Best pubs in Dublin
Rated by locals, not tourists.
161 pubs rated in Dublin
Dublin has more good pubs than any guidebook can cover, and plenty of bad pints hiding behind a famous name. This is the locals' shortlist — the rooms where the Guinness is poured properly, the snug is intact, and the session is worth staying for.
Every pub here is scored on the pint itself, the room, and the welcome — by people who actually drink in them. No sponsored rankings, no tourist-trap markups.
Dublin areas
- City Centre
- Stoneybatter
- Smithfield
- The Liberties
- Phibsborough
- Rathmines
- Temple Bar
Pubs in Dublin
GlasnevinJohn Kavanagh's "The Gravediggers"
8 generations, cash only, perfect pint. Since 1833.
Bowe's Lounge Bar
Old-world Fleet Street whiskey bar, pouring perfection since 1880.
Dublin 2Mulligan's
Dublin's most legendary Guinness pour since 1782.
Dublin MountainsThe Blue Light
Dublin's finest mountain pub — panoramic bay views, turf fires & exceptional Guinness.
MalahideGibney's of Malahide
Malahide's most beloved local — live music Thursdays, great beer garden.
StoneybatterWalsh's
Dublin Pub of the Year 2018 & 2023. Victorian perfection in Stoneybatter.
Grafton StreetKehoe's
Victorian snugs, award-winning Guinness, est. 1803.
Merrion RowO'Donoghue's
Birthplace of The Dubliners. Trad every night.
Slattery's
One of south Dublin's finest traditional pubs — mahogany, snugs & live trad.
City Centre SouthThe Hairy Lemon
A Dublin classic on Stephen Street — great craic, live music & proper pub food.
Dublin 2The Long Hall
Stunning Victorian gem, licensed since 1766.
Smyth's of Ranelagh
Ranelagh's neighbourhood institution — food all day, great pints.
South City CentreThe Swan Bar
York Street's perfect corner pub — famed Irish coffee & whiskey tastings.
Rody Boland's
A Victorian pub physically moved in 1994 — heritage fittings, mural & great pints.
Camden StreetDevitt's
Live trad 7 nights. The best session on Camden Street.
SmithfieldThe Cobblestone Pub
Dublin's premier traditional Irish music pub with sessions every day.
Grafton StreetThe Duke
Start of the Literary Pub Crawl. Joyce's local on Duke Street.
GlencullenJohnnie Fox's Pub
Ireland's highest pub since 1798 — Hooley shows nightly in the Dublin Mountains.
Temple BarThe Stag's Head
Dublin's finest Victorian pub, hidden in plain sight since 1895.
Ballinteer House
Ballinteer's relaxed local — pool table, great chowder, pastry café & late bar at weekends.
Camden StreetThe Bleeding Horse
Referenced by Joyce. Multi-room Camden Street pub since at least 1649.
Camden StreetCassidy's of Camden Street
A Camden Street anchor — live music, big outdoor space, great craic.
Kodiak
Rathmines' hottest bar — 4.7 stars, brilliant pizza, creative cocktails & great vibes.
Dublin 2Toner's
Yeats drank here. The snug alone is worth the trip.
Dundrum House
Dundrum village's heart — traditional pub, food daily, loyal local crowd.
FairviewGaffney's
Fairview's finest Victorian local — great Guinness, great prices, no pretension.
R McSorley's
Ranelagh's late-bar favourite — quiz Thursdays, DJs at weekends & own craft beers.
BallsbridgeThe Bath Pub
Bath Avenue's brilliant local — Korean chicken burger, live music & a team that goes above and beyond.
The Dropping Well
Historic Dodder-side gastropub — great food, sports & craic since 1847.
Dublin 2Doheny & Nesbitt
Where Dublin's political class drinks. Est. 1828.
Searsons
Ballsbridge's finest gastropub — Art Deco, great food, live music.
Brickyard Gastropub
Dundrum's craft beer gastropub — rotating taps, great food & right by the Luas.
North City CentreBar Rua
Capel Street's creative cocktail bar — colourful, inclusive & lively.
City Centre SouthThe No Name Bar
No sign, no music — just exceptional cocktails in a Georgian gem on Fade Street.
Temple BarThe Workman's Club
Wellington Quay's indie music institution — pub downstairs, gigs upstairs, disco below.
North City CentreThe Grand Social
Dublin's indie arts and music venue — live gigs, comedy & events on Liffey Street.
North City CentreThe Woolshed Baa & Grill
Dublin's biggest sports bar — every match, wood-fired pizza & 50+ screens.
The Gables
Foxrock village's cosy bar & restaurant — warm welcome, great roasts & a refined local feel.
North CityThe Church Café Bar
Arthur Guinness's wedding church, now Dublin's most dramatic bar.
