The Ultimate Guide to the Best Bars in Dublin
I know this is going to sound dramatic, but this guide right here is literally my life’s work. This guide to nightlife in Dublin, showcasing the best and must-visit bars and places to go out, has been a project of mine that’s been in the works for quite a while now.
Every time someone I know is coming to Dublin, I always get asked suggestions of “must visit bars” or places to go out, especially ones that aren’t “touristy.” Well, that’s a tough question, because 1. Irish people love to drink so 2. There’s SO many options of places to drink in Dublin. It’s all a matter of taste. Do you want an authentic Dublin pub? Do you prefer wine? Whiskey? Craft Beer? Cocktails? Do you want live music? Dive Bars? Bars with good food? Quirky bars? Dog-friendly bars? Seriously, when it comes to finding a place to enjoy any sort of alcoholic beverage, Dublin is your feckin’ oyster.
Then I thought, why not just make a handy guide where all my bar recommendations are in one place, conveniently sorted by genre (not sure if “genre” is the right word, but just go with me here)?
So, I set out to do the seemingly impossible – organize and rank the best bars in Dublin.
This endeavor took lots of research, planning, and of course taste testing and going to all of the bars personally….I mean, obviously I want to provide accurate, first-hand information to readers. If that means that I must go to a bunch of different bars to try to food and drinks, then BY GOSH I’m gonna do it! After all, I am selflessly dedicated to delivering honest content…
Of course these are just my opinions, but I do have excellent taste. All of these bars are located in or around Dublin city centre; if I would’ve included all of County Dublin I would’ve never finished, and I’d probably have a massive beer belly.
Now, this list may skew more towards certain areas of Dublin than others. I tried to keep my recommendations to the city centre, but of course there are a few that are near to wear I live that I go to a lot that I had to include!
So here it is. The list of all lists! The drinking buddy of all drinking buddies! The definitive guide to the best bars in Dublin, the best pubs in Dublin, and the best clubs in Dublin, according to yours truly!
Trade Music Bars | Craft Beer Bars | Dive Bars | Cocktail Bars | Rock Bars | Sports Bars | Live Music Venues | Bars with Beer Gardens | Dog-Friendly Bars | Rooftop Bars | Wine Bars | Great for a Dance | Nightclubs | Gay Bars | Student Bars | Over 23s | Whiskey Bars | Gastropubs | Comedy Clubs | Open Late | After Work Drinks | Gin Bars | Authentic Dublin Pub | Temple Bar | Bars with Board Games | Unique Bars | Pizza + Pints | Street of Bars
Trad Music Bars
The time-honored Irish tradition of trad music sessions still continues strong in Dublin. A wander around the city will show that there are still plenty of traditional music bars and sessions around the city every night of the week. Of course there are plenty in Temple Bar catered to tourists who just want to see a dancing leprechaun jumping around (probably), but there are also plenty of more local bars keeping the tradition of trad music alive, and some of the best bars in Dublin are deeply rooted in this tradition.
1. Cobblestone Pub
๏ 77 King Street North, Smithfield, Dublin 7
The Cobblestone is a family-run bar in one of Dublin’s oldest neighborhoods, Smithfield. And here, it’s all about keeping the tradition alive. Musicians have been playing Irish music here for 5 generations. In addition to having trad music 7 days a week, The Cobblestone also hosts bluegrass, country, folk, and singer-songwriter nights, and even offer classes that teach Irish music on a variety of instruments. Drop in, have a pint, and enjoy it’s unique atmosphere.
Trad Music Sessions | Monday 7:00pm – Close | Tuesday & Friday 5:00pm – Close | Saturday & Sunday 2:00pm – Close
2. O’Donoghue’s
๏ 15 Merrion Road, Dublin 2
O’Donoghue’s is a Dublin establishment. It’s a favorite for Dubliners and tourists alike, and it’s known for its trad music sessions. In fact, one of Dublin’s most famous Irish trad bands, The Dubliners, got their start in O’Donoghue’s. Here, there’s live music 7 nights a week from musicians from all over Ireland. That, combined with the lovely atmosphere (especially around 7pm), makes it a great spot to have a pint and listen to some amazing trad music.
Trad Music Sessions | Monday to Friday 9:00pm | Saturday 5:00pm | Sunday 1:00pm
3. J. McNeills Pub
๏ Capel Street, North City, Dublin 1
A great non-touristy, city centre bar with a great ambiance, friendly staff, and amazing trad sessions. It was originally opened as a music shop in 1834 and has kept its roots in music to this day. The music store is It’s a quintessential cozy Irish Pub made even cosier by its two fireplaces!
Trad Music Sessions | Wednesday to Sunday 9.30pm
4. Devitts Pub
๏ 78 Lower Camden Street, Dublin 2
This pub has been family-run for 4 decades is located on one of the best strips of bars in the city. In the middle of one of the trendiest areas in the city, this traditional pub is pretty unchanged and is a gem for a good trad session. Even when there isn’t music on, it’s packed most nights and especially after Gaelic matches. (You may also notice that GAA and rugby is the theme of the decor…) It’s a great place for an authentic trad session or a laid back pint surrounded by colorful characters.
Trad Music Sessions | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday 9:30pm
5. O’Shea’s Merchant
๏ 12 Lower Bridge Street, Merchants Quay, Dublin 8
In typical Irish fashion, memorabilia and photos from times past adorn this pub’s walls. O’Shea’s celebrates Ireland’s culture with food, drink, and trad and dancing nights throughout the week. Situated on the River Liffey and in one of the most historical areas of Dublin, it doesn’t get much more central and authentic than O’Shea’s. Expect to be met with that famous Irish friendliness and hospitality. And to have a great time, of course!
Trad Music Sessions | Monday 10:00pm with traditional set-dancing | Tuesday 9:00 pm | Wednesday – Saturday 10:00pm | Sunday 6:30pm & 9:00pm
Honorable Mentions: The Celt on Talbot Street, The International Bar on Wicklow Street
Craft Beer Bars
Craft beer is a-plenty in Dublin. There’s been an explosion of “craft beer culture” which has been popping up more and more against the bars that serve the “traditional” options of Guinness, Smithwicks, Heineken, Carslberg, etc. The craft beer scene in Ireland is growing, so there are plenty of local craft beers on tap around town, as well as international craft beers. Put down the Guinness and expand your horizons, people!
1. Against The Grain
๏ 11 Wexford Street, Dublin 2
From the outside, I seriously thought this place was a health food store. But nope, screw the health food, craft beer is way better! And this place has a HUGE selection of Irish and international craft beers. It’s owned by Galway Bay Brewery, which owns a few bars in Dublin and have fantastic beers. And on top of that, it’s got a great atmosphere and good crowd! Located in one of the busiest nightlife strips in Dublin, this is a great place to try craft beers before heading out for the night. Or, you can sit here and drink craft beer until close.
Monday to Thursday 4:00pm – 12:00am | Friday & Saturday 1:00pm – 1:00am | Sunday 1:00pm – 12:00am
2. 57 The Headline
๏ 56-57 Clanbrassil Street Lower, Dublin 8
This place is a little hidden gem in Dublin 8, which focuses on Irish brands of craft beer, but also has a great selection of independent Irish gin and whiskey. To top it off, they have a great food selection as well. Since this isn’t one of the most popular bars, it’s always a good crowd and never uncomfortably crowded. With 24 beers on tap, you definitely won’t be stuck for choice.
Tuesday to Thursday 4:00pm – 10:30pm | Friday 4:00pm – 11:30pm | Saturday 3:00pm – 11:00pm | Sunday 1:30pm – 9:00pm
3. Tapped
๏ 47 Nassau Street, Dublin 2
This place is great! Tapped specialises in local and international craft beer, organic and sustainable wine, AND premium cocktails on tap. There’s always a great crowd and good buzz. It’s pretty big too so it’s a great place if you’re looking for space for a bigger group. Plus, they stay open late every night and some nights even have live music!
Monday to Saturday 12:00pm – 3:00am | Sunday 12:00pm – 1:30AM
4. Brew Dock
๏ 1 Amiens Street, Mountjoy, Dublin 1
This is probably the most well-connected of all the bars on this list. It is located near Connolly train station, Busaras (the main bus station), AND right on the LUAS Red Line. And, it’s also owned by Galway Bay Brewery, which means you’re guaranteed to be spoiled for choice when it comes to craft beer.
Monday to Thursday 12:00 – 11:30pm | Friday & Saturday 12:00pm – 12:30am | Sunday 12:00 – 11:00pm
5. Porterhouse
๏ 16-18 Parliament Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
If you’re looking for mainstream beers, this is NOT the place for you. Porterhouse is known for their constantly rotating selection of beers, their menu with 150 bottled beers organised by country, a €4 “Beer of the Day” everyday, AND the selection of beers from their own micro-brewery. Although both locations are in touristy areas, you’ll find lots of locals here (yes, even in the Temple Bar location!) enjoying a drink from their MASSIVE selection of Irish and worldwide beers. To top it all off, they have live music 7 nights a week a great food selection! Seriously, this bar is beer heaven.
Sunday to Thursday 11:00am – 11:30pm | Friday & Saturday 11:00am – 2:30am
Honorable Mentions: The Black Sheep on Capel Street, J.W. Sweetman on Burgh Quay, P.Mac’s on Stephen Street Lower, The Taphouse in Ranelagh, Blackbird in Rathmines
Dive Bars
My favorite type of bar. A little grimy, a lot of personality. Usually these places are a little rough around the edges but tend to have the best crowd, the best music, and the best beer. If you’re looking for a laid back atmosphere, good tunes, and good brew, and don’t mind a lil bit of dust, these places are for you.
1. The Thomas House
๏ 86 Thomas Street, Dublin 8
“Eclectic” is the perfect word to describe the decor, clientele, and overall vibe of the Thomas House. This is a perfect place to enjoy a beer from their great selection in one of the most eclectic areas of Dublin. Plus, their music selection is always fabulous. Enjoy drinks here and you’ll hear everything from ska to punk to indie-rock to rockabilly. They even have occasional live acts in the basement. The crowd is laid-back and the staff are really friendly. And to top it all off, the prices are super reasonable. Seriously a gem of a bar in Dublin.
Monday to Thursday 5:00pm – 12:00am | Friday 5:00pm – 12:30am | Saturday 2:00pm – 12:30am | Sunday 5:00pm – 11:00pm
2. Frank Ryan’s
๏ 5 Queen Street, Smithfield, Dublin 7
People feasting on pizza, playing pool, and petting the bar’s friendly dog are sights you’ll see in Frank Ryan’s. That is, if you can see at all, as this bar is a big fan of low lighting. A staple in the Smithfield neighborhood, this quirky bar hosts regular jazz nights, and boasts decent beer prices and friendly neighborhood vibes. Every inch of wall space is covered with old band posters & random memorabilia; there’s even bras hanging from the ceiling. I wasn’t kidding about the dog, either. The resident Kerry Blue Terrier, Magoo, is a staple in this place. And as is standard with dive bars, the music is great – a mixture of jazz, blues, and rock. On Friday and Saturday nights, this place fills up after work and stays that way until close, with 20- and 30-somethings chatting in the dark over a pint, with Magoo walking around making sure everyone is having a good time.
Monday to Saturday 4:00pm – 11:30pm | Sunday 6:00pm – 11:00pm
3. Cassidy’s
๏ 27 Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2
Probably the most centrally-located dive bar in Dublin. In the middle of expensive hotels, over-priced restaurants and about 10 Starbucks – across from the Temple Bar area and 20 meters from the river – the gem that is Cassidy’s. Amazingly, it’s mostly locals who end up here, with the occasional group of tourists who are too smart to fall into tourist traps. Don’t come here if you’re looking for clean toilets, but DO come here for friendly bartenders, a good selection of craft beer, blaring rock and hip-hop music, and board games. Yep, board games! You can play Jenga while enjoying your pint! The music is a bit quieter downstairs, so head down there if you’re catching up with friends.
