The Best Pubs In Dublin
Dublin has the best pubs in the world. I've spent 30+ years drinking in them and here is my guide to the best bars in Dublin.
I've put together 7 pub crawls in Dublin for you to follow. These are real Dublin bars where locals go.
- The Walk to Guinness
- The Dublin Classic Pubs
- The Camden Crawl
- The Whiskey Trail
- Cocktail Night
- Traditional Irish Music
- Sunny Drinks in Howth
And I even warn you where not to go in Dublin. You can guess the first one.
The Guinness Route
You're probably going to the Guinness Storehouse while you are here. The Guinness Brewery is a 20 minute walk from the centre. These pubs will quench your thirst along the way.
The Guinness Route - 1. The Lord Edward. 2. Dudleys Trad Music 3. The view of the Gravity Bar from Harkins
The Lord Edward
The Lord Ed is my local pub in town. When Niall behind the bar sees me through the window as I amble my way towards the pub, he starts pouring my pint. That is service.
Dudleys
Dudleys is directly on the route to Guinness and they often have traditional music being played. Time your visit to enjoy some music along with your pint.
The Gravity Bar at the Guinness Storehouse
The bar with the best view in all of Dublin. It's included with your ticket to the Guinness Storehouse. Book your tickets early for Guinness.
I recommend doing the Connoisseur Experience there. It's a private guided tasting session led by a Guinness expert in a hidden bar away from the crowds. You taste a curated flight and learn the legendary six step pour before pouring your own perfect pint of Guinness.
The Classic Dublin Pubs
It's easy to find good pubs anywhere in Ireland, just look for Irish family names. These are the classic Dublin pubs, all 100+ years old & known locally as Old Man Pubs.
It's these pubs that all the Irish pubs around the world are modeled on. If you see one, don't pass them by, order your pint, and consider how lucky you are to be drinking a delicious Guinness in Dublin right now.
Mulligan's
I spent too much of my Trinity student evenings here. If I had one last pint in my life to drink, it would be here in the dark wooden tones of Mulligans.
Stag's Head
Beautiful and perpetually busy. But it's beautiful and in a small alley. Tight quarters mean it's a great place to chat to the folks next to you.
Grogan's
Maybe the most classic of them all. During summer, Dubliners treat the Grogan's outside area like a second home, with the atmosphere spilling onto the streets
The Long Hall
Sitting by the window watching the street life, while having a pint on weekday afternoon in the Long Hall. This is life. A gorgeous bar.
The Camden Crawl
Tourists go to Temple Bar, Irish people go to Camden Street. We call it the Camden Mile.
The Swan
You'll get thirsty on the 15 minute walk to Camden Street. The Swan has an excellent whiskey selection if you want to start off on the right note. They have a whiskey tasting, not every night, but if it's on when you're there, I highly recommend it. Check the whiskey tasting dates here.
Whelan's
A legendary music venue in Ireland. Check if there is a gig on. Even if you don't know the artist, go. Every famous Irish performer learned their trade here.
Cassidy's of Camden Street
Cassidy's can be an old man pub, a party pub, a place to watch the game. On Monday & Wednesday it is traditional music night and I mean real traditional.
Devitt's Of Camden Street
Devitt's always has music on. Their large whiskey collection is lit up brightly behind the bar to tempt you into making bad decisions.
The Sitting Room at Delahunt
The Sitting Room is unexpected. This is sophisticated calm. If you prefer a quieter cocktail, you'll love it here.
Everywhere
Every second door on Camden Street is a pub. Stick your head in and see if you like the atmosphere.
Come on a private tour of Dublin with me
Ireland by Locals
Ireland by Locals
The Whiskey Trail
These are the best whiskey bars in Dublin. Far from the crowds. Curated and filtered, just like Irish Whiskey.
The Whiskey Trail. 1. Bowes 2. The Cellar Bar 3. Doheny & Nesbitt
The Irish Whiskey Museum
I like the Irish Whiskey Museum because they teach you about whiskey itself and not just one brand. Next to Trinity College, it's very easy to find, harder to leave.
Bowes
Close to Temple Bar, but miles better in quality. A very social bar where you will get chatting to the people next to you. Unless you're lucky enough to snag the snug. If you get it, you may not leave.
Moss Lane
Moss Lane is at the back of Trinity College on a nondescript street, but trust me here. Ask the barman for a recommendation. They know their whiskey.
The Cellar Bar, The Merrion Hotel
In the cellar of the Merrion, Dublin's most luxurious hotel. Taste something you haven't heard of. It'll come at a price, but this is an experience you will remember.
Doheny & Nesbitt
Around the corner from the cellar, you'll find Doheny & Nesbitt, perennially busy. They are whiskey specialists and have more than 100 whiskies.
The Best Cocktail Bars in Dublin
Mixologists in Dublin, the home of Guinness? What is the world coming to? But cocktails are here in a big way now.
Dublin's best cocktail bars Cocktail Night - 1. Bar 1661 2. 9 Below 3. Peruke & Periwig
Bar 1661
When I sat at the bar, I was given a hard back book which turned out to be the drink menu. Too many choices. I quickly closed it and asked the mixologist for a recommendation. He interrupted his growing list of orders and asked me about my preferences. He cared. I tasted and nearly renounced Guinness on the spot. Nearly.
This is the best cocktail bar in Dublin. Venture north! Get a taxi to the next stop.
The Sidecar at The Westbury
I do like a hotel bar, especially in a five star hotel like the Westbury. Hopefully someone else is picking up the tab because it's not cheap but it's an experience as much as a drink. Art deco styling with impeccable service.
9 Below
9 Below is in the top 3 of every best cocktails in Dublin list. No wooden bar stools here, it's all soft seating & low lighting. Very atmospheric.
Peruke & Periwig
An atmospheric place that nearly feels like a private club. With vintage carpeting, furniture, and rich drapery, it feels like a different era.
Traditional Music in Dublin
The guidebooks say go to The Cobblestone for Irish traditional music. It's very crowded with tourists these days. Here's some of the best trad music in Dublin. But check ahead, they change schedule all the time!
Monday: Cassidy's Camden Street.
Tuesday: Go to the Ruby Sessions. Tickets go on sale two days before. 3 acoustic musicians. It could be Ed Sheeran, it could be a new Irish artist. You only know when they step on stage.
Wednesday: Cassidy's on Camden Street for a real traditional music session.
Thursday: Some real trad music in the Neptune on Abbey Street. Dudleys on Thomas Street do a good trad session.
Friday & Saturday: There's music everywhere.
Sunday: Swift, Dudleys, Thomas Moore Inn, Forth Corner all have good trad sessions.
Sunny Day Drinks in Howth
On those days when it's too nice to be inside a bar, go enjoy Howth. It's famous for its cliffs, but it has plenty of bars too. This tour will show you both.
Where Not To Go!!!
Temple Bar. Dublin's Biggest Tourist Trap
Temple Bar is the Times Square of Dublin. It's Disney Dublin. Avoid!!!
The Brazen Head is just as bad. I shake my head when I see people posting their photos with pride at "Dublin's Oldest Bar". It's just marketing BS.
🍺 Here are my 6 better places to drink than Temple Bar
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