Our Favourite Local Dublin Pubs
Best Local Dublin Pubs
The pub scene in Dublin is part of its DNA and it wouldn’t be the same city without it. If you ever wondered where to go instead of Temple Bar or where locals go out in Dublin then this is the list for you. Some of these pubs haven’t changed in generations so the decor and history are an attraction in themselves and the atmosphere is second to none. So don’t worry if you don’t drink, you’re welcome in to enjoy the craic whether you have a pint of the black stuff or not.
The International Bar
This Dublin institution is best known for live comedy and music sessions and like other Victorian pubs around the city, the 200-year old decor is still lovingly preserved. The International Comedy Club has something on every night of the week and we’ve seen some excellent comedians here both from Ireland and abroad. Outside in the summer the coveted stools in the sun are nabbed early so if you spy an empty seat, grab it and enjoy sunshine pints in one of the best spots in the city for people watching. It’s just off Grafton Street so it’s a great little rest stop in between shops!
The Boar’s Head Pub on Capel Street
The Boar’s Head Pub on Capel Street is one of Dublin’s few remaining “early houses”, dotted around the city. More plentiful in the past, these pubs traditionally opened early in the morning to serve dockers, trade workers, farmers, basically anyone who’s day started earlier than most. The area around Capel Street flourished in the late 1800s with the opening of the City Markets bringing with it thirsty customers busy trading from early morning. While Dublin’s markets have been slowly diminished by more profitable developments like hotels and apartments, the Boar’s Head is still a popular local pub, especially for GAA fans. If you’ve never seen Ireland’s national sport, make sure to get a seat early in the pub to catch a Dublin game. The atmosphere and great pints of guinness combine to make for one of Dublin’s best experiences. Rivalry between counties is never taken too seriously and always accompanied with a great sense of humour. Dublin fans in the image above were getting ready for a Dublin v Mayo match and probably stood beside Mayo fans in the pub, having the craic with each other.
Mulligan’s pub on Poolbeg Street
Established back in 1783, Mulligans is tipped to pour the best pint of Guinness in the city and we’re inclined to agree. They've been serving it to Dublin's actors, press journalists and civil servants for decades and they know their Guinness! Some of the twentieth century’s key figures in Irish literature such as, Brian O’Nolan aka Flann O'Brien and James Joyce were regulars and no doubt drew some inspiration for some of their characters here. The owners have stuck to a strict policy since the 70’s of no televisions or music so this place is filled with locals and their banter. It’s an excellent spot for catching up with friends, with plenty of cozy corners or big old dark wood tables to get your gang around.
Toner’s pub on Baggot Street
Established in 1734, Toner’s is a small bar on Baggot Street and it's easily packed out but if you get in early you can tuck yourself and a few friends away in one of its private ‘snugs’. Snugs can still be found in some of Dublin’s older pubs and are self-contained, seating areas with their own door, traditionally frequented by policeman and politicians.
Toner’s award-winning snugs are right by the window and are great for some people watching on busy Baggot Street. There’s also a huge sun-soaked beer garden out the back for those long summer evenings and if you’re hungry they’ll get you a mouth-watering pizza from nearby Cirillo’s. It’s the best of both worlds in Toner’s.
Kehoes pub on Anne Street
Even though it’s just off Dublin’s main shopping thoroughfare, Grafton Street, the busy, bright, modern world stops at the small, front door of this 200-year-old pub. It has a long narrow bar but it’s beautifully partitioned with Victorian frosted glass for a more intimate feel. This extremely popular pub features an excellent snug, which is right at the front with it’s own bar service. Harking back to the pubs original function as a grocer’s you could rest and sip in the snug while the grocer packed up your provisions. The original mahogany drawers that stocked tea, sugar and snuff are still behind the bar and the parlour room upstairs warmed by an open fire is perfect for a cold day in the city. During the summer, get yourself outside on a bar stool around the old guinness barrels for the perfect sun trap.
Anseo on Camden Street
Taking over from an old pub from the 70’s, Anseo (the Irish word for ‘here’) began without changing any of the decor and it was one of the first Dublin bars to embrace the craft beer scene. It still holds its own against the tide of new craft brew pubs that are still springing up around the city. Crowds of office workers, artists, musicians and every other kind of Dubliner makes for a lively and interesting atmosphere. The DJ by the bar has an eclectic mix of vinyls and you’re bound to hear music that’s not in the pop charts. Down the back there’s a bookshelf for those of us who are after a solo drink and a read or there’s midweek comedy nights to give you a chance to catch some of Dublin’s new comedic talent.
