Daniel's Kitchen and Bar in Ballina officially opened its doors on Thursday, 24th July 2025.
This means the venue is rapidly approaching its one-year anniversary this month.
The stylish venue was completely revamped and transformed the site of the former, historic Gaughan's Bar with all design and engineering work carried out by Simon Beale + Associates.
The award winning venue opened its doors on Thursday the 24th of July 2025.
The venue had a massive breakout year, taking home the prestigious Best Newcomer in Mayo title at the 2026 Irish Restaurant Awards after only eight months in business.
Situated right in the heart of town at 15 O'Rahilly St, Ballina, Co. Mayo.
The destination has built a strong reputation over its first year for bold, contemporary Irish flavours, signature cocktails (like their Achill Smoked Salt Margarita), and family-style Sunday roast boards.
Daniel’s Bar & Kitchen presents a sophisticated contemporary hospitality design that combines a traditional town-centre frontage with a warm, boutique bar and restaurant identity. The exterior is defined by a rich slate-blue façade, complemented by prominent gold “DANIEL’S” lettering and carefully integrated architectural lighting. Vertical fluted detailing with warm metallic accents frames the entrance and gives the frontage rhythm and depth. The illuminated signage, wall washing and window lighting create a particularly strong evening presence, making the premises immediately identifiable from the street.
A central glazed entrance provides a direct view into the interior. The open entrance and warm amber lighting establish a welcoming transition from the street into the bar. Decorative patterned floor tiles at the threshold add character and connect with the more colourful finishes used internally, while the framed menu display reinforces the restaurant element of the business.
Inside, the design develops into a stylish, intimate bar and dining environment. Warm timber flooring, decorative tiles, feature pendant lighting and carefully selected furniture are combined with richer colours and patterned upholstery. The bar itself acts as a major visual feature, incorporating a light stone counter, deep green scalloped tiling, brass detailing, and floral-upholstered seating.
The overall material palette balances deep blues and greens with brass, gold, natural timber, and warm lighting. This gives Daniel’s a distinctive identity that feels contemporary while retaining the atmosphere and intimacy associated with a traditional Irish bar and restaurant.
The design creates a high-quality, welcoming, and visually distinctive Bar & Kitchen, with the exterior and interior working together as a coherent hospitality concept. The strong illuminated frontage attracts attention after dark, while the warmer, richly detailed interior provides an inviting setting for dining, drinks, and socialising.
