There’s something about having a cold pint in Dublin. Whether the city is awash in matchday fanfare, bundled up in December snow, or enjoying a sunny summer day, there are Dublin pubs around every corner beckoning travelers to take a break. So many, in fact, that it can be hard to choose! We’ve put together our list of our 10 favorite traditional pubs in Dublin—some you might have heard of and some you’ll have to travel off the beaten path, but each offers unique Irish hospitality and a chance to soak up some history.

 

Join the likes of renown poet W.B. Yeats for a pint at Toner’s. This pub, originally an 1800’s grocery store, features original wooden booths and cozy old-school dividers at the bar. There’s also a lively outdoor patio where you might find live music or a lively crowd on match days. This spot consistently shows up on lists of top Dublin pubs, but luckily they accept reservations.

 

Established in 1696, the Norseman prides itself on being the oldest pub in the Temple Bar neighborhood—”even before it was Temple Bar as you know it,” they say. The Norseman has it all: a full tap, a rotating menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and even luxury accommodations above the pub. Enjoy live music here every night of the week, and then set off to explore the rest of Temple Bar!

 

You’ll find O’Donoghue’s just a quick walk from St. Stephen’s Green and the Little Museum of Dublin. Since the 1930’s, this has been one of the main pubs in Dublin for traditional Irish music and Irish folk music. In fact, The Dubliners started out playing shows at O’Donoghue’s and they still return from time to time! You can also book a double or triple room at O’Donoghue’s, meaning you’re never far from the music.

 

Aptly named, the red ceiling and ornate carpets of Dublin’s Long Hall can’t be missed. The Victorian atmosphere alone is worth checking out, especially because the decor has been untouched since 1881! This pub is known as a favorite for locals and tourists alike, and—rare in Dublin—bartenders come by to take your order at the table, if you’d like.

 

The list wouldn’t be complete without Dublin’s oldest and most widely-loved pub. Since 1198, names you know and love like James Joyce and Jonathan Swift have pulled up a stool at this pub in Dublin city. Indeed, this is a hotspot for tourism, but don’t get that confused with a tourist trap. Think of it more like a Dublin must-see—in a city known for fabulous pubs and pints, there’s got to be a reason this has been number one for…ever, just about.

 

Mother Reilly’s is located in the Rathmines neighborhood, on the outer edge of Dublin’s bustling center. This is the perfect spot for travelers who want to take a break from their busy sightseeing schedule and have a Guinness by the fireplace or a Bulmers on the heated garden patio. You can reserve a table at Mother Reilly’s but it’s not required. Either way, their robust lunch and dinner menu offers perfect fuel for whatever’s next on your itinerary.

 

You’ll find Fleet Street on the outskirts of Temple Bar, and on Fleet Street, you’ll find a collection of lovely Dublin pubs. Bowe’s is one of our favorites because it is a true step back in time as well as a pleasant reprieve from the buzz of Temple Bar. They’ve been named a Best Irish Whiskey Bar in previous years and also have a wide array of food options all day. We’d recommend making the quick walk over after a tour of Trinity College’s immaculate campus.

 

Pubs in Dublin aren’t the only special part of this city. While you’re in town, make sure to see a show at the Gaiety Theatre. Afterwards, have a pint at Neary’s! Powered by original gas lamps and cozy corner booths, this UNESCO City of Literature bar has been a mainstay for theatre lovers since the 1800’s. Neary’s prides themselves on being the perfect mixture of historical charm and modern appeal, not to mention being a favorite spot for local actors and theatre patrons alike.

 

This Dublin pub is as beautiful as it is rich in Irish history. The Oval is probably the most resilient pub in Dublin as it was badly damaged in the 1916 Rising, and then again in the Civil War of 1922. Even in the midst of national upheaval, The Oval has invited Dubliners to enjoy its checkerboard floors and grand staircase. If you’re stopping by from out of town, choose from three floors of seating inside or grab a table on the outdoor patio for a summertime pint, like patrons have been enjoying since The Oval was licensed in 1822!

 

If you’re wondering why the ceilings are so high here, it’s because they stood up corpses in the walls back when it was the Dublin City Morgue. At least, that’s what all the great storytellers would say. The aesthetic of McDaid’s also stems from when it served as a chapel in the 1800’s. If that’s not enough intriguing history for you, Irish poet Brendan Behan was a regular here. It’s said that he based many of his fictional characters off of the real-life ones he met in these pub stools.