Whelan’s on Wexford Street
We’ve been coming to Whelan’s since we were teenagers as our older brothers and sisters did before us. It’s an institution for most Dubliners and where most of us formed our best memories of our favourite bands. The atmosphere is lively every night of the week and there’s always something on, whether it’s a traditional Irish session in the bar or an up and coming local band, playing their first Dublin gig.
During the winter, you can warm up and sip your pint beside cosy turf fires and peruse the selection of excellent photos from gigs down through the years. At Christmas, when it’s dark at 4p.m. there is just nothing better than cozying up by the fire for a pint after all that shopping!
The Long Hall on South Great George's Street
Another legend on the list, The Long Hall has been serving Dublin City clientele since 1766, making it one of Dublin’s oldest pubs. It is absolutely jam packed at the weekends. If you want to admire the amazing Victorian decor that has barely changed since the 1880’s, and not struggle to get a pint at the bar, arrive mid-week, just before 5pm and soak in the atmosphere. This is as old-school as you can get in a Dublin pub and locals start arriving for post-work drinks from 5pm onwards. Every Dubliner holds a special place in their heart for The Long Hall.
The Gravediggers in Glasnevin
John Kavanagh’s Gravediggers pub is built into the wall that encloses the historic and beautiful Glasnevin Cemetery and Crematorium and so called because the gravediggers used to get their pints served to them through a hole in the cemetery wall. The Gravediggers has been a family-run pub since 1833, keeping its old Victorian interior unchanged since then, it is yet another pub that hasn’t allowed television or bright neon lights to destroy its charm. Strictly cash only, it fills up quickly with locals every evening. It has been the venue for many a post-funeral Guinness for Dublin folk. We have family buried in the cemetery and our annual visits to their gravesides don’t end until we’ve gathered and raised a glass to them in this wonderful pub.
Grogan’s Castle Lounge on South William Street
Better known simply as Grogan’s, it’s another golden oldie with comfy couches surrounding the bar or, if the sun is out, you can enjoy their enviable seating area out in the middle of Dublin’s gorgeous Georgian quarter. The sun doesn’t have to be out though as they have heaters to sit under so you can people-watch all day. Keep the hunger at bay with a staple accompaniment to a creamy pint of Guinness - a classic ham and cheese toastie! Grogan’s have a stock of these tasty, freshly-made sandwiches in the fridge by the bar and they’re served toasted with a jar of Colman's mustard. Given how popular it is, we recommend having your lunch here so you can get a good seat (you can ask for no ham if you’re a vegetarian).
The Stag’s Head at Dame Court
For Victorian opulence that has kept its lustre over its 200-year lifetime, The Stag’s Head sets the bar (sorry!) for all other old-world pubs in Dublin City. It is absolutely gorgeous inside and with space upstairs for gigs, comedy, ukulele jam sessions and more, you will find all sorts of locals in here, any night of the week. It’s hugely popular so you may not get to enjoy the comfy leather couches that line one side of the beautiful oak bar. Don’t worry though, because the street outside the bar is strictly for pedestrians so it turns into Dublin’s best unofficial beer garden when the sun is out! The atmosphere during the summer here sums up our favourite phrase, ‘great craic’.
Sin É on Upper Ormond Quay
Last but not least is one of our favourite places for live music. The venue is small but the atmosphere on any gig night packs a punch. It’s a lively mix of locals and people from all over the world who have made Dublin their home and share the great love that is music.
One of our favourite Dublin bands, Tolka Hot Club (Dublin’s answer to Django Reinhardt’s Quintette du Hot Club de France) wowed us for the first time here in this great little music venue. Neil’s photo of them has a proud place on the gig wall. There could be any kind of music here any night of the week but always with a good vibe and you will definitely find something you like at the bar. It’s definitely one of the best nights out you can have in Dublin City and that’s saying something!
Trying to compile this list was harder than we thought and we realised how many pubs we could call our favourites in Dublin depending on our humour! Literally there’s a pub for every occasion. Let’s say, one of our family or friends is having a baby in the Coombe Hospital (one of Dublin’s materinity hospitals), the place we go to to ‘wet the baby’s head’ (immediately after the baby is born) is Lowes Pub in Dolphin’s Barn. In the suburbs there’s an even bigger list and then there’s all the pubs that feel like you’re in the countryside. Keep an eye out for more lists of our favourite Dublin pubs.
Cheers!
PIN IT!
