The best traditional pubs in Dublin
The top 3 according to 436 votes from people: The Brazen Head · The Long Hall · Kehoe's. (Updated Dec 26, 2025.)
Old bars with history, a proper pint of Guinness and trad music sessions, as picked by Irish pub guides and locals.
Top 10
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1
The Brazen Head
Claims to be Ireland's oldest pub, on a site with a licence dating to 1198.
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2
The Long Hall
South Great George's Street pub with a deep-red Victorian interior largely unchanged since 1881.
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3
Kehoe's
Former grocery pub on South Anne Street with snugs and original fittings.
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4
The Cobblestone
Smithfield pub with the city's most respected nightly traditional music sessions.
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5
The Stag's Head
1895 Victorian pub off Dame Street with stained glass and mahogany.
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6
O'Donoghue's
Merrion Row pub where The Dubliners began playing in the 1960s.
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7
The Palace Bar
Fleet Street pub from 1823 with a literary back room and a whiskey bar upstairs.
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8
Toners
Baggot Street pub since 1734, with its old grocery drawers behind the bar.
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9
John Kavanagh (The Gravediggers)
Family-run since 1833 beside Glasnevin Cemetery, known for one of the best pints in Dublin.
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10
Mulligan's of Poolbeg Street
Pub since 1782, a favourite of journalists and of James Joyce.
Candidates
They don't make it into the top 10… yet. Vote for them to move them up.
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11
Doheny & Nesbitt
Victorian pub on Lower Baggot Street, a haunt of politicians and economists.
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12
L. Mulligan Grocer
Stoneybatter pub in a former grocery, with craft beer and an excellent restaurant at the back.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
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Comments (3)
The Long Hall is gorgeous inside, the Victorian bar is stunning
Gravediggers next to Glasnevin, coddle and a pint, proper Dublin
Kehoe's on South Anne Street, best pint of Guinness in Dublin and I'll die on that hill.