Touring The Best Pubs In Dublin
There are great pubs all over Ireland, of course. Heres a listing of the most appealing pubs if youre spending time, and feeling thirsty, in Dublin City.
Nearys
Off Grafton Street, frequented by writers and the occasional actor from the Gaiety Theater, which is nearby. Its been owned by the same family for a half century.
1 Chatham Street
Bruxelles
Young crowd, upbeat atmosphere, and very popular its often crowded.
Harry Street
The Baily
Victorian pub with a long, long history. Formerly a hard-drinkers type of bar, its now a more upscale dining and watering hole, thanks the Celtic Tiger.
2-3 Duke Street
McDaids
Victorian, dark, with high ceilings and full of old-time atmosphere. Brendan Behan and Flann OBrien are just two of the literary bright lights whove enjoyed drinking up here.
3 Harry Street
Kehoes
You wont be lonely here, given all the college students that like to party in this old place. Purchased by new investors a few years back, the atmosphere of Kehoes remains authentically old-time.
9 South Anne Street
Davy Byrnes
A popular lunch spot famous for seafood, Byrnes has carefully preserved pre-World War II décor. Its mentioned specifically in several places in Joyces famous Dubliners collection of short stories.
21 Duke Street
Café en Seine
More Parisienne than Irish, Café en Seine is an old pub that features jazz at night rather than Celtic music. Try it if youre in the mood to dress up a bit and splurge.
40 Dawson Street
Dawson Lounge
Possibly the smallest pub in the whole city, its a bit of a dark little warren with a very friendly atmosphere youll love if youre a conversationalist. Close to St. Stephens Green, Dawsons, with its 1970s look, is about as laid back and un-fancy as you could want.
25 Dawson Street
Oliver St. John Gogarty
Yes, its a bar and not a saint. A lot of good traditional music gets played here, but beware: if you decide to eat, the dining is located on a different floor from the music, and the food gets mixed reviews. Theres always a lively crowd, however.
58 / 59 Fleet Street
Temple Bar
The pub that gave the district its name (or was it the other way around?), the Temple Bar is classic in décor, always festive, but perhaps a bit too popular with tourists for its own good.
48 Temple Bar
Auld Dubliner
An oldie with a very revved up atmosphere. Like other Temple Bar watering holes, its full of kids and a bit too expensive, but its hard to deny that the music and overall atmosphere is very appealing.
24/25 Temple Bar
HaPenny Bridge
An old and famous spot on the banks of the Liffey, the HaPenny retains its old atmosphere with pleasantly beat-up 1970s décor, and a crowd of hard-drinking customers that includes, but has not been entirely taken over by, tourists. Locals still enjoy the place as well. Theres also an Inn attached if you dont want to have to walk to far to get home to bed.
Wellington Quay
Eamon Dorans
Dark, atmospheric and pleasant, Dorans offers music thats sometime traditional and sometimes alternative rock. The bar people are friendly, though the pints are a bit pricey. Light meals, including pizza, are also available here. In the heart of Temple Bar district.
Crown Alley
The Quays
A nice spot, designed mainly for bus tours of foreigners. Surprisingly, lots of local folks still turn up here. A big plus is the excellent music, which is offered three times every day.
Temple Bar
Farringtons
Cute watering hole with lots of private little alcoves and, incredibly, reasonable prices. Also good music.
28/29 East Essex Street
Fitzsimons
Offers lots of music, a lively crowded (read:crowded) and a giant-screen TV showing sports events, if thats your thing. Prices are high.
East Essex Street / Eustace Street
Bobs
A rather eccentric two-story bar that offers cheesy but appealing 1970s music as well as the traditional Irish stuff. The more contemporary décor may not impress you, but its a fun spot if you want to go somewhere that hasnt been gussied up too much for the tourist trade.
35/37 Essex Street
The Turks Head
A slightly wild spot youll enjoy if youre in a revved-up, kick out the jams kind of mood. Drinks are expensive, but the staff is unfailingly friendly, in spite of the overwhelming numbers theyre up against.
Parliament Street
The Front Lounge
Often called slick or modern, The Front Lounge actually offers karaoke, and tends to attract more the newly minted Irish yuppies whove made it big in the recent economic boom. The décor is a bit kooky. If you want a change from crowded Temple Bar pubs, this is a welcome diversion a place where you can chat up some actual Irish folks and maybe even hear yourself think a little.
33 Parliament Street
Read more about The best pubs in all of Ireland