StepasideThe Step Inn
Stepaside's traditional pub & steakhouse — cosy interior, great chowder & a bright conservatory.
North City CentreThe Lotts Café Bar
Dublin's smallest bar — steak on stone, legendary staff & homemade cooking.
City Centre SouthChaplin's
A solid Hawkins Street pub — sports, food & Con Houlihan on the wall.
Connolly's — The Sheds
Clontarf seafront's historic gem since the 1840s — superb Guinness & Dublin Bay views.
BallsbridgeThe Cow Pub & Kitchen
Shelbourne Road gastropub & steakhouse near the Aviva — top fish & chips, steaks & a bright sun room.
The Foggy Dew
Temple Bar's best-kept secret — the finest free Sunday trad session.
North City CentreThe Oval Bar
A genuine 1916 pub — pour your own Guinness & outstanding feathered beef brisket.
Neary's
No TV, no music. Just gas lamps and great Guinness since 1887.
PortobelloThe Lower Deck
Canal-side Portobello local — weekend breakfasts & great Guinness by the water.
The Stone Boat
Kimmage's authentic local — well-priced pints, great craic & a proper neighbourhood vibe.
Beggars BushRyan's Beggars Bush
Haddington Road's trad gem near the Aviva — superb Guinness & Beamish, cosy rooms & rugby-day canopies.
PYE
Dundrum's buzzy dog-friendly gastro bar — wood-fired pizza, whiskey snug & rooftop terrace.
The Rathgar 108
Rathgar's craft beer gem — great snug, top taps & TVs off when sport ends.
DonnybrookMcCloskeys
Donnybrook's stylish local — heated covered garden with big screens, creative cocktails & dog-friendly.
Peruke & Periwig
Georgian-era cocktail theatre on Dawson Street. The best date-night bar in Dublin.
Peggy Kelly's
Harold's Cross's evening-sun beer garden pub — quiz Thursdays & a warm local welcome.
Birchall's
Ranelagh's most classic pub — best Guinness on the strip, open fire & Flann O'Brien's local.
StoneybatterOscar's Pub
A Stoneybatter local named for Oscar Wilde — trad sessions, fair prices & great craic.
SmithfieldToken
Dublin's arcade bar — retro games, karaoke, great vegan food & cocktails.
City Centre SouthMcDaid's
Behan's and Kavanagh's local — a literary giant on Harry Street since 1779.
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Newly revived Dundrum Road local — BBQ ribs, pool table & heated patio.
City Centre SouthPeadar Kearney's
The pub named after Ireland's national anthem poet — trad nightly on Dame Street.
ClontarfThe Pint
Clontarf Road's solid seaside local — live music, sports & craft beer.
Dublin 2Whelan's
Dublin's original live music venue since 1989.
The Cedar Lounge
Raheny's friendly community lounge — live bands, great Guinness & closest pub to St Anne's Park.
SmithfieldFrank Ryan's
Dublin's most eccentric pub — great Guinness, stone-baked pizza & organised chaos.
The LibertiesMother Mac's
A tiny Victorian gem on Bride Street — Beamish, snugs & old Liberties soul.
GlasnevinHedigan's — The Brian Boru
Glasnevin's great Victorian pub — generous carvery, beer garden & Sunday sport.
The Old Orchard Inn
Rathfarnham's big live music pub — carvery, beer garden, pizza shack & weekend entertainment.
ClontarfThe Yacht
Clontarf's seaside local — great food, bay views & live music on Saturdays.
Temple BarDarkey Kelly's
Live trad every night from 6:30pm on Dublin's oldest street.
The Flowing Tide
The Abbey Theatre's local — perfect Guinness, zero pretension.
L. Mulligan Grocer
Stoneybatter's celebrated gastropub — outstanding food & craft beer since 2010.
The Old Mill
Tallaght's water-wheel pub — striking décor, generous grub, live music & big match-day screens.
The Blue Haven
Ballyroan Road's beloved local — arguably the best pint of Guinness in Rathfarnham.
North City CentreMcNeill's Pub
Capel Street's listening pub — live music Mondays with a dedicated quiet zone.
ClontarfHarry Byrnes Pub
One of Dublin's oldest pubs — big beer garden, food truck & the post-St Anne's Park local.
Hartigan's
A defiantly old-school local with a cult Guinness. No frills.
Beggars BushSlattery's D4
A definitive Aviva match-day pub — big sports bar, covered outdoor area & lightning-fast service.
Eden House Gastro Bar
Georgian manor gastro bar by Marlay Park — heated terrace, tropical beer garden & Sunday carvery.
LibertiesRyan's of Parkgate Street
Museum-quality Victorian pub by Phoenix Park since 1886.
Sandyford House
Sandyford village's acclaimed gastropub — great food, free parking, cosy vibe.
