The Venue Bar and Restaurant

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#2 of 7 Restaurants in Strandhill€€ - €€€, Irish, Bar, Vegetarian friendly

+353 71 916 8167+ Add website

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Hours

Sun

12:30 - 21:30

Mon

12:30 - 21:30

Tue

12:30 - 21:30

Wed

12:30 - 21:30

Thu

12:30 - 21:30

Fri

12:30 - 21:30

Sat

12:30 - 21:30

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What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

4.5

852 reviews

#2 of 7 Restaurants in Strandhill

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Details

Someone from this business manages this listing.

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CUISINES

Irish, Bar, Seafood, European

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks

features

Location and contact

Top Road, Strandhill, Sligo Ireland

+353 71 916 8167

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Does this restaurant have live music

Yes

Unsure

Details

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About

We are a Bar/ Restaurant specialising in Steak and Seafood. Our Restaurant hours are from 12.30pm to 9.30pm Daily . The bar is very popular with the locals and tourists alike and is open till late with live music at the weekend.

CUISINES

Irish, Bar, Seafood, European

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks

FEATURES

Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Free off-street parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Mastercard, Visa, Digital Payments, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music, Waterfront

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4.5

852 reviews

Excellent

513

Very good

231

Average

Poor

Terrible

Geo

3 contributions

Fantastic food and value

Sept 2020 • couples

My boyfriend and I decided to come here on our last night in Strandhill and it definitely did not disappoint. We were very impressed by how well the restaurant and staff were abiding by government guidelines and felt safe and comfortable eating here. The food was absolutely delicious to say the least. I had fillet steak cooked medium. When I got to the middle of the steak it was a little more rare than I liked, and when I asked for it to be cooked more it was no hassle at all! It was brought back out to me on a new plate with fresh sides. I really appreciated this and In particular Adam our server could not do enough for us. He was great. We found all the staff extremely pleasant and friendly. The price of the food is also very reasonable and the quality is 10/10. I will 100% be back when I return to Strandhill. Definitely recommend!! (Creme brûlée is to die for!!)

Written 20 September 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mgt.

2 contributions

dining out in the current climate with Covid 19

Mar 2020 • none

we were a bit unsure about going out to eat because of the corona virus. We did not need to worry and felt very safe as the tables were well apart. staff continually wiped down menus, tables, chairs and used hand sanitizers all the time. Staff ensured that diners were not too close and so i felt quite relaxed. as always staff are very friendly and the food delicious. with all the doom and gloom and shocking weather it was lovely to go out and feel it was ok to do so.

Written 15 March 2020

LJS31

24 contributions

Amazing Restaurant in Strandhill

Aug 2022 • family

We booked in June for a table of 10 on a Friday night in august. The restaurant is lively and loud with good vibes and lovely decor. We were sat in a table in the middle of the restaurant with great sea views. The servers were exceptional, quick, helpful and friendly with great recommendations on wine. The food was brilliant most of us had steaks and everything came out perfectly despite the high volume of numbers coming through the door. Anyone visiting strand hill, Sligo or rosses point The Venue is a just go. Thank you to the whole team for looking after us!

Written 14 August 2022

Siobhan H

3 contributions

Disappointing

Jul 2020 • family

We went for a family meal very disappointed, had eaten here alot in the past but pasta dish ordered was insipid, poor quality sauce and very little chicken paid nearly E17 expected more for that price, my husband ordered it and I wanted to send it back but he would not. I had the burger which was very basic and our child said hers was so dry even with sauce at it was not worth the money. I asked for extra sauce on my husband's pasta even still it was poor. I know we probably should have complained but we were hungry and really don't feel after paying nearly e80 for a meal that we should have to deal with this. Unfortunately we won't be back, over priced poor quality food! Seems like since reopening quality gone down prices up!

Written 19 July 2020

John & Jean Coop

Monasteraden10 contributions

UNDERWHELMED!!

