Touring The Best Pubs In Dublin

There are great pubs all over Ireland, of course. Here’s a listing of the most appealing pubs if you’re spending time, and feeling thirsty, in Dublin City.

Neary’s
Off Grafton Street, frequented by writers and the occasional actor from the Gaiety Theater, which is nearby. It’s been owned by the same family for a half century.
1 Chatham Street

Bruxelles
Young crowd, upbeat atmosphere, and very popular – it’s often crowded.
Harry Street

The Baily
Victorian pub with a long, long history. Formerly a hard-drinkers type of bar, it’s now a more upscale dining and watering hole, thanks the Celtic Tiger.
2-3 Duke Street

McDaid’s
Victorian, dark, with high ceilings and full of old-time atmosphere. Brendan Behan and Flann O’Brien are just two of the literary bright lights who’ve enjoyed drinking up here.
3 Harry Street

Kehoe’s
You won’t 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 Kehoe’s remains authentically old-time.
9 South Anne Street

Davy Byrne’s
A popular lunch spot famous for seafood, Byrne’s has carefully preserved pre-World War II décor. It’s mentioned specifically in several places in Joyce’s 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 you’re in the mood to dress up a bit and splurge.
40 Dawson Street

Dawson Lounge
Possibly the smallest pub in the whole city, it’s a bit of a dark little warren with a very friendly atmosphere you’ll love if you’re a conversationalist. Close to St. Stephen’s Green, Dawson’s, with it’s 1970’s look, is about as laid back and “un-fancy” as you could want.
25 Dawson Street

Oliver St. John Gogarty
Yes, it’s 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. There’s 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, it’s full of kids and a bit too expensive, but it’s hard to deny that the music and overall atmosphere is very appealing.
24/25 Temple Bar

Ha’Penny Bridge
An old and famous spot on the banks of the Liffey, the Ha’Penny retains its old atmosphere with pleasantly beat-up 1970’s 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. There’s also an Inn attached if you don’t want to have to walk to far to get home to bed.
Wellington Quay

Eamon Doran’s
Dark, atmospheric and pleasant, Doran’s offers music that’s 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

Farrington’s
Cute watering hole with lots of private little alcoves and, incredibly, reasonable prices. Also good music.
28/29 East Essex Street

Fitzsimon’s
Offers lots of music, a lively crowed (read:crowded) and a giant-screen TV showing sports events, if that’s your thing. Prices are high.
East Essex Street / Eustace Street

Bob’s
A rather eccentric two-story bar that offers cheesy but appealing 1970’s music as well as the traditional Irish stuff. The more contemporary décor may not impress you, but it’s a fun spot if you want to go somewhere that hasn’t been gussied up too much for the tourist trade.
35/37 Essex Street

The Turk’s Head
A slightly wild spot you’ll enjoy if you’re 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 they’re 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 who’ve 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