If there’s something you’re going to do whilst you’re in Dublin, it’s hit up the native pubs. And with the triple menace combo that Dublin’s bar scene provides—genuine stay music, scrumptious hearty Irish dishes, and a number of the greatest beer you’ll ever have in your life—it’s not exhausting to see why locals and vacationers of all ages frequent the bar scene.
With beautifully-preserved vintage components, you’ll really feel such as you’ve stepped again in time—solely including to your expertise in a Dublin pub.
With so many decisions (particularly in a metropolis like Dublin), it’s exhausting to resolve which Dublin pubs will win your coronary heart (and your money). We’ve narrowed down the alternatives to a condensed checklist of the perfect pubs in Dublin, so you possibly can head straight there while not having to juggle the choices. Don’t overlook to seize a pint of Guinness as you hearken to conventional Irish music!
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1. O’Donoghues Bar
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Fan of conventional Irish music? You received’t wish to miss O’Donoghues Bar. Most famously referred to as the venue the place Dublin-based group The Dubliners started performing within the Nineteen Sixties shortly earlier than capturing to stardom, at the moment, the bar is a neighborhood staple that draws locals and vacationers alike.
When the stay music on rotation combines genuine, high quality, and infrequently spur of the second, you possibly can’t solely go to as soon as. Usually when musicians carry out on stage, further musicians will emerge from the group and be a part of the crew onstage, which makes for unforgettable impromptu jam periods that you just’ll keep in mind for ages.
Pair that with an ideal pint of Guinness and a plate of Irish stew, and also you received’t ever wish to depart.
2. The Brazen Head
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- Location: 20 Decrease Bridge St, The Liberties, Dublin
- Insider Tip: To maximise your time, finish your afternoon on the close by Guinness Manufacturing unit (a brief stroll away) earlier than heading to the pub for (one other) pint.
In a metropolis as outdated as Dublin, it doesn’t carry a lot weight to say {that a} particular place is outdated – that’s, until you’re the Brazen Head Pub, which carries the official title of being Dublin’s oldest pub, having stood since 1198. Although you possibly can by no means ensure how a lot of its authentic construction continues to be standing, the traditional stone, intricately carved wooden, and dim lighting solely add to its historic appeal.
Nice writers reminiscent of Jonathan Swift and James Joyce are incessantly related to the Dublin bar, and scrolls and historic texts are displayed on the wall. The pub’s inside provides three cozy rooms, and an outside courtyard can be accessible within the hotter summer season months.
3. The Lengthy Corridor
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- Location: 51 South Nice George’s Road, Dublin 2
- Insider Tip: No youngsters are allowed right here, so no want to carry again an excessive amount of. Attempt the Irish espresso for each a bit of one thing sturdy and a bit of increase to maintain you up late to hearken to some severely nice Irish music.
The magical interiors definitely will if the surface doesn’t essentially offer you that sense of marvel that many aged pubs typically do. The Lengthy Corridor is a Victorian pub relationship again to 1766, with a protracted historical past (therefore the identify). A medley of portraits, engravings, and prints line the partitions, depicting the whole lot from Russian emperors to girls of the the Aristocracy.
Enjoyable truth: Bruce Springsteen has been identified to pop in every now and then; play your playing cards proper, and you possibly can wind up consuming your pint subsequent to the person himself.
4. Palace Bar
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It could be situated on Fleet Road, however don’t fear, there aren’t any demon barbers right here. Dublin’s Palace Bar is one other Victorianesque pub that retains all its historic appeal – little question helped by the ancient-looking lampposts and the hanging baskets overflowing with vivid, colourful posies.
This was one other literary hotspot, as soon as owned by the then-editor of the Irish Instances. Whereas the constructing is far more dated, the pub itself has been pulling pints since 1823. On account of newspaper possession, this grew to become a favourite spot for writers to satisfy sources. Even at the moment, it’s a well-liked spot for journalists for each working and socializing.
If you wish to attempt one thing new – or simply wish to take a break from Guinness – stick round for one among their common whiskey tastings, the place a powerful array of malts are on supply (together with a home mix in the event you actually wish to really feel like a Dubliner!).
5. The Stag’s Head
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- Location: 1 Dame Ct, Dublin
- Insider Tip: Swing by on a Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday in the event you like stand-up comedy (there are reveals on as of late within the downstairs venue room). On these nights, there’s the added lure of free ice cream throughout intermission!
This little gem in Dublin is aptly named; when you pay it a go to, it received’t be exhausting to grasp why. The Stag’s Head pub is, in the beginning, embellished with largely stag-themed components – a stained glass window, carved wooden panels, mirror artwork, and (after all) an enormous stag’s head above the primary door and the bar itself.
