Hi everyone and happy Friday! The weekend is upon us and more than a few of us will be visiting the pub for a tipple or two. Irish pubs are famed the world over for their atmosphere and hospitality. Did you know that there are over 7000 pubs in Ireland and around 10% of these are in Dublin city and county! So if you’re visiting the city for the first time the choice of public houses can be somewhat overwhelming! Fear not-I’ve compiled my top 10! The following establishments all serve the perfect pint of Guinness so read on and Slainte!
Top 10 Dublin Irish Pubs
1. Grogan’s, South William St
Grogans is situated right beside Dublin’s bustling Grafton street. No music, no TV-just conversation and undeniable atmosphere. The cheese and ham toasties are legendary and are the perfect accompaniment to a pint of Guinness. The walls are covered with works by local artists, all of which are for sale. If the weather is fine, grab a table outside and do some serious people watching. Little wonder this Dublin institution was a favorite of the poet, Patrick Kavanagh.
2. Kehoes Pub, South Anne St:
Next up we have Kehoes which dates back to 1803. The Victorian style decor survives since the late 19th century and is beautifully preserved. Feast your eyes on the stained glass mahogany doors and grab yourself a cosy snug to soak up the homely atmosphere. When it comes it Irish pubs, Kehoes ticks all the boxes!
3. Toners Pub, Baggot St Lower:
Heading up to Baggot Street now to yet another Dublin institution. Toner’s is one of Dublin’s oldest and most traditional Irish Pubs. It is claimed that the snug is only place where W.B. Yeats would enjoy his occasional tipple. Winner of numerous awards including “Ireland’s best traditional pub” in 2014.
4. The Brazen Head, Bridge St Lower:
Our next stop in Ireland’s oldest pub! The Brazen Head dates all the way back to 1198. The sense of history here is palpable. Famous customers include Jonathan Swift, James Joyce and Michael Collins. The food here is fantastic with all the Irish traditional dishes on offer. The venue is also famed for it’s live music and storytelling. An absolute must on any trip to Dublin.
5. O’Neills, Suffolk St:
So if you’re on the tourist trail in Dublin, O’Neills is the perfect place to rest your weary feet as you explore the sights. Just a stone’s throw away from the prestigious Trinity College, home to the book of Kells and right around the corner from the Molly Malone statue. Great for a spot of lunch and a quiet pint.
6. The Long Hall, South Great Georges Street
I just love this place! The beautifully preserved Victorian interior boasts a mirrored bar, beautifully carved mahogany fittings and twinkling chandeliers. Gorgeous Guinness and attentive bar staff make this one of my favorite Dublin pubs.
7. O’Donoghues, Merrion Row:
If you’re looking for the famous Irish “craic” then O’Donoghue’s is a must. A two-minute walk from St. Stephen’s Green, this place is always busy and the music is great. The legendary Christy Moore and The Dubliners have wowed the crowds at this very venue!
8. Nancy Hands and Ryans Bar, Parkgate St:
These two traditional Irish pubs are situated right next to one another and equally provide a great traditional Irish pub experience. A handy stop off if you’re planning to visit the Guinness Storehouse or Phoenix Park.
9. Cassidy’s Bar, Westmoreland St:
So next up we have a Dublin bar which boasts a very famous customer! President Bill Clinton visited the bar in 1995 and his cousins are the proprietors. Cassidys is the former home of The Freeman’s Journal, Ireland’s oldest national newspaper.
10. The Stags Head, Dame Court:
The Stags Head dates back to 1770 and is arguably Dublin’s finest example of a Victorian pub. Situated on the corner of a back street just off Dublin’s busy Dame Street, people often stumble across this pub and end up staying longer than they intended! High ceilings, stained glass windows, mosaic floors and a red Connemara Marble-topped bar take you back to a bygone era. The food is good here too and checks out the entertainment in the Stag’s Tail downstairs if you’re in the mood to party!
And, shop our exciting range of Irish Sweaters, Irish Jewelry, Irish gifts and Irish Homewares at The Irish Store. Also, don’t forget to use BLOG10 at the checkout to get a 10% discount!
Well that’s all from me for this week. Have a great weekend!
Slán go fóill!
Lulu.
2 comments
Hello Lulu,
We didn’t make it to Ireland last year because of the Covid, but heading there next year for sure.
Any recommendations on what to see and where to go in Killarney.
Warm regards,
Bill
Bill
Hi Bill,
I have a couple of blogs all about Kerry! See links below. Hope you get over safely next year!
Kind regards,
Lulu.
https://www.theirishstore.com/blog/journeys-around-ireland-lulu-kingdom-kerry/
https://www.theirishstore.com/blog/lulus-virtual-tour-of-ireland-county-kerry/