The Craic on a Friday in Dunmore East
Friday evening in Dunmore East pulls the week to a close with cold pints on the harbour, fresh fish off the boats, and live music floating over the water. The Spinnaker Bar sits on the quay in Lower Village, and Peter — the new owner who runs the kitchen and the bar himself — serves seafood that came off the day-boats that morning. If you're planning Friday night in the village, ring Peter on (051) 383 133 or message him on Facebook to book your table.
What Friday Night Looks Like in Dunmore East
The village empties its weekday quiet around half five on Friday. The harbour car park fills. The deck at The Spinnaker Bar fills next. People come off the cliff walk. People come down from Waterford City. Regulars come straight from work. By seven, the place hums.
Peter pulls pints behind the bar and plates come out of the kitchen — beer-battered hake, seafood chowder, mussels in garlic butter. The Premier League match goes on the big screen if there's a fixture. Ash and Laura sometimes play live on the deck when the weather holds. Check The Spinnaker Bar's Facebook page to see who's playing this week.
Friday is walk-in most weeks, but Peter recommends ringing ahead if you're a group of six or more, or if you want a window table looking over the boats. Ring Peter on (051) 383 133 or email spinnakerbardunmore@gmail.com.
The Food Peter Serves on Friday Evening
Peter runs the kitchen himself, and the menu anchors to what came off the boats that day. The seafood chowder is €13.50 — haddock, salmon, mussels, cream, brown bread. The beer-battered fish is €22.50 — hake or cod, chips, mushy peas, tartare sauce. Mussels are €14 — you pick chorizo, sherry cream, or garlic butter, and they come with garlic bread.
If you're not in the mood for fish, the 8oz striploin steak is €37 with chips and pepper sauce. The lamb shank is €27 — slow-cooked, falling off the bone, mash and vegetables. Wings are €14 — buffalo or BBQ. The beef burger is €20 with bacon, cheese, and proper chips.
Vegetarians get the vegetable korma at €20 with rice and naan, or the Greek salad at €11. Pizzas run €13.50 to €21 depending on toppings. Desserts are €8.95 — cheesecake, crème brûlée, strawberry mousse, chocolate orange tart.
Live Music on the Deck
When the evening is dry and the temperature holds, Peter opens the deck and live music starts around eight. Ash and Laura play some Friday evenings — acoustic guitar, vocals, Irish trad mixed with covers. The sound carries over the harbour. People sit outside with pints and the last of the daylight.
Not every Friday has live music. Peter posts this week's lineup on Facebook, usually by Wednesday. If you're driving down specifically for the music, check the page or ring Peter on (051) 383 133 before you leave.
The deck fits about forty people comfortably. Walk-in is fine if you're flexible on seating. If you want a particular spot or you're bringing a group, message Peter on Facebook or ring him to hold a table.
Cold Pints and the Big Screen
The Spinnaker Bar has the big screen on for every Premier League and GAA match. If there's a Friday night fixture — Liverpool, United, Cork versus Kilkenny — the pub fills early and the volume goes up. Peter pulls pints fast when the match is on. Guinness, Smithwick's, Carlsberg, Heineken, Bulmers on draught. The usual spirits behind the bar.
The atmosphere on match night is working pub — loud, packed, no pretence. If you're after a quiet romantic dinner, pick a different night. If you want cold pints and the match with locals, Friday is perfect. Walk in, find a spot, order at the bar. Peter will sort you out.
How to Book Your Friday Table at The Spinnaker
Peter owns and runs The Spinnaker Bar himself, so booking goes straight to him. Ring (051) 383 133, email spinnakerbardunmore@gmail.com, or send a message on Facebook. Tell him how many people, what time, and if you want a window table or a spot on the deck.
Walk-in is welcome most Friday evenings, but if you're six or more, or if you're coming down from Waterford City or further and don't want to risk it, book ahead. Peter will hold your table.
The Spinnaker Bar is in Lower Village, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford — right on the harbour. Park in the harbour car park and walk thirty seconds. You'll see the pub on the quay, painted cream and green, deck out front.
Book a table — go straight to Peter
Peter is the new owner of The Spinnaker Bar in Dunmore East. He runs the kitchen and the bar himself, so booking goes direct to him — no app, no fee, no middleman.
Or message Peter on the Spinnaker Facebook page — he checks it daily.
Quick questions
Do I need to book a table for Friday night at The Spinnaker Bar?
Walk-in is welcome most Friday evenings, but Peter recommends booking if you're a group of six or more, or if you want a specific table — especially a window seat or a spot on the deck. Ring Peter on (051) 383 133, email spinnakerbardunmore@gmail.com, or message him on Facebook. Booking goes directly to Peter, who owns and runs the bar himself.
Is there live music at The Spinnaker on Friday nights?
Some Friday evenings have live music on the deck — Ash and Laura play acoustic sets when the weather holds. Not every Friday has music. Peter posts this week's schedule on The Spinnaker Bar's Facebook page, usually by midweek. If you're coming specifically for the music, check Facebook or ring Peter on (051) 383 133 to confirm.
What food does Peter serve on Friday evening at The Spinnaker?
Peter serves fresh seafood off the day-boats — seafood chowder €13.50, beer-battered fish €22.50, mussels €14 with garlic bread. Non-seafood options include 8oz striploin steak €37, lamb shank €27, beef burger €20, and vegetable korma €20. Pizzas run €13.50-€21. Desserts are €8.95. Check with Peter when you book for anything specific — ring (051) 383 133 or email spinnakerbardunmore@gmail.com.
Where is The Spinnaker Bar in Dunmore East?
The Spinnaker Bar is in Lower Village, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford, right on the harbour. Park in the harbour car park and you'll see the pub on the quay — cream and green paint, deck out front. It's a thirty-second walk from the car park. The address for sat-nav is Lower Village, Dunmore East. If you're lost, ring Peter on (051) 383 133 and he'll talk you in.