Monday to Thursday 4:00pm – 11:30pm | Friday & Saturday 4:00pm – 11:30pm | Sunday 4:00pm – 11:00pm
4. Anseo
๏ 18 Camden Street Lower, Dublin 2
A favorite among locals with a fiercely loyal following. This bar is great because it doesn’t try too hard. Its an unpretentious, unspoiled, and unassuming gem on Camden Street. With an eclectic mix of music and beer offerings, this is a great place to have a few drinks before continuing onto various debauchery on Camden Street. There’s even an upstairs room that hosts the occasional gig or that can also be rented out for private functions.
Monday to Thursday 4:00pm – 11:30pm | Friday & Saturday 4:00pm – 12:30am | Sunday 4:00pm – 11:00pm
5. R.I.O.T
๏ 4 Aston Quay, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
They describe themselves as a “Brooklyn meets Berlin-style dive bar.” I would consider it a “fancy” dive bar, but I love it! The crowd here is always good, they have a huge range of drinks, and there’s always great rock, indie, hip hop, and disco music playing. Plus, it’s conveniently located right in the middle of Dublin, in Temple Bar!
Monday to Saturday 4:00pm – 2:30am | Sunday 4:00pm – 1:30am
Honorable Mentions: Sin É on Ormond Quay
COCKTAIL BARS
Although the best cocktail bars tend to be on the more expensive side, it’s good to #TreatYoself to a night out visiting some of these bars every now and then. The decor, the ambiance, the music, and of course the drinks, will make you feel oh so fabulous.
1. Vintage Cocktail Club
๏ 15 Crown Alley, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Tucked away in Temple Bar behind an unmarked black door, this place doesn’t look at all remarkable from the outside, especially compared to the lights and colors of the rest of the area. You even have to ring the doorbell to get in. But once inside you’re greeted to chandeliers, Victorian-style decor, and a menu of over 60 cocktails made with every type of liquor imaginable. The bartenders are really friendly and can make you a cocktail based on what you like. It’s a staple on any list of Dublin’s best cocktails. I’d recommend making a reservation, since it is quite small and space is limited.
Sunday to Thursday 5:00pm – 1:30am | Friday & Saturday 12:00pm – 2:00am
2. Bar 1661
๏ 1-5 Green Street, Dublin 7
This is an absolutely AMAZING cocktail before that I myself only recently discovered. I couldn’t believe I had never been or heard of it until now because WOW what a hidden gem it is! It’s an cocktail bar that has a special focus on poitín, and prides itself on being “staunchly Irish and fiercely independent.” They have a huge variety of cocktails on their menu, all made with ingredients from Irish suppliers and all inspired by a date in the history of Irish drinks (the bar itself is named after the year poitín was made banned in Ireland). Plus, you always get a sample of poitín when you order a cocktail. I would recommend booking on weekends because it does fill up quickly!
Monday to Friday 5:00pm – Late | Saturday & Sunday 2:00pm – Late
3. 9 Below
๏ 9 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2
Although this cocktail bar is smack dab in the middle of Dublin, you’d walk by it without even noticing it. It’s a chic, underground speakeasy with DELISH cocktails, but slightly on the fancier (aka more expensive) side. But listen, if you’re looking for something a big boujie, this is the place. It’s all about opulent cocktails in an elegant atmosphere here. I would recommend booking, as seating is limited.
Wednesday & Thursday 5:30pm – 11:00pm | Friday 5:00pm – 12:30am | Saturday 4:00pm – 12:30am | Closed Sunday to Tuesday
photo via
4. Farrier & Draper
๏ 25 South Great George’s Street, Dublin 2
What I love most about this bar is the decor – mismatched furniture and every inch of wall space covered in art. It kind of reminds of me of a Hogwarts common room, and I almost expect the artwork to come alive at any second (nerdy reference, I know). The cocktails here are great, and there’s outdoor seating on South William street which is great for people watching, or in an enclosed courtyard which is more private.
Monday to Wednesday 12:00pm – 11:30pm | Thursday to Saturday 12:00pm – 2:30am | Sunday 12:00pm – 1:00am
5. Sitting Room at Delahunt
๏ 39 Camden Street Lower, Dublin 2
Delhunt is mostly known for it’s restaurant on the main floor, but there’s also actually a fabulous cocktail bar upstairs called the Sitting Room. This cocktail bar has a mid-century feel with a great view of the bustling Camden Street through a large bay window. With its fireplaces and retro furniture, it feels like you’re sitting in someone’s (very fancy) living room! Walk in’s only.
Tuesday to Saturday 5:00pm – Late
Honorable Mentions: Chelsea Drugstore on George’s Street, Peruke & Periwig on Dawson Street, Pygmalion on South William Street
Rock Bars
Whether it’s because they play exclusively rock music, or because they have live rock acts come and play regularly, these bars are essentially dive bars in nature but with a little more rock ‘n roll, and were deserving of their own category.
1. Sin É
๏ 15 Ormond Quay Upper, Dublin 7
They call themselves “Dublin’s original late night music venue.” Now, I don’t know if that’s true, but it is somewhat of a Dublin institution that hosts everything from gigs to comedy shows to poetry slams.
Wednesday to Sunday 5:00pm – Late
2. Fibber Magee’s
๏ 80-81 Parnel Street, Dublin 1
If you’re looking for rock ‘n roll, this place is a must. Generally regarded as one of, if not THE, best rock bars in Dublin, this place is located in the center of town – right off of O’Connell Street. Go on any weekend to see live rock bands playing and to have a cheap drink. This place stays open late and has an electrifying atmosphere. A definite must for any rock lover!
Everyday 12:00pm – 2:30am
3. The Foggy Dew
๏ 1 Fownes Street Upper, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Another gem of Temple Bar. No matter what night of the week, you can expect to come here and have chilled out pints while listening to 80’s rock. The walls are covered with rock memorabilia that looks like it belongs in a Hard Rock Cafe. They often have live rock bands playing, but you also may catch the odd reggae or blues band. Another plus is that it’s never uncomfortably crowded, and the patrons are chilled out and friendly.
Monday to Thursday 12:00 – 11:30pm | Friday & Saturday 12:00pm – 2:00am | Sunday 1:00pm – 12:00am
4. The Flanders Bar at Bruxelles
๏ 7-8 Harry Street, Dublin 2
Bruxelles itself consists of 3 bars, one of which is a gothic-inspired rock and metal bar, called the Flanders Bar downstairs. The bar even claims that Iron Maiden stop in every time they’re in town. On normal nights, this bar is geared towards older rockers, with a little more a laid-back atmosphere. But on “Nocturnal” night every Wednesday to Saturday from 5:15 until late, things get a little more rowdy, with drink specials and an exclusively rock and metal playlist.
Wednesday to Saturday 9:30pm – 2:30am
Sports Bars
Ireland LOVES its sports. Whether it’s rugby, football (soccer), Gaelic football or hurling, you can bet that most pubs will be packed with people proudly wearing their team’s colors and drinking beer by the bucket. The pubs that are THE places to be on any match day are usually large, have multiple big screens to show the game, and have an ample selection of beer, of course.
1. Sinnotts
๏ South King Street, Dublin 2
Although this is just your average Irish pub by appearance, you can expect an actual line out the door on match days of people trying to get in. This is THE place to watch live sports in Dublin city centre, being right at the heart of it, next to St. Stephen’s Green. With its 14 large screens, huge amount of floor space, and its massive bar right in the middle, nothing can beat the atmosphere here during a big game. They even play American football.
Monday to Thursday 10:00am – 11:30pm | Friday & Saturday 10:00am – 2:30am | Sunday 12:30pm – 11:00pm
2. The Camden
๏ 84 Camden Street Lower, Dublin 2
I really think this is the best place in Dublin to watch sports. There are honestly about 50 TVs in the place and it’s giant, so there’s lots of seating and also lots of room to stand. There’s always a great buzz in here for big matches. Plus, they serve pretty dang good food. I would definitely recommend booking far in advance if you want to get an area with table service for a match, especially a big match! But even if you don’t have a seat, there’s plenty of place to stand and TVs at every angle of the place, so you definitely won’t miss a second of the match!
Tuesday 5:00pm – 11:30pm | Wednesday & Thursday 12:00pm – 11:30pm | Friday & Sunday 12:00pm – 2:30am | Sunday 12:00pm to 11:00pm | Closed Monday
3. The Back Page
๏ 199 Phibsborough Road, Dublin 7
This one is a little out of town, but I thought it was worthy of a spot on this list because it’s worth the trek. This place is trying to redefine the “sports bar,” and here you’ll find both diehard and fair-weather fans. This bar is light and airy, with 3 rooms – The Pizza Parlour downstairs, The Clubhouse, and The Press Room. With its high ceilings making it light and airy, its killer food menu including pizza and paninis, and its wide selection of board games, this place is a great spot whether there’s a match on or not. Its sister pub, The Square Ball in the Grand Canal Dock area, is also a great spot for sports.
Monday to Thursday 10:00am – 12:30pm | Friday & Saturday 10:00am – 1:00am | Sunday 10:00am – 11:00pm
4. Slattery’s D4
๏ 62 Grand Canal Street Upper, Dublin 4
Slattery’s location right down the road from the Aviva Stadium make it a GREAT place to watch sports. If there’s a home rugby or football game at the Aviva, this place is PACKED before the games with people pre-drinking before they walk over to the stadium. But if you’re not lucky enough to have a ticket, it’s actually the perfect place to watch the match. Because if you arrive before the game when it’s packed (you may have to wait in line to get in), once it clears out with people leaving to go to the game, you’ll easily get a great table with a view of one of their many TVs. You’ll have table service throughout the whole game, and then you’ll already have a spot for when all of the match goers come back after the match, ready to party!
Monday to Thursday 1:00pm – 11:30pm | Friday 1:00pm – 12:30am | Saturday 12:00pm – 12:30am | Sunday 12:30pm – 11:00pm
5. The Living Room
๏ Cathal Brugha St, Rotunda, Dublin 1
The beer garden is the game-changer for this bar. In fact, this place claims to have “Dublin’s Largest Beer Garden” and “Europe’s Biggest Outdoor Screen” in that beer garden. There’s also dozens of other TV screens around the place. It’s always packed for any big sporting event. For the biggest matches, if it’s sunny, they’ll even do tiered seating outside in the beer garden. Plus, they serve wood-fired pizzas from their new Pizza Shack outside. Later, it even turns into a late bar with a DJ and has some great drink deals!
Sunday to Wednesday 10:00am – 12:00am | Thursday to Saturday 10:00am – 3:00am
Honorable Mentions: Trinity Bar on Dame Street, Smyths in Ranelagh, Dtwo on Harcourt Street, The Bleeding Horse on Camden Street
Live Music Venues
Dublin is a great city for live music. Since it’s the capital city, any band passing through Ireland will play here. No matter what genre of music you’re into, you’re pretty much guaranteed to find a live show, whether it’s pop, blues, jazz, indie, rock, or singer/songwriter. Bigger concerts will be held at the 3Arena, The Aviva Stadium, The RDS, or even Croke Park, but there are also tons of smaller pubs and live music venues that you can catch a show spontaneously!
1. Whelan’s
๏ 25 Wexford Street, Dublin 2
One of Dublin’s most iconic music venues. They’re known for hosting up-and-coming music acts BEFORE they’ve made it big, like the Arctic Monkeys, Ed Sheeran, and Hozier. There is a steady stream of Irish and international acts, big and small, of all genres of music. With a capacity of about 400, it’s the perfect-sized venue for more intimate shows. While the live music area in the back is always high-energy and fun, the front pub is cozy and relaxing for a drink before or after a gig. It even has a fireplace that’s turned on during the winter. So go check it out and you may encounter the Next Big Thing!
