The Best Pubs in Dublin

Folk pubs, trendy pubs, mega pubs, cosy pubs, theme pubs, Dublin has them all. Choosing a pub largely depends on personal taste and what kind of an evening you're after, but it's guaranteed that whichever one you pick, you'll have a good time!

Book flights to Dublin [http://www.skyscanner.net/flights/uk/dub/cheapest-flights-from-united-kingdom-to-dublin.html] and sample the best of the craic in one of our top ten Irish watering holes.

The Auld Dubliner

Located right in the middle of the vibrant Temple Bar district, The Auld Dubliner has colourful, quirky murals, jolly rowdy crowds and fantastic live folk music. Guaranteed to give you a taste of Dublin life, you'll have a good time but you might not be able to hear yourself think!

O'Donoghue's

This venue is the mother of folk music pubs and was the pub that launched the career of 'The Dubliners'. For folk fans this is a must stop but it can get crowded during the tourist season. It's close to the centre and is also on the routes of a number of city tours so you can't miss it! With rooms available upstairs there's somewhere to lay your head if it turns into more of an evening than you planned!

The Brazen Head

This claims to be Dublin's oldest pub and began pouring the black stuff back in 1198! It's a bit of a walk from the city centre but for a lovely dose of nostalgia and live music every night; this is a great place to spend an evening. They also have an award winning restaurant serving fine contemporary and traditional grub.

The Hole in the Wall

This is Irelands longest pub, combining what used to be several houses and has 100 yards of bar, which bodes well for getting served any night of the week! Food is served all day and there is also a wine shop where you can purchase a bottle or two of something you like. The name comes from the practice that used to go on for a hundred years or so of serving drinks through a hole in the wall to the army garrison stationed nearby.

Kavanagh's Pub or "The Gravediggers

John Kavanagh's lays claim to being the oldest family pub in Dublin and are now in the 6th generation of business. The alternative name 'The Gravediggers' comes from its location next to the Glasnevin cemetery. This is a totally unspoilt Victorian bar that serves one of the best pints in Dublin. What are you waiting for!

John Mulligan's Pub

Mulligan's has been pouring pints since 1782 and has now grown in size from several separate houses. Known as the 'home of the pint' it's renowned for its quality Guinness. With old worldly décor and a local atmosphere, it does have one other claim to fame; it used to be the local watering hole of James Joyce and it's even thought that some of Ulysses was penned at that very same bar. Take a copy with you to read while you enjoy a pint of the finest Guinness.

Messrs Maguire

Set over four floors, this pub has its own micro-brewery and is a combination of late night pub, restaurant and bar. It's slap bang in the centre of town and consequently all the action so there's never a dull moment. With traditional music on Monday nights and sport at the weekend, it has a little something for everyone. This is the place to meet folks from near and far.

McDaids

McDaids is a dimly lit bar with high ceilings and a classic Irish atmosphere; a shrine to the art of convivial conversation. This pub is worth popping into just to see the superb art-deco interior alone. Artistic links run through this place as Patrick Kavanagh used to drink here as did playwright and novelist, Brendan Behan. McDaid's became the centre of a new generation of writers in the 1940s and 1950s who met in pubs in reaction to the quaint lives of older Irish writers. Sit down with a Guinness, a good book and soak up the literary atmosphere.

Kitty O'Shea's

Not a traditional pub exactly but more geared towards tourists, with sister pubs in Paris, Brussels, Boston and Galway. This is a combination of restaurant, bar and club with DJ's and live music. Great for some fun but not the place to go if you're craving peace and quiet!

The Long Stone

Located near the stunning Trinity College and Temple Bar, the Long Stone is a lively pub. It still remains family owned and run and takes its name from the long stone pillar built in the sea by Vikings to symbolise their new settlement. Old and modern, comfortable and intimate, this is a super little pub with a relaxed atmosphere. It also has a great selection of beers and has food available throughout the day.