The Best Pubs in County Dublin According to You
Dublin is a city built on conversation, and there’s no finer place for it than a proper pub. From centuries-old taverns with creaking wooden floors to snug little bars tucked down cobbled lanes, the capital’s pubs are the beating heart of Irish social life. Whether you’re a born-and-bred Dubliner or a visitor falling under the city’s spell, there’s a seat and a pint waiting for you somewhere in this great county.
🍺 Ireland’s Biggest Pub Poll 2026 — See the Results
The national pub poll has concluded, with 422 votes cast from every corner of Ireland. See how County Dublin’s pubs fared in the final rankings.
Nationally, the crown went to Dick Mack’s in Dingle, Co. Kerry — but Dublin put up a serious showing of its own. Here are the Dublin pubs that earned readers’ praise in the final count, and why every single one of them deserves it.
The Brazen Head, Bridge Street Lower, Dublin 8
Dating back to 1198, The Brazen Head lays a strong claim to being Ireland’s oldest pub — and it was one of Dublin’s strongest performers in the poll. Step inside and you’re walking on the same flagstones that have welcomed rebels, writers, and wanderers for centuries. The courtyard is a gem in summer, the traditional music sessions are the real deal, and every corner has a story worth hearing. If a pub can thrive for that long, it’s doing something very right indeed.
Mulligan’s, Poolbeg Street, Dublin 2
Mulligan’s traces its roots to 1782, though the Poolbeg Street pub you’ll find today has been pulling pints from this exact spot since 1854, and locals will tell you with absolute conviction that it serves the finest Guinness in Dublin — possibly in the world. This no-nonsense boozer has barely changed in decades, and that’s exactly the point. The dark wood interior, the hum of easy conversation, and the absence of televisions or gimmicks make it a pub in its purest form. John F. Kennedy is said to have called in for a drink here, and if it was good enough for him, it’s good enough for anyone.
The Stag’s Head, Dame Court, Dublin 2
Tucked away down a narrow lane off Dame Street, The Stag’s Head is one of Dublin’s great Victorian pubs and was another strong showing for the county in the poll. The stained glass, mahogany bar, and mosaic floor make it feel like stepping into another era entirely. It draws a wonderful mix of students, tourists, and seasoned regulars who all seem to get along famously. The toasted sandwiches are legendary, and the atmosphere on a busy evening is hard to beat anywhere in the capital.
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Kehoe’s, South Anne Street, Dublin 2
Kehoe’s is the kind of pub that makes you want to cancel your evening plans and stay for just one more. This beloved spot off Grafton Street has an old grocery-bar front that hints at its heritage, and it was well represented among Dublin’s poll entries. The downstairs snug is wonderfully intimate, and on fine days the crowd spills out onto the street with pints in hand. It’s a Dublin institution that never tries too hard — and that effortless charm is precisely what makes it so special.
McDaid’s, Harry Street, Dublin 2
McDaid’s is a pub steeped in literary history and another well-backed Dublin entry in the poll. Brendan Behan was a regular here, and the high ceilings of this former Moravian church give it a unique atmosphere you won’t find in many other Dublin pubs. It’s a small space that fills up quickly, creating a warm, buzzing energy that’s wonderfully infectious. If you love a pub with character and stories soaked into the walls, McDaid’s is calling your name.
The Palace Bar, Fleet Street, Dublin 2
The Palace Bar is a pub that rewards those who seek it out, and it earned its place among Dublin’s poll entries too. Located just off Westmoreland Street in the heart of Temple Bar, it somehow manages to feel like a well-kept secret. The panelled interior is gorgeous, the whiskey selection is superb, and journalists and writers have been propping up this bar for well over a century. It’s old Dublin at its most refined and welcoming.
The Long Hall, South Great George’s Street, Dublin 2
The Long Hall is a visual masterpiece — one of the most beautiful pub interiors in the entire country — and another Dublin pub that readers put forward in the poll. The ornate Victorian bar, the antique clocks, and the chandeliers overhead make every visit feel like an occasion. Despite its elegance, it’s wonderfully unpretentious, and the staff treat every customer like an old friend. It’s the sort of pub you bring visitors to when you want them to fall in love with Dublin.
Doheny & Nesbitt, Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 4
Doheny & Nesbitt also made the Dublin list, and its influence on Dublin life far outweighs any tally of votes. This is where politicians, journalists, and civil servants have been quietly shaping the nation over pints for generations — the term “Doheny & Nesbitt School of Economics” didn’t appear from nowhere. The partitioned snugs offer genuine privacy, and the atmosphere carries a lovely hum of serious chat mixed with good-natured craic. It’s a pub with real weight and warmth in equal measure.
The International Bar, Wicklow Street, Dublin 2
Also among Dublin’s poll entries, The International Bar has long been one of the city’s great creative gathering spots. The upstairs comedy and music venue has launched some of Ireland’s finest performers, and the ground-floor bar has the kind of easy, welcoming energy that makes strangers feel at home within minutes. It’s perfectly positioned just off Grafton Street, making it an ideal stop on any Dublin pub crawl. Don’t overlook this one — the regulars will be glad you found it.
Toner’s, Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2
Toner’s also featured in the Dublin lineup, and it’s one of only a handful of Dublin pubs that W.B. Yeats is known to have visited — reportedly the only pub he ever entered. The old wooden drawers behind the bar are a reminder of its origins as a grocery shop, and the beer garden out the back is one of the best-kept secrets on the Baggot Street mile. It’s an honest, unpretentious pub that lets its history and its pints do the talking. You’ll leave planning your next visit before you’ve even reached the door.
Grogan’s Castle Lounge, William Street South, Dublin 2
Grogan’s rounds out the Dublin entries, but ask any Dubliner who loves a proper pub and they’ll light up at the mention of the name. This is the unofficial headquarters of Dublin’s artistic and bohemian crowd, with paintings by local artists lining the walls and a cheese toastie that has achieved near-mythical status. There are no screens, no music, and no distractions — just good drink, good talk, and a proper pint in one of Dublin’s most cherished bohemian corners.
That’s County Dublin’s showing in Ireland’s biggest pub poll — twelve very different pubs, all beloved for their own reasons. Curious how the rest of the country fared, or want the full story behind some of these names? Check out the full 2026 results, or dig into the dark history behind the names of Ireland’s most famous pubs.
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