Monday to Thursday 5:00pm – 1:30am | Friday & Saturday 5:00pm – 2:30am | Sunday 5:00pm – 1:00am / Showtimes vary
2. The Grand Social
๏ 35 Liffey Street Lower, North City, Dublin
With its excellent location right on the river and its gigs of every musical genre imaginable, it’s easy to see why The Grand Social has made my list. This massive bar is divided into 3 different spaces: The Ballroom, The Parlor, and The Loft, which has a beer garden upstairs and a craft market every Saturday from noon-6 (I LOVE MARKETS)! It has a good mix of both DJs and live acts every week, so they’re bound to have something for every musical taste. The main stage upstairs has this red drapery ceiling that has some serious psychedelic marquee vibes. They have gigs on almost every night, some free and some with cover.
Sunday to Wednesday 9:00am – 12:30am | Thursday to Saturday 9:00am – 2:30am / Showtimes vary
3. The Workmans Club
๏ 10 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2
Although the live acts in this bar aren’t as frequent as others on this list, they’re always great, IMO. Think “quality over quantity.” This is another one of my personal favorite spots. It’s located on the river (not too far from The Grand Social), and hosts live acts upstairs regularly enough. Besides the live music upstairs, they have GREAT DJs downstairs that’ll have you dancing along to indie classics. The hip but friendly clientele, the drink deals, and the shabby chic dive-y vibe are a few of my favorite things about this place. Oh, and the fact that you can get delicious burgers in their upstairs beer garden from WOWBURGER. This place really does have it all!
Monday to Saturday 5:00pm – 2:30am | Sunday 5:00pm – 1:00am / Showtimes vary
4. The Button Factory
๏ Curved Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
1,000 capacity building in the heart of Temple Bar. Not only do they have live music of every genre, but they also host club nights that range from hip-hop to salsa to indie. Although the live acts here tend to be more DJ-heavy, you can catch all kinds of artists coming through. The large stage can be seen across 2 levels — with the standing room on the ground floor and seats on the upper level. Although the music venue is open subject to shows and events, Button Factory’s Crowbar is a separate bar attached to the building that is open every night. They have great craft beer & drink offerings, happy hour from 5-7pm, and great DJs. It’s a great place for drinks before a gig in the main music venue. So whether you’re here for a show or just a night out, this place is always buzzing!
Opening times subject to live show start time / Crowbar Monday to Thursday, & Sunday 11:00am – 11:30pm | Friday & Saturday 11:00am – 2:30am
5. The Academy
๏ 57 Abbey Street Middle, Dublin 1
This is another venue that has great live acts, and then great club nights when no concerts are on. The venue is small (about 600 capacity) but great for more intimate shows, with great views from every angle. The weekend late club nights are spread over multiple levels and have different genres of music between the 2 floors. The main stage on the top floor has seen acts like The Killers, Prince, Macklemore, and even David Bowie. The smaller stage downstairs is for newer artists from Ireland and abroad.
Opening times subject to live show start time
Honorable Mentions: The Sugar Club on Leeson Street, Vicar Street on Thomas Street, The Olympia on Dame Street
Bars with Beer Gardens
As soon as that mysterious golden ball of light in the sky decides to make an appearance, Dubliners are out in full force flocking to any establishment where they can drink outside. For a place with notoriously unfortunate weather, Dublin actually has a lot of beer gardens to enjoy food, drinks, and/or sporting events.
1. Harcourt Bar and Garden Lounge
๏ 60 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2
This place is excellently located on Harcourt Street and easily accessible from anywhere in Dublin. The beer garden here is seriously impressive. For sporting events there’s always several screens outside in the beer garden, but every other day it’s buzzing with people having after-work drinks or with friends on a night out. It’s always busy on nice days and it’s a great place to drink until the sun goes down, when you can then hop around to all of the many other bars in the area. Plus, later at night the music is great and it’s absolutely buzzing.
Sunday to Wednesday 5:00pm – 12:00am | Thursday to Saturday 5:00pm – 3:00am
2. Bonobo
๏ 119 Church Street Upper, Dublin 7
Bonobo is one of my favorite bars in Dublin! (Although if you haven’t noticed, I say about a LOT of bars haha). This place has it all: great cocktails, a good craft beer selection, really friendly bartenders, great music playing, delicious pizza, and a really nice beer garden. There’s always a great vibe here, especially in the (heated) beer garden. If the weather isn’t great, people lounge around at the various tables, armchairs, and barstools inside.
Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 4:00pm – 12:00am | Tuesday 5:00pm – 12:00am | Friday 4:00pm – 1:00am | Saturday 1:00pm to 1:00am | Sunday 1:00pm to 12:00am
3. Toners
๏ 139 Baggot Street Lower, Dublin 2
This place is a Dublin institution, and one of the city’s oldest pubs. Their beer garden is a huge and is especially fun during sporting events. A game-changer is that they offer table service in their beer garden. YES! This beer garden gets a really good amount of sun, but there’s also a shaded area. Because let’s face it, Irish people are pretty much allergic to the sun. It’s one of the best bars in Dublin, and a true institution in the city.
Monday to Thursday 10:30am – 11:30pm | Friday & Saturday 10:30 – 12:30am | Sunday 11:30am – 11:30pm
4. The Church
๏ 82-84 Rathmines Road Lower, Dubllin 6
You won’t find a beer garden more in the “thick of things” than the one at the Church Bar, which is a 300-year-old restored church right on the corner of Henry Street and Mary Street. Henry Street is one of the main shopping streets in Dublin with several high street stores, so the Church is the perfect spot to stop for a pint or some food after shopping. It’s great for people watching! The sun-soaked beer garden is great for enjoying food, wine, cocktails, or beer while people watching!
Monday to Wednesday 10:30am – 11:00pm | Thursday 10:30am – 11:30pm | Friday 10:30am – 12:30am | Saturday 10:30am – 1:30am | Sunday 11:30am – 11:00pm
5. Kodiak
๏ 304 Rathmines Road Lower, Dublin 6
Kodiak is actually owned by the same people as Bonobo, and it’s another one of my favorite spots! I go here WAY too much. The beer garden consists of several long shared tables, and they serve up some great craft beer, cocktails, and seriously DELICIOUS pizza. (I highly recommend the Truffle and Orange pizza. It’s bomb.) Plus, the beer garden can be covered if it’s raining with it’s adjustable roof, so it’s open rain or shine!
Monday to Thursday 4:00pm – 12:00am | Friday 4:00pm – 1:00am | Saturday 2:00pm – 1:00am | Sunday 2:00pm – 12:00am
Honorable Mentions: Blackbird in Rathmines, The Barge on Charlemont Street, Dicey’s Garden Club on Harcourt Street, Lucky’s on Meath Street
Dog-Friendly Bars
In 2017, the rules regarding dogs in bars and restaurants changed, and now dogs are allowed inside of these establishments, not just outside! Of course, it’s up to the discretion of the bar owners. But many bars that allowed dogs in their beer gardens/outdoor areas, now with the changing of the rules many bars are allowing dogs inside also! Because nothing’s better than enjoying drinks with your best friend in tow!!!!!!! (I LOVE DOGS)
1. The Fourth Corner
๏ 50 Patrick Street, Dublin 8
The location of this bar is SUPER handy – right next to St. Patrick’s Cathedral! They boast a decent beer selection, 2 for €12 specials on mixed drinks, and good cocktails, and welcome all dogs! Plus, their food is BOMB – burgers, nachos, wings, and loaded fries from Bolt Burger.
Closed Monday | Tuesday to Friday 5:00pm – 12:00am | Saturday 12:00pm – 12:30am | Sunday 12:00pm – 11:00pm
2. The Barbers Bar
๏ 19 Lower Grangegorman Road, Dublin 7
This popular bar in Stoneybatter calls itself “Notoriously Dog-Friendly”…and it is! They even have a dog wall where they have over 400 photos of dogs at the pub! They serve craft beer, cocktails, and notoriously good Guinness. Plus, they also have a rotating kitchen and right now it’s Tokyo Kitchen serving a range of Japanese bites and pokē bowls. But wait…they have food for dogs too! They have two dog “beers” and some food items. They also have a great pub quiz on Thursdays at 8pm.
Monday to Thursday 3:00pm – 11:30pm | Friday & Saturday 12:00pm – 12:30am | Sunday 12:00pm – 11:00pm
3. The Circular
๏ 536-538 South Circular Road, Dublin 8
This large, multi-room pub in the heart of Rialto village has a café, pizza kitchen, an event space, and outdoor seating at the front that is in a fullllllll sun trap. The pizzas here are made by Coke Lane pizza, which are housed in several bars around Dublin and is frickin’ delish. They host regular pub quizzes every Wednesday at 7pm, and people get REALLY into it. This is a really great spot (one of my personal favorites) and dogs are MORE than welcome here!
Monday to Thursday 4:00pm – 12:00am | Friday 4:00pm – 1:00am | Saturday 2:00pm – 1:00am | Sunday 2:00pm – 11:00pm
4. The Bath
๏ 24 Bath Avenue, Dublin 4
This pub is really close the Aviva Stadium, so it’s always absolutely buzzing during rugby and soccer games. Besides having a great selection of craft beers and cocktails for a fun night out, they also do delicious brunch on the weekends and amazing wood-fired pizza throughout the week. Dogs are allowed both inside the pub and outside in the south-facing courtyard!
Monday to Thursday 4:00 – 11:30pm | Friday 3:00pm – 12:30am | Saturday 11:00pm – 12:30am | Sunday 11:00am – 11:00pm
5. The Bernard Shaw
๏ Cross Guns Bridge, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
This pub has a little bit of everything – Art space, restaurant, bar, street food market, event spaces, and outdoor areas. They host everything from drag brunches to bottomless brunches to karaoke and also have seasonal events like Oktoberfest. And while alllllll of that’s going on, they also let dogs in too!
Sunday to Thursday 12:00pm – 12:00am | Friday and Saturday 12:00pm – 3:00am
Honorable Mentions: Frank Ryan’s on Queen’s Street, Kodiak in Rathmines
Rooftop Bars
Just like people in Dublin swarm to the beer gardens when they catch even a glimpse of sun, they also flock to the roof top gardens if they’re feelin’ #fancy. Now, I’ll be honest here: Dublin does not have a lot of rooftop bars. I guess it’s because it rains all the feckin top. But there are a few, and they are fab. Some have more direct sunlight or better views than others, but these are my favorites in terms of atmosphere, crowd, drinks, and how glam and fancy they make me feel, tbh.
1. The Marker Hotel
๏ Grand Canal Square, Docklands, Dublin 2
The rooftop bar over the Marker Hotel is widely regarded as the rooftop bar with the best views of Dublin (including the iconic Poolbeg Towers!). They also do great cocktails! When the sun goes down, they have blankets for those chillier nights, so you really have no reason to leave, ever. Before visiting, check to make sure it isn’t booked for a private event.
Closed Monday & Tuesday | Wednesday & Thursday 5:00pm – 11:30pm | Saturday & Sunday 3:00pm – 11:30pm | Hours may vary in winter months
2. Fade Street Social
๏ 6 Fade Street, Dublin 2
I LOVE people-watching here. The cocktails here are delicious, and perfect for drinks before or after dinner downstairs in the restaurant. They do serve food here too! The menu for the rooftop is different and smaller than the main restaurant, but it includes bar bites, flatbreads, and sides. The “Winter Garden”, as their beer garden is called, is also good as a relaxing smoking area or for late night drinks with good music. There’s plenty of covered and uncovered seating.
Sunday to Wednesday 12:00pm – 12:30am | Thursday to Saturday 12:00pm – 1:30am
3. Sophie’s
๏ 33 Harcourt Street, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin 2
This bar is located on top of The Dean Hotel and has amazing 360° views of the city. Because of its great location on Harcourt Street, this bar is ALWAYS packed on sunny days. What I love about this place is that the bar in the middle is massive, so you can usually go through the queue for a drink relatively quickly. There’s also a restaurant serving up delicious breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner throughout the day. I would recommend booking ahead of time!
