Drinking in Ireland in general, and pubs in Dublin more specifically, are no joke. One would think that cheering to a good pint of cold, crisp Guinness would be a simple thing to do, but there are serious rules to abide by when it comes to pub culture in Ireland — where the capital is second to none.
All visitors to the Emerald Isle, newcomers and afficionados alike, have to visit at least a few watering holes to truly understand and hopefully to enjoy the craic (good times) with live music, good friends, a few pints, perhaps even a leprechaun, and a bit of laughter.
Pubs in Ireland – A little context
Pubs in Dublin generally open at 10.30am and close at 11pm.
Pubs that open earlier are called “early houses” and serve alcohol from 7am, except on Sundays. Bars and clubs that serve alcohol after 11pm are called “late bars” and usually close around 2:30am.
Temple Bar is the most visited pub in Dublin. It’s in all the tourist guides and everyone from out of town goes there for a pint. As it’s basically the beginning and end of Dublin’s pub trail, it’s quite overpriced. And there are very few locals on the premises.
Some Irish beers and drinks to try
Guinness, Murphy’s, Smithwick’s, Harp and Caffrey’s are some of the best and most widely drunk beers in the world, and Irish whiskey needs no introduction. Bailey’s and its imitations are also great and soothing.
You could also try the legendary Irish Slammer, which is made by dropping a bomb shot of Irish cream and whiskey into a glass of stout. Sound familiar? 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, in which car bombs were widely used. Whatever you do, please don’t order an Irish Car Bomb in Ireland as it would be extremely insensitive.
Morning drinks at the best pubs in Dublin
Yes, there is such a thing as morning drinking in Ireland. “Early houses were originally kept for night shift workers who wanted to have a drink after their shift. They open at 7am.
The Chancery Inn is one of them and has kept its licence since 1927. It has retained its rough-and-tumble charm and working man’s ethos. Another good option with a similar vibe to the Chancery Inn is The Windjammer. In both cases, a pre-breakfast pint can be quite an undertaking. Drink at your own risk!
A breakfast pint in Dublin
A pint with a full Irish (no, it’s not a “full English breakfast”) is much more enjoyable than a coffee! Doheny and Nesbitt is a very popular lunch and brunch spot and it can be difficult to get a table for lunch.
So strategically, it might be a good idea to go to this Dublin pub and order breakfast and a pint close to opening time, which is 10am!
Lunch and a walk to Dublin’s bars
If brunch isn’t your thing and you prefer a strong coffee and nothing else in the morning, The Old Storehouse pours a good pint and serves a good lunch. Decent food, decent prices and cool decor. It also has the added bonus of being right in the middle of things.
You can follow this meal with a long walk after lunch. Old Dublin has a lot to offer. There are some wonderful cathedrals that deserve your attention!
Join the locals in O’Donogue’s
Come here any night of the week and you might bump into a member of The Dubliners, who rose to international fame from these barstools in the 1960s and still pop in to take part in the city’s longest-running jam session. Halfway through the evening, the bodhrans and fiddles come out to strum traditional Irish music. Anyone is welcome to join in, including Bruce Springsteen and Justin Timberlake, who both dropped in for an impromptu show in this modest little pub.
Ireland’s oldest pub inside Dublin
This walk might be a bit of an effort, but the pint afterwards will be well worth it.
Wet your whistle at The Brazen Head, Dublin’s oldest pub, which claims to have first opened in 1198! As it’s one of those obligatory tourist spots, it can get pretty crowded. Going there before dinner will give you more attention from the barman – ensuring you get a good pour – as well as time and space to look around this museum of a bar!
Dinner… in the right pub
Dinner in Dublin should be fairly straightforward. Unfortunately, when it comes to eating in pubs, you may be faced with limited options, mostly consisting of overpriced, substandard food. Fortunately, there’s The Lotts Cafe Bar. It’s best known for its steak, but the interior will remind you why you came to Dublin. What a facade!
Or you could go to O’Neill’s. And you better be hungry!
Beneath a glowing portrait of Arthur Guinness, diners feast on the city’s best carvery, a range of heavy, hearty Irish favourites from roast beef to stews and shepherd’s pie. Linger in a dark corner or gather with friends at one of the large communal tables to watch Gaelic sports on the big screens scattered around the room.
Want pubs in Dublin? We’ve got pubs!
There are dozens of great pubs in Dublin and it’s hard to see them all. Luckily, this guide is here for you!
- The Long Hall (51 South Great George’s Street, Dublin 2) The Long Hall is a majestic Victorian watering hole with ornate mirrors, red-painted walls and wooden furniture. It’s a must-stop. That’s all that needs to be said.
- Guinness Storehouse (St. James’s Gate, Dublin 8): The Guinness brewery experience is as touristy as it gets – you won’t find a local in there – and the tour is kind of cheesy. However, the Gravity Bar on the top floor of the brewery is a serious attraction, combining different versions of the famous black stuff with a beautiful view of Dublin. Go for it!
- The Palace Bar (21 Fleet St, Dublin 2): Have we mentioned that there are almost 800 pubs in Dublin? It can be difficult to avoid them all! That’s why this guide is sending you to The Palace Bar – not to be confused with the awful club called The Palace – which is said to be the oldest pub in Dublin to have remained in its original form. It’s about as authentic as it gets!
