Latest reviews from Dublin
| 64 /100 Johnnie Fox’s (Bar) GLENCULLEN “Probably the most touristic pub in Ireland after Temple Bar. Located in the hills south of Dublin, I called in during a long bike ride in -10 temperatures so the sight of their roaring fire and a free table next to it was a lovely sight. Plenty of character to this place, lots of strange-looking ornaments, posters, statues all over the walls and corners of the rooms. If you want to eat, you have to sit in the restaurant, otherwise the bar and other rooms round the side are reserved for drinking. I sense that big groups are bussed in from Dublin hotels and youth hostels for an authentic Irish experience, and no doubt they leave satisfied, but this quiet midday afternoon it was just a few other cyclists and couples.
I ordered half a crap sweet cider supposedly made by Guinness, and a surprisingly large pot of tea. Got 3 mugs out of it, could've easily got another 2. A box-tick pub I suppose, but a worthy one.“ |
| 64 /100 1 AMIENS STREET “Had an hour to kill before my ferry crossing (by bike) and this seemed to be the only craft place open at 12 midday, everyone else opting for a 4:30pm opening. I got there just after 12 and was the only person there for the entire hour. As I'd done a hefty bike ride through the mountains the day before I bought an Irish beef chili to accompany a Galway Bay Irish red. Very nice it was, decent amount too.
Mostly Galway Bay & Bru on tap with maybe a couple of other breweries such as White Hag. A number of beers I wanted were off, but all the pump clips still on show. Small selection of cans in a fridge. Seems a little rough around the edges this place with brewery stickers scattered about on overly re-painted walls.. seems like it has quite an atmosphere during busy periods.
Only criticism was when I asked the bar staff (I'm guessing the same girls mentioned by Marduk below) if they served thirds. On affirming they did I asked for two beers, a third of each, and received 2 x two-third measures. I pointed out that I asked for a third of each beer, and utter confusion ensued. End result seems to be that they do not serve third measures.
Ok place, conveniently located not far from the ferry, but would search out others next time.“ |
| 88 /100 Craft Central (Beer Store) 38 STEPHEN STREET LOWER “Really great place with an incredible range of specialist beer from all over. As Mr Ships points out below, this is essentially a convenience store in the centre of Dublin, certainly from the outside and on entering this is all it seems, going by the name of Stephen St News, with a range of snacks, drinks, sandwiches and cigarettes right by the entrance.
However, the store is split and you go through a kind of security flap to the beer section. Unfortunately I didn't have time to have a look, as I'd placed an order for collection from their website, but I could see lots of tall fridges and insane amounts of cans. Much much more than you expect that's for sure.
If it's Irish beer you seek, then all the current upstarts and movers & shakers are here. I bagged a couple of new regions. Prices seemed very reasonable too.“ |
| 64 /100 1 PARLIAMENT ST, TEMPLE BAR “Crowded in the evening. Quite quiet on Sunday afternoon. Not all beers available on tap as shown. Some interesting brews. Staff doesn't know a lot about the beers. (12-2023).“ |
| 78 /100 2 SUFFOLK STREET “Lovely pub, not too big but you can get lost in it. Interesting beers on tap including European brews. (17-12-2023).“ |
| 66 /100 Norseman 1696 (Bar) 28E ESSEX STREET “Fine pub, enough beers on tap, crowded but good atmosphere. (12-2023).“ |
| 76 /100 Bull and Castle (Bar) 5-7 LORD EDWARD STREET CHRISTCHURCH “Fine place for drinking and eating. Some interesting beers on cask. Good service, rather quick.“ |
| 66 /100 The Temple Bar (Bar) DUBLIN 2, 47/48 TEMPLE BAR “Very crowded. Very touristic. Pity. Regular brews on tap. (12-2023).“ |
| 66 /100 1-2 BURGH QUAY “Crowded, loud, beautiful Irish pub. Beer selection not so outstanding. You can enjoy when being there, but not for beertasting. (12-2023).“ |
| 86 /100 16-18 PARLIAMENT STREET “Visited on a fridaynight. Fantastic place, enough choice of beers, both Irish and European. Didn't have everything on the beer menu on stock, pity. Do visit when in Dublin. (12-2023).“ |
| 68 /100 Slattery’s Bar (Bar) 129 CAPEL ST “Was recommended that place by barman in Underdog. Good looking old interior. Watched footy match here, Luton vs Liverpool. Pub was definitely cheering for Liverpool.
Food, Sunday special roast beef, was quite a chunk, but traditionally tasteless. Beers were basically macros. But ambiance was nice.
