10 Best Dublin Pubs

In this post you'll discover the best pubs in Dublin, a must-visit on your visit to the city.

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

8 min read

10 Best Dublin Pubs

Dublin | @ Steven Hylands

Many say that Dublin is the city with the most pubs. And it seems to be quite true. Just take a short walk through the streets and you will find all kinds of pubs where you can enjoy the typical Irish beer and also enjoy the local gastronomy.

If you are looking for options on what to see and do in Dublin, don't miss the opportunity to experience Irish life and enjoy some of the 10 best pubs in the city. Will you join me?

1. The Brazen Head

Entrance to The Brazen Head| ©Harold Strong
Entrance to The Brazen Head| ©Harold Strong

The Brazen Head is considered to be the oldest pub in the whole city of Dublin...and in the whole of Ireland! In fact, it is the fifth oldest pub in the world.

Its location is a little further away from the central pub area, but I still recommend you visit this place that opened its doors in 1198.

The pub has a particular charm as the building has been renovated thousands of times; it's like a combination of all those styles from different years, but keeping a traditional Irish design. It has no less than 3 full floors of tables.

For those who want to enjoy the outdoors, there is a garden in the entrance area where there is as much music as there is inside. Not only will you be able to enjoy a good beer, but they also offer a wide variety of dishes.

  • Where: 20 Lower Bridge St. Usher's Quay, Dublin, DO8 WC64
  • Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 12 noon to midnight. Please note that the kitchen closes at 9pm.

2. O'Neill

Exterior of the O'Neill| ©VW49
Exterior of the O'Neill| ©VW49

No matter who you ask about where to go out in Dublin city. They'll probably name this famous pub.

O'Neill is one of the most central pubs in the whole city and is easy to spot as it is right opposite the Molly Malone statue. It's a famous spot as this is the starting point of every guided tour.

This bar is characterised by its excellent music at night, as there are different groups playing live. It dates back to 3 centuries ago. Can you believe it?

And besides its exquisite food and selection of beers, the fun fact is that O'Neill is also famous for its breakfasts. So, if you're not a night person, you can also enjoy it in the morning.

It's also a very large 3-storey building, which is a good thing so no one is left without enjoying O'Neill.

  • Where: 2 Suffolk Street, Dublin 2
  • Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 11.30am to 11.30pm and Saturday 11.30am to midnight. Sundays from 12hs to 23hs.

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3. The Palace Bar

Inside The Palace Bar| ©David R
Inside The Palace Bar| ©David R

This 200 year old bar is another of Dublin's city gems. The Palace Bar is not as large a structure as some of the others listed here; remember to go early or make a reservation.

But what makes this pub special is its intellectual reputation. Yes, you read that right. Its proximity to Trinity College has made this pub a meeting place for professors and students after university classes. It is also said that many famous literary figures have taken a break in this pub to work on their projects.

If you thought Dublin was all about beer and nothing else, here you can see that it's not.

  • Where: No.21 Fleet Street Dublin 2 D02 H950
  • Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 10.30am to 11.30pm, Friday and Saturday 10.30am to midnight and Sunday 12.30pm to 11.30pm.

4. The Oliver St. John Gogarty

The Oliver St. John Gogarty| ©Chema S
The Oliver St. John Gogarty| ©Chema S

The Oliver is very unique as its name immortalises a local doctor who also had a penchant for poetry. It is located in the central bar area and has very long opening hours, so you don't have to coordinate your visit so much, you'll always have some time to visit it.

This bar also has a hostel and a part dedicated to its literary public. Their live music sessions are very lively and every night there is a different programme, so you won't get bored and you can go several times and always see something different.

Don't worry about the menu, as they also have a restaurant service and you can eat very well. Not just a snack.

  • Where: Fleet Street and Anglesea Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2.
  • Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 10.30am to 2.30pm. And Sundays from 12hs to 1.30hs.

5. The Temple Bar

The Temple Bar| ©Nicholas H
The Temple Bar| ©Nicholas H

When you think of Dublin, the postcard that comes to mind is that red corner, with a big pub full of tourists. Well, that's TheTemple Bar in the picture.

It may be confusing that the whole area and this pub have the same name, but it may also be why it's so famous. I'd say it's the classic of all Dublin classics.

The reality is that, even though you won't find any locals in this pub, it's a very pleasant tourist spot with a very lively atmosphere. It's a bit more expensive than the rest, but people keep coming back because the quality of everything on offer is well worth it. What's more, at The Temple Bar, they brew the beer themselves.

