Where everybody knows your name… or not, whatever you’re into.
Finding the perfect local pub is a bit like finding a partner. You’ll create shared memories together, you’ll be at your most vulnerable there and if you ever break-up it will be really awkward for your mutual friends.
When it comes to the perfect pub, different people like different things. One person’s Cheers is another ‘cheers, but no thanks.’
It’s been a tough choice, but here are the decisions from all of us JOEs.
Paul Moore – Doyles, College Green
In a rather ironic twist, this was my college bar and I’d wager that I spent more time here than in my actual college. Totally worth it!
Doyles is everything that you would want in a bar because the atmosphere is always friendly – tourists, students, locals and everyone else under the sun drops in – which means that there’s always an energy and buzz about the place.
Doyles has always been extremely comfortable in knowing what it is, cool without ever pandering to the hipster craze which as Zoolander might say is so hot right now, but it nails the essentials of what makes a great bar. Incredibly sound staff, down to earth customers, good pints and perfect music.
Their live music ‘The Ruby Sessions’ has seen some incredible talent playing live and their selection of DJs over the weekend deserve special praise. They all worked at the much missed Dublin station Phantom FM, so you know that you’re in safe hands.
Pop in and you’ll instantly see why it’s one of the go-to bars in the capital.
Honourable mentions: The Long Hall, George’s Street; P. Macs, Stephen Street; The Gravediggers, Prospect Square
Tony Cuddihy – The Long Hall, George’s Street
It’s impossible to have a bad experience, or a bad pint, in The Long Hall.
Credit: pubtalk.ie
I reckon I had my first pint there back in 1998 or 1999. I was a student at the time and our lecturer at the time, a well known arts writer and TV critic, felt we were better served trying to tap into our creative side in front of a pint than sat gawping at a white board.
The Long Hall is not a transitory pub. You don’t go in for the mythical ‘one.’ If you’re lucky enough to get a seat, and you’ll need plenty of good fortune at peak hours, you don’t give it up until last orders.
It has plenty of dank – necessary for any great boozer – but it’s anything but a kip. My dad and his generation drank there before me and despite some small makeovers in recent years, not much has changed. It’s the same long bar opening out into an uncomplicated seating area at the back.
The best seat in the house is at the front window, looking out at George’s Street, a pint settling in front of you and busy strangers staring jealously inside.
Honourable mentions: Neary’s, Chatham Street; Kehoe’s, South Anne Street; The Cherry Tree, Walkinstown; McDaid’s, Harry Street; The Stag’s Head, Dame Lane; Bowe’s, Fleet Street.
Cian Murray – J. O’Connell’s, Richmond Street
They say you should never pass a pub that has your surname above its door. There are days when I wish I was Cian O’Connell, because this moniker has a fine habit of being associated with great bars.
Go to Galway, Ennis, Howth and many more Irish towns and you will experience my point being made in the form of homely establishments that are perfect for a night of pints and conversation.
This particular O’Connell’s is a no frills bar where you’ll be able to enjoy cheap and tasty pints and indulge in what feels like a country bar that was transported into the middle of the city.
There’s a lovely mix of locals and blow-ins which makes for a terrific atmosphere, where everybody may not know your name, but they certainly won’t be afraid to ask it.
Honorable mentions: MVP, Harold’s Cross Bridge, Mulligan’s, Poolbeg Street, Mother Reilly’s, Rathmines, Slattery’s, Rathmines, The Oarsman, Ringsend.
Eric Lalor – The International Bar, Wicklow Street
Since starting my life as a stand-up comedian, I’ve got to know the International Bar intimately. It’s a no frills bar, but steeped in tradition and all that is good about the classic Irish pub.
Credit via Publin.ie
Friendly, helpful staff and a real sense that this is a proper old school bar. Trad sessions break out at any given moment and upstairs, seven nights a week, there is comedy.
They even serve coddle and stew if that’s what you fancy on a cold winter’s lunchtime.
Honorable mentions: McGowan’s Phibsboro, Autobahn Roadhouse, Finglas, Mercantile, Dame Street, Queens, Dalkey
Joe Harrington – Mulligan’s, Poolbeg Street.
I’m not an old man but I love “old man pubs” and this is the best one in Dublin.
Image via Google Maps
I was only recently introduced to Mulligan’s and the minute I stepped inside the door of the place I felt at home.
You won’t see any different sized chairs, Jenga, craft beers, hipster music or any of that carry on, there are no frills to the place and I mean that as a compliment.
What you will find there is great drink (the finest Guinness around), friendly and funny barmen, the buzz of conversation filling the air and plenty of characters.
If your looking for a place to go for a quiet pint with your buddy, it’s the best place in town.
Honorable mentions: Whelan’s, Blackbird, Fallon’s, Long Hall, O’Connell’s.
Paul Moore (again) – Brogan’s, Dame Street
Yep, it’s me again but as JOE’s resident ‘scoop monkey’ (a title that I’m quite proud of), I felt compelled to add a second favourite of mine to the list.
To a certain degree, Brogan’s really shouldn’t be on my list because it’s synonymous with my own personal sporting heartbreak. It was here where I held back the tears after seeing Real Madrid blitz Atletico in extra-time of the Champions League final – sadly that’s just one of my many painful football memories – but the taste of defeat is always made better by an extremely good pint of Guinness and friendly staff.
In all honesty, I’ve spent so many giddy hours here because it’s right next door to the Olympia which makes it the perfect place for some pre and post gig pints with mates.
Without really trying, Brogan’s somehow manages to capture an atmosphere that’s more akin to a familiar bar from the country as opposed to the bustling streets of the capital.
This being said, in the evening the place is usually brimming with decent people, friendly chat and incredibly sound staff. Drop in if you’re nearby.
So that’s our list, let us know what your favourite Dublin pubs are.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
