Special: Kelly’s Irish Bar | Faliraki (Rhodes, Greece)

Καλώς ορίσατε στο θέρετρο Φαληράκι στο ελληνικό νησί της Ρόδου!

Today we have another special review of a pub outside Germany. Nico was on vacation again—this time on the Greek island of Rhodes in the Aegean Sea.

Anyone who thinks that Greece is so far away from the Emerald Isle that there can’t possibly be a pub there is mistaken. We found at least three on Google Maps… one in Rhodes Town, one in the small village of Pefkos, and Kelly’s Irish Bar in the resort of Faliraki on the east coast of Rhodes. We chose this pub because it had the best reviews and was not far from our vacation home in Afandou.

Faliraki itself is the cliché of a tourist resort. In the small town center, adventure bars line up next to souvenir shops and taverns. It was a bit reminiscent of our visit to Playa del Carmen in Mexico .

Kelly’s Irish Bar is divided into two areas. The actual pub interior is relatively small and rustic, yet bright and friendly. Green-painted walls alternate with stone walls. The decor is not overloaded and consists of various pictures and a few Irish decorative elements such as flags. Due to the sunny and hot climate of the island, the interior is usually completely open to the street.

On the other side of the street is the larger part of Kelly’s Irish Bar with its beer garden. It is very spacious and has a Mediterranean feel with its green outdoor carpet and numerous palm trees and plants. In the back corners, there is a small stage and a pool table. Unfortunately, the outdoor seating consists of plastic chairs, which become somewhat uncomfortable when sitting for long periods of time. Battery-powered lamps are placed on the tables, and their brightness can be adjusted at the touch of a button.

During our visit, Celtic rock and Celtic folk music was playing at a moderate volume inside – unobtrusive and allowing for easy conversation. The outdoor area is not amplified from inside, but is used for live music, which is played every evening at Kelly’s. On the evening of our visit, a singer-songwriter performed rock classics and oldies from the 1960s to the 1990s as a solo entertainer.

The restrooms are located inside and were very neat and clean throughout the evening.

Drinks

Kelly’s serves the obligatory Guinness on tap, as well as Greek Mythos beer. Bottled beers include the standard Amstel, Alfa, Heineken, and Corona, as well as German Paulaner wheat beer. Cider lovers are catered for with Strongbow, Magners, and Kopparberg. The whiskey selection is solid but unspectacular, with Bushmills, Jameson, Glenfiddich, and Tullamore Dew, as well as Jim Beam and Jack Daniels bourbons. Unusually for an Irish pub, classic cocktails are also available. Various shots are available on request, and our beloved Baby Guinness was happily prepared for us. Unfortunately, however, Kelly’s Irish Bar does not serve Irish Flag shots.

A pint of Guinness costs €8 in Faliraki, which is quite expensive compared to Germany. This probably is due to the fact, that we were in a tourist spot. It’s important to note that you pay immediately after each round.

As is customary in Greek bars, nuts or chips are served free of charge with drinks.

Food / Snacks

Kelly’s Irish Bar does not offer food or pub snacks. However, there are numerous taverns and restaurants in the immediate neighbourhood where you can satisfy your hunger before visiting the pub.