A wonderful time can be had in The Porterhouse in Central Dublin – this stalwart pub can be found in Nassau Street, close by the historic educational establishment of Trinity College. The venue itself has undergone transformations over the decades, with its bar reputed to be the longest in the whole of Dublin. At other times it has been a restaurant, before being acquired by the Porterhouse company who – true to form – returned it to heritage roots as a pub serving great Irish ales and spirits.
Regular live entertainments enliven the atmosphere nightly, as regulars and visitors alike flock back to converse and enjoy themselves in an atmosphere that is at once social, friendly and convivial. As well as the many real ales, there’s plenty of food on the menu too comprised of traditional pub fare with an Irish twist – local fresh caught fish and seafood, plus veggies from Dublin’s surrounding country farms. Those not too keen on the local beers and spirits will be pleased to hear that the bar staff are experienced ‘mixologists’ capable of whipping together a tasty cocktail with only the best ingredients.
Visiting Taylors Three Rock, you’ll be impressed by the hospitality and good cheer which permeates this large pub. It’s a lovely entertainment venue located close by the M50 just south of Dublin, with access by road to either the vibrant city centre or the tranquil countryside possible with ease. Frequent live – and lively – entertainments imbue this hearty place with atmosphere: Irish cabaret, live music, great comedy and more get underway during the hotel’s keynote Irish Nights, which are a prime reason to attend.
Popular with wedding receptions, hen and stag nights plus groups of people simply after a great time amid Dublin’s scenic outskirts, Taylors Three Rock is recognisable for its colossal, traditional thatched rooftop and whitewashed exterior walls. Patrons also enjoy the sing-along shows, plus the formidable selection of proper pub grub, from succulent Angus steaks to a delicious old-fashioned lamb casserole. Rather uniquely for an Irish pub, beer is placed in large pitchers suitable for sharing and plentiful pouring. Wines, spirits and other drinks are available too, with guests greatly enjoying the venue’s raucously sociable atmosphere in large numbers.
The Ferryman Townhouse boasts 18 guest bedrooms where guests can relax in an atmosphere of proper Irish tradition and great hospitality. Beneath the rooms on the ground floor is a lovely old fashioned bar which is itself a great draw and prime reason why rooms are so sought after. All these bedrooms are modern, spacious and impeccably clean with en suites, with WiFi and bathroom toiletries complimentary. Full Irish breakfasts, or a vegetarian equivalent, are included in all the advertised room rates.
Those who keep the Ferryman shipshape will gladly offer advice about making the most of Dublin and its multitude of sights and sounds. Finding your way back of an evening is a doddle – the hotel is located practically next to the instantly recognisable Samuel Beckett Bridge. If you fancy a nightcap or evening meal once back, the bar staff present will make you feel right at home – thereafter you can retire to a restful and comfortable night’s sleep.
When you go to Madigans O’Connell Street, you’ll find there’s much more to the place than just a superb location right next to Dublin’s most pivotal bridge. The traditional atmosphere is a sure winner with visitors and locals in Dublin alike, while the menu encompasses the entire pantheon of pub cuisine to have rightly gained favourite status over decades. Dark wood and booth seating compliment the immense selection of beers, wines and spirits at the faithfully preserved and very cosy bar.
The menu isn’t the poshest of affairs; however it’ll see you happy and sated – burgers, fish and chips, pulled pork and the venue’s ever-popular big meat grill form just part of the selection. Those more inclined to tradition will be pleased to witness Irish stew, while the signature Madigan’s Guinness cottage pie has more than a few takers rating it highly. Whether you stop for a quick drink, or stay for hours, you’ll find the staff capable and courteous, while lively, quintessentially Irish live entertainment of fiddles, vocals and guitars regularly feature too.
At O’Neill’s Bar and Restaurant in Dublin, outstanding food meets fantastic ambiance, while tradition meets modernity in a way that somehow just works. Not to be confused with the O’Neill’s pub chain, this venue offers delicious fresh oyster plates, and entire platters of snack bites, which are commonly shared by diners in the midst of conversational hubbub. While popular for its lunchtime sandwiches and wraps, evenings are when O’Neill’s really shines – waiting staff zip about the premises as real traditional live entertainment regales patrons, ferrying fish and chips, Irish steaks, bacon collars and turkey breasts to eager diners.
A common place for pub crawls to commence, O’Neill’s has accumulated a substantial level of renown for its great location just near Temple Bar. The drinks list is as encompassing as we’d expect, with Guinness ever-popular alongside other local ales and whiskies. Sporting fans meanwhile will enjoy taking in the latest game on the venue’s thirteen big screen TVs, while true tipple enthusiasts will love to peruse the bar’s ‘whisky corner’ which features fine spirits plus all kinds of memorabilia.