Monday to Friday 7:00am – 10:00pm | Saturday & Sunday 8:00am – 10:00pm
4. Vintage Cocktail Club
๏ 13 Dame Court, Dublin 2
I’ve already mentioned this bar in the “Cocktail Bar” section, but did I mention that in additional to three floors it ALSO has a rooftop terrace?! Seriously, this place is such a hidden gem. There’s not tooooo many places I would recommend in Temple Bar, but this definitely one of them. Like the rest of the bar it has cool and cozy decor and, of course, AMAZING cocktails are served.
Sunday to Thursday 5:00pm – 1:30am | Friday & Saturday 12:00pm – 2:00am
5. Taphouse
๏ 60 Ranelagh Road, Dublin 6
The food in Taphouse is great, the drinks and spacious roof terrace is even better. It’s a much more casual setting than some of the rooftops mentioned on this list. Indulge in some slides and tacos while sipping on one of their MANY beers on tap (hence the name) plus lots of wine and cocktail options.
Monday to Thursday 3:00pm – 11:30pm | Friday 1:00pm – 12:30am | Saturday 12:30pm – 12:30am | Sunday 12:30pm – 11:00pm
Honorable Mentions: Fitzsimons in Temple Bar
Wine Bars
My idea of a perfect night is chatting with friends, drinking a glass of red wine and nibbling on a cheeseboard. Despite how much I looooooooove wine, there’s nothing worse than a crap bottle of cheap wine. ESPECIALLY the hangovers they give you. To me, it’s worth the splurge to have a delicious glass or bottle of wine, surrounded by a nice ambiance.
1. Loose Cannon
๏ 29 Drury Street, Dublin 2
This small, friendly wine bar has an impressive wine selection served by the glass or bottle, and also serves toasties and a selection of Irish cheeses and charcuterie! It’s right on Drury Street, one of my favorite streets in Dublin. If you’re lucky, you can nab a window seat and do some people watching! You can also pop in to buy wines and cheeses to take home! If you want to sit in at the wine bar though, just be warned: they don’t take bookings and it’s tiny!
Monday 11:00am – 10:30pm | Tuesday to Saturday 11:00am – 11:30pm | Sunday 12:30 – 10:30pm
2. Brindle Coffee & Wine
๏ 34 Lennox Street, Dublin 8
This one is a personal favorite of mine, and I have frequented it way too many times! Coffee shop by day, wine bar by night – two of my favorite things! What more could you want? They focus on natural, organic, biodynamic, and low intervention wines. They have a limited number of outdoor seating at the front, but a lot more seating inside at the back of the shop. And lastly, they’re are pet friendly, and the workers are always super friendly. Go here for for a casual, neighborhood feel.
Monday to Wednesday 7:30am – 8:0pm | Thursday & Friday 7:30am – 9:00pm | Saturday 8:00am – 9:00pm | Sunday 7:30am – 8:00pm
3. Piglet Wine Bar
๏ 5 Cow’s Lane, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Right around the corner from Temple Bar pubs trying to rip you off and charging €8 for a pint of beer, you’ll find the charming Piglet Wine Bar. Not only do they have a carefully curated wine list, but they also have a constantly-changing menu of delicious food ranging some small bite-size tapas to full meals. They claim they’re the place to come for a glass of wine, then stay for the bottle and have some food. And I couldn’t agree more. IMMACULATE vibes in here.
Monday to Saturday 12:30pm – 11:30pm | Sunday 1:00pm – 11:00pm
4. All Good Wine Bar
๏ 39 Aungier Street, Dublin 2
Wait, you thought that Brindle was Dublin’s only dog-friendly café by day and wine bar by night?? THINK AGAIN. Enter All Good Wine Bar, which is Network Café in the daylight hours. Althought Network Café is open every day, All Good only opens on Friday and Saturday nights. A normal night for All Good Wine Bar is serving up food in the early evenings, followed by a DJ playing until late.
Friday & Saturday 6:00pm – 12:00am | Closed the rest of the week
5. La Cave
๏ 28 South Anne Street, Dublin 2
This French-style wine bar is tucked away under South Anne Street. It’s Dublin’s oldest established wine bar and totally unassuming from the outside, but eclectic and cozy on the inside. La Cave has over 350 bottles and 40 available by the glass, as well as a menu of French cuisine. They even offer wine tasting some evenings, where they showcase pairings of selected French cheeses.
Monday to Saturday 12:00pm – 2:00am | Sunday 5:00pm – 2:00am
Honorable Mentions: Olesya’s on Exchequer Street, Franks on Camden Street, Ely Wine Bar on Ely Street, Note on Fenian Street, Bobby’s on Baggot Street
Great for a Dance
Contrary to stereotype, Dublin’s well-known vibrant nightlife isn’t limited to just pubs with trad music. Sure, the pub-to-person ratio is probably more than anywhere else. But there’s no shortage of clubs in Dublin for anyone wanting to get their dance on. On Friday and Saturday nights you’ll find people of all ages dressed for the occasion, dancing along to radio hits and remixes.
1. Flannery’s
๏ 6 Camden Street Lower, Dublin 2
It might look like a typical Dublin pub from the outside, but if you walk in on a Friday or Saturday night expecting to have a nice quiet pint, you’ve got another thing coming. You’ll walk into a huge, multi-level pub packed with people inside and in the huge beer garden/smoking area in the back, with radio hits and throwbacks blasting through the speakers until the wee hours of the morning. The crowd is of all ages. You won’t like this place if you can’t *deal* with waiting in line to get in (but it moves fast), a packed bar area, and just crowds in general. Because this place gets PACKED. You ALSO won’t like it if you’re just no fun and don’t like to dance. So basically, you won’t like this place if you’re sober.
Monday to Thursday 5:00pm – 2:30am | Friday 5:00pm – 3:00am | Saturday 3:00pm – 2:30am | Sunday 5:00pm – 2:00am
2. McSorley’s
๏ 5 Sandford Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6
McSorley’s has been an iconic Ranelagh institution for years. This is a great spot for watching sports matches because there are several TVs, or just enjoying a casual pint during the day. But later at night, the whole bar turns into a giant dance floor and they play radio hits from the 90s to now, songs that everyone knows all of the words to. It gets busy and sooo so fun in there, with everyone singing along to every song!
Monday to Wednesday 3:00pm – 12:00am | Thursday 3:00pm – 2:00am | Friday 3:00pm – 2:30am | Saturday 12:30pm – 2:30am | Sunday 12:30pm – 12:00am
3. The Workman’s Club
๏ 10 Wellington Quay, Temple Bar, Dublin, D02
This place is absolutely huge, so it’s great if you’re going out with a huge group and want to be sure you can all get into the same place and stay together. And since it’s so big, it’s never super packed because there’s plenty of room for people to spread out. They always have fun, fast music and there are also plenty of tables that you can reserve.
Monday to Saturday 5:00pm – 2:30am | Sunday 5:00pm – 1:00am
4. Copper Faced Jacks
๏ 29-30 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2
It’s known as just “Copper’s” by locals and is more infamous than it is famous. The dance floor is truly an experience to be reckoned with. Everyone is there to have a good time and drink the place dry (the drinks are pretty cheap and strong). Expect to see a crowd of mixed age, expect to pay cover, and expect to encounter lots of girls tripping on their platform heels. I personally don’t enjoy it if I’m the least bit sober, but I do think it’s the kind of place you should experience at least once. Even if it’s just for the people watching. And the CHEESYYYY playlist.
Monday to Thursday 10:00pm – 2:30am | Friday & Saturday 9:00pm – 2:30am | Sunday 10:00pm – 1:00am
5. Whelan’s
๏ 143 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2
Other than having regular live music gigs, Whelan’s also host a Silent Disco upstairs every Monday to Thursday, playing great tunes to dance along to. And on Fridays and Saturdays, there’s an “Indie Club Night” on the main dance floor. They play everything from The Strokes to Pixies to Queens of the Stone Age to Red Hot Chili Peppers, and it’s free in before 10:30. People reallyyyyy lose their minds and dance their little booties off here.
Monday to Thursday 5:00pm – 1:30am | Friday & Saturday 5:00pm – 2:30am | Sunday 5:00pm – 1:00am
Honorable Mentions: The Academy on Abbey Street, Café en Seine on Dawson Street, Krystal on Harcourt Street, Bad Bobs on Essex Street, The Odeon
Nightclubs (Techno/House/Electronic)
These nightclubs definitely aren’t for everyone. Think a little less radio hits, a little more hard-core electronic and techno music. This clubbing scene in Dublin has been growing recently, with more clubs opening and focusing on curating and booking great Irish and international DJs.
1. Pygmalion
๏ 59 South William Street, Dublin 2
This place is always busy even during the week because of their good food and cocktail specials (2 for 1!). But late on the weekends this place hosts a variety of DJs in their cellar-like dance floor area. The dance floor is on the small side but there are always great DJ, both local and international, providing the soundtrack. If you need to rest your feet, there’s lots of tables spread throughout Pyg in it’s many nooks and crannies. Also, make sure you check out the bathroom – the sink looks like the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets. The one downside of this place, though, is that the crowd tends to lean younger (because of the cheap cocktails)
Monday to Saturday 12:00pm – 3:00am | Sunday 12:00pm – 1:30am
2. Yamamori Tengu
๏ Rear of Yamamori Sushi, 37 Strand Street Great, Dublin 1
This club is behind a well-known sushi restaurant and can be entered from the laneway behind the restaurant. The bar staff here are super friendly and the crowd is always really good. Not as “druggy” as the crowds at some of the other clubs on this list, and usually a bit on the older side. The capacity here is only 250, so it’s always a small but great crowd, with fantastic DJs playing regularly. For big nights, they’ll even have the top floor open with a DJ there too. One of my personal favorite spots.
Closed Monday to Wednesday | Thursday to Sunday 11:00pm – 3:00am
3. Index
๏ 13-14 Liberty Lane, Dublin 2
Index is heaven for techno and house fans, bringing shows from local and international DJs every Friday and Saturday night. It just moved location and is now right in the middle of town just off Camden Street. The sound and light system is also incredible.
Times vary for each show
4. Izakaya Basement
๏ 13 George’s Street South, Dublin 2
On its Instagram bio, Izakaya Basement describes itself as a “late night underground funk bunker” and honestly that’s exactly what it is. While Yamamori Tengu is located at the rear of one Yamamori sushi location, Izakaya is located in the basement of its sister restaurant, Yamamori Izakaya. And just like Tengu, it draws in an amazing crowd with its great lineup of DJs and relaxed atmosphere.
Closed Monday and Tuesday | Wednesday to Friday & Sunday 7:00pm – 2:30am | Saturday 5:00pm – 2:30am
5. Hang Dai
๏ 20 Camden Street Lower Dublin 2
Hang Dai is gourmet Chinese restaurant by day, and on weekends a nightclub by night. It boasts a custom built soundsystem, isolated DJ booth, acoustically-treated room, and a “Saturday Night Fever”-esque ceiling. The sound in here is seriously amazing. The dancefloor area isn’t big either, which always means it’s an intimate affair
Nightclub closed Sunday to Thursday | Friday & Saturday 11:00 – 3:00am
Honorable Mentions: Centre Point on Curved Street, Here&Now on Arran Quay
Gay Bars
Unfortunately, there aren’t as many exclusively gay bars/clubs in Dublin as there should be. There are currently only TWO clubs that are full-time and exclusively “gay bars”. There are more and more places hosting once-a-week or once-a-month specialized gay nights, and hopefully the scene continues to grow.
1. The George
๏ 89 South Great George’s Street, Dublin 2
Dublin’s oldest and most well-known gay bar/club visited by people both young and old. It’s one of Dublin’s 2 full-time gay bars. It’s open 7 days a week and has regular drag nights and live shows. The ever-popular Sunday bingo is also a crowd favorite! There’s usually always a line to get in on Friday and Saturday nights, but it’s always a great time in there.