ClonskeaghAshton's Gastropub
Clonskeagh's beloved gastropub — award-winning brunch, great Sunday roast since the 1950s.
North City CentreThe Winding Stair
Ha'Penny Bridge's iconic three-floor Liffey restaurant — bookshop, Irish food & views.
Buglers Ballyboden House
Third-generation family gastropub at the mountain foothills — famous fish & chips & loaded fries.
GoatstownThe Goat Bar & Grill
Goatstown's landmark bar & grill — live bands, big burgers & a buzzing weekend atmosphere.
City Centre SouthThe Bankers
A Victorian bank turned great pub — fair prices, trad Thursdays & College Green charm.
The Ardlea Inn
Artane's spacious community local — carvery, sports & regular live music inland of St Anne's.
The Watermill Bar
Bright Howth Road local near St Anne's Park — table service, great Guinness & Thursday live music.
The Ha'Penny Bridge Inn
Authentic Temple Bar local — great pints without the tourist prices.
KnocklyonThe Knocklyon Inn
Knocklyon's little gem — outstanding Guinness, cosy back bar & great-value toasties.
The Manhattan — Beer & Food Co.
Raheny village gastropub — one of Dublin's nicest beer gardens & great pre-gig spot for St Anne's.
The Beachcomber
Killester village's legendary gastropub — famous chowder, big outdoor space & great match days.
DrumcondraFagan's Bar & Restaurant
Bertie Ahern's local — three bars, great carvery & walls of Dublin history.
BAR 1661
Ireland's Bar of the Year 2022 & 2025. Home of the poitín cocktail.
Temple BarPorterhouse Temple Bar
Ireland's original craft beer pub — own-brewed ales, live music nightly since 1996.
North City CentreThe Boar's Head
One of Capel Street's most beautiful Victorian pubs — snugs, fire & silence.
Cassidy's
Where Bill Clinton had a pint. Craft beer & trad since 1856.
The Glenside
Churchtown's beloved neighbourhood gastropub — delicious food, warm staff & monthly music nights.
StoneybatterHynes' Bar
Stoneybatter's highest-rated pub — 4.8 stars, great beer garden & Asian fusion food.
BallsbridgeCrowe's Pub
Cosy, memorabilia-filled Ballsbridge trad pub — fireplace, great pints & a rugby-day favourite.
The Wishing Well
Templeogue village's friendly local — good Guinness, sports & a loyal regular crowd.
Lost Lane
Grafton Street's best gig venue — live music and club nights since 2019.
KilmainhamThe Old Royal Oak
A Kilmainham Lane gem — perfect Guinness, trad sessions & dog-friendly.
The Old County Bar
Ballinteer's no-frills local — relaxed, good Guinness & a loyal regular crowd near Marlay.
The Merry Ploughboy
Dublin Mountains gastropub — world-famous nightly Irish music & dance show.
The Willows
Beloved Dundrum local back and better than ever — quiz Thursdays, dog-friendly.
The Coach House
Ballinteer's community local — Sunday carvery, family-friendly & open from 10am.
Portobello57 The Headline
Clanbrassil Street's gastropub gem — Sunday roast, own-brewed beer & great whiskey.
Anseo
The ultimate craft beer dive bar and creative gig space on Camden St.
The LibertiesThe Thomas House
The Liberties' community pub — craft beer, local art & genuine neighbourhood soul.
Molloys Bar & Grill
Tallaght's three-room local — live music, sports, great steaks & a 2am weekend late bar.
TempleogueThe Morgue
Templeogue's characterful pub — big match-day atmosphere & hearty traditional dinners.
DrumcondraThe Cat and Cage
Drumcondra's craft beer & pizza pub — near Croke Park, game nights & great taps.
City Centre SouthP.Mac's
Dublin's craft beer pioneer since 2010 — 20+ taps, basement DJs & great burgers.
Grand Canal DockThe Ferryman
A Docklands gem — spotless, warm & great beers near 3Arena.
SandymountO'Reilly's of Sandymount
Sandymount's welcoming music pub — great Guinness, grassy beer garden & Saturday acoustic sessions.
Boland's
Stillorgan's much-loved local — vintage décor, great sports & award-winning craic.
City Centre SouthThe International Bar
Wicklow Street classic — birthplace of Irish stand-up with the Comedy Cellar since 1988.
Ryan's Arbour House
No-frills Dundrum local — jukebox nights, live music & cheap pints.
City Centre SouthThe Old Stand
300 years of history on Exchequer Street — perfect Guinness, no fuss.
PortobelloJ. O'Connell's
A Portobello Victorian gem — ornate snugs, perfect Guinness & unhurried calm.
The Hill Pub
A proper Ranelagh local — quiz nights, live music & no pretension.
The LibertiesFallon's
The Liberties' gem since 1773 — flagstone floors, perfect Guinness & old Dublin soul.
