is NO surprise. Because it so closely resembles my idea of what a prison must be like. Of ALL the many bars in Galway city, WHO knowingly or willingly goes HERE?? The many positive reviews I read here, MUST have a received a free beer or two (in plastic containers of course). Avoid. Avoid. Avoid. Or DON'T. It's entirely up to you. But I promise you, my words...

Only stopped by for a drink in passing but if I had more time I would have stayed for a couple at least. Very unassuming bar externally, was the thatch roof which drew my attention from a distance. No frills locals pub with no pretence to fancy itself up to be in with the crowd. Only went as far as the bar but the pub seemed to stretch out and would hold a large number of patrons. Great beer and reasonably priced. Will definitely call back when in the area next. Not sure if there is...

Absolutely class establishment and staff. Never thought I'd find a place capable of walking the line between being the idyllic traditional Irish pub and also host to some serious DnB ragers. Owner and bartenders are fantastic. Definitely keep an eye on their...