Best Pubs in Dublin (by Neighborhood) to Raise a Pint With a Local

If you want to find the best pubs in Dublin, read on! This article will have the information you need to find the best pubs in Dublin all over town.

Finding a pub in Dublin is easy since there is literally one (or more) on every street. However, not all have the same atmosphere and vibe. Some are also much more touristy than others, and locals frequent some.

Don’t miss visiting some of the most famous pubs in the city. You’ll notice that you’ll tend to find more tourists than locals at these, but they’re still worth seeing. Then, make sure to hit some local pubs as well, as they have even better food and music!

Visiting a few pubs for a pint or two during your stay in Dublin is a must. Some of the best food in Dublin can also be found at pubs rather than traditional restaurants.

I broke this guide down by area so you can wander around the best neighborhoods in Dublin and find the best pubs there. Get ready to drink a Guinness—or three! It’s the much beloved local drink of choice that you’ll find in most Dublin pubs.

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Temple Bar Pubs of Dublin

Temple Bar is the most famous area of Dublin for pubs, live music, and drinks. While it’s home to the famous Temple Bar Pub, where tourists flock, many pubs in Temple Bar are not tourist traps.

If you want to hang around Temple Bar for pints and fun and meet a few locals, here are the top places I recommend:

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The Auld Dubliner

This bar is one of the best places you can go to for live music. They have local musicians playing almost every night. Of course, they have Guinness on tap and a few other options.

This is also the place to go if you’re looking for one of the best pubs to eat in Dublin. They have traditional Irish stew, bacon, potatoes, and sausage— all local classics.

The warm food and cozy atmosphere make it a nice relaxing place on a rainy or cold day. The pub is only about a 2-minute walk from the Ha’penny Bridge, a great photo op.

The bridge also connects Temple Bar to the other side of Dublin, making it easy to walk to this pub no matter where you’re coming from.

The Auld Dubliner is located at 24 – 25 Temple Bar, Dublin, Ireland. They’re open on Sundays from 12 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. and every other day from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

The Foggy Dew

The Foggy Dew is also a great choice for live music. The music is much more club-inspired on Fridays and Saturdays with a DJ. Every other day of the week, it’s usually acoustic music.

This pub is one of the oldest in the area, as it’s been open since 1901. The walls are lined with signed photos of famous rock bands, and even some original records are displayed.

It’s only a 2-minute walk from the Temple Bar Pub if you want to stop at a more touristy spot after spending some time with locals in The Foggy Dew.

The Foggy Dew is located at 1 Fownes Street Upper, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 WP21, Ireland. They’re open Thursday through Sunday from 3 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. and Monday through Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

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Porterhouse Temple Bar

While most people think of Dublin pubs as just having Guinness on tap, some pubs also have local craft beers. Porterhouse Temple Bar is one of the best places to try craft beers.

Most of the beers are brewed in small batches to give them a unique flavor. They are also one of the most eco-friendly pubs in Ireland! All the hops and grain they use are sent to local farmers to either be used as cattle feed or composted into mulch.

Make sure to try the chocolate truffle stout or the sundown if you prefer IPAs.

Porterhouse Temple Bar is located at 16-18 Parliament St, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 VR94, Ireland. They’re open Monday through Thursday from 2 p.m. to 12 a.m., Friday and Saturday from 1 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

StoneyBatter Pubs in Dublin

While it’s a little outside of the city center, StoneyBatter is one of the hippest neighborhoods in Dublin. It’s not only fun and trendy, but it’s also LGBTQA+ friendly.

StoneyBatter is the neighborhood with the famous Jameson Distillery. If you’re a whiskey lover, you might be heading to this side of town already if you have a ticket for the distillery.

StoneyBatter is also said to have some of the best food in the city. The restaurants feature traditional food, though you can also find many places with global cuisine.

Along with the fantastic pubs, you can also find better choices for clubs and dancing here. Like other neighborhoods in Dublin, some pubs are more relaxing with folk music if you don’t feel like partying and want to relax.

Walsh’s

The most famous pub in Stoneybatter is Walsh’s. They have smooth pints of Guinness and cocktails and a full liquor selection if you feel like drinking something other than beer. The pub is simple on the inside, with plenty of seats at the bar and cozy tables to relax in.

You’ll mostly find locals here with some tourists mixed in. Walsh’s tends to get super busy starting from around 9 p.m. until closing, even during weekdays. If you want to eat or get a table, make sure to get there a little early!

Walsh’s is located at 6 Stoneybatter, Dublin 7, D07 A382, Ireland. They’re open Monday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 3 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., and Sundays from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.

L. Mulligan Grocer

If you’re not interested in drinking Guinness, head over to L. Mulligan Grocer. They have everything you can think of except Guinness, including Irish, European, and US craft beers.

If you’re feeling a little daring, order the Lucky Dip. It’s whatever the bartender feels like serving you, and it’s a fun little experiment to try something new.

