When you are in Dublin, make sure you check out some of the traditional Irish pubs that have a welcoming ambiance and most importantly, serve a great pint of the black stuff (Guinness)! We have put together a list of the top 10 traditional public houses in Dublin City that are well worth a visit for a good pint and great craic! Read on for more…
1. The Stag’s Head. Located on Dame Street, this pub has a great tradition - indeed it was the first pub to have electricity connected in the city! Open since the 1870′s it was the place where James Joyce often sought refuge for a drink or three! The pub derives its name from the Stag’s Head behind the bar counter! Find out more about the Stag’s Head.
2. Brogan’s Bar. Also located on Dame Street, this is a perfect place to stop for a drink if you have been to a show at the Olympia! Located in the Temple Bar area, it is the perfect setting to begin a night out in Dublin, with the Guinness paraphernalia in the bar adding to the old world charm! Tuesday night is a popular as this is the night when the “Write & Recite” poetry night takes place, whereby poets can compete against each other for the best poem and win a mystery prize!
3. Sinnott’s Bar. At its home in King St South, Dublin 2, Sinnott’s bar is a winner of the James Joyce Pub award, highlighting that it is an authentic Dublin Pub! The walls are festooned with pictures and prints from Dublin’s most famous literary icon. Having a basement like feel, with good pub food and live music, this is definitely one place worth checking out.
4. The Old Stand. Located at 37 Exchequer Street, this is a slightly more updated version of the typical traditional Irish bar, and is very popular. There has been a public house on this site for over 300 years. It is a popular place to eat, with a great menu. Also well known as being a “Rugby” bar, and is one of the top places in the Fair City to catch an Ireland game on television! Find out more about the Old Stand.
5. Davy Byrne’s. At its home in Duke Street, Davy Byrne’s is located just off Grafton Street. The pub is famous in literary heritage as it was the place of Bloom’s glass of wine and sandwich snack in Joyce’s masterpiece “Ulysses”, and is a top point on the Literary Pub Crawl of Dublin. With Joycean murals on the walls, the pub is pre-1940′s in its theme. Find out more about Davy Byrne’s.
6. Kehoe’s Pub. Located at 9 South Anne St, Dublin 2, Kehoe’s is held in high regard by native Dubliners for its old world charm and atmosphere. Why not enjoy a pint in the traditional snug corner and drink in the living room of the original owner who lived upstairs the bar!
7. The Brazen Head. Legend has it that outlaw Robin Hood drank in this establishment, indeed there has been a pub situated on this exact site since 1198. It is the oldest pub in the city, and a real tourist attraction. The brick outside hints at the age of the pub, and the low ceilings and the kegs turned into bar tables make for a wonderful old style atmosphere that hasn’t changed in years! The bar is located at Lower Bridge Street, Dublin 1. Find out more about the Brazen Head.
8. The Duke Bar. Located just off Grafton Street, is the Duke Bar at number 9 Duke Street, and is a perfect spot to go for a relaxing drink after a day of shopping! There has been a pub on site since around 1492, and also gained a mention in Joyce’s masterpiece.
9. The Long Hall Bar. Located at 51 South St Georges Street, this is a quaint old bar that has kept its old world charm and atmosphere. The Long Hall is a listed building and has retained the old bar style in its décor, with Victorian features, old muskets adorning the walls, and antique style paintings.
10. Cassidy’s. Located on Camden Street, this is a traditional style bar that has retained its old world charm and identity in comparison to the new style bars that have cropped up in Dublin over the past 15 to 20 years. A great place to enjoy a chat, and have a great pint. If you have a drink here, you will be in esteemed previous company as none other that the former President of the USA Bill Clinton stopped in for a few drinks in the 1990′s!
After you have enjoyed a few pints, bit of pub grub and some live musical entertainment in Dublin, you will need some accommodation for the night. Check out our Dublin Accommodation page.
Have you frequented some of Dublin’s Traditional pubs? Do you know of any more that could be on this list? If you have any comments please let us know, as always we would love to hear from you!
