Best Pubs in Dublin You Won’t Want to Miss
If you’re looking to find the best pubs in Dublin, then 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 some are frequented by locals.
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
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, there are tons of pubs in Temple Bar that 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:
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 as well as 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 of the local classics.
With the warm food and cozy atmosphere, it’s a nice place to relax on a rainy or cold day. The pub is also only about a 2-minute walk from the Ha’penny Bridge, which is a great photo op.
The bridge also connects Temple Bar to the other side of Dublin, making it super 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 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. On Fridays and Saturdays, the music is much more club-inspired 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 on display.
It’s only a 2-minute walk from the Temple Bar Pub in case 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.
Porterhouse Temple Bar
While most people think of Dublin pubs as just having Guinness on tap, there are some pubs that have local craft beers as well. 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 to be 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
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 amazing pubs, you can also find better choices for clubs and dancing here. Like other neighborhoods in Dublin, some of the pubs are more relaxing with folk music if you don’t feel like partying and just want to relax.
Walsh’s
The most popular pub in Stoneybatter is Walsh’s. They have smooth pints of Guinness as well as cocktails and have 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 on 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 huge. 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 Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.
The Liberties
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 pubs and newly opened ones in this area to visit.
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 can find locals eating here or enjoying 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, that way 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. If you encounter a few sunny days while in Dublin, go and relax in this huge park. It’s only 2 miles from downtown Dublin. You can have a picnic, read a book, or 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 take a 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. Everything inside has been donated by a resident of Dublin 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.
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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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 if you.
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 of the 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 quite charming with massive decorations and festivals. However, you need to 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 when I was there in August, I needed pants and a light jacket every day.
The Best Pubs in Dublin are Waiting For You!
Ready for the best pubs in Dublin? Doing a Dublin pub crawl is such 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!
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