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Pubs with History: 7 of Dublin’s Most Storied Drinking Dens

The Irish capital offers countless places to order a pint—here are seven options that rise above the rest.

Inside Johnnie Fox's pub.
Hi, I'm Jessica!

Jessica Colley Clarke is a freelance writer and curious traveler based in New York City. Her stories have appeared in AFAR magazine, BBC Travel, The Daily Beast, and the New York Times, among other publications.

In a city with a pub on every corner, there’s just one question: Where to pull up a bar stool? Dublin’s pubs offer warm hospitality and a convivial atmosphere to raise a glass. They can also be gathering places for local musicians, quiet spots to read the newspaper, and much more. But if you’re looking for pubs with that extra bit of history, background, and vibrant spirit, it can pay to look a bit deeper and choose your spots wisely. Here are seven of Dublin’s most fascinating pubs; explore one (or more) on your next trip to the Irish capital.

1. John Kavanagh (aka The Gravediggers)

Guinness at a pub in Dublin.
A round of Guinness.Bildquelle: Emmets999 / Tripadvisor

A traditional pub located beside a graveyard.

Located at the edge of Glasnevin Cemetery, this classic Irish pub with a sign that says “John Kavanagh” is better known by its nickname: the Gravediggers. Opened in 1833, the pub earned this moniker because it was the preferred watering hole of the men who dug graves in the adjacent cemetery. The 124-acre (50-hectare) graveyard is also worth exploring; you can see the final resting places of Irish historic figures such as Brendan Behan, Maude Gonne, and Luke Kelly.

Today, the pub draws a wide clientele with its cozy low ceilings and well-worn wood decor. Renowned across Dublin for its excellent pint of Guinness, the Gravediggers also offers a menu of traditional Irish fare. This is a place for conversation and kicking back with a quiet pint—you won’t find TVs or music here.

2. The Brazen Head

The Brazen Head in Dublin.
Outside the Brazen Head.Bildquelle: sushi3 / Tripadvisor

A pub that claims to be Dublin’s oldest, dating back to 1198.

Located on Bridge Street, a stone’s throw from the River Liffey, the Brazen Head dates back centuries further than many of Dublin’s other historic pubs. While the current structure was built in 1754 as a coaching inn, the location has drawn people around the fire for a drink since 1198. Open fireplaces, inviting banquettes, and daily live music all keep this pub bustling.

Don’t be surprised if hours spent in the Brazen Head speed by in a blur of music and rounds of drinks. The on-site kitchen is also known for its satisfying Irish fare, including staples like beef stew and fish and chips.

3. The Cobblestone

Live music at the Cobblestone in Dublin.
Live music in the pub.Bildquelle: cgde / Tripadvisor

A Smithfield staple pub known for traditional live music.

Many Dublin pubs claim to offer traditional Irish music, but one stands above the rest for quality and authenticity: the Cobblestone. Located off Smithfield Square, on the north side of the River Liffey, this no-frills watering hole is known as a music venue where musicians gather every night of the week. Expect to hear fiddles, pipes, singing, and more during a traditional music session.

There is no price of admission at the Cobblestone—simply order a drink and pull up a stool to listen. Musicians will come and go over the course of an evening, and you’re more likely to rub elbows with locals than with fellow tourists.

4. McDaid’s

McDaid's in Dublin.
McDaid's at night.Bildquelle: Ros1943 / Tripadvisor

A city-center literary haunt popular with generations of Irish writers.

If you offer a pint in Dublin, you likely have some claim to literary fame. Some pubs here have been mentioned a famous novel like Ulysses; others were the favorite drinking dens of renowned poets. While some Dublin pubs can claim one or two of these distinctions, McDaid’s—a traditional pub in a building that was once the city morgue—is one of the city’s best literary haunts.

Located right off Grafton Street, in the city center, McDaid’s is a particularly inviting pub with high ceilings and striking front windows. It was a favorite of writers such as Patrick Kavanagh, Brendan Behan, and Flann O’Brien, and it served as a setting for James Joyce’s story “Grace.” Don’t be surprised to see a writer scribbling away in the corner with a pint in front of them.

5. The Long Hall

The Long Hall in Dublin.
The Long Hall is so-named for a reason.Bildquelle: The Long Hall / Tripadvisor

A Victorian beauty on South Great George’s Street.

For a pint of Guinness in a traditional pub with a bit of flair, look no further than the Long Hall. Detailed woodwork, art nouveau glass, and plush red banquettes all set the atmosphere in this historic pub, which was established in 1766 and has an interior dating from 1881. This heritage spot keeps the locals coming with its buzzing feel and wide range of Irish whiskeys.

While the Long Hall could be a striking façade only, it also offers a cozy and welcoming environment, a quality pint of Guinness, and the convenience of table service. You’re likely to see groups of friends and also couples on dates—it’s one of Dublin’s more romantic pubs.

6. The Dawson Lounge

The Dawson Lounge in Dublin.
The Dawson Lounge.Bildquelle: Professor_Sparrow / Tripadvisor

One of Dublin’s most petite spaces for a drink.

Many Dublin pubs are adorned with big baskets of bright flowers and have a large sign, making them hard to miss. But in the city center of Dublin, near St. Stephen’s Green, there’s a spot that you might walk right past: the Dawson Lounge, one of the city’s smallest pubs.

Located through a small doorway on Dawson Street and down a narrow flight of stairs, this is one of Dublin’s most intimate places to raise a glass. Since 1850, the tiny gathering place has drawn strangers together in a space that’s more Irish living room than spacious pub. It’s best known for affordable Guinness and an unpretentious atmosphere, both of which often encourages conversations between groups—one of the great pleasures of a Dublin pub.

7. Johnnie Fox’s

Outside Johnnie Fox's in Dublin.
At Johnnie Fox's.Bildquelle: Johnnie Fox's Pub

A pub worth a trip to the Dublin Mountains.

Visitors willing to travel for a proper pint with a side of history may want to venture to the Dublin Mountains for a drink at Johnnie Fox’s Pub. The drive to Glencullen is part of the adventure; the journey to this mountain location offers plenty of views to admire. (Local taxi drivers will be familiar with the pub.) On a sunny day, grab a seat outdoors and enjoy a view of the surrounding hillsides and one of Dublin’s most peaceful pints.

Johnnie Fox’s dates to 1798, and the interior is a series of low-ceilinged rooms with open fireplaces. Many visitors come for a pint or two and eventually wind up requesting a table in the adjacent restaurant, where Irish oysters and seafood chowder served with brown bread are menu favorites.

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