And, of course, you can enjoy live music and take a beautiful picture with the statue of James Joyce sitting at a table. It has a very popular and busy indoor garden too, if you feel like stepping out of the traditional pub atmosphere.

  • Where: 47-48, Temple Bar, Dublin
  • Opening hours: daily from 10.30am to 2am.

Book a pub crawl in Dublin

6. The Merchant Arch

Nightlife in The Merchant Arch| ©Bruno X
Nightlife in The Merchant Arch| ©Bruno X

Opposite the Half Penny Bridge, in a prime location, you can enjoy The Merchant's Arch, the most elegant of all Dublin's classic city bars.

This perception comes from the style of the building and its décor. The Merchant's Arch has been in existence since 1821 as many years ago, this building was a hall where members of the Merchants Guild met, one of the only such 19th century spaces still standing in the whole city.

This bar is a good place to enjoy all day, as they have a very good menu to recharge your batteries at lunchtime for your tour of Dublin city. If you prefer to visit in the evening, the range of beers on offer is extensive, but so are the whiskies.

Finally, in addition to its unique style, The Merchant's Arch is famous for its terrace, which has spectacular views of the River Liffey.

  • Where: 48/49 Wellington Quay, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
  • Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 10am to midnight. Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 2.30pm and Sundays from 10am to 11.30pm.

Book a food tour of Dublin

7. The Stags Head

The Stags Head| ©Adam Bruderer
The Stags Head| ©Adam Bruderer

If you're looking for The Stags Head, look up and try to find the giant stags head on its main façade.

This pub is different because of its Victorian-era décor, an experience in itself. In fact, years ago, before it became a pub, it was a high-class restaurant.

The menu is basic, as it focuses on being a traditional Irish pub. Many locals go to enjoy the rugby matches while enjoying a good beer. So you can experience this tradition of Irish culture.

  • Where: The Stags Head 1 Dame Court, Dublin 2
  • Opening times: Monday to Thursday 10.30am to 11pm. Fridays and Saturdays from 10.30am to 1am. Sundays from 12.30am to 11pm.

8. J.W. Sweetman

J.W. Sweetman| ©potatonutz
J.W. Sweetman| ©potatonutz

Also on the banks of the River Liffey, J.W. Sweetman is a pub that also brews its own craft beers. Sweetman is a pub that also brews its own craft beers. It's a tasting experience in itself.

You can do a tasting of 5 types of beer at a very good price, which I highly recommend. In fact, there is a wide range of flavours on offer, and you can try anything from a light lager to a dark beer with a good consistency. It is interesting to experience how each flavour feels on the palate.

The pub has a very lively and festive atmosphere, always with the characteristic Irish music in the background, and live bands in the evenings.

  • Where: 1-2 Burgh Quay Dublin 2
  • Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 16hs to 22hs

9. The Church

The Church| ©William Murphy
The Church| ©William Murphy

The Church is not your typical Irish pub by any means. The reality is that I have included this option because of the unique and impressive location of this pub.

The Church, housed in the 18th century former church of Santa Maria, is well worth a visit to see how this structure has been adapted into a bar that doubles as a restaurant. If you stay on the first floor, the atmosphere is very informal and you will find a large bar where you can enjoy the best beers and whiskies in the area.

  • Where: Jervis St, North City, Dublin 1, D01 YX64, Ireland
  • Opening hours: Monday to Thursday from 10.30am to 10pm. Fridays and Saturdays from 10.30am to midnight and Sundays from 11.30am to 10pm.

10. The Lotts Caffe Bar

The Lotts Caffe Bar| ©Jasfiden
The Lotts Caffe Bar| ©Jasfiden

Last on this list of Dublin recommendations is The Lotts Caffe Bar.

In this case, this pub is famous for its gastronomic offer. It offers a very interesting menu that you can't miss. The star of the menu is the entrecote, a kind of meat cooked on a stone. The menu comes with a bottle of wine and some salads to go with it. The price is very good and it is offered from Sunday to Wednesday, those "quieter" days of the Irish night.

But make no mistake; The Lotts Caffe is still a bar rather than a restaurant. The style is charming with an antique open fireplace and a lounge filled with mosaics and chandeliers.

I recommend booking in advance if you're going to visit as it's not just tourists, of which there are many, but locals too. Nobody wants to miss The Lotts Bar - what about you, are you going to miss it?

  • Where: 9 Lower Liffey Street, Dublin 1
  • Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday, 12pm to 8pm. Thursdays from 12hs to 22hs. Fridays and Saturdays from 12hs to 00hs and Sundays from 12hs to 21hs.

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Guinness tasting in the Gravity Bar| ©José María Mateos
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