Dublin Literary Pubs
Dublin literary pubs and historic bars are on almost every street in the city and include Davy Byrne’s, made famous by James Joyce in Ulysses, and others favoured by Brendan Behan and Patrick Kavanagh.
Dublin’s best pubs and Dublin’s best writers naturally go together. There are so many Dublin literary pubs that it’s hard to keep track of who drank where, and it sometimes seems that every writer who ever lived in Dublin must have drunk in every pub in the city – which may well be the case, for some of them.
A full list of Dublin’s literary watering holes would be almost as long as James Joyce’s Ulysses, but below are some of the best of them, alongside some others that are noted for their historical beauty and atmosphere. Don’t leave Dublin without at least one visit to one of the pubs on this list.
Visiting Dublin’s Literary Pubs
Dublin pubs are not for fleeting visits. They’re for getting tucked into a corner, lingering and enjoying. Almost every pub has a connection with one writer or another, but a few of these literary watering holes have been modernised and lost some of their character. So, included in this list of Dublin’s best bars are only ones that have retained their historical character and décor.
The Brazen Head
The Brazen Head says that there has been a pub on this same site in Lower Bridge Street since 1198, making this not only the oldest pub in Dublin but the oldest in Ireland. The current building is a mere youngster, built as a coaching inn in 1754. You’ll find it close to the Father Matthew Bridge, which is on the site of the very first crossing point over the River Liffey, one reason it was established so long ago, and is still thriving today. Literary figures who have visited include Jonathan Swift, Brendan Behan and James Joyce, with the pub even getting a mention in Joyce’s epic Dublin novel, Ulysses. 20 Lower Bridge St.
Cassidy’s
Maybe Bill Clinton can’t be counted a great literary figure, but he did come for a drink at Cassidy’s during one Dublin visit. You’ll find this Victorian pub, which dates from 1856, at 42 Camden Street Lower, and there are weekly live music sessions too.
Davy Byrne’s
Featured in James Joyce’s novel Ulysses and a focus for activities on June 16, Bloomsday, Davy Byrne’s is probably now the number one literary pub on the tourist trail. In Ulysses the main character, Leopold Bloom, stops in at Davy Byrne’s for a gorgonzola cheese sandwich and a glass of burgundy. Among other literary regulars were Brendan Behan, Patrick Kavanagh, and Brian O’Nolan (aka Flann O’Brien, aka Myles na gCopaleen). The address is 21 Duke Street, off Grafton Street.
The Long Hall
A fine example of a traditional Victorian Dublin pub, the interior dates from 1881 although there’s been a licensed premises here since 1766. Various writers and politicians have sunk a pint or two in here over the years, and it’s only about a 5-minute walk from Dublin Castle and one of our favourite Dublin attractions, The Chester Beatty Museum. It’s at 51 South Great George’s Street.
McDaids
McDaids is another of Dublin’s great pubs, never mind its literary connections. It was once the city morgue and has elaborate stained-glass windows and high ceilings (it has also been a chapel in its time). It’s been identified as the pub mentioned at the start of James Joyce’s short story, “Grace”, and other writers who have been regulars here include Patrick Kavanagh, Flann O’Brien, J.P. Donleavy and, naturally, Brendan Behan. It’s at 3 Harry Street.
Neary’s Pub
Neary’s is yet another one of Brendan Behan’s favourite drinking spots (how on earth did he find time to do any writing?). It dates from 1887 and its location near the back door of the Gaiety Theatre means it’s very popular with the actors and artists appearing there. 1 Chatham Street.
The Old Stand
The Old Stand is a sporting pub that gets its name from the Old Stand stadium at the former home of Irish rugby, Lansdowne Road. It’s about a 30-minute walk to the Aviva Stadium, which replaced Lansdowne Road. This is one of Dublin’s oldest pubs, and has been in business for about 350 years. And yes, Brendan Behan drank here. 37 Exchequer Street.
The Stag’s Head
The Stag’s Head was established in the 1770s but the present pub was built in 1895 and it looks like it hasn’t changed much since. Enjoy its Victorian décor of wood, stained-glass windows, brass, chandeliers, and mirrors. It makes an appearance in the film Educating Rita, and has been in several other movies too. The young James Joyce enjoyed a drink here. 1 Dame Court.
Toner’s
W.B. Yeats was not one of Dublin’s great literary drinkers, and one of the Toner’s claims to fame is that Yeats made his one and only visit to a pub here. Another is that Mumford and Sons once played in their beer garden. The pub opened in 1818, retains its historic look, and Patrick Kavanagh was another literary figure who drank here. 139 Lower Baggot Street.