The Left Bank Kilkenny: History, Menu, Live Music & More

When a 19th-century bank building becomes one of Kilkenny’s most talked-about nightspots, you know there’s a story worth telling — the Left Bank on The Parade transformed a former Bank of Ireland branch into an award-winning bar and grill. Opened on 8 May 2008, its roots go back to 1870 when Sandham Symes designed the original structure (Discover Ireland — official tourism body).

Opened: 8 May 2008 ·
Awards: City Bar of the Year 2023 ·
Address: 1 The Parade, Kilkenny ·
Phone: 056 7750016 ·
Food Service: Daily from 12pm

Five essential details at a glance, each sourced from the venue or local tourism authorities.

What is the history of the Left Bank Kilkenny?

Why was it called the Left Bank?

• The name is a direct reference to the Left Bank (Rive Gauche) of Paris, a historic district known for its cafés and intellectual culture (Wikipedia — online encyclopedia).
• It occupies the former Bank of Ireland building, designed by architect Sandham Symes and constructed in 1870 (Discover Ireland).

The building originally housed Bank of Ireland, which relocated from No. 10 The Parade in 1935 and remained there until 1971 (Discover Ireland). When the Left Bank opened on 8 May 2008, it revived the structure with a new purpose.

What is the Left Bank known for?

• Architectural landmark – the 1870 building is a protected structure of significant interest (Discover Ireland).
• Award-winning bar – named City Bar of the Year 2023 (Left Bank — official site).
• Regular live music and a vibrant nightlife scene (Left Bank — events page).

The building was described by Discover Ireland as “an architectural landmark of significant interest.” This combination of heritage and hospitality is rare even by Kilkenny standards.

What this means: The building’s history as a bank adds a layer of architectural significance that few modern bars can claim. It is not just a place to drink — it is a piece of Kilkenny’s built heritage.

Is the Left Bank a nightclub?

What type of venue is the Left Bank?

• The Left Bank describes itself as a “world-famous bar and grill” (Left Bank — official site).
• It also operates as a nightclub – upstairs, LB2 Social Club opens every Friday and Saturday night with DJs (Left Bank — official site).

During the day and early evening, the ground floor functions as a restaurant and bar. After 9pm or 10pm, the atmosphere shifts. The venue’s own website says it “is a popular events and nightlife centre in Kilkenny” – so it wears both hats.

The takeaway: If you are looking for a quiet dinner, go early; if you want to dance, show up after 10 pm.

Does Left Bank Kilkenny have live music?

What kind of live music does Left Bank have?

• Yes – regular live music performances, both acoustic and DJ sets (Left Bank — events page).
• In 2023, the venue was awarded City Bar of the Year, partly for its entertainment offering (The Irish Times).

Events are listed on the official website, and the venue’s sister restaurant Rive Gauche (downstairs) also hosts occasional live acts. The mix spans from trad sessions to DJ-driven nights, appealing to a broad age range.

“The Left Bank is an architectural landmark of significant interest.”
– Discover Ireland

Why this matters: Live music is a major draw for visitors, and the City Bar of the Year award validates that Left Bank is more than just a pretty facade.

What age is Left Bank Kilkenny?

What is the age requirement at Left Bank?

Food is served daily from 12pm, and the restaurant area is family-friendly during daytime hours. The official website does not publish a specific age policy for the evening or nightclub areas. However, as a licensed premises, standard Irish licensing laws apply: no under-18s after 9pm unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

For LB2 Social Club (the first-floor nightclub), the venue states it features “Kilkenny’s top DJs playing a mix to suit all ages” – but this likely refers to music taste, not actual age admission. It is wise to call ahead (056 7750016) to confirm any age restrictions for specific events.

The catch: The lack of publicly available age and dress policies means first-time visitors should plan for flexibility, especially on weekends.

What is the dress code?

The Left Bank does not publish a dress code on its official website or social media channels. Reviews on Tripadvisor — user review platform suggest that smart casual is the norm, though no formal policy exists.

What is the Left Bank Kilkenny menu?

What are the opening hours?

• Bar food menu: available until 9pm Monday to Thursday; until 8pm Sunday and Friday; until 6pm Saturday (Left Bank — menu page).
• Sister restaurant Rive Gauche: serves gourmet lunch daily from 12pm to 4:30pm (Visit Kilkenny — local tourism office) and dinner from 5pm Monday to Friday, 12pm Saturday and Sunday (Left Bank — menu page).

What are the prices?

Menu prices are not listed on the official website. The venue’s contact page invites inquiries, but no price list is publicly available. User reviews on Tripadvisor — user review platform indicate mid-range pricing for Kilkenny – expect €15-€20 for a main course.

The catch: The lack of online menu and pricing makes it hard to plan a budget, but the venue’s popularity suggests the food quality and value must be solid.

Who owns the Left Bank?

Ownership is not publicly disclosed on the venue’s website or through official tourism listings. The business operates under the Left Bank brand and also runs Rive Gauche, but the specific individual or group behind it has not been made public.

Where is Left Bank located?

• Address: 1 The Parade, Kilkenny, Ireland (Discover Ireland)
• Eircode: Not formally listed on the official site, but the general postcode for The Parade is R95 VK98 (based on commercial mapping).

“Rive Gauche serves a gourmet lunch daily from 12pm to 4:30pm”
– Visit Kilkenny

Timeline

• 8 May 2008 – Left Bank opened its doors as a bar and grill (Left Bank — official venue website, The Irish Times).
• 1870 – Bank of Ireland building constructed, designed by Sandham Symes (Discover Ireland).
• 1935 – Bank of Ireland relocated to this building from No. 10 The Parade (Discover Ireland).
• 2023 – Left Bank awarded City Bar of the Year (Left Bank — official site).

Clarity check: what we know vs what’s uncertain

What visitors are saying

“The Left Bank is an architectural landmark of significant interest.”
– Discover Ireland

“The Left Bank is a world-famous bar and grill in Kilkenny, Ireland.”
– Left Bank official website

Both official tourism bodies and the venue itself emphasize the building’s architectural value and its role as a social hub. User reviews on Tripadvisor — user review platform consistently praise the atmosphere and location, though some note the noise levels on weekends.

For anyone planning a night out in Kilkenny, the choice is clear: arrive for a meal at Rive Gauche before 9pm, or head upstairs to LB2 Social Club for dancing. Either way, you are in a building with 150 years of history behind you – and an award-winning drink in your hand.

Frequently asked questions