Monday & Tuesday 12:30pm – 1:30am | Wednesday to Saturday 12:30pm – 2:30am | Sunday 12:30pm – 1:00am
2. Pantibar
๏ 7-8 Capel Sreet, Dublin 1
Pantibar is owned by Dublin drag queen and icon Panti Bliss, who you can sometimes find sipping cocktails at the bar. Pantibar has everything from drag nights to karaoke nights to movie nights. Saturday nights are a bit wild here; people are there to have a good time and don’t really hold back. It’s a judgement-free zone!
Monday to Thursday 4:00pm – 11:30pm | Friday & Saturday 4:00pm – 12:30am | Sunday 4:00pm – 11:00pm
3. Mother
๏ Lost Lane, Adam’s Court, Dublin 2
Mother Club is loved by not only the gay community, but by all club-goers for their amazing resident DJs and fun atmosphere. DJs play a mix of retro, 80s pop, synth pop, and electronic and the friendly crowd dancing along to everything. Seriously, the music here is SO good. It only happens once a week in Lost Lane. But, any Saturday spent here is bound to be one for the books.
Only open Saturday 11:00pm – 3:30am
4. Street 66
๏ 33-34 Parliament Street, Dublin 2
This took over what used to be gay bar The Front Lounge. Although the bar changed names and many thought it was “going straight”, Street 66 still attracts a largely gay crowd who come to enjoy beer, cocktails, and spirits. The mixed crowd, friendly staff, and good drinks make for a great night out. It’s not really a gay “club” like The George and Pantibar are, but more like a gay pub. It’s a great spot for a few drinks on a Saturday before going to Mother, or just to socialize with friends.
Sunday to Thursday 3:00pm – 11:30pm | Friday and Saturday 3:00pm – 2:30am
5. All My Friends
๏ 61-63 Meath Street, Dublin 8
This is the newest addition to the gay bar scene in Dublin, having only opened over Pride weekend last year. This bar aims to be an inclusive space and bring a “new era of friendliness” to a historic Dublin neighborhood known for community, but where there was a lack of gay/queer spaces. This is a great spot for drinking, dancing, and just general friendliness. Plus, it’s dog friendly!
Closed Monday | Tuesday & Wednesday 4:00pm – 11:30pm | Thursday 12:00pm – 11:30pm | Friday & Saturday 12:00pm – 12:30am | Sunday 12:00pm – 11:30pm
Honorable Mentions: Pennylane on Strand Street Great, Euphoria @ Button Factory on Curved Street
Student Bars / Drink Deals
Let’s face it – students flock to wherever there’s cheap drinks. Conveniently, most of these places are located near Dublin colleges and universities. Weekly drink specials and good music keep the ’em coming.
1. Doyle’s
๏ 9 College Street, Dublin 2
This bar’s proximity to Trinity College make it a popular hot spot for students. Although students do love this place, there are patrons of all ages scattered across the pub on the main floor and the dancing area downstairs. Every Tuesday from 8:30pm-11pm, Doyle’s hosts “The Ruby Sessions,” an intimate acoustic night that’s been known for the past 18 years to catch the best up-and-coming acts.
Tuesday 12:00pm – 1:00am | Wednesday & Thursday 12:00pm – 1:30am | Friday & Saturday 12:00pm – 2:30am | Sunday 4:00pm – 12:30am
2. The Pavilion Bar
๏ College Green, Trinity College, Dublin 2
This place is literally *on* Trinity College campus, so it doesn’t get more ~student~ than this. But don’t worry, The Pav is open for anyone, not just Trinity students. They boast reasonably-priced food and pretty cheap drinks. If it’s a sunny day, you’ll find students poured outside the bar onto the front steps or the grass of the pavilion with their drinks. It’s a great mid-week spot, since it’s not open on weekends.
Monday to Wednesday 12:00pm – 9:00pm | Thursday & Friday 8:00am – 11:00pm | Closed Saturday & Sunday
3. Dicey’s Garden
๏ 21-25 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2
Dicey’s is located right in the middle of Dublin on Harcourt Street – a street known for it’s wide selection of nightclubs all right next to each other. It also happens to have a really great beer garden. AND it also happens to do really good weekly drink deals that attract broke students! Particularly, it’s Student Night on Mondays offers €2 beers and vodka. It’s not really a place for a low-key drink – this place gets PACKED at night. The DJ and late bar keep people dancing the night way until the wee hours.
Monday to Saturday 4:00pm – 2:30am | Sunday 4:00pm – 1:30am
4. Capitol Lounge
๏ 1 Aungier Street, Dublin 2
If you’re a broke son of a B and you like cocktails, this bar is the place for you. Students come crawling to Capitol because of their cocktail deals pretty much every day, like 2-for-1 cocktails every day until midnight, for example. It’s always free in and open late most of the week. It’s also conveniently located to DIT, Trinity, and Dublin Business School.
Monday 4:00pm – 12:30am | Tuesday to Friday 4:00pm – 3:00am | Saturday 3:30pm – 3:00am | Sunday 4:00pm – 12:30am
Honorable Mentions: The Workman’s Club on Wellington Quay, Ryan’s on Camden Street
Over 23’s
Some of these bars have an older age policy at the door, and then some of them are on the more expensive side to keep the younger crowd and students away. Whatever the reason they’re listed here, you won’t see too many, if any, youngsters at these places.
1. Vintage Cocktail Club
๏ 15 Crown Alley, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Its strict over 23’s policy combined with its pricey cocktails means you’ll find an older crowd here.
Sunday to Thursday 5:00pm – 1:30am | Friday & Saturday 12:00pm – 2:00am
2. The Camden
๏ 84 Camden Street Lower, Dublin 2
Here’s another place with a strict over 23s policy. They’re even known for thoroughly checking IDs at the door!
Sunday to Thursday 5:00pm – 1:30am | Friday & Saturday 12:00pm – 2:00am
3. Zozimus
๏ Centenary House, Anne’s Lane, Anne Street South, Dublin 2
The gorgeous exterior with the umbrella-covered street is enough to lure you in, and the elegant, modern interior and killer cocktails will make you stay. I will say though, this place is expensive. That’s probably why the crowd tends to skew older. The drinks are worth it but the food really isn’t.
Closed Monday & Tuesday | Wednesday 4:00pm – 11:00pm | Thursday 4:00pm – 12:30am | Friday 4:00pm – 2:30am | Saturday 12:00pm – 2:30am | Sunday 3:00pm – 11:00pm
4. 37 Dawson Street
๏ 37 Dawson Street, Dublin 2
This place is a feast for the eyes. The decor is mismatched, eclectic, and stunning. There’s even a giant moose watching the party from overhead. The sweeping bar serves cocktails until the early hours, and the music is always perfectly energetic. At the back of the room is the cozy Whiskey Bar, with an open fireplace and comfortable couches. This place has all of the ingredients for a perfect night out.
Monday 4:00pm – 11:30pm | Tuesday to Friday 4:00pm – 2:30am | Saturday 3:00pm – 2:30am | Sunday 3:00pm – 1:00am
5. Drury Buildings
๏ 55 Drury Street, Dublin 2
Come here to enjoy some New York vibes and tasty cocktails, wine, and select craft beers. Enjoy small bites and delicious Italian food with your booze until 10:30pm on weekdays. There’s always a good vibe here on the weekends, so you’ll never been disappointed!
Sunday to Thursday 12:00 – 11:30pm | Friday & Saturday 12:00pm – 12:30am
6. House Dublin
๏ 27 Leeson Street Lower, Dublin 2
This bar spans 2 Georgian houses on Leeson Street, and is a restaurant serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner by day and a late bar with lots of dancing by night. If you go here on a night out I’m sure you’ll see a birthday or hen/bachelorette party celebration and a slightly older crowd.
Monday to Wednesday 8:00am – 11:30pm | Thursday to Saturday 9:00am – 2:30am | Sunday 9:00am – 11:00pm
Honorable Mentions: The Dean on Harcourt Street, Farrier & Draper on South William Street, Cafe en Seine on Dawson Street
Whiskey Bars
Ireland sure does love its whiskey. In Dublin alone there’s a whiskey distillery (Teeling’s) and an old whiskey distillery (Jameson) that both offer tours and events. And there’s also more and more bars that specialize in whiskey popping up around the city. And these places are passionate about their whiskey; most have over 100 types. They mean buniness, whiskey business (I had to).
1. Bison Bar
๏ 11 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2
Bison Bar is right on the river and boasts over 140 whiskeys, both from Ireland and abroad. They even offer tasting boards if you want to try a few different types. PLUS, they happen to have a delish BBQ menu featuring pulled pork, brisket, and more every day from noon to 10pm. Continuing this Bison/BBQ theme into their decor, they have saddles for seats and LITERAL buffalo busts mounted on the walls.
Sunday to Tuesday 12:00pm – 11:30pm | Wednesday 12:00pm – 1:30am | Thursday 12:00pm – 2:00am | Friday & Saturday 12:00pm – 2:30am
2. Distilled
๏ 44 Nassau Street, Dublin 2
Distilled is the new name for what was once the Dingle Whiskey Bar, a much-loved bar owned by the much-loved Dingle Distillery, which makes gin, whiskey, and vodka in Southwest Ireland. As the name might give away, they’ve got an impressive amount of whiskeys, but also rums and tequilas. It’s near the hustle and bustle of Grafton Street, but it’s cozy interior made with lots of whiskey barrel oakwood let’s you escape from the noise and enjoy a nice glass of whiskey.
Closed Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday | Wednesday 5:00pm – 11:30pm | Thursday 4:00pm – 11:30pm | Friday 3:00pm – 1:00am | Saturday 12:30pm – 1:00am
3. Palace Bar
๏ 21 Fleet Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
This place dates back to 1823 and is one of Dublin’s beautiful Victorian bars. Sure, this place may technically be in Temple Bar, but you’ll find plenty of locals here enjoying whiskey in the newly-renovated upstairs area called The Whiskey Palace. You don’t have to be a whiskey expert – the staff know their stuff and are happy to offer suggestions and pairings. Plus, The Palace Bar actually make their own whiskey, and it’s definitely worth a try!
Sunday to Thursday 12:00pm – 11:30pm | Friday & Saturday 12:00pm – 12:30am
4. L. Mulligan Grocer
๏ 18 Stoneybatter, Dublin 7
Even though this grocery store slash bar is technically outside of the city center, I still wanted to include it in this list because it’s so great. It’s known for carrying excellent and carefully picked beers, whiskeys, and local food. Specifically, they have around 150 whiskeys from Ireland and Scotland, and a small collection from Japan, Wales, Sweden, and Belgium. If you’re in the mood for something other than whiskey, they have an excellent seasonal food menu that includes beer pairing suggestions for each main dish. But craft beer ONLY – they’re one of the only bars in Dublin that don’t serve Guinness.
Closed Monday to Wednesday | Thursday to Saturday 4:30pm – 12:00am | Sunday 1:30pm – 12:00am
5. The Long Hall
๏ 51 Georges Street South, Dublin 2
This is one of the oldest pubs in Dublin and one of the only pubs in the city with genuine Victorian decor. The atmosphere in here is so cozy with it’s carpeted floors, dark wood, and traditional snugs. They boast an impressive collection of whiskey along with a great beer and gin selection, also.
Monday to Thursday 12:00pm – 11:30pm | Friday & Saturday 12:00pm – 12:30am | Sunday 12:30pm – 11:00pm
Honorable Mentions: Bowes Lounge on Fleet Street, Searsons on Baggot Street, The WSKY Bar at Market Bar, Bull & Castle on Lord Edward Street
Gastropubs
What separates a gastropub from a normal restaurant that serves drink, to me, is that the best gastropubs are still fun even once they stop serving food. Gastropub by day and just a fun pub after-hours. Of course, all of the gastropubs listed here have made the list because they serve amazing food, but beyond that, they bring something unique to the Dublin nightlife scene even once their kitchen is closed.
1. P.Mac’s
๏ 30 Stephen Street Lower, Dublin 2
This is another one of my personal favorites. It’s the sister pub to Cassidy’s on Westmoreland Street, which is also mentioned in this post. I go there to drink delicious craft beers while listening to ’90s indie. The crowd is a great mix of hipsters and young professionals in their 20s and 30s. It’s a beautiful mixture of craft beers, candles, snugs, mismatched furniture, board games, arcade machines, and really tasty food during the day. Seriously tasty food. This place really never disappoints.