Service was bit slacky.“ |
| 70 /100 16-18 PARLIAMENT STREET “Full on Sunday evening as expected. But service was quick. I managed to squeeze myself somewhere. Had my beer and left. Quite touristy.“ |
| 76 /100 61 CAPEL STREET “Looks like this is some Mexican or spanish themed bar. Flag of Mexico on the wall, but couldn't find any Mexican beers.
They do flights. Selection pretty much the same like in Against the Grain, but with variations. Very friendly service and staff quite knowledgeable about beer.
They had some gaming Sunday here or something like that. At least 6-7 tables were playing some sort of board games.
Worth a visit when around this area.“ |
| 74 /100 Underdog (Bar) 199 KING ST N, ROTUNDA “Some walk from the center. Quite cold and bleak, but with very good beer selection. Different kind of beer selection. Which was refreshing.
Barman/owner was a nice fellow, had a chat with him.
Worth a visit place.“ |
| 50 /100 O’Donoghue’s Bar (Bar) 15 MERRION ROW “Absolutely packed on Saturday evening. I had my drink and buggered off 'cause hot, sweat and pretty much nothing interesting on taps. If you want the feel yeah you might get one here, but it was too much for me. Plus didn't feel at home here.
But it was on my way to hotel so, done.“ |
| 70 /100 1-2 BURGH QUAY “Old style looking bar/brewery in the very center of Dublin. Classic irish interior.
Quite fast service. Had Irish beef stew here which was delicious, but pricy.
Their beers were ok. Quite packed on Saturday evening as you might expect.“ |
| 62 /100 Tapped Dublin (Bar) 47 NASSAU ST “It's a large place and absolutely buzzing on Saturday evening. There is also football on tv so quite a few fans have turned up to support their teams. Good line of taps, macros and micros hand in hand.
Loud place, everything is turned on to max volume.
Worth a visit if you are in area.“ |
| 70 /100 The Silver Penny (JDW) (Bar) 12A ABBEY STREET LOWER, NORTH CITY, DUBLIN 1 “Large place. Stylish too, probably built in some old bank or post office.
They just had finished two of the casks I was interested in, but after a short chat with barman he managed to squeeze out a full pint of Nethergate Old Growler for me! I asked for 1/3 one. Ohh well now I know what killed me. Recommended place to visit.“ |
| 42 /100 1 AMIENS STREET “Are the haydays over for this place or I'm sober? What a disappointment it was. Some taps weren't on. Staff completely ignored me. Staff were some Brazilian teens and loud. I understand that you like humming your favorite tunes, but do it alone and not all over the bar you stupid ********.
Chilli fries were worst I ever had so far.
Quaffed my beers and left. Prolly ain't coming back.“ |
| 50 /100 Urban Brewing (Bar) CUSTOM HOUSE QUAY “5 years later from Travelers review and the maintenance is still going on in dock. Soon there will be forest.
Modern and expensive place. Flight of four 15 euros! Amount of taps has shrunk to half and not all are on. So extremely friendly service that at some point barman splashed some squirt all over me. It was water from washing the glasses :(
Easily skippable place.“ |
| 70 /100 THE KEYSTONE CAPITAL DOCK RESIDENCE 2 GREEN ST “It's quite out of the center, but I took the nice long walk via the banks of canal in the south and enjoyed every step of it. Lovely Irish autumn weather.
Location wise I think it's one of the most beautiful BrewDog locations I've ever been. Bland concrete inside and boring, but view to the docks is beautiful.
Here stops my continuous dogmail tradition 'cause they are out of postcards. Shame. Sorry mates, not my fault.
Despite being outside if central well worth a walk.“ |
| 34 /100 ST JAMES’S GATE “Must be one of the touristy brewery I've ever been. Hell not even brewery a place! I decided to hit quite early and it was already buzzing. To pay for entrance is absolutely max cunty thing to do, especially if it's not random fiver, but 30 euros. Have sympathy to those who want to taste your experimental series and don't give a rats ass to your commercialized heritage! And if you are here just for a pint in the brewery it's gonna be your most expensive one. Avoid.“ |
| 62 /100 Keavan's Port (JDW) (Bar) 5 CAMDEN STREET UPPER, SAINT KEVIN'S “Absolutely full on Friday evening. Beers quite boring, nothing really new compared to others in chain. But if you are in this part of the town, easy to pop in for quick morning drink. For late night bit I recommend Zaytoon across the street. Best lamb shish I have ever had.“ |
| 76 /100 11 WEXFORD ST “Buzzing place on Friday evening. Absolutely buzzing. Good service keeping flights flowing in front of my nose in that chaos.
