Imperial Hotel to Host Free Jazz Sessions During Guinness Cork Jazz Festival

The Imperial Hotel on South Mall will serve as a key venue for free live music throughout the October bank holiday weekend as Cork welcomes the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival.

From Friday 24 to Sunday 26 October, the historic hotel will stage a three-day programme of complimentary performances across two venues, Helena's and the newly refurbished Fitzgerald's Bar, while the wider festival runs from 23 to 27 October.

The hotel's prime location on South Mall places it within walking distance of major festival venues including Cork Opera House, the Everyman Theatre, Cork City Hall, Kino and Cyprus Avenue, as well as the English Market and the city's main shopping and dining areas.

Both Helena's and Fitzgerald's Bar will feature continuous performances throughout each day, with acts including The Swing Cats, Hyde Park Brass, The Roaring Forties, Ladies Who Lunch, and numerous other jazz ensembles. The schedule runs from early afternoon through to midnight, with some performances extending into the early hours.

Lorraine Gavigan, General Manager of The Imperial Hotel, said:

"Fitzgerald's Bar has been lovingly reimagined this year, with stylish interiors, a wrap around bar and top notch cocktails, so it's a natural home for brass and swing. We're thrilled to open the doors with a free programme that anyone can enjoy. The bar's new layout is all on one level with a much larger and open space so we have fantastic capacity to host a great Jazz crowd."

The hotel's schedule begins on Friday 24 October at 2:30pm and continues through Sunday 26 October, with different acts performing simultaneously across both venues throughout each day. Sunday's programme includes afternoon sessions starting from midday.

Visitors can make bookings by calling 021 427 4040, emailing reservations@imperialhotelcork.ie, or visiting www.imperialhotelcork.com.