Monday to Friday 12:30pm – 11:45pm | Saturday & Sunday 12:30pm – 12:45am
2. The Chophouse
๏ 2 Shelbourne Road, Dublin 4
The Chophouse definitely offers the most high-end pub grub in this group. It’s main focus is steaks and they’re delicious, and so is the rest of their food. This place really comes alive when there’s a rugby or soccer game at Aviva Stadium nearby. It’s great food at reasonable prices in one of Dublin’s most affluent areas, and has been listed in the Michelin guide multiple times. #Casual. They also have a charming little outdoor seating area to eat outside on a sunny day.
Monday 5:00pm – 9:00pm | Tuesday 12:00pm – 2:15pm, 5:00pm – 9:00pm | Wednesday 12:00pm – 2:15pm, 5:00pm – 9:30pm | Thursday 12:00pm – 2:30pm, 5:00pm – 10:00pm | Friday 12:00pm – 2:15pm, 5:00pm – 9:30pm | Sunday 1:30pm – 6:30pm
3. 57 The Headline
๏ 56-57 Clanbrassil Street Lower, Dublin 8
Besides being a great place for whiskeys and craft beers, 57 The Headline also boasts an amazing food menu, including a famous and very popular Sunday roast that’s considered one of the best in Dublin.
Tuesday to Thursday 4:00pm – 10:30pm | Friday 4:00pm – 11:30pm | Saturday 3:00pm – 11:00pm | Sunday 1:30pm – 9:00pm
4. The Legal Eagle
๏ 1-2 Chancery Place, Inns Quay, Dublin 1
This place has won awards like “Best Gastro Pub in Dublin” multiple times, and with good reason. It’s known for having delicious food at exceptionally reasonable prices. They serve brunch/lunch and dinner every day. It’s also won awards for its drinks and cocktails, with its late bar running from Thursday to Saturday.
Closed Monday & Tuesday | Wednesday & Thursday 5:00pm – 9:00pm | Friday & Saturday 5:00pm – 10:00pm | Sunday 12:00pm – 8:00pm
5. The Old Spot
๏ 14 Bath Avenue, Sandymount, Dublin 4
This place is just your run-of-the-mill pub downstairs but then with this fancy AF restaurant upstairs. Their roast is amazing, but you’ll probably like anything you order here because everything is delicious. The food at The Old Spot is more than just your average pub grub, with menu items like ribeye steak, basil gnocchi, and oysters. This pub has also been listed in the Michelin “Eating Out in Pubs” guide every year since 2016. Again, #Casual.
Monday to Friday 12:00pm – 3:00pm, 5:00 – 9:30pm | Saturday 5:00 – 9:30pm | Sunday 1:00pm – 3:30pm, 5:30pm – 8:00pm
Honorable Mentions: Bull & Castle on Lord Edward Street, L. Mulligan Grocer in Stoneybatter, The Hairy Lemon on Stephen Street
Comedy Clubs
Since Irish people appreciate good humor, there’s always been a lot of comedy nights and gigs around Dublin. Some are free, some have a small cover charge, and all of them will make you laugh.
1. The International Bar
๏ 23 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2
The International Bar is Dublin’s longest-running comedy club, and the ONLY bar in Dublin to have comedy gigs on 6 nights a week. Tuesdays are Stitches Comedy Club, Wednesdays are the Comedy Cellar, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays are The International Comedy Club, and Sundays are The Dublin Comedy Improv.
Tuesday / Doors 8:00pm, Show 8:30pm / €10 | Wednesday / Doors 7:30pm, Show 8:00pm / €12 | Thursday / Doors 8:00pm, Show 8:30pm / €12 | Friday & Saturday Show 1: Doors 7:30pm, Show 8:00pm / Show 2: Doors 9:45pm, Show: 10:00pm / €15
2. Comedy Crunch @ The Stag’s Head
๏ 1 Dame Court, Dublin 2
The Comedy Club that runs downstairs in The Stags Head is very popular because it’s free and actually really good. It’s only on on Sunday and Monday nights, so oit’s a great way to end a week and start another! But, be sure to get there early because they fill up on a first-come-first-serve basis and it always fills up. After all, people love laughing almost as much as they love free stuff.
Sunday and Monday | Doors 8:15pm | Show 9:00pm | FREE
3. Laughter Lounge
๏ 8 Eden Quay, Dublin 1
This place is a full-time comedy club and since comedy is their one and only focus, they consistently book great acts from Ireland and all over the world. Because acts here are more well known, that usually means the tickets are more expensive than the local comedy club. They do sometimes have discounts running through their Facebook page or mailing list. It’s definitely worth checking out!
Thursday to Sunday 7:00pm – 1:00pm | Show 8:30pm | Price depends on act
4. In Stitches Comedy Club
๏ The Workman’s Club, The International Bar, Peadar Kearney’s Pub
One of Ireland’s best comedy clubs with shows 7 nights a week across 3 venues – The Workman’s Club, The International Bar, and Peadar Kearney’s Pub. Tickets usually sell out, so you should definitely book your ticket in advance.
Times and dates vary. Check out their website for upcoming shows.
5. Hysteria Comedy Club @ Sin É
๏ 15 Ormond Quay Upper, Dublin 7
Sin É claims that it is the “Home of Alt-Comedy in Dublin” with it’s Hysteria Comedy Club downstairs. They have an open mic night on Thursdays, a headline show on Fridays, and a theme night on Saturdays. They have everything from stand up to live podcasts to drag queens and focus on getting a mix of big names and up-and-coming acts.
Thursday to Sunday 7:00pm – 11:30pm
Open Late (3AM – )
What’s a gal to do when all the bars are closing and you’re still in the mood to dance? Head to one of the places listed below, and you’re guaranteed a good time until the wee hours. These places keep the party going until 3, sometimes 4 in the morning when the rest of the city has gone to sleep. Also, most of them tend to stay open way past their “official” closing time.
1. Tapped
๏ 47 Nassau Street, Dublin 2
Not only does this place have an INSANE selection of craft beer plus sustainable wine, cocktails, and live music, but it also stays open until 3AM every day but Sunday!
Monday to Saturday 12:00pm – 3:00am | Sunday 12:00pm – 1:30AM
2. Leggs
๏ 29 Leeson Street Lower, Dublin 2
This place is…interesting…just to say the least. It tends to be a place where people come after everywhere else has closed, since it stays open until 3:30am. The reason I say it’s interesting is because if you go late enough, all they serve is bottles of Corona. CORONA. Still, even with the lack of good drink choices (or really an choices at all), it s good spot to go if you refuse to let the party stop.
Friday & Saturday 11:30pm – 3:30am
3. Capitol Lounge
๏ 1 Aungier Street, Dublin 2
Take advantage to the Capitol Lounge’s cocktail specials while also staying and dancing until 3:00am Tuesday to Saturday.
Monday 4:00pm – 12:30am | Tuesday to Friday 4:00pm – 3:00am | Saturday 3:30pm – 3:00am | Sunday 4:00pm – 12:30am
4. Pygmalion
๏ 59 South William Street, Dublin 2
Local and international DJs pumping out tunes, and a packed, sweaty, fun dancefloor until 3AM most of the week.
Monday to Saturday 12:00pm – 3:00am | Sunday 12:00pm – 1:30am
5. Dashi
๏ 44 – 47 King Street, Dublin 7
An underground club in the Smithfield neighborhood hosting Open Mic Nights on Tuesdays, a jazz band on Wednesdays, and clubs nights Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays until 3AM.
Closed Monday | Tuesday, Wednesday, & Sunday 7:00pm – 12:00am | Thursday to Saturday 7:00pm – 3:00am
After Work Drinks
Even though a lot of companies still have hybrid/flexible working, people are slowly but surely going back to the office more and more. Wednesdays and Thursday are especially busy for people being in the city centre to go into the office. To blow off some steam after a long day, Dubliners flock to many pubs and bars around the city to enjoy a cocktail (or 2) or a beer (or 5).
1. The Barge
๏ 42 Charlemont Street, Dublin 2
There really is no better place to be after work when the sun is shining than The Barge. This is the home of the now infamous and beloved “Cans on the Canal.” On Thursday and Fridays over the summer, everyone flocks to The Barge after work to sit along the canal and enjoy some ice cold pints. You can buy drinks inside the pub and bring them outside to the canal, but most people bring their own beer to enjoy. Some people even bring food for a boozy picnic! Inside the bar itself are 2 levels with 2 large bars. But trust me, on a sunny day, outside is where you’ll want to be! Just look here and here to get an idea of just how rowdy this place gets!
Monday to Wednesday 9:00am – 11:30pm | Thursday to Saturday 9:00am – 2:30am | Sunday 9:00am – 11:00pm
2. Hogans
๏ 35-37 South Great George’s Street, Dublin 2
Located on the corner of one of the coolest streets in the city, Hogans looks like a bar you’d find in an edgy area of NYC. Except, of course, that it’s filled with Irish people. It’s one of those special places that serves as a great spot to start the night OR to end it. Hogans is always lively, with a great crowd on the weekends and a mix of music to suit everyone’s taste. Not only is the bar itself really spacious, but the outdoor area is large and the crowd usually spills on to the street. It’s busy pretty much every night of the week, especially in the early evening with people enjoying the great atmosphere after work.
Monday to Friday 10:00am – 11:30pm | Saturday 10:00pm – 2:00am | Sunday 12:00pm – 11:00pm
3. Toners
๏ 139 Baggot Street Lower, Dublin 2
Toners’ amazing beer garden is usually packed after work because of it’s central location in the city centre near lots of offices. You’ll find big groups sitting at the large outdoor tables, standing around in the sun in the beer garden, or even spilled out onto the street.
Monday to Thursday 10:30am – 11:30pm | Friday & Saturday 10:30 – 12:30am | Sunday 11:30am – 11:30pm
4. Grogans
๏ 15 William Street South, Dublin 2
Grogans is another Dublin institution. Seats outside of Grogans on a sunny day are like gold dust – hard to come by and once you get one you won’t be letting it go quickly. The buzz here on an afternoon after work, especially if it’s sunny, is simply electric. Not only do a great pint of Guinness, but they also do delicious toasties, too.
Monday to Saturday 10:30pm – 11:30pm | Sunday 12:30pm – 11:00pm
5. Neary’s
๏ 1 Chatham Street, Dublin 2
If you’re looking for a calm, quiet drink after a stressful or busy day at work, Neary’s is the perfect place. Even though it’s located right in the city centre, it has a very calm and peaceful atmosphere. It has all of its original features and it’s loved by locals.
Monday 11:30pm – 10:30pm | Tuesday and Wednesday 11:30pm – 12:00am | Thursday 11:30pm – 12:30am | Friday & Saturday 11:30pm – 12:30am | Sunday 12:30pm – 10:30pm
Honorable Mentions: Whelan’s on Wexford Street, Blackbird in Rathmines, P.Mac’s on Stephen’s Street, Slattery’s on Capel Street, Kehoe’s on South Anne Street
Gin Bars
1. Gin Palace
๏ 42 Abbey Street, Dublin 1
The name pretty much says it all, doesn’t it? This place boasts the biggest offering of Gin in all of Dublin – 180 from around the world, to be exact. Don’t be afraid to ask one of the bartenders behind the large Victorian bar to mix you a cocktail. They even offer a Gin Tray where you can try several different types of gin. You can go after a long day of shopping, since it’s right off of one of the busiest shopping streets in the city. Or, you can stop by before going to The Academy, a nearby music venue. In addition to all of the gin you could ever possibly want, they also lunch and dinner every day.