Very good range of Galway Bay beers and some other local micros too. Not all taps were on, but still more you can handle alone.
Must visit place.“ |
| 70 /100 P.Mac’s (Bar) 28/30 LOWER STEPHEN’S ST “Looks like youngsters gathering place after long week at school. But place with good selection of beers and friendly service.
Worth a visit.“ |
| 66 /100 Bull and Castle (Bar) 5-7 LORD EDWARD STREET CHRISTCHURCH “Place with restaurant prices. Friendly service thou. Very little interesting on taps if you been around in country for several days.
Chicken wings were coated in malt vinegar so bit weird to me.
Easily skippable place.“ |
| 60 /100 Fidelity Bar (Bar) 79 QUEEN ST, SMITHFIELD “Now I'm sitting here under that custom built speaker and damn it's annoying. Not my type of music, and it's freaking loud.
Prices are crazy. They do halves but only if it's sold in pints and nothing in the menu has pint size marked down.
Tried to order guests, but none was on.
It's a strange place to rate. If they'd do flights I wouldn't mind. But in current situation not worth to visit unless you stay nearby (like I do?)
On top of everything, at some point they brought all empty glasses from all over the bar in front of me. The stench was unbearable. Beer bar my arse.“ |
| 86 /100 16-18 PARLIAMENT STREET “very fun place. live music twice a day. plenty of their own beers and a few others as well. food is good if a bit pricey. great atmosphere. returned at the end of the trip again. great time.“ |
| 88 /100 O’Donoghue’s Bar (Bar) 15 MERRION ROW “Visited with wife in August 2023. Perfect little Irish pub - several rooms, a covered alleyway. Fun place for a pint!“ |
| 100 /100 ST JAMES’S GATE “5 stars. Can't imagine a better overall place - there's a reason it is the #1 tourist attraction in all of Ireland. Incredible“ |
| 74 /100 1 AMIENS STREET “Nahe am Kanal. Proppe voller Laden. Viele Galway Bay Biere, gute Musik, viel Brit Pop und Rock. Passt.“ |
| 76 /100 Gallagher's Boxty House (Restaurant) 20-21 TEMPLE BAR “Direkt auf der Temple Bar. Es gibt 4 eigene Biere, alle im Flisght. Sehr leckeres irisches Essen. Nicht zu günstig. Dennoch, es lohnt sich.“ |
| 50 /100 Marqette (Bar) THE LOOP, TERMINAL 1 (AIRSIDE), DUBLIN AIRPORT “Lots of brick, artificial looking but not bad, they do some food, beer looked mostly like macro’s, didn’t inspect too much and had a Guinness before flying out.“ |
| 76 /100 Oval (Bar) 78 MIDDLE ABBEY STREET “Klassischer Pub in der Innenstadt mit den üblichen Verdächtigen am Hahn + 2 Biere von Dundalk, für die sich ein Besuch lohnt.“ |
| 78 /100 1-2 BURGH QUAY “Brewpub in der Innenstadt. 3 eigene Biere, der Rest eher uninteressant. Keine Flights, nur Halfpints. Gutes Essen. Kann man hingehen.“ |
| 82 /100 16-18 PARLIAMENT STREET “Schöner Brewpub direkt auf der Temple Bar. Ca 10 eigene taps, dazu nochmal ca 10 guest beer und seasonals. Schönes Ambiente, bei uns mit Musikern die spontan gespielt gaben. Essen ist auch lecker, also nichts wie hin!“ |
| 96 /100 The Big Romance (Bar) 98 PARNELL ST “What an incredible bar. Polished wood and boots, 1930s look, green leather, LP’s everywhere, round tables, ribbled glass and cyberpunk red ceiling, custom sound installation and staff playing LPs all the time, not the obvious ones, late DJ Shadow (bad but I respect them for putting it on), very early Depeche Mode, record cover upfront behind wood to show what is playing is a brilliant move. Loads of Whiplash beers, bit steep in price with some beers coming in 400 m. / 300 ml. / 200 ml. but their standards are okay priced and great as well, tried two coctails one was really good, other one solid, espresso martini on tap, really deep Japanse whisky collection, tried Kilchoman Sanaig which was really tasty, incredible all of it really, truly a sight to behold. Sadly no pizzas when we visited from next door which include vegan option, good service, special bar, doing something really memorable, sound installation being this astonishingly good is so much.“ |
| 92 /100 Craft Central (Beer Store) 38 STEPHEN STREET LOWER “The name on the Building is Stephen St. News but website and google maps has it down as Craft Central. It is a bodega / corner store or however you want to call it with snacks, soft drinks, water and vaping liquids in the first half. Alcohol section is the real deal, crazy even, totally jamp packed with cans, Kinnegard, Wicklow Wolf, Whiplash, Irish breweries in cans, all the cans I didn’t even see elsewhere, Amudsen, Mikkeller, Arpus, BA USA Stouts, Sierra Nevada, BrewDog, Larkin, White Hag, Hopefully, Eight Degrees,… Everything is chilled and ready to drink and great prices on top as well. What more could you want from a bodega, I was really happy with the ones I picked up.“ |