Oct 2020 • couples

We had been so looking forward to our visit here as it came so highly recommended. We called in on the Friday to book a table for Sunday. We asked for 8 pm but were led to believe they were busy and could only do 7.30, which was fine. We were greeted warmly and shown to our table. Handed Menus and the information on their covid practice etc. The restaurant was not busy as we had been led to believe and apart from another couple who came in at the same time we were the last to be seated. The menu was very much reduced from that on line which we can understand in these troubled times, but a little disappointing. We had the mussels and a soup to start followed by the Smoked Salmon Platter and a Mixed meat Fajitas for mains. We had desserts of fruit crumble and the ice cream selection. The food was good and tasty but we had been expecting something special. Maybe we were expecting too much and had been led to believe it was closer to fine dining than the normal pub type food it turned out to be. It was still good though and we enjoyed our evening though felt a little rushed towards the end as the staff had coats on waiting to go home at 9 pm so there was no encouragement to linger over that coffee and a brandy!. Will we return? Probably not.

Written 6 October 2020

lovelyfood

Ireland4 contributions

Not as hoped

Oct 2021 • couples

When my wife and I arrived for lunch the place was clean and very good Covid requirements in use by the staff. The restaurant was almost empty but when we asked could we sit by the window for the nice view we were told that there were larger tables by the window and we were put at a table for two in the corner. During the time we were there all the larger tables by the window remained empty, lost opportunity to engage with new customers who just moved to Sligo. The food was also disappointing, a little expensive compared to other local restaurants and not what I would have hoped for. I had a nice steak, however came with no veg just some rocket leaves and an extra charge for garlic potatoes. When I asked should there be veg the person responded to say no that’s just the way it comes. My wife had salmon but every mouthful was full of bones so did not finish her meal, again with no veg and extra charge for the garlic potatoes. Don’t usually leave a lower star review but hopefully this can be helpful for the restaurant to see the opportunity for some changes to improve

Written 23 October 2021

Richard C

Ennis54 contributions

2 Adults, 2 Kids, 3 courses and a few pints.

Aug 2020 • family

So, for some reason now beyond me, someone recommended this place for food. Ok let’s start with what was good. Staff were welcoming, friendly and efficient. Place is clean with good COVID precautions in place. Great view. Chicken wings for starters were passible. 4 dishes for main course, steak, prawns, beer battered cod and fajitas. Steak was good, cooked well. Beer on tap was really good. Can’t beat a decent pint and you will get that here. Now for the not so good, Beer battered cod, one small piece of fish, not sure how fresh, it was terrible. Beef Fajita just bland and unappetising, left it behind me. Daughter had other main which was prawns which were only ok. Deserts, my guess is some of them were just bought in and not made fresh on the premises. They were low quality IMO. It’s rare for me to leave a desert behind me, but I did in this case. Worst thing about them was the canned cream. I mean if a kitchen can’t whip up a bit of whipped cream you can forget about it. Anyways 150€ for 4 people including a couple of pints wouldn’t be bad if the food delivered, Sadly it didn’t. Take my advice and head down to the Strand bar or the Jade Garden Chinese for some decent well priced food. To be fair we are in the middle of a pandemic and the front of house staff were doing there best. Chefs need to up their game or people will go elsewhere. Won’t eat here again.

Written 8 August 2020

Christina J

32 contributions

Tasty food, lovely atmosphere, good service.

Aug 2020 • solo

I had dinner in The Venue as my accommodation didn’t have self-catering (due to Covid19 restrictions). Busy, so I was advised to book in advance. The staff were very helpful. I had garlic mushrooms followed by Smoked Salmon Caesar salad. I don’t eat out much, so I didn’t realise that there are bits of bacon in the salad... which I wouldn’t normally eat. However, I was ready to eat my own arm by dinner time on account of a surf lesson that afternoon, so I turned a blind eye to the poor pig. Luckily, my accommodation was directly across the road from The Venue, as, after all that food and two glasses of wine, I just about managed to stagger back to my room.

Written 3 August 2020

Filo1972

26 contributions

Fab family meal

Aug 2021 • family

The food was excellent quality.. beautifully cooked on a open grill (just perfect for the fish and steak we had). The salmon cutlet was so fresh. Great Choice of restaurant for those looking for healthier options as a good selection to choose from and staff will advise/ change sides to assist special diets. Beautiful view from window tables which we would request if we returned. Staff were attentive and very helpful. Cannot recommend this place highly enough.. in fact one of the highlights in our 9 day / 3 location staycation... well done!

