My Favourite Historic, Unusual & Convivial Pubs in Dublin
Last Updated on 14th August 2026 by Charlotte Nadeau
This post may contain affiliate links. Please check out my privacy policy and disclosure for more information.
I’ve been to Dublin more times than I can count, and during those visits I’ve also managed to find myself in a plethora of the city’s drinking establishments. From iconic bars with centuries’ worth of history to the more intimate and cosy watering holes, Ireland’s capital city is teeming with public houses that are quite literally bursting at the seams with their convivial atmosphere and unusual quirks. With so many to choose from, you might be wondering which favourite historic pub suits you best? Well, let’s find out!
How many pubs are there in Dublin?
There are said to be somewhere between 700 and 750 active pubs trading in Dublin…but I’ve also read elsewhere there’s up to 900! Either way, it’s safe to say that Ireland’s capital city has a lot of drinking establishments to choose from. Many of which have been serving drinks to locals and tourists alike for centuries.
What to know before visiting a Dublin pub
Buying a drink: Alcoholic drinks are only allowed to be purchased by those over 18. Some pubs allow children, but not all and some only allow children to be inside until a certain time of the day. By Irish law, all children under 15 must leave the premises by 9:00 PM.
Guinness: The cheapest pint is almost always Guinness, which also comes in the tasty alcohol-free version, Guinness 0. In other parts of Ireland, you’ll find the strong competitor Murphy’s, another beloved stout which is generally noted to be sweeter, smoother, and less bitter than its rival.
Cash: Most pubs nowadays accept contactless payment. However, if you’re heading out to the more traditional/old school pubs, then I do recommend having a little cash on hand. Tipping is not expected or required when ordering drinks at the bar; that being said, you may notice a ‘tip jar’ and be in a generous mood, and so cash would come in handy here.
Best pubs in Dublin
Temple Bar
Nestled within a district of the same name, Temple Bar Pub is undoubtedly one of Dublin’s most famous pubs. Indeed, it’s one of the first that visitors to Dublin head to, just to get the full experience of this highly photogenic and beloved landmark. Painted bright red and adorned with fresh flowers, Temple Bar Pub is renowned for its live traditional music and huge whiskey collection that lines the shelves.
Temple Bar Pub’s official license dates back to 1840, and it has passed through many family hands ever since. But it’s been owned and operated by the Cleary Family (second-generation Dublin publicans) ever since 1992. They have very much made it the cultural landmark that so many visit today.
You can get food in Temple Bar Pub, though I would say it’s more expensive than other places thanks to it being such a huge tourist hotspot. That being said, the pub serves delicious locally sourced Irish oysters from Galway Bay, which are well worth trying if that’s your thing!
The Dawson Lounge
This holds a unique record in that it’s the smallest pub in Ireland! The Dawson Lounge is Dublin’s ultimate old-school pub, characterised by its intimate setting, low moody lighting and warming red tones. Hidden behind an unassuming little red door, this is actually one of Dublin’s best hidden gems.
The Dawson Lounge has been serving customers for nearly 200 years, with the building’s official licensed premises and tavern history dating back to 1832. As the smallest pub in the Republic of Ireland, you won’t be surprised to know that it can only seat 26 people. However, if you’re willing to squeeze in with standing room, total capacity is 40 people. As it’s so small, they don’t serve any food, but rather focus on the atmosphere and drinks. Of course, a pint of Ireland’s quintessential stout is a must here! But, they also have a range of Irish whiskeys that are highly recommended.
Oliver St. John Gogarty’s
Another pub right in the heart of Temple Bar is a colourful spectacle that’s impossible to miss. Named after the prominent Dublin surgeon, poet, senator, and athlete…(if you couldn’t tell already, he lived a remarkably multi-faceted life!) Oliver St. John Gogarty was one of the leading figures in the Irish Literary Renaissance. Even more, he is the very inspiration behind the character “Buck Mulligan” in James Joyce’s classic novel Ulysses. So, naturally, a pub in the very heart of Ireland’s capital has been named after him.
The pub itself is a pretty recent addition to Dublin’s historic pubs; however, it does spread out over two historic 18th-century buildings. Temple Bar itself is one of the oldest parts of Dublin, characterised by its narrow winding streets and medieval layout.
Oliver St. John Gogarty’s is filled with memorabilia and literary nods celebrating the cultural icon, and they even serve their very own Gogarty’s Stout on tap!
