Irish Soul
As you wander down Ayia Napa’s buzzing Ayias Mavris Street, aka bar street, there’s one place that always pulls me in, Paddy’s Irish Bar. You know a good pub when you see one, especially when you hear its guitar licks before you even see its sign, and Paddy’s has that authentic Irish soul but with a cool Cypriot twist, that keeps me popping in every time I’m down there …
Irish Vibes
In fact, it was my pleasure to finally get one of Ayia Napa’s pioneers, Pambos Alexandrou, the owner of the bar, to sit down for a chat. I’ve known Pambos for well over 30 years and was infatuated by his story. He said, “We opened Paddy’s Bar in 2002. In those days, there were 7 Irish bars in Napa … today it’s just us”. He continued, “The secret is simple: ‘hospitality’. It’s an Irish place, but everyone is welcome here.
Traditionally Irish
I asked them about the entertainment … Katerina said, “The musicians are Irish, but the music they play is not only traditional: it’s a balanced mix of good old pop and rock, the best Irish tunes and modern songs you’ll probably know, and btw, the singers do take requests. Naturally, all nationalities visit Paddy’s, united by the love for live music and happy vibes”
Seventh Heaven
Seven nights a week, there’s an Irish singer on stage with an acoustic guitar, just one instrument, and somehow it fills the whole street. Before you even reach the door, you can hear it, and for a moment, you could swear you’re somewhere in Ireland, not Napa.
Irish Look
I love the decor, from outside it looks really cool, open fronted, lined with whiskey barrels and high stools. Just inside, wood-panelled walls, vintage signs, and the clink of pints set the scene for genuine Irish hospitality under the Mediterranean stars. The decor is gloriously busy, just how I like a pub to look. Look closer, and you’ll see this isn’t just clever styling. Much of what surrounds you was brought over from Ireland itself. Some pieces are antique, a few are genuinely rare. And the story keeps growing, every year new treasures appear, often carried back by friends of the house and loyal regulars who’ve found something special to add to the collection.
The Green Isle
Then, tilt your head up; the ceiling tells its own tale. Sports jerseys galore, signed, dated, left behind by visitors from near and far, hanging overhead like a patchwork of memories. Each one is a story, each one proof that this isn’t just a bar, but a living, breathing piece of Ireland, right here in Cyprus. All topped off with a traditional Irish thatched cottage on the roof acting as the bar’s signage, brilliant! … Hmm, I think it’s probably one of the best-looking pubs in Napa.
Irish Magic
What really makes this bar so special is the ambience, unique in Napa. It’s many a favourite place to meet to start the night out in Napa, often as not, some just stay all night, ’til the clubs open. It usually starts off mellow and ends with you dancing and singing your heart out. The beauty of it is the journey; early in the evening, it feels intimate, almost like a small Irish pub session. As the night builds, the tempo lifts, the crowd joins in, and suddenly the whole place becomes one big chorus … Just brilliant!
Mixed Up
The crowd is wonderfully mixed, young and old, locals and visitors, accents from every corner of the world, often spilling out onto the street in one big, cheerful blur, and that’s the magic of it … Inside these walls, differences seem to dissolve. Politics, religion, the worries of everyday life, the noise of the world, all fade into the background. Here, people are simply present in the moment. Sharing stories, raising glasses, and celebrating life together.
Irish Love
As Pambos proudly told me, “More than a few love stories have begun within these very walls. Over the years, many couples have met here, first as strangers across a crowded bar, later as partners for life”. And it’s not just a story he tells about others. Pambos, in fact, met his wife, Katerina, here too. Perhaps it’s no surprise, this is Cyprus, after all, the island of the goddess of love, Aphrodite. And in a place filled with music, laughter, and open hearts, it seems romance has a habit of finding its way in.
Irish Drinks
You’re bound to find your favourite tipple here … Pambos boasted, “We sell the most Guinness in Cyprus, with more than 600 kegs in six months.” Pambos continued, almost casually, “At Paddy’s Irish Bar, that famous black pint isn’t just a drink, it’s almost a ritual. He smiled, KEO is naturally a bestseller too, we are in Cyprus after all.” Alongside them, you’ll find more lagers, ciders and, naturally, a serious selection of Irish whiskeys. Jameson’s remains the top seller, poured neat, over ice, in cocktails and, of course, in a proper Irish Coffee.
Signature Creations
But Paddy’s isn’t only about a good pint and whiskey. The cocktail list is just as strong, from all the classics you’d expect to find, carefully crafted signature creations and the latest favourites people ask for by name. Pambos laughed as he added, “Everything behind the bar is the real deal, premium brands only. You can’t cut corners with the Irish when it comes to a proper drink,” And he means it, from the proper glassware to bottled mixers, there’s a quiet pride in doing things the right way. Whether you’re here for a perfectly poured Guinness, a smooth whiskey, or a cocktail shaken or stirred, just the way you like it, trust me, you won’t leave disappointed.
The Irish Way to Party
You could say every night is a craic here; in fact, it often feels like St. Patrick’s Day every single day of the summer. Any excuse is a good excuse for a party. So, there’s always something happening for the sports, and lots of people have their birthday parties here … so too anniversaries, hen parties, stag nights and an ever-increasing amount of weddings, and they’ve even had the occasional divorce party too … oh well, might as well join them for a drink.
Nights in Napa
What really makes this bar so special is the ambience, unique in Napa. It’s Irish with a Cypriot twist; the international crowd, both young and old, often spill onto the street. It’s the place to start, and maybe stay ’til the clubs open. It’s many a favourite place to meet to start the night out in Napa, often as not some just stay all night … It usually starts off mellow and ends with you dancing and singing your heart out.
Love of The Irish
Katerina added, many of our clients are couples who met here, just like Pambos and I. We are the place where people come to be with people, to put down the smartphone and feel the moment, to feel alive for real: singing, dancing, having fun, and communicating with each other”.
Behind the Bar
I asked Pambos to tell me more … he smiled, “We sell the most Guinness in Cyprus, roughly 600 kegs in 6 months … of course Keo is also a best seller, coz we’re in Cyprus, plus a few more lagers and ciders. There’s a huge choice of Irish Whiskey, the biggest seller is Jameson’s, because it’s what we use in most of our cocktails and our Irish Coffee … All our spirits are real, original brand names, there’s no fooling the Irish when it comes to booze! All our mixers are in bottles” Oh, and on that note, I love their proper glasses …
On Draught
Apart from the black gold, there’s Castrella, Thatchers, Magners, Heineken, to mention but a few! The back wall is just full of coolly lit shelving and optics, and if it’s not on draught, they’ll probably have it in a bottle.
Events
You could say every night is an event here, and much as they’re rarely open in time for St. Patricks Day it’s any excuse for a party … So, there’s always something happening for the sports, and lots of people have their birthday parties here … so too anniversaries, hen parties, stag nights and an ever-increasing amount of weddings and the occasional divorce party too, oh well, might as well join them for a drink.
Early Kick Off
Pambos explained, “We open at 7 pm; it’s a bit early for Napa, but our live music starts at 8 pm, and we get busy really quickly. Occasionally, we’ll open earlier to show sporting events like UFC and the G.A.A Gaelic Games” … There’s also a pool table if you wanna crack a few frames.
The Early Bird
Being one of the earlier spots to open gives them a special rhythm. Some people drop in for an aperitif before dinner, others return afterwards to carry the night on, and many end up here later, drifting away from the noise of the crazy bars and dance clubs for something a little more relaxed, or perhaps more real? Early, late, or somewhere in between, it always seems like the right time to walk in.
Behind the Scenes
Pambos would be the first to say … This place has never been about just one person. It takes a whole team to make everyone feel welcome here. Behind the bar, you’ll meet Savvas, not just a barman, but my old friend and business partner, a man who knows every bottle, every story, and many of the guests by name”. At the other bar station, for more than a decade, there has been Katerina, Pambos’ wife, quietly holding so much together with her care and heart.
Multi National
Katerina added, “The waiters come from different countries, and many have been here for years. Our Scottish head waiter, Shaun, for example, needs no introduction. They bring their humour, their smiles, and their kindness. They offer much more than just service, a personal touch, sometimes a little out of the ordinary, all contributing to the spirit and success of the bar. Even those you may not notice, the ones who clean, prepare, and stay after the music ends, put real love into what they do. Everyone here truly cares, and that’s what makes the place feel alive”.
Unique
I have to say, in the 24 years I’ve been drinking at Paddy’s, I’ve loved that they’ve remained unique, avoiding the ordinary Napa night out. Most of their clients have been here before, becoming more like family than really good friends. In fact, as Katerina says, “When they’re in Napa, we’ll often go out for lunch together. And when the season is over, we visit them in their own countries. We send each other birthday wishes and Christmas cards. We stay in touch, it’s not just a bar relationship, it’s real, somewhere along the way they stop feeling like customers”. Maybe it’s the live music that does it, singing the same songs together, year after year, has a way of turning strangers into something closer.
Nostalgia
If you get a chance, ask Pambos to take you back to the old days. We spent a couple of hours talking about the landmarks, names like Minos pub, Marinella’s Bar, Volcano Bar, and Alexanders in the square in its heyday. Then Cadillac Disco, and Thai Restaurant … oh, and not forgetting Hollywood Bar, to mention but a few … he really is a true legend!
One for the Road
Seriously, if you’re looking for a really good vibe, don’t miss a visit to Paddy’s! This year, the bar will be celebrating 24 years in business, and as every other year, it’s gonna be one big craic!
Open Long Summer Season
Late March ’til November
Nightly: 7 pm ’til Late
Directions
You’ll find Paddy’s at 16, Ayias Mavris Street, Ayia Napa, aka Bar Street or Nightlife Street … It’s just up slope from Carwash Disco and the Municipality Offices … Click on the Google Map icon below …
GPS: 34.98966, 33.99597
Traditionally Irish!
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