Dublin is full of pubs: trendy mega pubs catering to a young crowd, cozy little corner pubs with frozen-in-time decor, bars for folk music and conversation, and pubs that are nothing more than watering holes for serious drinkers. With over 750 bars to choose from, it’s hard to be thirsty in the Irish capital.
But where can you find the best pubs in Dublin? Ultimately, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Looking for craic (the Irish word for “fun”) ? Waiting for traditional music? Or longing for a drink in a pub with a bit of history? Dublin has a bar to suit every bill.
The best way to find your favorite pub in Dublin is by drinking pints, pints, and more pints, but to start, here’s an alphabetical guide to where to go for a great night out in Dublin:
The Auld Dubliner
Situated smack in the middle of the busy Temple Bar district, this pub is known for its brilliant mural (including a Jack Russell Terrier irreverently relieved in public, which may be a harbinger of things to come as the evening progresses ), popular music and crowds.
Steering alone ensures a constant flow of mostly young and sometimes very noisy crowds. A pint here will never be boring, but don’t expect to be able to hear yourself from the music or the loud cheers.
The Bankers Bar
Decorated with nostalgic posters throughout the narrow bar, The Bankers is a traditional Irish pub on Trinity Street. As the name suggests, the building was once a bank, and it is rumored that there are still ancient vaults in the depths of the bar. Close to Trinity College, the pub has been popular with students since it opened just over a hundred years ago. For a change, head to the main bar on Fridays and Saturdays when the remodeled upper deck serves as a comedy club.
Cheeky head
James Joyce reflected in “Ulysses” that “a good puzzle would be to cross Dublin without going through a pub.” So it’s no wonder that he continues to mention Brazen Head in his most famous novel. One of Ireland’s oldest pubs, the Brazen Head is housed in a building dating back to 1198. The building has been updated more recently, but the historic pub has been a drinking institution for over a hundred years.
Today, thirsty crowds flock to this Dublin landmark for both Guinness and literary connections.
Cobblestone
Known for its traditional Trad sessions, The Cobblestone describes itself as a pub with a musical problem. With live Irish music 7 days a week, a pint in this pub is almost always accompanied by a flute player and a violin. Located on the north side of Dublin, the music draws a lively local crowd, but this Smithfield watering hole also has the distinction of serving cheaper pints than the pubs in Temple Bar.
Livingroom
There is a pub for all tastes in Dublin, and the appeal of The Living Room is that it is decidedly more modern than the old dark wood bars in the city. The central pub is a popular sports bar with multiple screens showing Irish matches on game day. On a rare sunny day, The Living Room also has an outdoor beer garden perfect for lounging with a drink in hand, though you’ll find it crowded even in inclement weather. After sports matches are over, the bar takes on a disco vibe until the wee hours of the morning.
The long stone
A stone’s throw from Trinity College and across the street from Pearse Street Garda Station, in a rather exciting part of the city, this quirky bar is considered the oldest Viking pub in Dublin. That claim might be pushing the boundaries of the truth a bit because the pub was established in 1754, when the Vikings had long since disappeared. However, the popular pub is named and decorated in homage to the Nordics who settled in the area long ago. The dimly lit bar incorporates Viking elements into its design and even has a statue of Balder, the Norse god of light and heat, which doubles as a fireplace.
Mary’s Bar & Hardware
Head to any small town or town in Ireland and you can probably still find a hidden pub in a grocery store or DIY store. Mary’s Bar & Hardware Shop opened its doors in 2014, but offers a taste of these classic hybrid pubs in the heart of the capital. And who knows? You can find something useful to buy on the eclectic shelves between rounds.
McDaid’s
Busy Grafton Street has traditionally been rumored to be the only street in Dublin without a pub. Fortunately, some of the best pubs in town, including McDaid’s, are just steps away from the side streets. Most people have a quick drink, but you need to linger to enjoy the art deco interior to really appreciate the classic pub. In addition to the decor, artistic connections are found in famous patrons of the past: Patrick Kavanagh used to drink here, so did (albeit in larger quantities and more frequently) Brendan Behan. The latter is rumored to have modeled some of his characters on drinkers at this pub, would he, no?
Today McDaid’s has a dark interior, lots of funky woodwork, and is a good place for a quiet beer. But it is not as quiet as a morgue, even though the building once served as such.
John Mulligan’s
Mulligan’s has been pouring pints since 1782 (although not originally at this location). Throughout its long history, many celebrities have flocked to the bar for a drink, including President John F. Kennedy, poet Seamus Heaney, and actress Judy Garland. James Joyce was on the bar regulars list, as were most of the Irish press staff (who retired in 1995). Mulligan’s is also famous for its connection to legendary sports writer Kerry Con Houlihan and still has a plaque in his honor. However, Mulligan’s main claim to fame is a perfect pint of Guinness poured by experienced staff. In fact, the pub is known as ‘the home of the pint’.
O’Donoghue’s
Irish folk music fans can’t visit Dublin without making a pilgrimage to O’Donoghue’s on Merrion Row. This high-traffic pub is known for launching the career of the Dubliners, Ireland’s seminal ballad and folk group.
Very close to the city center, O’Donoghue’s is surprisingly large… and it should be, as the pub is on multiple tours. All of this means that the pub will almost always have an enthusiastic influx of visitors, especially during the tourist season and when live music is playing.
Palace bar
Entering the unspoilt Palace Bar is like stepping back in time to Victorian times. The pub has been open since 1823 and is popular for its extensive collection of Irish whiskeys. In addition to its period decor, the Fleet Street pub is known for its long association with writers, thanks in large part to its proximity to the Irish Times office. Just steps from the Ha’Penny Bridge, the pub is a welcome local alternative to Temple Bar.
The Porterhouse
The Porterhouse, on the fringes of Temple Bar, a short walk from Dublin Castle and City Hall, opened in 1996 as Dublin’s first pub brewery. At the time, Guinness-soaked old-guard publicans were skeptical that such a novel microbrewery could survive.
But hold on and The Porterhouse is now a Dublin institution as much as can be had in just twenty years or so. A popular pub to enjoy craft beer or to relax.
Deer head
When Guinness needed an iconic pub to use as a backdrop for a filmed advertisement, it came to The Stag’s Head. The elegant Victorian pub is filled with dark wood and of course features a large deer head mounted above the bar. The beloved pub is tucked away in a passageway on Dame Street, but its location near Dublin City Hall and Grafton Street keeps this hidden gem of a bustling bar all day and night.
JW Sweetman
Formerly known as ‘Messrs Maguire’, this massive pub spans four floors and features its own microbrewery to create a winning combination of pub, night bar and restaurant. Within sight of O’Connell Bridge, JW Sweetman is also as central as possible, making it an ideal meeting place during a night out. JW Sweetman, which doesn’t just depend on location, location, location, is famous for its selection of homebrews, although no one will blame you for ordering a pint of Guinness.
Toners
Established in 1818 as a bar and grocery store, Toners still has a traditional feel and an ideal place (a private and cozy corner separate from the rest of the pub) for a drink after a long day of exploring Dublin. Beyond the antique brass taps and warm interior, the bar is popular for its outdoor patio that opened in 2012. Known as The Yard, the beer garden is packed on sunny days when locals arrive in dough for a pint outdoors.
Visit the Guinness store