If you happen to occur to be within the Grafton Road buying space, this pub is a hop, skip, and bounce away, that means you’re nearer to kicking again with a pint.
6. Toners
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- Location: 139 Baggot Road Decrease, Dublin 2
- Insider Tip: There’s not a lot in the best way of meals right here, however usually, bartenders received’t thoughts in the event you order your self a takeaway!
Visiting this gem of Eire’s capital metropolis is like taking a visit again in time. A lot of its authentic Victorian decor has been preserved, together with authentic furnishings, glass-encased historic curiosities, and even inside stone flooring.
Rory Guinness, a longtime member of the famed beer-brewing household, has himself declared that Toners pub in Dublin pours the perfect pint of Guinness (we’re fairly certain that obligates you to go not less than as soon as), so this was deserving of a spot on the checklist of greatest pubs in Dublin.
This was additionally a preferred spot with many writers, and rumor is that Toners was the one pub the place Yeats would have a pint. Evidently, with so many accolades, it’s positively the most effective pubs in Dublin.
But when that title isn’t sufficient to sway you, then possibly you’ll be satisfied by the large year-round beer backyard out again, the place Mumford & Sons performed a live performance!
7. The Cobblestone
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- Location: 77 King St N, Smithfield, Dublin
- Insider Tip: It is a neighborhood staple situated in one of many metropolis’s oldest areas and house fills up quick; go early to nab a spot on the bar.
Although it’s kind of a assure that any Irish pub value its salt may have stay Irish music, the Cobblestone pub is arguably one of many absolute prime locations to expertise it – if not the perfect – within the metropolis; it’s no marvel that this one made it onto the checklist of the perfect pubs in Dublin.
Affectionately coined “a consuming pub with a music downside,” the pub is owned by the Mulligan household, who’ve a wealthy historical past of about 5 generations lengthy of enjoying a number of the best tunes round. The proprietor’s brother is an achieved uilleann pipe participant, and there are month-to-month pipers’ periods. The household performs collectively seven nights every week within the pub, typically not for present however solely for environment and delight.
There are additionally frequent musical reveals in different genres, like rock, people, bluegrass, and jazz. However after all, if you’re coming for genuine Irish music, you received’t be disenchanted; there are sometimes fiddle nights too!
8. The Norseman
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Previously referred to as Farrington’s of Temple Bar, the pub’s identify was lately modified again to the unique identify – The Norseman. Again within the 1500s, It was initially referred to as the Picket Man Tavern resulting from a wood Viking statue exterior on the road. The pub grew to become formally licensed in 1692, making it among the many oldest bars in Dublin.
Whereas this pub, like all, pulls an ideal pint of Guinness, it’s additionally a gastropub and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so that you don’t have to attend till night opening occasions to fulfill any cravings you might have. Now we have it on good authority that the meat and Guinness pie is hearty and scrumptious and pairs completely along with your pint.
9. The Furry Lemon
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- Location: Stephen Road Decrease, Dublin 2
- Insider Tip: If you’re a smoker, there’s a coated smoking space, so that you don’t want to face exterior in poor climate.
Do you even want another excuse to go to with a reputation like that? It’s named after a famed Dublin canine catcher, who (sadly) is reported to have resembled a furry lemon, because of an uneven complexion and a few unlucky facial hair. Identical to its namesake, the bar is not like something you’ve ever seen and is certainly not your common Irish pub.
Other than the culinary capers, you’ll positively wish to pattern (seafood chowder, Irish espresso, Guinness pie, and the bread and butter pudding), the inside alone is value a go to, despite the fact that the outer façade reveals nothing of the paraphernalia inside.
Memorabilia, each trendy & classic, is strung from each doable open spot, and the room decor inside is a mix of recent, brightly-colored furnishings and creative graffiti murals painted on the partitions.
10. The Bleeding Horse
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Although its identify might offer you pause, don’t fear; this pub has nothing in retailer for you however good occasions. Greater than 350 years outdated, The Bleeding Horse has an inside that’s paying homage to a medieval banquet corridor, because of excessive vaulted ceilings, uncovered wooden beams, and vintage paintings.
The origin of the identify is unknown for certain, and there are numerous theories, however the overwhelming majority consider that the identify originates from the Battle of Rathmines (relationship from 1649, the identical 12 months that the pub opened its doorways), the place an injured horse fled from the scene.
The inside is cozy, because of limitless little nooks, crannies, and tucked-away spots for privateness. Pair a hidden spot with a preferred menu merchandise such because the buffalo sauce hen wings (not Irish, however extremely regarded!) or the ever-popular fish and chips plate, a easy, malty pint of beer, and also you’re set for a soothing night that’s the excellent Eire expertise.
