A Curated Mix of the Best Bars in Dublin
late Bars in Dublin | Traditional Irish Bars
When it comes to choosing a bar in the City we are simply spoiled for choice with so many terrific options. From Traditional to trendy this city has it all. Never an easy job picking out the elite list, but to save you much time and effort searching for that elusive venue we have put together what we believe to be 20 of the Best Bars in Dublin.
Nolita Dublin
Location : 64 South Great George’s Street, Dublin 2
Nolita Dublin is a stunning late bar & Italian Eatery located on South Georges Street, Dublin City. The building oozes class, boasting a variety of stylish event spaces perfectly complimented with their authentic Italian cuisine, creative cocktails and draught beer selection. The venue offers a variety of exquisite group packages suited for both shared parties and exclusive takeovers.
Nolita boasts a fantastic heated garden and with an electric atmosphere on its dance floor and the best of entertainment acts, there are few better equipped to keep you buzzing till the early hours. Serious party venue and without doubt one of the best bars in Dublin.
Café en Seine
Location : 40 Dawson St, Dublin 2
Stunning restaurant & Late Bar, deemed by many as one of the best bars in Dublin. The venue is one of the most iconic and stunning venues with some of the best event spaces in the city. Café en Seine offers extensive dining experiences including a restaurant, a host of unique bars, and a stunning indoor Parisian street garden.
The 50-seated restaurant at Café en Seine takes centre stage at the very front of their building with a commitment to deliver excellence with every dish. Head chef Stephen Gibson has created a menu that reflects the ever changing tastes of Irish palates. Think simple, fun dishes, bursting with seasonal flavors.
The venues Secret Garden comes with its own separate entrance. The Parisian inspired, conservatory style garden is suitable for the ever-changing Irish weather, featuring a large retractable glass roof and an avenue of real trees, flooded with natural light. This is the perfect space for casual day time or evening dining and drinks in their late bar and restaurant. Cafe en Seine is set out over 3 floors boasting an array of wonderful event spaces making it the perfect choice for both corporate and private events.
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House Dublin
Location : 27 Leeson Street Lower, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin 2
Stunning Boutique Hotel located on Dublin’s popular Leeson Street. With its name derived from the literal sense, House Dublin resides within two Georgian houses on Lower Leeson Street that have since been restored to their authentic elegance & inspired originality. From top-to-bottom, House operates as a 16 boutique bedroom hotel and a three-bar social space, including a late-night piano bar.
The all-weather garden restaurant is a beautiful space that can be hired for corporate & private events, providing a sense of summer even on the dreariest of days. The venue offers delicious breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner options and bespoke cocktails prepared by expert bartenders. House Dublin transitions seamlessly from a day-time utopia to night-time hub in the heart of the city. Superb venue and without any doubt, one of the best bars in Dublin.
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Opium Dublin
Location : 26 Wexford St, Portobello, Dublin 2
Opium Dublin is a serious, multi purpose venue and a big contender as one of the best bars in Dublin. Opium’s stunning interiors, excellent menu options and dedicated team, make it one of Dublin’s most sought after venues.
Opium Dublin boasts a truly magical Botanical Garden with retractable roof. The venue offers delicious pan-Asian cuisine in the restaurant and their intimate cocktail lounge boasts some of the finest craft cocktails in the city. If you’re in the mood for music and dancing, this club is the perfect spot to let loose and dance the night away. An awesome venue with a host of great event spaces suitable for all occasions.
The Merchants Arch Bar & Restaurant
Location : 48-49 Wellington Quay, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Traditional Irish pub located in the heart of Temple bar with a warm welcome and a roaring atmosphere. As traditional Irish pubs go, this bar & restaurant is without doubt one of the best bars in Dublin. From 9 am to 10 pm every day, The Merchants Arch serves up hearty Irish cuisine, from their highly recommended diverse Breakfast Menu to their all day Dinner Menu, there is something tasty to suit all. The Merchant Arch boasts one of the best pints of Guinness in the area and a long list of other beers , spirits and craft cocktails to wash it all down.
What truly sets The Merchants Arch apart is its reputation for live music sessions. The venue showcases a host of Dublin’s Best emerging talent 7 days in the week, from 12pm to the early hours. The venue has some great event spaces, perfectly suited for shared groups and a cracking private room that overlooks Dublin’s Famous Ha’penny Bridge.
One of the best party venues in the area – For music & craic – Highly recommend..! Ps.. Calling all Harry Potter fans: be sure to explore their enchantingly decorated Spiral Staircase; you won’t be disappointed!
