O’Neills Irish Bar in Paphos opened its doors to the public in the summer of 2002. Since then it has gained a reputation as a popular live music venue with a wide customer appeal.
Set on the Tomb of the Kings road, the pub enjoys a good passing trade as well as local patrons who enjoy a night out there on a regular basis.
There seems to be a winning formula implemented at O’Neills, which ensures the bar is one of the few in Paphos to remain busy all year round.
The spacious interior is complemented by a great outdoor space and although the venue is set back from one of the main thoroughfares of town, there is a dedicated children’s play area, split into two rooms. One is complete with toys for the younger kids and the second is jammed with electronic games for the older children.
O’Neills underwent a revamp inside and out before the 2010 season, and now there are also outdoor covered pool tables, exterior seating areas and a dedicated outdoor space complete with kids size tables and chairs.
This is a bar where families come to enjoy the atmosphere while kids can be left happily occupied for hours. Having said that, it’s also popular with couples and singles. Most of the local clientele is made up of British expats, South African Cypriots and European residents of Paphos, but a number of Cypriots also frequent the bar regularly.
All major sporting events are shown on the big screens inside and outside the venue. There is also an outdoor area for smokers complete with even more big TV screens.
O’Neills is only a few minutes from some of the main beaches of Paphos and close to many hotels, apartments and holiday villages.
Thankfully the establishment has its own car park and a bus stop and frequent passing taxis and a taxi rank only metres away, ensure you will get home safely if you’ve had one too many.
The bar serves a wide selection of imported and local wines beers and spirits and beers are available both bottles and on tap.
Prices are very reasonable for Paphos and a large Guinness will set you back €4. A well thought out pub style menu, described as ‘home cooked’ covers all the bases and dishes vary from loaded potato skins to steaks, pies, burgers and platters. There’s also a good choice available for children
Many people go to O’Neills for the live music experience and recent well-known local bands performing regular live gigs at the venue include Lock Stock and Axis.
This Irish style bar has a mainly wooden interior with a splash of colour and a stone floor or two here and there. Staff are friendly and efficient, even when the pub is heaving. This is a great place to go for an entertaining night out whether you’re single or have a family.
O’Neills Irish Bar
Where: Tomb of the Kings Road, Paphos (opp. Kissos Hotel.)
When: Open daily
Contact: 26 935888
Sidon restaurant review for the Cyprus Mail – November 2010 / Page 3 of 2
©Melissa Reynolds 2010