11. McDaid’s
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- Location: 3 Harry St, Dublin
- Insider Tip: When you in all probability can’t go inside until you befriend the barman, have a peek behind the bar and see in the event you can spot the traditional entice door that leads right down to the cellars.
Ever been in a morgue? Us neither, however after a go to to McDaid’s, you received’t be capable of say that anymore. Previously town mortuary, the constructing the place at the moment’s McDaid’s pub is located was later transformed from the morgue to a chapel, which accounts for its excessive, arched Gothic ceilings. All in all, it’s a very weird mixture of structure and decor that makes for one of the vital distinctive pubs you’ll discover in Dublin.
Whereas Irish music isn’t any stranger right here, the bar is healthier identified for its jazz and blues nights. If you wish to hear one thing a bit of totally different than what you’ve been experiencing within the metropolis thus far, this can be a good tempo change that also retains the appeal, enchantment, and Irishness of a conventional Dublin pub.
12. L Mulligan Grocer
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- Location: 18 Stoneybatter, Arran Quay, Dublin 7
- Insider Tip: The triple-cooked chips (fries) are nice worth at solely £3.50 and are sufficient to feed a number of individuals – to not point out completely scrumptious. The spiced potted crab can be a dish that’s extremely advisable!
If you happen to’re searching for a Guinness, carry on strolling as a result of this isn’t your typical Irish pub. Well-known for being the one pub that doesn’t supply Guinness (a daring determination in a metropolis reminiscent of Dublin), it’s constructing a status for itself as a wonderful place for gastropub meals. Standard decisions embody Belgian ales and native, lesser-known craft beers if you’d like a beer.
Quiet, out of the best way, and never but found by the mass inhabitants, this can be a great place to keep away from after-work crowds and have a extra stress-free night. See insider suggestions for meals suggestions, however simply know that servers shortly suggest particular beers for all of the totally different dishes!
13. Temple Bar Pub
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- Location: 18 Stoneybatter, Arran Quay, Dublin 7
Insider Tip: The Temple Bar has an enormous collection of Whiskeys, Scotch & Bourbons (over 450!), so come right here if you’d like an Irish Whisky on the rocks.
Locals will let you know that Temple Bar Pub is certainly not the most effective pubs in Dublin, however it’s a vacationer staple, so I really feel it needed to be talked about.
Temple Bar is a busy bar on Temple Bar streets. It’s normally all the time crowded with foreigners slamming down Guinness and listening to Irish music. They’ve scrumptious oysters and play stay music 7 days every week. With this additionally comes the most costly Guinness in Dublin, however that’s what you get for a bar that has hosted a number of the most well-known bands all through historical past!
Greatest Pubs in Dublin Map
Fast Eire Journey Ideas
Earlier than hitting up these pubs in Dublin, learn our Eire journey suggestions.
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- ‘Hiya’ and ‘Thank You’ in Gaelic: “Dia dhuit” and “Go raibh maith agat”
- Foreign money: Euro – (EUR) – €
- Visa: The Republic of Eire & Northern Eire are separate international locations on the island of Eire. The Republic of Eire, referred to as ‘Eire’, grants 90-day visas. Northern Eire, part of the UK, additionally grants 90 days.
- Climate: Count on numerous climate! Eire is understood for having fast shifts in and plenty of rain – it’s solely the one purpose a rustic like Eire stays so inexperienced and fertile. See our full packing checklist right here.
- When is the perfect time to go to Dublin? Eire is a unbelievable nation to go to year-round. Nevertheless, you’ll discover crowds through the summer season. My favourite time to go to Eire is in September when the climate is cool and the low crowds. Plus, it’s when the well-known Galway Oyster Competition occurs!
What to Pack for Eire
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Are you questioning what to put on in Eire? The Emerald Isle has drawn many vacationers from all around the world to its shores for many years. Maybe it’s ancestral pasts for thus many People that draw individuals to Eire. Or it might merely be the pleasant locals who create such a welcoming environment in a surprising nation wealthy in heritage.
Eire Journey Planning Sources
- Packing Information — Take a look at our Eire Packing Checklist to assist pack your luggage and make sure you don’t depart something at residence.
- Lease a Automotive — We advise most guests contemplate renting a automotive for the perfect journey doable. Attempt Uncover Automotive Rent to match quotes from totally different rental businesses. Examine the Value Right here!
- Defend Your Journey — We don’t journey with out journey insurance coverage, and neither do you have to. You by no means know what can occur whereas touring, so it’s greatest to be ready. HeyMondo gives glorious short-term and long-term journey insurance coverage.
- Excursions in Eire — Take a look at our checklist of the greatest excursions you possibly can get pleasure from in Eire!
- Journey Adapter – Be sure to discover a appropriate adapter to maintain your electronics charged. In any other case, chances are you’ll be paying for an inexpensive one when you land. Buy one right here.