Kehoes Bar
Location : 9 Anne St S, Dublin 2
Traditional Irish Pub located just off the ever popular Grafton Street. The pub was first licensed in 1803 and still stands today with a very 19th century Victorian style finish. From the stained glass mahogany doors and old Irish snugs to the partitions and benched seating, this place has gracefully aged, standing the test of time. Kehoes Bar is set out over 2 floors – It’s a no frills pub throughout that excels with character , charm and a buzzing atmosphere.
The measure of a great Irish pub is one that offers a warm welcome, serves a great pint and is a place you like to call home – Kehoes ticks all these boxes and for this reason has to be deemed as one of the best bars in Dublin.
The Long Hall
Location : 51 South Great George’s Street, Dublin 2
A cracking little traditional Boozer, located on South Great Georges Street Dublin 2. Established back in 1766 the Longhall is one of the oldest pubs in the city, named after a chapel dedicated to Saint George in 1181.
The Long Hall retains much of its old charm with engravings on the walls of the dealings of the Russian Emperor Paul I with the Polish patriot Kosciusko, as well as prints of Gainsborough ladies. Over the entrance to the toilets are panels of art nouveau glass. The woodwork interior adds an air of authenticity to the premises.
The venue is famed for a great pint and a bit of craic..! A popular haunt for an after work get together and another deemed by many as one of the best pubs in Dublin.
O’Donoghue’s Merrion Row
Location : 15 Merrion Row, Dublin 2
O’Donoghue’s Merrion Row is a historically significant drinking establishment famed for its close association with traditional Irish music. Many notable Irish musicians have dawned the doors and these include Christy Moore, The Fureys, Phil Lynott and the Dubliners to name but a few.
The bar is set out in Victorian fashion with lots of old divides and snugs. For those that like to go back in time, scaling the walls is a must as the pub boasts an unprecedented collection of pictures and portraits of some of the many Irish greats that spent time in this wonderful establishment.
A popular after work and meeting venue famed for its live music sessions, a great pint of stout and a cracking atmosphere – Without a doubt, one of the best pubs in Dublin if not Ireland..!
37 Dawson Street
Location : 37 Dawson Street, Dublin 2
37 Dawson Street has been kicking around for a while and when it comes to the party scene it’s deemed by many as one of the best. 37 Dawson Street is set out over 2 floors with 4 bars and a great variety of event spaces accommodating for teams of 10 and up to 100 in certain areas.
The venue is renown for its tasty food and wonderful selection of exquisite cocktails, beers and whiskeys to wash it all away. The 37 Dawson Street boasts some of the best Live DJ’s in the city guaranteeing all a real party atmosphere – A buzzing venue and a real contender for one of the best bars in Dublin.
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The Camden
Location : Camden Street, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin 2
The Camden is a multipurpose venue located on Dublin’s popular Camden Street. The venue boasts a cocktail bar, restaurant, a massive 4K screen, private speakeasy & private cinema. The Camden is widely regarded as Dublin’s top destination for sports enthusiasts. With countless screens throughout the venue, every live event is covered with exceptional attention to detail.
The Camden boasts a great food menu, complimented with an unending list of craft cocktails , beers, and spirits to suit all tastes. The venue has a host of event spaces making it the ideal place for small parties, right through to the largest of corporate gatherings. A truly stunning and amazing venue and a real must see…!
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Bar Rua
Location : 32 Clarendon St, Dublin 2
Bar Rua is a modern take on the traditional Irish pub. Located in the heart of the city on Clarendon Street. The venue belongs to the Galway Bay Brewing Company and boasts a wide selection of Irish craft beers, an extensive cocktail menu, spirits, and wine list. Like many of the other group pubs Bar Rua is famed for its tasty food with everything from sandwiches and wraps to veggie burgers and fisherman pie.
Bar Rua is also deemed as one of the cities best live music venue with many of the trending acts dawning their stage. Bar Rua boasts a wonderful 2nd floor event space, simply made for private events and a spacious / heated terrace, perfect for those who enjoy alfresco dining. One of groups most diverse and popular pubs and seen by many as one of the best bars in Dublin.
Against The Grain
Location : 11 Wexford St, Dublin 2
Great pub located in the ever popular Camden Street area of Dublin and the Flagship pub for the Galway Bay Brewing Company. Against the Grain is not your typical bar to the area as their mantle is based around their amazing selection of Irish and world craft beers. The venue offers tasty fresh food, ranging from sandwiches & light bites to substantial meals.
Against the Grain takes particular pride in pairing their food offerings with their excellent variety of craft beers and ales. The venue is set out over 2 floors and boasts a host of great event spaces making it a popular choice for events celebrating all occasions. A great pub, full of character and a popular after work destination.