| 66 /100 1 PARLIAMENT ST, TEMPLE BAR “Temple bar area Galway bar. Atmosphere is similar to the rest of the area, young tourists, drunk tourist, tourist ready to party but reasonably relaxing still given all of that, music was YMCA by the Village People at some point. Food, beer selection (quite some taps) are obviously still the same as the other location, Guinness, Galway Bay, Weihenstephaner, beer selection probably best of the area but the area in general isn’t really my vibe. I am just too old really and boring. Friendly service with positive vibe.“ |
| 84 /100 61 CAPEL STREET “My favorite of the Galway Bar which we visited. Spacious, relaxing, bit worn wood, windows all around and some seats outside. Cask beer even, only one when visited, more is possible, cask beer was great. They also do comedy nights here. Galway Bay & Brú expected beers on tap as well as Weihnstephaner and Prossecco on tap also a Mikkeller beer, Verdant, Duvel 6.66 % so eclectic with some duds but some good ones as well. Same menu as the other locations, we tried the cauliflower winds which were not bad. Felt just like a relaxing place to sit.“ |
| 60 /100 Urban Brewing (Bar) CUSTOM HOUSE QUAY “Located behind the EPIC museum. Large, covered terrace, modern, upscale, glass and iron, bright blue, gorgeous tables. Firstly a restaurant and everything else second. Everyone was eating and being there just for drinks felt awkward. We weren’t even handed a beer menu, food and large wine menu etc. Table was set for eating, definetly wrong expectations here on our end but they made zero issue and were curious about our opinion of the beers. Two tasting sets available, theirs and O’Hara’s for some reason? Steep as well 15 euro for 4 samples. Modern styles, mango beer, IPA, Haze etc. Server wasn’t too familiar with them. Beers had some odd flavours, fizzy, not too great, wasn’t won over. Worth if for lunch or dinner maybe? Menu had only one thing labeled vegan which was a small salad, hate it when places do that, better not to label anything at all rather than this nonsense.“ |
| 90 /100 Fidelity Bar (Bar) 79 QUEEN ST, SMITHFIELD “Recently built and brand-new bar from Whiplash on which they clearly spend a fortune. The first thing that you notice is the sound system which is custom built, looks amazing and sounds incredible. So much so you almost want silence in the bar. Maybe the best sound system I have run across like that. Sounds perfect no mater where you stand in the bar, ceiling is also adapted. Visited twice, second time a DJ was gearing up, first quitter visit, it was wonderful, played Kendrick Lamar, Herbie Hancock and Mos Def amongst other. Second thing is the interior almost 1930s, gorgeous wood and green leather and that tap installation, crazy really. It isn’t perfect, toilets don’t flush properly, I hope they keep up this standard and improve but there is so much done so impressively. 14 taps Whiplash who make lovely beer, only the pilsner wasn’t that impressive. Prices are tad high tough with many beers coming in 400 ml. / 300 ml. / 200 ml. even at pint prices. Also 6 taps of wine, classical wine it seemed from France etc. Didn’t try any and guests from Garage and Crooked Stave. Friendly service, revisited just for that sound installation, not cheap but really astonishing work. Also a regular walked in when we were there and he brought his parrot with him which is just cool. Essential visit if you like music, beer is a bonus.“ |
| 84 /100 1 AMIENS STREET “Looks way too dark when you look at it from the outside but it is actually quite well lit in reality which is great. Looks a bit rundown and our table was dirty but fair enough. Walls have Victorian era decoration with funny added slogans, it worked. Has a bit of charm to it. Located to the main bus station this was also our first stop. Obviously lots of to be expected Brú and Galway Bay beers, Veltins for whatever reason and Delirium Tremens but also a few surprises from Cigar City and Thornbridge. Ostara on Nitro is the quintessential Irish Dry Stout for me personally. Definitely a nice location.“ |
| 64 /100 Stag’s Head (Bar) 1 DAME COURT “Visited shortly after opening time and exclusively for the interior, located in the touristic center. Everyone in there seemed to be an American tourist. Best too visit when not packed, Victorian Interior and stag’s head decorations are a beauty, chandeliers, windows, everything is gorgeous. They do traditional food including oysters when in season. Touristic but done really well, friendly service. Only shame is that the tap list is all macro, so had a Guinness where they actually follow the full pouring ritual which is lovely. Bit pricey.“ |
