The Must Visit Bars In Dublin, Ireland!
The capital city of Ireland, renowned for its vibrancy, nightlife and tourist attractions. It is the most popular entry point for international visitors to the country though the centre is relatively small and can be navigated by foot, with most of the population living in suburbs.
The city is divided by the River Liffey. On the north side is O’Connell Street–the main thoroughfare, which is intersected by numerous shopping streets, including Henry Street and Talbot Street. On the south side are St. Stephen’s Green, Grafton Street, Trinity College, Christ Church, St. Patrick’s Cathedrals, and many other attractions.
No visit to Dublin would be complete without a visit to one (or ten) of its many pubs, which serve drinks until midnight with some drinking-up time allowed. Many bars have late licenses allowing them to serve up to 3:30am, although this usually means a cover charge or price increases after midnight. We have a list of our favourite bars in the city to get your research started.
The Hairy Lemon
A Traditional Irish Pub and Restaurant located at 41-42 Stephen Street Lower. This most enjoyable drinking establishment is just about as unconventional as it’s namesake. Even the 19th century house in which it resides is a little ‘outside-the-box’; with years of memorabilia, a sitting room suspended in mid air, High Nellie’s, Wellies and even Granny’s Kitchen. Unknown to itself, the Hairy Lemon has become one of Dublin’s Trendiest Pubs. There are Trad Sessions every Sunday, Monday & Tuesday from 8pm and Live Music Wednesday & Thursday’s. The staff are very friendly and accommodating, so why not pop in for a coddle, stew or beef and Guinness pie along with a pint!
Porterhouse Temple Bar
Opened in 1996 as Dublin’s first pub brewery and first things first, they are passionate about beer. Not just their beer but passionate about all good beer. Initially gaining maximum publicity by naming a beer Weiserbuddy (as in you’d be a wiser buddy to drink this beer) and probably the best lager in the world. This created much amusement and threatened litigation from some of the biggest players in the drinks industry. Moving on, the Porterhouse plan isn’t exactly rocket science. Tasty beers, brewed themselves, a huge range of world classics and great live traditional music sessions 7 nights a week and some of the finest pub grub in Ireland. Although beer is all a matter of one’s personal taste, for some reason most people still choose to drink beer that tastes of very little. C’mon people. life’s too short, let your taste buds live a little on a trip to Dublin at the Porterhouse.
Peruke & Periwig
A unique and memorable drinking and dining experience on Dublin’s thriving Dawson Street, number 31 to be exact. Open seven nights a week, the ground floor bar offers guests a draught pint, a bottle of craft beer or a delicious coffee as well as an extensive selection of the finest cocktails, whiskeys, spirits, liqueurs and wines. They have created some truly unique and memorable cocktails inspired by music of all genres and tastes. If you’re feeling a little peckish, why not give their tasty bar snacks a try? Or, you can book yourself in for a deliciously decadent dinner and sample their modern Irish menu for dinner. Taste buds at the ready, let the senses take over!
Café en Seine
Welcome to the newly reimagined Cafe en Seine, one of Dublin’s most iconic and stunning venues. Nestled in the heart of Dublin’s city centre on Dawson Street, Cafe en Seine was established in 1993 and quickly became a go-to destination for locals and visitors to the city. Today, its legacy continues with a beautiful, newly designed space spanning over three floors, this art nouveau haven now includes a designated restaurant area, several beautiful bars and an impressive Parisian indoor street garden. Whether you’re looking for a pint, a simple short or an elegant cocktail, their experienced and talented mixoligsts are there to help. A partnership with cocktail masterminds Crucible London ensures they have crafted one of Dublin’s most innovative and creative cocktail menus around.
O’Donoghues
A historically significant drinking establishment, built in 1789 as a grocery store, it began operating full-time as a pub in 1934. The bar is situated in Merrion Row only two minutes from Dublin’s most famous landmark St. Stephen’s Green and it’s one of Dublin’s most talked about bars for amazing live Irish music, great people and comfortable rooms. Standing on a very historical site in Dublin City, but it’s more modern musical history is really the stuff of legends. Christy Moore and the Dubliners have spent many a memorable night entertaining Dublin’s music lovers here. It is this spirit that is kept alive by today’s musicians who play amongst an array of drawings and photos of Irish musicians that adorn the walls. An evening spent at O’Donoghue’s is an experience that stays with you. A favourite haunt for locals and tourists from every corner of the world, who come to share the authentic character of one of Dublin’s oldest bars, and to admire the artistry of real Irish musicians.
The Lucky Duck
A Dublin Landmark Reimagined – an elegant neighbourhood pub and cocktail bar where they are making the old new again. Come and pull up a stool in their ground floor pub, open from 12pm seven days a week for proper pints, a selection of golden, melty toasties and good conversation. Complete with a large and light filled snug to the front, a long, copper-topped antique bar, and a terrace area to the rear. One of the focal points of this downstairs bar is the magnificent antique back bar, which is over 100 years old. They have added new to old, by installing unobtrusive power outlets on the customer’s side of the bar, so you can charge up while sipping on a pint at the copper topped bar. Head upstairs and discover three floors of elegant, yet cosy, cocktail bars. A perfect spot to relax, with unique cocktails and a fresh, seasonal and modern food menu. Open from 5pm seven days a week, why not join them for dinner and drinks, or just drinks – the choice is yours. Walk in, or book in advance, and let their team look after you.
Vintage Cocktail Club
Welcome to an exclusive cocktail and dining experience in the heart of Dublin city. Tucked away behind a discreet doorway in Dublin’s Temple Bar, Vintage Cocktail Club is the perfect intimate gathering place for an after work catch up, pre-show cocktails, that secret rendezvous or a late night party! A time warp to the golden age of speakeasies, aviators, silent move starlets and the like. The 1920s-style clandestine bar serves up an extensive menu of spirits and specially crafted, award winning cocktails using the finest seasonal ingredients, as well as a menu of delectable bites. On an unobtrusive black door marked only with the lettering VCC, ring their doorbell, take a seat and allow them to indulge your every cocktail whim and feed your hungry belly. Settle in for a night of seasonal tipples with raucous yet refined debauchery. Forget the world and slip into the mystery of Vintage Cocktail Club – the history of the cocktail awaits…
The Temple Bar
A tradition of a genuine, warm welcome and first rate friendly service, is the hallmark of the friendliest watering hole in Dublin. Whether you are alone, with a group of friends, the craic is mighty and you will always feel at home at The Temple Bar! Famous for their fresh Irish Oysters, you can try a traditional feast of Oysters and Guinness, which has long been regarded as a perfect complement to all seafood. Or you could try the delicacy of Champagne and Oysters if it tickles your fancy. If you want a quick bite to eat, before you head off to do the sights of Dublin, drop in and grab a sandwich and refreshments. Be warned that drinks may not be the cheapest around, it can get very crowded, there may be plenty of other bars nearby and it is considered by many a bit of a tourist trap. However with very talented live musicians, a great atmosphere and the namesake of the area it’s a must do for anyone visiting the Temple Bar area, so get yourself down, get the beers in and sing until you can’t sing no more!