North City CentreSin É
Ormond Quay's alternative music & comedy bar — chess, gigs & basement comedy.
Café en Seine
Dublin's most glamorous bar — Parisian Art Deco on Dawson Street since 1993.
The Tuning Fork
Rathfarnham village's live music local — regular gigs, weekend bands & a social atmosphere.
The Bernard Shaw
Dublin's most eclectic alternative venue — gigs, food trucks & drag brunch.
ChurchtownThe Bottle Tower – Beer & Food Co.
Churchtown's best beer garden — 90-person outdoor space, great food & pints.
The Speaker Conolly
Firhouse's welcoming gastropub — warm atmosphere, full menu & locals full of craic.
North CityThe Confession Box
Hidden Pro Cathedral local — cult Guinness & house whiskey since forever.
RathfarnhamTaylors Three Rock
Grange Road's show pub by Marlay Park — electric Irish music & dance shows with dinner.
The Submarine Bar
'The Sub' — a much-loved southside institution with live music, sports & a buzzing beer garden.
HowthThe Bloody Stream
Howth's legendary harbourside pub — seafood, open fires & live music under the DART.
Vaughan's Eagle House
Terenure landmark local — quiz nights, live sport & generations of history.
RathfarnhamThe Yellow House
Rathfarnham's red-brick landmark pub — top Guinness, Sunday carvery & a large beer garden.
City Centre SouthSheehan's
A quiet Chatham Street gem — two floors of relaxed, elegant pub perfection.
PhibsboroughThe Bohemian
Phibsborough's community pub — Bohs FC HQ, live music & a great outdoor space.
Usher's QuayThe Brazen Head
Ireland's oldest pub — live music nightly since 1198.
Corrigan's
A quiet Mountpleasant gem — real Dublin atmosphere, chess on Tuesdays.
O'Dwyer's of Kilmacud
Kilmacud's all-day local — breakfast to dinner, terrace & private events.
D'Arcy McGee's
Templeogue's carvery & sports pub — huge Sunday roasts, roaring fire & top Guinness.
North City CentreSlattery's of Capel Street
Bourdain's pick — Capel Street early house open from 9am, full breakfast & great pints.
The Devlin Bar
Ranelagh's boutique hotel bar — brilliant cocktails, live music & open from 7am.
Humphrey's Pub
Ranelagh's dog-friendly local — great beer garden & sports all day.
Temple BarThe Temple Bar Pub
Dublin's legendary pub — live music all day, 450+ whiskeys.
Dublin 2Bruxelles
Dublin's rock institution — Phil Lynott's local since 1886.
BallsbridgePaddy Cullen's Pub
Named for the Dublin GAA legend — a classic Ballsbridge pre-match pub near the Aviva & RDS.
Blackbird
Craft pints, board games & pizza in a dimly lit Rathmines den.
Lamb Doyle's
Mountain-edge Sandyford pub with city views — proper pints, great-value grub & easy parking.
InchicoreRascals Brewing Company
Dublin's best craft brewery taproom — 16 own brews, wood-fired pizza & great beer garden.
StoneybatterThe Glimmerman
Stoneybatter's craft beer paradise — 150+ bottles, expert staff & serious pints.
PortobelloKeavan's Port
A quiet fireplace pub at the top of Camden Street — the antidote to the strip.
BallsbridgeThe Bridge 1859
Stylish Ballsbridge gastropub by the Aviva — huge portions, local beers & great cocktails.
BallsbridgeMary Mac's
The cosy third of the Merrion Road trio — top-class Guinness & great match-day craic near the Aviva.
PortobelloThe Portobello Bar
Portobello's lively strip anchor — craft beer, cocktails & weekend music.
City Centre SouthKennedy's Pub & Restaurant
Georgian red-brick pub near Trinity — great food, cocktails & Guinness since forever.
TapHouse Bar & Kitchen
Ranelagh's craft beer hub — rotating taps, rooftop terrace & Sunday roast.
Bath AvenueThe Old Spot
Michelin-listed Bath Ave gastropub near the Aviva — outstanding Sunday roast & seasonal Irish food.
Dublin 2Grogan's Castle Lounge
No music, no TV. Just great pints and local art.
The Palace Bar
Family-run Victorian gem & whiskey merchant, est. 1823.
Brady's
Terenure's warm pub & tapas bar — famous chicken wings, quiz nights & families welcome.
Dublin pubs — FAQs
- Where is the best Guinness in Dublin?
- The best-rated pints in Dublin shift as locals score them, but the leaderboard on this site ranks every pub by its honest Guinness score — pour, settle and all.
- Which Dublin pubs have trad sessions?
- Filter the Dublin map for trad sessions to see which pubs have live traditional music on tonight and through the week.