shoot the crows

I was surprised the other reviews for this place were all from non-​locals, so its reputation obviously extends beyond Sligo! ‘Shoots’ as its affectionately known locally, would be my first choice for a drink out with friends. By virtue of the ‘cosy’ atmosphere of this wee pub, this place fills up quickly at weekends. For a catch up with friends the coveted seat down the back with the roaring turf fire is the place to be. The bar staff are great, always up for a chat, and don’t throw us out on our ear when we’ve overstayed our welcome on Saturday night.
Its that sort of place, you’d happily spend the evening here — meeting old and new faces. Despite coming here over the past five years when I’m home in Sligo, I’ve never actually been here for a trad session, shockingly as it seems to be renowned for it. The seating is a bit battered, so ladies — don’t wear your best hosiery for fear of getting it caught on a nail or whatever, and the toilets are a bit grotty, but that’s not what makes this place five star. The soundtrack is the excited hum of conversation. No TV playing football on a loop, a feature that detracts from some of my other favourite pubs in this town.
The famous window at the front changes design every few months — painted by a local artist, one of the many things that make this place unique. Don’t overlook this spot on a trip to Sligo!

It’s really long ago that I’ve been there a couple of times, but I can remember it like yesterday. Great place, great people, great atmosphere! And I WILL come back!

Shoot the Crows is legendary in the trad music world. I found that it wasn’t your typical quaint grocer-​pub with classic wooden tables and a jolly old man at the bar. Instead, it was a narrow gothic bar filled with stained glass, nooks and crannies and an old musty smell. If Harry Potter had jumped out of the shadows I wouldn’t have been surprised! The musicians sat at the front of the pub and when we arrived only amounted to three: button accordion, rhythm guitar and flute. Within twenty minutes or so, however, a couple more fiddlers showed up, one who was a man with a newsboy cap and a whimsical smile on his face. The moment he began playing it was obvious that he was an expert at courting a crowd. He had that charisma and vitality. A bar patron informed us that this fiddler was none other than Steve Wickham of the famous band the Waterboys, a musician widely regarded as the world’s best rock fiddle player. According to what we were told, he lived just outside Sligo and loved to frequent Shoot the Crows for trad sessions. His playing infused the session with a frenetic energy and they played Music for a Found Harmonium, as well as a set of Maid Behind the Bar, Cooleys and Sally Gardens. Wonderful renditions!
The atmosphere at the pub was very welcoming and supportive of the musicians and due to the length of the bar, if music wasnt your thing, you could easily have sat at the back of the place, unbothered by the tinkling up front. But if you like trad and don’t mind a little grungy goth, you’ll find some magic here.

Quirky place with a lot of local traffic. Dark, alley like bar, lots of conversation and good vibes. Friendly people, a mildly surly (in an endearing way) bartender, and good strong drinks. We would definitely go back.

Great wee pub, great pint of plain, thoroughly recommended!

Popped into this small and dark long and thin pub on a saturday afternoon while mooching around sligo and I was very pleasantly surprised at how friendly everyone was and the athmosphere was great. I would love to return and have a few pints of guinness one evening as I expect this place is a hidden gem. Not for the trendies more a sawdust type place to be heard and not seen maybe.