Taylor’s Bar and Beer Garden is one of the grand old establishments of Dominick Street. The building was constructed in the 1830s and was originally the home of a merchant. The house was converted into a grocery and bar during the late nineteenth century by the McDonnell family. The back bar was popular for porter and, of course, whiskey, but was reserved for men only at that time. However, ladies could also have a drink, but in a private section of the premises. In 1910, George and John Brabazon Ellard acquired the property and created a lease for 150 years. Nevertheless, the business changed ownership a number of times.
By the 1940s, Patrick and Vera Taylor were running a very successful business there. Among the items for purchase were general groceries, including snuff, tobacco and quality meats. The family lived above the bar and grocery. The pub became very popular under the Taylor family. The success continued when their son, Michael ‘Mick’ Taylor, took over the business. Mick welcomed all his customers, which included Galway’s Bohemian community. The walls of the pub still echo with the music, poetry and the artistry of many creative regulars. It seems that former President Michael D. Higgins and his wife and ‘first lady’ Sabina were regulars, and some say it was their local. Mick Taylor believed in the communist and socialist ideals. He is also given credit for introducing the first barbecue on a pub premises, thus, creating the first beer garden also. Mick passed away at just forty years of age, and the bar just wasn’t the same without his lively and liberal spirit. He was sorely missed by his customers, who were often enlightened about aspects of life by their friendly host. In 2018, the true heritage of the building was reclaimed under the watchful eye of Johnny Duggan. The name Taylor was restored as memories of the old days slowly began to reappear, creating a wonderful atmosphere in the bar and beer garden. Taylor’s is a place where old and new complement each other. It is important that this is now a listed building for its architectural interest. It is reassuring to see that much of the original carved woodwork, stained-glass windows and fixtures have been perfectly preserved within the bar. Taylor’s is like a hidden treasure waiting for people to explore and discover its great selection of beers, spirits, superb wine and cocktail list, and the finest gin and Irish whiskey selections available in Ireland.