Monday to Wednesday 12:00pm – 11:30pm | Thursday to Sunday 12:00pm – 12:30am
2. Bull & Castle
๏ 5-7 Lord Edward Street, Dublin 8
The Bull & Castle is a lovely restaurant and bar in a historic area location – right on the corner of Dame Street and Lord Edward Street and facing Christchurch Cathedral. They’re all about using the best that Ireland has to offer – whether that be the steakhouse downstairs serving unreal Irish steaks, the large selection of Irish and international craft beers, or their huge selection or Irish whiskey and gin. Try Irish gin favorites like Gunpowder, Glendalough, Dingle, or over 30 others.
Monday to Saturday 12:00pm – 10:00pm | Sunday 12:30pm – 9:00pm
3. J.T. Pim’s
๏ 4 South Great George’s Street, Dublin 2
Their “Gin Rummy” bar is the dedicated gin and rum bar inside, complete with low lighting and a lounge-style vibe. It’s a great spot for a sophisticated night out. Their range of Irish and imported gins is carefully curated and it will not disappoint! If that isn’t enough, J.T. Pim’s also serves up delicious bar food.
Sunday to Thursday 12:00 – 11:30pm | Friday & Saturday 12:00pm – 12:30am
4. 57 the Headline
๏ 56-57 Clanbrassil Street Lower, Dublin 8
The upstairs of 57 The Headline is a full-blown gin lounge. Like the rest of the bar, it’s cozy and welcoming. The gin bar is only open on Thursday and Fridays. However, it can be booked privately any other day of the week. The main area downstairs at 57 the Headline also has a great selection of gin as well, plus good music always playing and a good crowd.
Tuesday to Thursday 4:00pm – 10:30pm | Friday 4:00pm – 11:30pm | Saturday 3:00pm – 11:00pm | Sunday 1:30pm – 9:00pm
5. Stillgarden Distillery
๏ Goldenbridge Estate, Tyrconnell Rd, Inchicore, Dublin 8
If you’re in the mood for a gin, why not go straight to the source and visit a gin distillery? This place is a little out of the city centre, but easy to get to since it’s a 6-minute walk from the Blackhorse Luas stop. They have several distillery experiences to choose from, like Afternoon Tea with Gin Tasting, a Gin Tasting Class, a Cocktail Making Class, and more.
Monday 10:30am – 5:00pm | Tuesday & Wednesday 10:30am – 7:00pm | Thursday 10:30am – 8:00pm | Friday 10:30pm – 9:00pm | Saturday 1:00pm – 9:30pm | Closed Sunday
Authentic Dublin pub
What makes a pub “traditional” and “authentic”? After some research and lots of conversations with Dublin taxi drivers, I’ve learned that truly authentic Dublin pubs have these characteristics: 1. There’s no music playing (or it’s playing VERY softly) & usually no TVs; it’s all about conversation! 2. There are usually “snugs”: small rooms that are separated from the rest of the bar by a door. They were originally for patrons who didn’t want to/couldn’t be seen at the bar, like women, policemen, or priests. Today, it’s a great for having drinks with a small group of friends with some privacy 3. Their main beer is Guinness, plus most other “standard” beers, although some have moved with the times and have started offering craft beers. 4. The pub will be filled with born-and-bred Dubliners, who most likely know each other. 5. Traditional pub decor (that hasn’t been updated for a long time). 6. Serves peanuts, potato chips, and maybe toasties.
There’s obviously a LOT of great pubs that could be on this list. It was so hard to pick a top 5!
1. Peter’s Pub
๏ 1 Johnson Place, Dublin 2
At the end of South William Street, filled with trendy restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, you’ll find the quiet and practically unchanged Peter’s Pub. It doesn’t “blend in” with the rest of the street in that it doesn’t try to be cool or hip or current. It’s a traditional pub in one of the best locations in town and despite all of the hustle and buslte around, it somehow retains the cozy and humble atmosphere of a pub you’d expect to find in a quieter area of town or a countryside village. It’s almost as if you’re sitting in Peter’s living room! It is one of the most authentic Dublin drinking experiences in the city centre, but tourists often overlook it because of its unassuming exterior and because of all of the “cooler” choices around.
Monday to Thursday 11:00am – 11:00pm | Friday & Saturday 11:00am – 12:00am | Sunday 1:00pm – 11:00pm
2. Grogans
๏ 15 South William Street, Dublin 2
One of the few pubs in Dublin with carpet. Yep, that’s right, CARPET. At a bar. It’s just one of the signs that this city centre establishment hasn’t changed one bit. There’s no TV, no music, and no fluff. And that’s part of it’s charm. People spill out into the street once the bar is filled to the brim. You’ll also find people munching on some of Grogans famous toasties. It’s the kind of pub you’d expect to find out in the countryside of Ireland, but instead it’s smack dab in the middle of Dublin.
Monday to Saturday 10:30pm – 11:30pm | Sunday 12:30pm – 11:00pm
3. Fallon’s
๏ 129 The Coombe, Dublin 8
Located in one of the most historical areas of Dublin, Fallon’s is a hidden gem that has become somewhat of an institution in The Liberties. It’s a tiny, quintessential Irish pub that’s great for enjoying a pint of Guinness and a good chat. There has been a pub on this site since the 1600s, and little has changed since 1911. With it’s great location next to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, it’s a great place to have a pint while exploring the area and visiting the Teeling Whiskey Distillery. You should probably have a toastie in the snug while you’re at it.
Monday to Thursday 12:00pm – 11:30pm | Friday & Saturday 12:00pm – 12:30am | Sunday 12:30pm – 11:00pm
4. McDaid’s
๏ 3 Harry Street, Dublin 2
Another bar that’s smack dab in the middle of one of the busiest areas of Dublin and somehow still retains original style, charm, and calming atmosphere. They don’t even have a website or any social media! It was the drinking spot for a lot of Irish post-war writers, and even to this day you might find an older gentlemen sitting alone, reading the newspaper while sipping a Guinness.
Monday to Wednesday 2:00pm – 11:00pm | Thursday 12:00pm – 11:30pm | Friday & Saturday 12:00pm – 12:30am | Sunday 12:00pm – 11:00pm
5. John Kavanagh ‘The Gravediggers’
๏ 1 Prospect Square, Glasnevin, Dublin 9
This is another pub that’s a bit further from the city centre but TOTALLY worth it. It’s hidden in the middle of a quiet residential area (really near the Glasnevin cemetary, hence its name) but is a local favorite of the neighborhood, and known around Dublin as having one of the best pints of Guinness. It’s been around since the 1800s and has been family-run for 8 generations. It really doesn’t get more authentic than that! There are absolutely zero frills in this bar – no TVs, no music. There’s just a lot of wood, great pints of Guinness, and a super friendly, family-run atmosphere. Some of the family even live above the bar!
Monday 11:30am – 10:30pm | Tuesday & Wednesday 10:30pm – 10:30pm | Thursday to Saturday 10:30pm – 11:30pm | Sunday 12:30pm – 10:30pm
Honorary Mentions: Neary’s on Chatham Street, Toners on Baggot Street, Mulligans on Poolbeg Street, Bowes on Fleet Street
Temple Bar Area
Temple Bar has a reputation of being very touristy and overpriced. Bars like The Quay Bar and The Temple Bar are packed with drunk tourists singing along loudly to live music every night of the week. However, historically Temple Bar was the cultural center of Dublin. And although the tourist traps have slightly taken over, its cobble-stoned streets are still full of galleries, theatres, and studios. Plus, there are a few stand-out bars in the area that have managed to keep some local clientele by remaining authentic. There are only a few bars that I, as a #local, would actually go to, and I’ve already mentioned them all in other sections of this list. But here they are again!
1. The Foggy Dew
๏ 1 Fownes Street Upper, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
This is one of my personal favorite bars in Temple Bar. The clientele is laid-back, friendly, and relaxed. There is a great mix of both tourists and locals. The music playing is always great and tends to be mostly old school rock and roll. They have their own lager, The Foggy Brew, that is definitely worth trying. And to top it all off, they have live music at least once every week. Seriously, when you’re here it definitely doesn’t feel like you’re in the most touristy area of the city; it’s a true gem of Temple Bar.
Monday to Thursday 12:00 – 11:30pm | Friday & Saturday 12:00pm – 2:00am | Sunday 1:00pm – 12:00am
2. The Workmans Club
๏ 10 Wellington Quay, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
The Workman’s is a great live music venue right in Temple Bar. Gigs here range from rock and roll to acoustic performances. They sometimes even have comedy gigs and book readings. Seriously, they do it all. They’re really well known for their indie club nights, with both the upstairs and downstairs dance floors packed with people dancing to everything from The Killers to A Tribe Called Quest. The building looks like it was once someone’s house, and even has a fireplace on the top floor.They have a lively beer garden upstairs with a great burger joint serving delicious burgers and fries.
Monday to Saturday 5:00pm – 2:30am | Sunday 5:00pm – 1:00am
3. The Palace Bar
๏ 21 Fleet Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
This is one of Dublin’s best-preserved Victorian pubs. It is unspoiled, unbothered, and unpretentious, even though it’s on the outskirts of the ever-changing Temple Bar. The decorations haven’t changed since it opened almost 200 years ago. Throughout the ’40s, ’50s, and 60’s, writers from The Irish Times would visit to write and have meetings because of the bar’s proximity to The Irish Time’s headquarters. Even today, journalists and writers still visit to have a drink. The rest of the clientele is mixed – from tourists to students to locals to business people. There is a great whiskey bar upstairs with a wide variety of Irish and international whiskeys.
Sunday to Thursday 12:00pm – 11:30pm | Friday & Saturday 12:00pm – 12:30am
4. Bison Bar
๏ 11 Wellington Quay, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
It’s connected to The Workmans Club, but it’s a lot more laid back and the crowd is slightly older. This place has a wild west aesthetic with saddle seats an assortment of mounted deer and bison on the walls. By day it serves delicious BBQ platters and sandwiches for lunch and dinner, and by night it serves lots of craft beers and over 140 whiskeys. It’s definitely a great place for whiskey and BBQ lovers, as well as anyone looking for a relaxed night out.
Sunday to Tuesday 12:00pm – 11:30pm | Wednesday 12:00pm – 1:30am | Thursday 12:00pm – 2:00am | Friday & Saturday 12:00pm – 2:30am
5. Piglet Wine Bar
๏ 5 Cow’s Lane, Dublin 2
Right around the corner from Temple Bar pubs trying to rip you off and charging €8 for a pint of beer, you’ll find the charming Piglet Wine Bar. Not only do they have a carefully curated wine list, but they also have a constantly-changing menu of delicious food ranging some small bite-size tapas to full meals. They claim they’re the place to come for a glass of wine, then stay for the bottle and have some food. And I couldn’t agree more. IMMACULATE vibes in here.
Monday to Saturday 12:30pm – 11:30pm | Sunday 1:00pm – 11:00pm
photo via
Honorary Mentions: The Porterhouse, Vintage Cocktail Club
Bars with Board Games
One trend in the Dublin bar scene that I particularly enjoy is having board games to play at pubs. Because what’s better than beer, board games, and a bit of banter? Nothing. That’s what. Whether you’re out with a group of friends or on a date, having board games to play at a bar makes the night even better!
1. Blackbird
๏ 82-84 Rathmines Road Lower, Rathmines, Dublin 6
On top of having an amazing selection of craft beers and a great crowd, this place ALSO has loads of board games available to play. The bar is spacious, with lots of cozy indoor seating options with great candlelit mood lightening, or a large outdoor beer garden area. So it’s a great place to head over with a date or some friends and play a game of Jenga! In my opinion, it’s one of the best bars in Dublin and one of my personal favorites.
Sunday to Thursday 4:00pm – 12:00am | Friday & Saturday 4:00pm – 1:00am
2. Cassidy’s
๏ 27 Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2
Cassidy’s makes the list yet again! They’ve got a huuuuge selection of games, and plenty of tables upstairs and downstairs to play them. Don’t be surprised to go for a drink there in the evening and find a group of friends circled around a large table, intently focusing on a game of Jenga and drinking a nice craft beer. They’ve also got Monolopy, Scrabble, and even Battleship. You can expect the same great atmosphere (and pizza) as Blackbird, because it’s owned by the same group!
