Drinking a beer in Ireland, especially in Dublin’s pubs, is a culturally rich experience. It’s clear why the capital boasts nearly 1,000 pubs! Anyone visiting the Emerald Isle will inevitably find themselves in one, not just as a tourist, but to truly experience the legendary Irish conviviality, where bonds form with a simple look. However, not all pubs are equal. You’ll need to sort through tourist traps, lifeless spots, and those ruined by their own popularity. To genuinely understand the Irish pub culture, and to hopefully enjoy the ‘craic‘—live music, camaraderie, pints of Guinness, maybe even a leprechaun, and plenty of laughs—here are our top best pubs in Dublin. This, truly, is the traditional Irish pub experience!
Pubs in Ireland – a little context
What are the pub hours in Dublin?
Generally, pub opening hours are from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
What are early houses in Dublin?
In Ireland, some pubs, called “early houses,” open as early as 7:00 AM to serve alcohol, every day except Sunday (of course). It’s a tradition inherited from cemetery workers who wanted to gather after a long night shift. Among them, The Chancery Inn and The Windjammer offer an authentic working-class atmosphere and a morning pint… if that’s your cup of tea!
Irish beers and drinks to try
- Guinness: The iconic Irish stout, with its creamy head and characteristic taste. Brewed right here in Dublin!
- Kilkenny: A red Irish ale, sweet and slightly caramelized.
- Smithwick’s: Another red Irish ale, with a slight bitterness.
- Irish whiskey: Jameson, Tullamore D.E.W., and other brands, for a smooth and complex tasting. Some pubs also strive to showcase more artisanal whiskeys; if this elixir is your passion, you’ll have no trouble tasting various brands during your stay.
- Irish coffee: A comforting blend of coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar, and cream.
- Irish ciders: Mostly artisanal ciders, often made with local apples, offering a variety of flavors.
- Irish cream like Bailey’s: This sweet and creamy liqueur is a delicious blend of Irish whiskey, fresh cream, and cocoa.
- Irish Slammer: A shot of Irish cream and whiskey in a glass of stout. Ring a bell? That’s because you might know it by another name: the Irish Car Bomb, named after the Troubles, a series of conflicts that ended in 1998 after 20 years of violence between Irish Catholics and Protestants, during which car bombs were widely used. Either way, don’t order an Irish Car Bomb in Ireland; it would be extremely insensitive.
What is the most well-known pub in Dublin?
Of course, when it comes to traditional Irish pub, it’s hard to miss Temple Bar. It’s the most visited pub in Dublin. It’s in all the tourist guides, and all visitors go there for a pint. Since it’s where the Dublin pub crawl starts and ends, this bar is quite expensive. And you’ll find very few locals there. There’s also a lot of talk about the Brazen Head, supposedly the oldest pub in Ireland. Is the legend true?
Where are the best pubs in Dublin for an Irish breakfast
A pint with a full Irish breakfast (no, it’s not a Full English Breakfast, pay close attention to this distinction) is much more enjoyable than just coffee!
The Full Irish Breakfast is a hearty and traditional morning meal. It usually consists of sausages, bacon, eggs, black and white pudding, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, and sometimes beans. Some also add a boxty, a traditional potato pancake. It’s an iconic Irish dish… especially appreciated the morning after slightly over-indulgent nights! Although many restaurants offer this dish on their breakfast menu, here are some great spots for an even greater brunch:
- Searsons
- O’Neill’s Pub & Kitchen
- Doheny and Nesbitt
- Slattery’s Bar
- The Oval Bar
The oldest, most beautiful pubs in Dublin to enjoy history and drink a good pint of Guinness
Ah, Dublin pubs… much more than just places to drink. They’re havens of peace where you gladly take refuge when the Irish weather misbehaves. Some boast original Victorian-era decor, others feature wooden tables by the fire. Imagine yourself in a leather armchair, a pint of stout in hand, listening to the conversations at the bar. Here, stories flow, sometimes true, often embellished, but always captivating. Dublinians, with their unique sense of humor, take you into tales where reality and imagination blur, for conversations you won’t soon forget. In these historically rich establishments, you instantly feel at home. Especially if there’s a rugby match on…
- The Lotts
- The Palace Bar, one of Dublin’s oldest pubs and renowned for its scarlet Victorian interior
- McDaid’s
- Bowe’s
- Sheehan’s
- Haritgan’s
- The Long Hall
- The Swan
- Grogan’s
- The Stag’s Head
The best Irish pubs in Dublin with proper Ireland food for dinner
Not all pubs are created equal when it comes to dining. For a more gourmet experience, consider gastropubs, which usually offer a more refined experience, an interior with elegant decor, attentive service, and dishes inspired by Irish terroir. Whether for an Irish stew or a delicious dessert, you won’t be disappointed!
- The Celt
- The Old Spot
- The Chophouse
- The Legal Eagle
- The Stag’s Head
- MeaghersvO’Connell Bridge
- Caribou
- Hairy Lemon
- L Mulligan, Grocer
- Old Mill
The best bars in Dublin for traditional Irish live music
In Dublin pubs, Irish traditional live music evenings are the beating heart of local culture. Sometimes every night of the week, but most often from Thursday to Saturday, these places come alive with the sounds of ancestral melodies. Violins, flutes, and bodhráns intertwine, everyone gets carried away for a dance: men, women, old, young, locals, tourists, it’s an authentic experience, where tradition and joie de vivre meet.
O’Donoghue’s on Merrion Row, right next to Stephen’s Green, is your best bet. You might meet a member of the Dubliners, a legendary band formed in the 1960s, whose members are still regulars. One of them sometimes joins the traditional music sessions that this pub has hosted for decades. Everyone is welcome!
Other pubs in Dublin City for an evening of “craic” with live music:
- Mother Reilly’s
- The Cobblestone
- The Celt
- The Auld
- Dubliner
- The Brazen Head
- Devitts