Visiting The Old Storehouse, you’ll experience the best in Irish hospitality, the place having becoming something of a Temple Bar institution over the years for deftly marrying up great food with a superb bar full of jollity and raucous entertainments. The lovely old brick building, adorned with flower baskets and cast iron lanterns, has an air of invitation. The interior meanwhile does justice to this first impression; everything from old bicycles to photographs to mementos of yesteryear grace the lovely traditional premises.
The menu too reflects how people have eaten round Dublin for generations; perennial favourites like Irish sirloin steak, potatoes and gravy, cottage pie and fresh seafood chowder are all offered. Lunches too are present, with sandwiches and wraps offered to those wanting a bite between activities. Perhaps most notably of all are the regular live entertainments; singers, fiddlers and accordionists. Downstairs in O’Flaherty’s bar they regale and impress with their impressive repertoire of Irish folk songs. Be sure to arrive early though – the place is known to fill up with anticipating crowds!
Those heading to The Porterhouse in Temple Bar to dine won’t regret it: in the heat of the action, this pub restaurant gives patrons the chance to soak up the great atmosphere characteristic of Dublin’s premier nightlife district. The bar opened over 20 years ago as the first ever pub in Ireland that was also a brewery – its launch attracted great attention, given that its beer was among the least travelled in the country. Drinkers and diners alike flocked to the Porterhouse, which as an ale brand been going strong ever since.
The menu is comprised of dishes purposely selected to pair nicely with a good pint. As such, we’ve juicy steaks chargrilled to utmost perfection, tasty cheeseboards and salmon fillets, plus succulent oysters in butter . Lighter options, like Caesar salads and baked chicken fillets, are also available. The service is impeccable, with staff passionate about the food and beers they themselves craft. The frequent live musical entertainments and commitment to traditional authenticity has made The Porterhouse in Temple Bar a great place to stop off for a drink or a meal.
The Brazen Head has a doughty accolade to its name: it is officially Ireland’s oldest pub, dating back to the end of the 12th century. Built from sturdy masoned stone, the interior plays up to its Medieval heritage while maintaining a warmth and modernity native to any good pub. As well as a cheerful interior, for the summers an attractively decorated beer garden courtyard keeps guests joyful under the sun. House favourites like beef & Guinness stew and the sizzling glazed loin of bacon accompany traditional favourites like bangers and mash.
Entertainment is frequent, with local guitarists and fiddlers often performing on weekends to imbue a real atmosphere of Irish hospitality, while storytelling evenings confer mystique and suspense as you enjoy your meal. The superb location a short ways up from Temple Bar near the Post Office on the River Liffey make this pub a great stop off during afternoons or evenings. Patrons rate The Brazen Head highly for its lovely, charming staff, its commitment to authenticity, and its menu’s all-round tastiness.
The Celt Pub works hard to keep traditional hospitality alive in central Dublin. Its walls are heavily adorned by pictures, tokens and memorabilia of Dublin and wider Eire’s past couple of centuries. Light lunches of sandwiches and full-on main courses like Irish stew are offered throughout the day, while entertainment in the form of folk music is a nightly event. The beautifully prepared pub fare, from scallops to burgers to fish and chips, settle and satiate patrons in the homely atmosphere ideal for craic.
The staff at The Celt have tons of experience in hospitality, keeping guests happy and relaxed throughout their time inside. A lively crowd, forever a mixture of local Dubliners and visitors, converse and enjoy the atmosphere. Whether you want to stay for long or just pop in for a quick Guinness, the Celt’s location a quick stroll north of the Liffey means you’re able to carry on with your Dublin sojourns with ease. Small wonder that feedback about the venue consists of high praise and appreciation.
Bad Bobs combines traditional pub surrounds with consistent culinary ability and a snazzy, colourfully lit bar – it’s a devilishly brilliant combination that keeps thousands coming back year after year. Proving that traditional pub cuisine needn’t be a constraint on cooking excellence, Bad Bobs offers diners excellence in sandwiches, burgers, chips and a whole load of delectable side orders. The versatility of Guinness as an accompaniment is truer here than ever, although the skilful bar staff have more than a passing experience mixing the finest cocktails!
Situated right in the midst of the Temple Bar area, Bad Bobs is a great choice for a meal or as a stop during a Dublin pub crawl. The drinks selection and courteous, accommodating bar and serving staff make visiting there an experience not to be missed. The premises are spacious with plenty of seating, and entertainments from live music to cocktail tutoring are regular draws. Summertime is blissful too, with the venue’s very own roof terrace admitting sunlight right into the joyous evening.