Hugh Larkins
A modern take on a traditional Irish pub, Hugh Larkins is often just referred to as 32 thanks to its location along 32 Clarendon Street in Dublin. Right in the very heart of the city, this pub is particularly renowned for its joyful atmosphere and delicious hot food. It also has a popular quiz night on Thursdays!
Brazen Head
This claims to be the oldest pub in Ireland, a title which is fiercely contested by Sean’s Bar in Athlone. However, it is certainly recognised as Dublin’s oldest pub. With a history going back some 820 years, the site on which this pub sits can be traced back as far as 1198. But, the building you see today was actually constructed in 1754 and served as a coaching inn to passers by.
Brazen Head remains a bustling and lively spot with visitors drawn in by the cosy, low ceilings and nooks, tucked inside the centuries-old stone walls. While it’s true that this is much less a local gem and rather more a tourist spot for international travellers, the atmosphere is often regarded as being convivial and well worth a stop by.
The Hairy Lemon
This is by far one of my favourite pubs in Dublin, and while touristy, you’ll often find plenty of locals enjoying a pint here. Located on Lower Stephen Street, this brightly painted pub has quite the unusual backstory for its quirky name.
The 19th-century boozer is said to take its name from a local dog catcher who worked for the local authorities in the 1940s and 50s, catching strays. He earned the nickname “Hairy Lemon” thanks to his lemon-shaped head, yellow jaundice skin tone from drinking and stubbly beard. In fact, he became such a notorious Dublin character that parents even used him to scare misbehaving children!
While no fruit oddities are actually served at the pub, you can enjoy all of the eccentric and eclectic decor and memorabilia that fills it. They also serve traditional Irish food along with burgers, and the classic choice of pints.
The Liberty Belle
This charming pub resides in the heart of Dublin’s Liberties, just 500 meters or so from the Guinness Storehouse. It’s actually named after Anne Devlin, a close confidante of revolutionary Robert Emmet, who was imprisoned for her role in the failed 1803 rebellion. Despite enduring years of prison, she refused to betray her fellow rebels. And so, what better honour than to name a pub after her tremendous efforts?
One of the best things about visiting The Liberty Belle today is taking advantage of their Guinness and a sandwich deal. Renowned for their budget combo (especially in a city as expensive as Dublin), for just €8, you can get a pint of Guinness and a toasted ham and/or cheese toastie.
Kennedy’s
This pub retains a lot of its old-school charm, cosy, rustic interior, and warm atmosphere – essentially embodying everything you could hope for from a traditional Irish pub. Outside, you’ll find a life-sized statue of Oscar Wilde perched on a bench, as you can imagine, plenty of people sit here with a pint of Guinness to get that perfect snap with the beloved author!
The Wilde connection is not actually what you’d expect, as Oscar Wilde wasn’t just a patron here (though he certainly enjoyed a few drinks at the establishment later on in life). In fact, long before this building was a pub, it’s said that it was a grocery shop where Wilde himself had a job stocking the shelves.
Sheehans Pub
Situated just off Grafton Street in the city centre, Sheehan’s has been serving Dubliners since 1993, when Jeremiah Sheehan took over the pub after his career in the Dublin Metropolitan Police’s mounted unit. In fact, he even served as a bodyguard when King George V visited Dublin in 1911. The pub itself has an even longer history, with a licensed premises on the site dating back to at least the 18040s.
Described as the ultimate “pubby pub” by some reviews, it boasts a relaxed atmosphere, a cosy, dark wooded interior, and a stunning glossy crimson ceiling. It’s especially great if you’re visiting and hoping to catch some live sport on the TV!
Gravediggers
Located close to the Botanical Gardens, John Kavanagh’s The Gravediggers is considered one of the longest generational pubs in Ireland. Hailed as a true traditional Dublin bar, the pub has been passed down through eight generations of the Kavanagh family, who have run the pub since it opened in north Dublin in 1833.
The pub takes its name for exactly the reason you’d expect. Aside from the gardens, it is also right next to the historic Glasnevin Cemetery. And so, the gravediggers would regularly come here for a pint after their long, hard shifts. It also caught the mourners and those who visited the graves of loved ones.
As it’s been run by the same family for almost two centuries, it’s safely stayed pretty much the same in all of its charm and is often regarded as serving one of the best pints of Guinness in Ireland! They also do traditional food like Dublin coddle. The food and drinks are said to still be a reasonable price, which is of course favoured by many.
Enjoyed reading our guide to Dublin’s most convivial pubs? Pin this article now, and read it again later:
