Must-see nightlife in County Dublin

  • Pub stained glass window

    Toner’s

    Dublin

    Toner’s, with its stone floors and antique snugs, has changed little over the years and is the closest thing you’ll get to a country pub in the heart of…

  • Close up of John Mulligan's sign

    John Mulligan's

    Dublin

    This brilliant old boozer is a cultural institution, established in 1782 and in this location since 1854. A drink (or more) here is like attending liquid…

  • Exterior of O'Donoghue's pub, Merrion Row

    O’Donoghue’s

    Dublin

    The pub where traditional music stalwarts The Dubliners made their name in the 1960s still hosts live music nightly, but the crowds would gather anyway –…

  • Traditional stone work of the Old Royal Oak

    Old Royal Oak

    Dublin

    Locals are fiercely protective of this gorgeous traditional pub, which opened in 1845 to serve the patrons and staff of the Royal Hospital (now the Irish…

  • Palace Bar

    Temple Bar

    With its mirrors and wooden niches, the Palace (established in 1823) is one of Dublin's great 19th-century pubs, still stubbornly resisting any…

  • Vintage Cocktail Club

    Temple Bar

    The atmosphere behind this inconspicuous, unlit doorway initialled with the letters 'VCC' is that of a Vegas rat pack hang-out or a '60s-style London…

  • The floral entrance to Darkey Kelly's Bar & Restaurant

    Darkey Kelly's Bar & Restaurant

    Temple Bar

    Once the home of Ireland’s first female serial killer, Darkey’s now boasts a killer whiskey selection instead. It has a decent range of craft beer, and is…

  • The outside of Arthur's traditional Irish pub

    Arthur's

    Dublin

    Given its location, Arthur’s could easily be a cheesy tourist trap, and plenty of Guinness Storehouse visitors do pass through the doors tempted by…

  • The entrance to the Liquor Rooms

    Liquor Rooms

    Temple Bar

    A subterranean cocktail bar decorated in the manner of a Prohibition-era speakeasy. There's lots of rooms – and room – for hip lounge cats to sprawl and…

  • Exterior shot of Hole in the Wall pub

    Hole in the Wall

    Dublin

    This pub is officially the longest in Ireland and is more than 350 years old. As you travel down past the cosy snugs and fireplaces, you’ll find not only…

  • Open Gate Brewery

    Dublin

    If the Storehouse isn’t enough to satisfy the beer lover in you, try the results of the Guinness experimental brewery. You must book ahead online and each…

  • John Kavanagh's

    Dublin

    The gravediggers from the adjacent Glasnevin Cemetery had a secret serving hatch so that they could drink on the job – hence the pub’s nickname. Founded…

  • Drop Dead Twice

    Dublin

    The taproom downstairs is a great little boozer, but upstairs things are a bit jazzier with the BYO cocktail lounge. Bring a bottle of your favourite…

  • Fourth Corner

    Dublin

    Back in the day, this little intersection in the Liberties was known as the Four Corners of Hell, with a rowdy pub on each corner (and brawls on the…

  • House

    Dublin

    Spread across two Georgian townhouses, this could be Dublin's most beautiful modern bar, with gorgeous wood-floored rooms, comfortable couches and even…

  • Beggar's Bush

    Dublin

    A staunch defender of the traditional pub aesthetic, Ryan's (as it's referred to by its older clientele) has adjusted to the modern age by adding an…

  • Temple Bar

    Temple Bar

    The most photographed pub facade in Dublin, perhaps the world, the Temple Bar (aka Flannery's) is smack bang in the middle of the tourist precinct and is…

  • Strawberry Hall

    Dublin

    This beautiful pub, reputedly Dublin's second oldest, is set in the bucolic woodland of the Liffey Valley in the Strawberry Beds, roughly between the…

  • Street 66

    Temple Bar

    In late 2016 this place replaced the very popular LGBT Front Lounge and promised to be all things to all people: a dog-friendly coffee shop and bar…

  • Taphouse

    Dublin

    Locals refer to it by its original name of Russell's, but that doesn't mean that the regulars aren't delighted with the new owners' sprucing up of a…

  • Hartigan’s

    Dublin

    This is about as spartan a bar as you’ll find in the city, and the daytime home of some serious drinkers, who appreciate the quiet, no-frills surroundings…

  • Lucky's

    Dublin

    A bright spot on a street that draws the crowds after dark, Lucky's comes with sleek wood and a nice selection of local craft beer. Coke Lane Pizza has…

  • The Oak

    Temple Bar

    Blue-velvet chairs, handsome leather booths and walls adorned with prints of Georgian Dublin set a sophisticated tone for this bar, which has a whole…

  • Square Ball

    Dublin

    This bar is many things to many people: craft beer and cocktail bar at the front, sports lounge and barbecue pit at the back and an awesome vintage arcade…

  • Fallon's

    Dublin

    A fabulously old-fashioned bar that has been serving a great pint of Guinness since the end of the 17th century. Prizefighter Dan Donnelly, the only boxer…

  • Blackbird

    Dublin

    Candelit and cosy, this boozer epitomises the new-style of Irish pub, full of mismatching furniture, interesting curios and private snugs, with some retro…

  • Ryan’s

    Dublin

    A Victorian classic near Phoenix Park, Ryan's has a beautifully ornate bar and snugs. It is now part of the FX Buckley group (which owns steakhouses and…

  • Doheny & Nesbitt’s

    Dublin

    A standout, even in a city of wonderful pubs, Nesbitt’s is equipped with antique snugs and is a favourite place for the high-powered gossip of politicians…

  • MVP

    Dublin

    A small and friendly bar just off the beaten path that is home to potent and inventive cocktails. The menu is pure comfort food; baked and roast potatoes…

  • Magpie Inn

    County Dublin

    Two dozen or so craft beers complement the usual selection of brewery beers here; add to this an excellent lunch and dinner menu and you've got one of the…

  • Gibney's

    County Dublin

    Malahide's best-known and best-loved pub is a huge place, spread over a number of rooms and outdoor areas. At weekends it's always packed with locals.

  • Finnegan's

    County Dublin

    There's a fabulous local atmosphere in this lovely traditional pub, which has been a staple here for over 40 years.

  • Fitzgerald's

    County Dublin

    A fine Victorian-era pub in the heart of Sandycove village.

  • Irish bag pipe

    Oliver St John Gogarty

    Temple Bar

    You won't see too many Dubs ordering drinks in this bar, which is almost entirely given over to tourists who come for the carefully manufactured slice of…

  • Brazen Head

    Dublin

    Reputedly Dublin's oldest pub, the Brazen Head has been serving thirsty patrons since 1198 when it set up as a Norman tavern. It's a bit away from the…

  • Fitzsimons

    Temple Bar

    The epitome of Temple Bar's commitment to a kind of loud and wonderfully unsophisticated nightlife is this sprawling hotel bar (four bars on five floors),…

  • Auld Dubliner

    Temple Bar

    Predominantly patronised by tourists, 'the Auld Foreigner', as locals have dubbed it, has a carefully manicured 'old world' charm that has been preserved …

  • Turk's Head

    Temple Bar

    This super-pub is decorated in two completely different styles – one really gaudy, the other a recreation of LA c 1930 – and is one of the oddest and most…

  • Ruin

    Dublin

    This spacious bar is filled with colourful murals to admire and snap while working your way through the extensive drink selection. Taking inspiration from…

  • Abbey Tavern

    County Dublin

    At the front is an old-style tavern frequented by a mix of locals and visitors; at the back is the venue for a nightly traditional Irish music and dance…