The 15 best pubs in Dublin for 2025

You’d be hard-pressed to find a Dubliner who hasn’t got a soft spot for the 250-year-old Long Hall. With its red leather bar stools, glossy wooden bar and retro clocks, walking into this ancient pub feels like walking back in time. They serve a cracking pint of Guinness but aren’t afraid to branch out with lesser-known ales.

They take people watching to the next level in Grogan’s – walk past the outdoor seating when it’s busy, and you’ll probably notice the locals doing a full body scan as you pass by. Heaving on sunny days but a lovely space inside, this is the pub to go to if you want to get chatting and catch up on any city gossip. And while it’s very rare for Dublin pubs to serve food, here you can get a basic but locally beloved cheese toastie, served on white bread with a jar of mustard alongside.  

Out in Glasnevin, the time-worn pub known as the Gravediggers is, funnily enough, right by the cemetery – it even shares a wall with the graveyard. The story goes the gravediggers themselves used to knock on the wall three times with a brick, and a pint would be passed through the railings. It’s a great pit stop after a visit to the Glasnevin Cemetery and Botanical Gardens, and you can even try a dish of coddle, the classic Dublin stew.

Even at its busiest, The Swan feels like a calm enough pub. But it’s at its best on a quiet weekday night when you can nab one of the tables by the fire and keep yourself toasty with a pint. Even better – nip a few doors down to Dublin Pizza Company, and you can bring a pizza back. If it’s a nice day, the tables outside make for a handy little suntrap.

Wander down Capel Street, one of the city’s most happening strips, and you could easily miss the doorway to McNeill’s. This slim little pub is much bigger than it looks and comes complete with a handful of on-the-go fireplaces and plenty of cosy nooks ripe for dates. This is the ideal spot for a drizzly day – so bring the paper and hideaway for a couple of hours. You won’t regret it.

Walking down Grafton Street, it can seem like you’re surrounded by high-street shops and brands. But amble down a side street, and you’ll find Neary’s, a charming pub that offers a reprieve from the bargain-hungry masses. Its location at the back of the Gaiety Theatre means it’s a favourite among thesps.

The vast majority of pubs in Temple Bar are hideous tourist traps, where the price of your pint sneakily rises throughout the night (seriously), and the speakers blast non-stop Ed Sheeran. But there’s one exception. Right at the top of Fleet Street, you’ll find the Palace Bar, a charming boozer that’s been going since 1823. There are gorgeous stained-glass windows and a fabulous snug, and they even serve their own whiskey.

The snug in Toners is one of the capital’s best and was rumoured to be the only place W.B. Yeats would have a drink. It’s always abuzz with the after-work crowd, and they have an expansive beer garden (a rarity in Dublin) where they screen big sports fixtures. There’s a good beer selection and a handful of excellent whiskeys.

A neighbourhood favourite in the Chi-Chi village of Ranelagh, The Hill fits the bill for multiple occasions – watching a rugby match, catching up with friends or soaking up the sun (whenever you see it) on their outdoor stools. They do decent wines by the glass, and the fact that it’s dog friendly means there are always a few friendly pooches underfoot. And if you want a bit of privacy, the self-enclosed snug by the entrance is the place to be. 

There’s something oddly charming about a grumpy landlord, isn’t there? Well, at Mulligan’s, you mightn’t get service with a smile, but you will be sure of a perfect pint of Guinness. You can prop yourself up at the bar and watch the world go by or snuggle up with a book in a hidden corner.