Lemon & Duke
Location : 1 Duke Ln, Upper, Dublin, Dublin 2
Fantastic modern bar located in the popular Grafton Street area of Dublin. The venue boasts the style and class of a Manhattan cocktail bar and the comfort and craic of an Irish pub, Lemon & Duke is a glimpse of New York City in the heart of Dublin. The premises is a bright and spacious bar, perfect for a morning coffee or weekend brunch, evolving seamlessly into a late night venue, perfect for dinner followed by drinks and dancing.
The kitchen uses fresh, local produce to create their menus that borrow heavily from both European and Asian cuisine. When it comes to drinks, Lemon & Duke offers something for everyone ranging from your classic draught and premium wines and spirits to non-alcoholic beers and craft cocktails. A trending venue and right now definitely one of the best bars in Dublin.
The Bank on College Green
Location : Dame Street, Dublin 2
Stunning building located on College Green in the heart of Dublin city. The interior, which was once the main banking hall, is a wonderful example of merchant power and patronage displaying an extraordinary ornate setting, stained glass ceiling, mosaic tiled floors and spectacular hand carved plaster work and cornicing.
The Bank on College Green serves a great selection of drinks and seasonal farm to table menus, while providing exceptional service in an upscale yet relaxed atmosphere. One of Dublin’s finest bars boasting a host of great event spaces suitable for all occasions.
Foley’s Bar
Location : No.1 Merrion Row, Dublin 2
Traditional Irish bar Located in the heart of Dublin City on the corner of Dublin Baggot Street Foley’s is famed as a great place for live music and buzzing atmosphere. The venue is set out over 3 floors boasting a host of wonderful event spaces perfect for all occasions.
Foley’s boasts hearty Irish food served up with a fine selection of beers, wine, spirits and the best of craft cocktails. A popular sports venue and a great choice for after work drinks.
The Stags Head
Location :1 Dame Ct, Dublin 2
Fantastic traditional Irish bar located just of Dame Lane, Dublin 2. A tavern has existed on this site since the 1780’s, this premises first attained great fame in the 1830’s as ‘John Bull’s Albion Hotel and Tavern. The Stags Head is deemed by many as one of the best preserved Victorian styled bars in the city. The pub boasts wrought-iron chandeliers, polished granite, old barrels and ceiling-high mirrors.
The venue is famed for its traditional Irish music sessions & Sunday Night Comedy Crunch. The Stags Head boasts a host of intimate event spaces, making it a great choice for events for all occasions. A popular option for after work parties, serving one of the best pints of porter in the city and yet another contender as on of the best bars in Dublin.
Bruxelles Bar Dublin
Location : 8 Harry Street, Dublin 2
Bruxelles Bar Dublin is a cosmopolitan bar which is located just a step away from Grafton Street, Dublin’s busiest shopping thoroughfare. The name “Bruxelles” was chosen to mark Ireland joining the European Economic Community (EEC). The venue is famed for its role in the birth of the Irish music scene. From Skid Row, to Thin Lizzy, this became their second home around the late 1960’s-early 1970’s.
Bruxelles boasts 3 bars under 1 roof – The Saloon, The Zodiac Bar & Flanders Bar – All 3 come with their own character and stories of Dublin past. The venue serves tasty pub grub and all the traditional beverages. A real institution and for historians & music lovers, one of the best bars in Dublin.
Rody Boland’s
Location : 12-14 Rathmines Rd Upper, Rathmines, Dublin 6
Rody Boland’s is a family owned traditional Irish Bar, located in the thriving Rathmines area of Dublin city. The venue is a firm favourite with the locals, famed for its warm and friendly welcome in old world surroundings. The venue is furnished in Victorian style with exposed wooden-beams, mahogany fixtures and countless booths, snugs & divides.
The bar serves tasty pub food and all the usual beverages, including a smashing pint of the black stuff. Rody’s is a popular haunt for it’s Irish music sessions and electric party atmosphere. A great spot, guaranteed to keep you entertained and one of the best pubs in Dublin.
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The Brazen Head
Location : Ushers Quay, Dublin 8
Located on Usher’s Quay, just minutes walk from O’ Connell Street and officially Ireland’s Oldest Pub dating back to 1198. Fantastic Gastro pub with a great pint of stout , serving hearty Irish cuisine 7 days a week. The venue boasts a host of great event spaces and a wonderful beer garden.
The Brazen Head is famed for it’s live music sessions and is one of the cities most popular haunts for tourists and private parties. If footfall were to determine ranking, then this one would have to be deemed as one of the best bars in Dublin.
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