Halloween Weekend Meal in Dunmore East

Halloween weekend in Dunmore East calls for a proper meal after the trick-or-treating. The Spinnaker Bar on the harbour serves cold pints and hot plates all weekend—seafood chowder, beer-battered fish, lamb shank, 8oz striploin. Ring Peter on (051) 383 133 to book your table for Friday or Sunday evening, or walk in most other times.

What's On at The Spinnaker This Halloween Weekend

The Spinnaker Bar, Lower Village, Dunmore East stays open through Halloween weekend with the full menu running. Peter runs the kitchen and bar himself, so you're getting fresh local seafood off the day-boats—mussels €14 with chorizo and sherry, prawn cocktail €12, seafood pie €23. The beef burger is €20, lamb shank €27, 8oz striploin €37. Pizzas from €13.50. Desserts €8.95—cheesecake, crème brûlée, strawberry mousse, chocolate orange tart.

Walk-in welcome most days. For Friday or Sunday evening, or any group of six or more, ring Peter on (051) 383 133 to hold a table. Peter posts this week's hours on Facebook, so check there before you head down.

Halloween in Dunmore East Village

Dunmore East does Halloween properly. The village sits at the mouth of Waterford Harbour where the River Suir meets the Celtic Sea—thatched cottages, pastel-painted fronts, harbour lights reflecting off the water. Population about 1,500, so kids know every doorbell worth ringing. The lifeboat station and fishing boats make good backdrop for the costume parade that usually happens Saturday afternoon.

After dark, families drift down to the harbour pubs. The Spinnaker sits right on the water in Lower Village, so you can watch the boats and the dressed-up crowd while you eat. The big screen will have whatever match is on—Premier League or GAA—and Peter keeps the Guinness cold. Email Peter at spinnakerbardunmore@gmail.com if you want to confirm what's showing that weekend.

Menu for Families and Groups

Peter's menu suits kids and adults. Wings €14—buffalo or barbecue. Greek salad €11. Seafood chowder €13.50. The beer-battered fish is €22.50, proper crispy batter, chips on the side. Vegetable korma €20 if someone's avoiding meat. Chicken korma €22 with rice and naan. Sides €5—chips, mash, vegetables, salad.

Groups of six or more should ring Peter on (051) 383 133 in advance so he can set the table. He'll ask what time you're coming and whether you've got kids who need high chairs. The deck at the back sometimes has live music on weekends—Ash and Laura play there occasionally—but check Peter's Facebook page for what's actually on Halloween weekend.

Getting to The Spinnaker from Waterford City

Dunmore East is 12 kilometres south-east of Waterford City. Drive south on the R683 through Passage East direction, then fork east on the R684. The village is signposted. The Spinnaker Bar is in Lower Village, right on the harbour. You'll see the working fishing boats tied up and the pub facing the water.

Parking in the village can get tight on Halloween weekend, especially Saturday evening. The main car park is up past the strand, five-minute walk down to the harbour. If you're coming from Cork or further west, the ferry at Passage East cuts the drive time but check the schedule—it doesn't run late.

Booking Your Halloween Table

Walk-in works most of the time at The Spinnaker, but Halloween weekend sees more people than a normal weekend. Friday and Sunday evenings fill up fast. Ring Peter on (051) 383 133 to book. He'll confirm the time and ask how many are coming. If you're a party of six or more, ring ahead no matter which day you're coming.

Peter posts this week's hours live on Facebook. Halloween sometimes shifts the schedule, so check there or message Peter on Facebook if you can't reach him by phone. The Spinnaker Bar has 818 reviews on Google Places, about 4.5 stars, so you're not taking a gamble on the meal.