Their menu is small, but the portions are enormous. Make sure you come hungry (or thirsty!)

L. Mulligan Grocer is located at 18 Stoneybatter, Dublin 7, D07 KN77, Ireland. They’re open Thursday and Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturdays from 12:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sundays from 12:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. They’re closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.

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The Liberties Pubs in Dublin

The Liberties is often described as having “old Dublin” charm. Back in Medieval Times, The Liberties was actually located outside the city wall. Even though that was a long time ago, the neighborhood still has a very original and authentic vibe to it.

The Guinness Storehouse is located here, and they offer great tours worth doing if you enjoy the drink. There are plenty of old and newly opened pubs in this area to visit.

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Fallon’s

This pub has been around since the 17th century and is just a 2-minute walk from St. Patrick’s Cathedral. They are well-known for their toasted sandwiches and pints of Guinness.

It’s one of the oldest bars around Dublin and is loved by locals. On weekends and weeknights, you’ll see locals eat here or enjoy a few pints on trivia night.

Fallon’s is located at 129 The Coombe, The Liberties, Dublin 8, D08 NP52, Ireland. They’re open Monday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. and Sundays from 12:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Lucky’s

This pub has a great selection of local craft beer in case you aren’t craving a Guinness. You can grab a cozy seat inside or sit in the beer garden. On certain days, a neighboring pizza joint also takes orders and serves pizza from the beer garden.

Go on a Friday or Saturday for more of a club vibe since they have a DJ. They also take reservations where you can book a table in advance, so you don’t get stuck sitting at the bar.

Lucky’s is located at 78 Meath St, The Liberties, Dublin 8, D08 A318, Ireland. They’re open Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m., Fridays from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturdays from 12:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., and Sundays from 12:30 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Top Things to Do in Dublin

Even though visiting Dublin’s pubs is one of the most popular activities in the city, Dublin has much more to offer! Check out these top things to do in Dublin between pub hopping:

Visit the Trinity College and Library. This is one of the top attractions in Dublin. It’s one of the oldest universities in Europe. You can take a peek at over 2,000 books in the library, as well as the Book of Kells.
Go inside the largest cathedral in Ireland. St. Patrick’s Cathedral was built in 1191 and is full of history. You can take a self-guided tour and learn more about the history of Ireland and its people.
Enjoy the outdoors at Phoenix Park. Relax in this huge park if you encounter a few sunny days in Dublin. It’s only 2 miles from downtown Dublin. You can picnic, read a book, bring a few beers, and relax with friends.
Go on a day trip. Even if you only have a few days in Dublin, I recommend spending at least a half day in Wicklow Mountains National Park. You can tour with a company or set out on your own. You’ll see waterfalls, mountains, and beautiful flower fields.
Visit the Little Museum of Dublin. This tiny museum isn’t much to look at from the outside, but it’s worth a visit. A resident of Dublin has donated everything inside with a short story written about it.
Tour Dublin Castle. Take a self-guided tour or go around with a guide. You can go inside the castle and tour the beautiful grounds as well. There are also small museums inside the castle.

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How to Get to Dublin

If you’re coming from another country, the easiest way to get to Dublin is to fly into Dublin International (DUB). They have international flights every day from Europe and North America.

They also serve small regional airlines like Ryanair. With this airline, you can get very cheap flights if you’re coming from elsewhere in Europe, like France, or within the United Kingdom, like England.

If you’re already in Ireland, you can take a bus to Dublin. They have many different routes and pickup places from other Irish cities to help you get into the city.

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How to Get Around Dublin

Dublin might seem huge, but it’s pretty walkable, especially if you’re staying near the city center. I walked almost everywhere during most of my stay there and just used Google Maps to get around.

Dublin also has an efficient bus system. Check here for routes and schedules. I took the bus when I was going outside the city center and to and from the airport.

You can also take the bus to areas outside the city, like Wicklow Mountains National Park.

Dublin also has a tram system. It’s not as extensive as the buses, but it still has routes from the city center to some surrounding suburbs.

When to Visit Dublin

The only thing I didn’t love about Dublin was the weather. It can rain all day, every day, no matter what season you’re there. Make sure you’re prepared for wet weather anytime you go.

Dublin is very nice around the holidays, and the city is charming, with massive decorations and festivals. However, make sure you’re okay with the cold rain and chilly weather during the holidays!

Visit in May through August for the best chance of great, sunny, and warm weather. Dressing in layers is best, as I needed pants and a light jacket every day when I was there in August.

The Best Traditional Pubs in Dublin are Waiting For You!

Ready for the best pubs in Dublin? Doing a Dublin pub crawl is an important and fun way to explore this vibrant city!

I hope this guide will help you find some great pubs to add to your list. Pub hopping is one of the best ways to explore Dublin’s best neighborhoods. You can also easily meet locals and tourists and make new friends in pubs.

Have a favorite pub that you recommend? List it below!