| 80 /100 11 WEXFORD ST “The original Galway Bay bar in Dublin but not my favorite which was The Black Sheep. This bar goes surprisingly deep and it was a bit too dark, very sunny day, it was quite dark inside. They had a television on which played bits of shitty 1950s – 1960s B-movies with no sound almost seemingly colors wrong, interesting for sure. 10 taps only which is less than expected, usual Galway Bay, Brú and a Lervig which I saw also at a different Galway Bay bar and Chouffe for whatever reason? Fridge with the to be expected cans. Walls lines with beer memorabilia, could use tad more character, felt slightly staged, music. Good bar for sure but might have had bit of a Galway Bay Bar exhaustion going on.“ |
| 60 /100 1-2 BURGH QUAY “Recently renovated, close to the water, close to the touristic center, massive bar catering to massive amounts of people. Three stories, huge Victorian, dark wood, lamps, high ceilings, shinny wood everywhere, televisions, impressive despite low tourist trap feeling. Taps on first and second floor, maybe also third, only first one was manned but place was far from full, only lowest floor had their own beers on tap. Besides their own beers the tap selection is bit worthless, 3 taps of Guinness, 2 taps of Heineken, etc. The interior is cool, they had 3 of their beers on tap, Pale Ale, Irish Red and Dry Stout, tried the first two, drinkable, nothing wrong with them but utterly uninteresting as well. Not worth it for the beer, not sure if the venue is worth it for the interior, there are other places but interesting for sure, nothing essential but wouldn’t advice against it either or not heavily at least.“ |
| 54 /100 THE KEYSTONE CAPITAL DOCK RESIDENCE 2 GREEN ST “I have heard a lot of great things about this place with even people who aren’t big on BrewDog loving it. Sadly, I found my experience to be largely just exhausting. Firstly, it is quite a way from the city center with nothing interesting around it which made our first effort all the more painful. It turned out to be closed for a private event, opening 4 hours later than normally. We checked their website, FB, Instagram and Twitter before going here and none of them mentioned them opening 4 hours later. We came back at 21.00. On Wednesday they have unlimited wins which we wanted to try earlier in the day with no success, the kitchen being open only for one more hour we weren’t sure if it was worth the effort. Honnestly, we tried avoiding this and the crowds by coming the first time much, much earlier in the day. We tried first ordering using the QR on the table, bad wifi reception etc. Order at the bar which had people complaining about their food orders using the QR weren’t happening, dodged that bullet. I asked given the time whether doing the wings was worth and was told yes, I was asked if it was for 2 people, I said yes. Got no ticket or proof, okay, got only one plate odd. Asked for a refill, bartender had no idea who I was, no proof, luckily tracked down the first one and got it. Second attempt turns out I was charged only for one person, got a whole deal about me abusing the system, paid second one, needed conviction after paying to get an order. Order beer at first bar tender, who was not aware of me seemingly abusing anything. Everyone was polite and professional but I couldn’t shake the feeling that a bar with this many customers requires a good system, keeping track of who got what, tickets, working QR system and communication if you decide closing beyond a printed paper on the door. It was just exhausting, added by the building not absorbing any sound and everyone around being drunk and loud, it was just an onslaught of sound. They had 4 of their own beers on tap, got their IPA which was sweet to the point of me wondering what happened? Beers are expensive as usual for BrewDog, far too much so, tap list is largely theirs, most of it didn’t seem that exciting. Some guests like Vault and Whiplash, Honnestly at that point with the price point, exhaustion, I didn’t bother too much. Venue itself is gorgeous and has a great overview of the river if you pick the right spot. Walked out exhausted, having eventually eaten too many Temple of Seitan wings and quite done with it. Minor note the amount of sauce they put on the wings made them slightly close to hard to eat.“ |
| 74 /100 1-2 BURGH QUAY “Renovated end of 2022, now named J.R. Mahon's.
Dark interiour, 3 housebeers (Sweetman on RB but also changed names to J.R. Mahon). Red ale was nice.
Friebdly service, prices... ah well Dublin isnt cheap... decent place in the middle of the centre.“ |
