One of the main tourist draws to Dublin is the incredible pub culture – but where can you find the really authentic pubs?
There is no better feeling than settling into a snug with a round of freshly-poured pints and listening to live music and chat.
It’s no surprise, then, that many of the better-known pubs in the city are choc-full of tourists. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course, but sometimes you’re in the mood for something a little quieter.
With that in mind, here are the top ten zero-tourist pubs in Dublin.
10. Mulligan’s – a pub steeped in history
You get the impression that a lot of tourists walk past this Dublin institution without giving it a second glance. They don’t know what they’re missing.
Originally a shebeen, it has been legally serving booze to hardworking, thirsty locals since 1782.
A pub featured in both My Left Foot and James Joyce’s Dubliners, Mulligan’s has long been part of the cultural fabric of Dublin
Address: 8 Poolbeg St, Dublin 2, DO2TK71
9. J. O’Connell’s – real Dublin nightlife
A quiet, traditional pub by day, O’Connell’s turns absolutely raucous by night. A stone’s throw from the Grand Canal it is frequented mainly by college kids and young professionals.
It is a great place to start your night, before strolling into the city centre.
Address: 29 Richmond St S, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin 2, D02 WV30
8. The Waterloo House – have a drink with a literary ghost
Slightly beyond where most tourists tend to congregate, The Waterloo is a busy local pub with a serious literary pedigree.
Central to an area of Dublin Patrick Kavanagh immortalised as ‘Baggotonia’, Waterloo House was one of the poet’s favoured pubs.
Not only that, but it is in this very pub where Brendan Behan enjoyed a final drink before his death in 1964.
Address: 36 Baggot Street Upper, Dublin 4, D04 R6Y6
7. The Swan Bar – Victorian splendour
One of the most beautifully preserved Victorian pubs in Dublin, The Swan Bar feels like a hidden gem in plain sight, despite being exactly the type of pub tourists love.
Whether you are meeting friends to watch a match, or just fancy a quiet pint and a spot of people-watching, The Swan is definitely one to check out.
Address: 58 York St, Dublin, D02 RW67
6. Slattery’s – ramshackle charm
Slattery’s sits at the top end at Rathmines, far from the usual tourist footfall, but still within walking distance of the city centre. A cosy traditional pub, its charm lies in the uneven, wonky floors and low-ceilinged nooks and crannies.
If you’re on your way into town, or have just been to the cinema nearby, this is the ideal pub to sit and have a chat.
Address: 217 Rathmines Rd Lower, Rathmines, Dublin 6, D06 XE36
5. Fallon’s – also known as “The Capstan Bar”
Despite being located so close to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Fallon’s remains curiously tourist-free. Set back from the main road it is perhaps just far enough out of the way to cause tourists to overlook it.
Whatever the reason, it always seems to be packed with locals filling the tiny space with lively conversation and laughter.
Address: 129 The Coombe, The Liberties, Dublin 8, D08 NP52
4. The Wind Jammer – one of the last early houses
Early houses are not as popular as they used to be. Operating under special licenses since 1927, these pubs were allowed open at 7 am to serve factory shift workers, fishermen and market traders.
There are now only 11 early house pubs left in Dublin, and The WInd Jammer is one of them. An old school lounge with friendly bar staff and not a tourist in sight.
Address: 111 Townsend St, Dublin 2, D02 TX96
3. The Stone Boat – a family friendly neighbourhood pub
The only way a tourist would find themselves in The Stone Boat is if they became seriously lost and wandered in looking for directions. If this scenario were to happen, however, said tourist would find themselves in an unexpectedly charming pub.
A family pub with an emphasis on food during the day, it is typical of the neighbourhood pubs that sprang up with new housing developments in the second half of the 20th century.
Address: 35-37 Sundrive Rd, Kimmage, Dublin, D12 PE83
2. Tommy O’Gara’s – afternoon delight
There are plenty of trendy watering holes in Stoneybatter. You’d expect nothing less from an area hailed by Time Out as one of the coolest neighborhood’s in the world. Bucking the local hipster trend, Tommy O’Gara’s keeps things simple.
A lovely traditional lounge (becoming warm and beautiful when the afternoon sun shines through the stained-glass windows), it is the perfect place for a no-fuss pint and toastie.
Address: 19 Stoneybatter, Dublin 7, D07 C8KD
1. The Harold House – Dublin’s finest
Don’t be put off by the mildly intimidating exterior – this is one of the best pubs in Dublin. Reasonably priced pints, friendly locals and a cosy feel – it has everything you would want from a Dublin pub.
But what sets The Harold House apart is a very particular sense of unpredictability that comes with each visit. You might get swept up in a game of rock and roll bingo, or walk into a wild karaoke night where everyone gets involved.
One thing is certain, though, the chances of bumping into a tourist are slim.
Address: 34-35, Clanbrassil Street Upper, Portobello, Dublin, D08 FY00