Written 15 August 2021

geismom

Sinking Spring1950 contributions

Restaurant with a lovely water view

Jul 2022 • none

We were fortunate that the restaurant was open on a Monday night for dinner, as we were staying in Ballymote, and there was nothing open for a meal. We had secured dinner reservations, being told that we could not be seated until 7:45 pm. We showed up early, and the hostess was happy to seat us. However, others without a reservation, were sent away. We had a table in a busy area of the restaurant, but we both felt fortunate to be able to order dinner. There was a room off the back that offered a lovely view out over the water, but I can only presume that those tables had been reserved. I ordered the prawns in garlic butter with sour dough bread. It was quite a plentiful plate of prawns, but took me quite awhile to remove the meat from the shells. The dinner came with a side salad. I had specifically told the waitress that I had an allergy to peppers, but my salad came with green peppers hidden down in the leaves. Luckily, my husband had spotted them in his salad first, so that I could thoroughly check mine prior to eating. I mentioned the peppers to a passing waitress, and she came out with a fresh one that was pepper free. I did order the cheesecake special for dessert, which was delicious. I was a bit taken back when the waitress joked that we wouldn't have to worry about peppers in the dessert. An allergy is never something to joke about. I felt that I had handled the situation quite politely, and I did not appreciate the matter being taken so lightly. My experience has always been that the United Kingdom takes allergy matters quite seriously. I was really surprised that I even had to check my salad. Someone missed the boat somewhere. My advice would be to book a table in advance so that you aren't disappointed when you arrive. Especially with so few venues serving early in the week at this time.

Written 14 August 2022

LightPacker459706

Biarritz3 contributions

Avoid Fish

Aug 2020 • family

Fully agree with the review by Ennis C. Beef and pints are good but the fish is terrible. Fish (battered cod) grey and mushy. Killybeg’s a short drive and you can’t serve fresh fish. Mentioned it to the waiter and he came back to assure me the fish was fresh. He asked if I wanted to talk with the chef and I waited. I was told the chef was too busy to talk to me. Told the waiter I had better Donegal Catch then heard him mocking my feedback in the kitchen as I was leaving. Pity, as there is a lot right but attitude pretty terrible.

Written 11 August 2020

Aoife B

1 contribution

First time out in Sligo since Covid

Aug 2020 • family

I can't say enough good things about our experience in the venue today. The food was delicious as always but the new set up, layout and professionalism of the staff was outstanding. I have not eaten out in Sligo before today as I am still nervous about being out and about due to COVID but I had heard the layout etc was good in the venue and they weren't wrong. We were seated at the window with an amazing view of the ocean and yet totally segregated from anyone else. There was hand sanitizer throughout, all employees wearing masks and patrons wearing masks when not at their tables. Myself and my family felt so safe and we will be back!!

Written 22 August 2020

CelticSpirit1

Ireland99 contributions

Standard usually high. Not on last visit

Aug 2020 • family

I love the Venue. Food is normally great. I was here early Aug and ordered cod and chips. Cod was thick cut and unfortunately not properly cooked(IMO) in the middle. Think they should review chunky portion and have even cut fillet on their menu so it cooks properly. I brought in-laws here to impress but unfortunately they were disappointed on this visit.

Written 18 September 2020

RionaC_13

Ireland4 contributions

Fabulous Food

Jan 2023 • family

We got take out four takeout pasta dishes as we were heading to the beach we didnt have time to eat in due to time constraints but I ordered sonething that could be repeated easily so I choose basil chicken dish the scillan tomato one and two kids tomato based ones all with chicken as well. We arrived home hour and half later and reheated but oh wow they were nicest pasta chicken dishes we ever had in recent years. My boys who are fussy eaters just gobbled down as well and cleared their plates. So definitely going back. Staff were friendly and helpful.

Written 3 January 2023

IanDRyan

Sligo21 contributions

An Excellent Night

Feb 2023 • friends

We dined at The Venue on Saturday 17th of February, There was four of us and we were give a very spacious table looking out over Strandhill Bay. All our party agreed the food was excellent. I had the Medallions of Beef and was very impressed.. All the staff were very courteous and attentive and looked after all our needs. The venue sets a very high standard to all its customers and it is very evident when you are there. Quite impressive actually. I would highly recommend the venue for great food great service anda view to die for. If you're in this area don't miss it. Best Regards, Ian Ryan.

Written 19 February 2023