Monday to Thursday 4:00pm – 11:30pm | Friday & Saturday 4:00pm – 11:30pm | Sunday 4:00pm – 11:00pm
3. Token
๏ 72-74 Queen Street, Smithfield, Dublin 7
OK so technically this place doesn’t have board games, but it does have over 40 vintage arcade and pinball machines on rotation, so I think it definitely deserves a place on this list. Even though they’re not board games, you’ll definitely have something to play! There are games like Mario Kart, PacMan, Mortal Kombat, Tetris, Space Invaders, and so much more, are only 50 cents! I mean, who DOESN’T want to play MarioKart while drinking a Brooklyn Lager? It’s in a great area of town around a bunch of other cool bars. Also, the food is AMAZIN. Hot dogs, sliders, tacos…no matter what you get, it’s like really, really good. Third, they have a large selection of local & international craft beers.
Closed Monday & Tuesday | Wednesday 5:00pm – 11:00pm | Thursday 5:00pm – 12:00am | Friday 5:00pm – 1:00am | Saturday 1:00pm – 1:00am | Sunday 4:00pm – 11:00pm
4. The Back Page
๏ 199 Phibsborough Road, Dublin 7
The Back Page probably has the largest collection of board games of any bar in Dublin. And they’re in prestine condition, because they require a €10 deposit to play them. And as I’ve mentioned earlier, it’s a great spot to watch sports matches and they have great food!
Monday to Thursday 10:00am – 12:00am | Friday 10:00am – 1:00am | Saturday 12:00pm – 1:00am | Sunday 12:00pm – 11:30pm
4. The Square Ball
๏ 45 Hogan Place, Dublin 2
The Square Ball is very similar to The Back Page – I think it’s owned by the same people? They have weekly events like Bottomless Brunch, Saturday Night Bingo, and NF every Sunday, as well as seasonal events like Oktoberfest and World Cup viewing parties. They also offer BBQ food brunch and dinner. On top of that, they’ve got over 150 board, card, and dice games that you can rent for €5 except for Wednesdays, when they’re free if you buy a drink!
Closed Monday and Tuesday | Wednesday & Thursday 4:00pm – 11:30pm | Friday 4:00pm – 12:30am | Saturday 12:00pm – 12:30am | Sunday 12:00pm – 11:00pm
Unique Bars
With all of these bars you can expect a unique out of the ordinary night out. It’s fun to switch things up a bit, and these bars bring something different to the table. Every bar on this list has a quirky and unique thing about them that makes for a unique experience..
1. Jackie’s
๏ 40 Francis Street, Dublin 8
Jackie’s is a semi-new 90’s themed bar. I repeat: A 90’S THEMED BAR!!!!! If you’re looking for nostalgia, THIS is your place! All 90’s music, all 90’s decor, and great vibes. It’s so funky and fun, and also does great beers and cocktails!
Monday to Thursday 2:00pm – 11:30pm | Friday 12:00pm – 12:00am | Saturday 12:00pm – 12:30am | Sunday 12:00pm – 12:30am
2. Hacienda Bar
๏ 15 Little Mary Street, Smithfield, Dublin 7
If you don’t love this place, it’s because you don’t know about it. From it’s unassuming exterior, you would have no idea it’s a fully-functioning pub. There isn’t even a sign! You have to ring the buzzer to be let in, because both of the doors are always locked. The owner and bartender, Shae, likes to manage the crowd size and personally meet everyone he lets in. Because of its privacy, it’s popular with wrap/cast parties for filming projects in the city, as evident by the many headshots of famous patrons adorning the walls. After a nice pint of beer in this great and cozy pub, complete with pool tables, a dart board and a fire place, you’ll have to wait to be let out again by Shae. Be warned! They only take cash.
Monday to Thursday 8:00pm – 11:30am | Friday & Saturday 8:00pm – 12:30am | Sunday 8:00pm – 11:00pm
3. El Silencio
๏ 4 Clarendon Market, Dublin 2
This Mexican-themed speakeasy can be found above Pablo Picante burrito bar by accessing a secret door. They specialise in tacos, margaritas, and a dive bar ambiance. There are over 11 different margaritas available, made with both tequila and mezcal.
Closed Monday | Tuesday 6:00pm – 10:00pm | Wednesday 6:00pm – 10:45pm | Thursday to Sunday 6:00pm – 12:00am
4. Mary’s Bar and Hardware
๏ 8 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2
I’m not sure where to even start with this one. Upon first glance, it’s your typical Irish pub – pints are flowing and the walls are covered with random antiques and bric-a-brac. It has a great location right off the bustling Grafton Street. But then, upon closer inspection, the bar also sells hardware. Yep, you can get a pint of Guinness and some rust primer, if you so choose. And if that’s not random enough, if you go down the stairs of this old-fashioned bar and hardware store, you’ll be greeted to a massive diner-style burger joint, WOWburger, where you can get delicious burgers and fries cooked to order. There’s even another large bar downstairs which makes it easy to order your food and another drink to wash it down.
Monday to Thursday 12:00pm – 11:30pm | Friday & Saturday 12:00pm – 12:30am | Sunday 12:00pm – 11:00pm
5. The Dawson Lounge
๏ 25 Dawson Street, Dublin 2
Blink and you could totally miss this bar. It’s SO tiny. It’s situated in a really busy area of town, and it’s the smallest pub in Dublin. And everything in it is small. Small tables, small stools, and low ceilings. But it’s a great way to have conversations with other patrons as you’re rubbing shoulders with them. A visit to this pub is definitely an experience!
Monday to Thursday 4:00pm – 11:30pm | Friday & Saturday 4:00pm – 12:30am | Sunday 4:00pm – 11:00pm
Pizza + Pints
My favorite food is pizza, hands down. And what’s better than a delicious pizza? A delicious pizza paired with a delicious beer, of course! There’s a trend in Dublin that pubs serve really good pizza, and some even do pizza and pint deals! And I for one am a BIG fan of that trend!
1. Lucky’s
๏ 78 Meath Street, Dublin 8
Lucky’s is a relaxed and understated bar and restaurant in the heart of The Liberties, one of the oldest areas of Dublin. They have a welcoming ambiance and great beers on tap. The outside beer garden is perfect for a warm day AND there’s DELICIOUS wood-fired pizza served BY Coke Lane Pizza from a food stand out there! The kitchen is open from 4-10pm every weekday and 2-10pm on weekends. and you can even book a table online. Come here for a pizza and pint deal (any pizza and a pint or glass of wine for €16), some live jazz on Wednesdays, friendly bartenders, DJs on the weekends, and a good crowd. Oh and FYI: Coke Lane Pizza are also in The Circular bar in Rialto.
Monday to Thursday 4:00pm – 12:00am | Friday 4:00pm – 1:00am | Saturday 12:30pm – 1:00am | Sunday 4:00pm – 11:30pm
2. Kodiak
๏ 304 Rathmines Road Lower, Dublin 6
I’ve already touched on how fabulous the vibe in here, and how amazing their pizza is. But I may as well re-iterate!! The pizza here is so, soooo good. And it’s not just your normal pizza – they experiment with some really cool toppings, like potato and pancetta or truffle and orange zest. And they’re all frickin delicious. Plus, they do killer cocktails (the spicy margarita is my personal favorite) and good craft beer too! They serve pizza here every day until 10PM.
Monday to Thursday 4:00pm – 12:00am | Friday 4:00pm – 1:00am | Saturday 2:00pm – 1:00am | Sunday 2:00pm – 12:00am
3. The Back Page
๏ 199 Phibsborough Road, Dublin 7
This place is known for their pizzas, which are all named after famous sports stars. Plus, every week they announce a boy and girl name starting with the same letter, and if it’s your name you get a FREE PIZZA for dine-in. I’ve only been lucky ONCE the whole time I’ve lived here, but I still think about that pizza to this day.
Monday to Thursday 10:00am – 12:00am | Friday 10:00am – 1:00am | Saturday 12:00pm – 1:00am | Sunday 12:00pm – 11:30pm
4. Rascal’s HQ
๏ Goldenbridge Estate, Tyrconnell Road, Inchicore, Dublin 8
Rascals HQ is the home of the award winning independent Dublin craft beer producer Rascals Brewing Company. It’s a little out of the city centre but a quick walk from the XX stop on the red Luas line. It’s also really close to Kilmainham Gaol. An award-winning independent craft brewery is housed here, so OF COURSE the beers that they offer are magnificent. But the other thing that’s magnificent is their pizza. Ohhhh my goodness it’s good. They also play around with interesting topping combinations like lemon, chive, and pancetta or black pudding and goat’s cheese. Plus, they have a monthly pizza special. I seriously love this place.
Monday to Friday 4:00pm – 12:00am | Saturday & Sunday 1:00pm – 12:00am
5. The Bernard Shaw
๏ Cross Guns Bridge, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
This bar is known for it’s outdoor food market, Eatyard, which is open Thursday to Sunday and features small, independent food vendors. Whether you want burgers, Asian, pasta, or pizza, Eatyard has you covered. And currently, Village Pizza is serving their delicious, 48-hour fermented Napolitan style pizzas that are cooked to perfection in a 500 degree wood fired oven at Eatyard. They’re unreal!!!
Sunday to Thursday 12:00pm – 12:00am | Friday and Saturday 12:00pm – 3:00am
Honorary Mentions: Blackbird in Rathmines, The Circular in Rialto
Best Streets of Bars
1. Wexford / Camden Street
This is one of the most well-known streets for nightlife in Dublin, and home to some of the best bars in Dublin. You’ll find people of all ages wandering into one of it’s many affordable bars – from traditional, to trendy, to hipster. And after those close, you’re right next to Harcourt Street, where most of the night clubs and late bars are. If you’re in the area early enough, you can even try out one of the many amazing restaurants in this area, too!
๏ Against the Grain, Whelan’s, Devitts, Camden Exchange, The Bleeding Horse, Anseo, Cassidy’s
2. Baggot Street
The “Baggot Mile” is a great spot for any pub crawl, because there are so many pubs clustered in one area. It’s the home of the 12 Pubs of Christmas — a well-known pub crawl where a group of friends dressed in tacky Christmas sweaters have to visit 12 pubs in one night. You’ll find mostly traditional Irish pubs, with some wine bars, sports bars, and even a nightclub (cough Xico cough) mixed in.
๏ Toners, Xico, Doheny & Nesbitt’s, Searsons, McGrattan’s
3. South William Street
Being right off of Grafton Street makes South William Street a perfect area to meet up with friends smack dab in the middle of town. It’s full of great restaurants and higher-end bars, with a couple of pubs. Most bars on South William Street are better for cocktails and wine than pints of Guinness, but stand outs like Grogan’s and Peter’s Pub still have that good ol’ pub vibe if you’re craving it.
๏ Pygmalion, Grogan’s, Peter’s Pub, Farrier & Draper
4. Dawson Street
You won’t find any hipster dive bars or student deals on Dawson Street; it has some of the most high-end cocktail and late bars all right next to each other. Come here for a fancy schmancy night out with the gals. Here you’ll find older and more mature crowds, fancier outfits, and steeper prices. But sometimes it’s worth it to treat yourself and feel fabulous!
๏ 37 Dawson Street, The Dawson Lounge, Sam’s Bar, Café en Seine, La Ruelle, Peruke & Periwig
5. Dame Lane
This is probably the most picturesque street in Dublin city. This small laneway absolutely littered with great bars. Go to a comedy show at the Stag’s Head, go for a quiet pint at Bankers, or go for a dance at 4 Dame Lane. This tiny flag-covered street really does offer something for everyone!
๏ Bankers, 4 Dame Lane, The Stag’s Head, The Dame Tavern
Honorary Mentions: Harcourt Street, George’s Street, Fade Street
OH AND….I mapped all of the bars mentioned above BY CATEGORY because I’m so nice. So get exploring, and get drinking!
