Two doors down from the Olympia Theatre, the crowd in Brogan's is often dictated by what's happening next door, which means this traditional bar can be virtually empty one night and packed to capacity the next. The pub boasts a stunning collection of Guinness memorabilia, however, including countless poster advertisements, all of which extol the virtues of the pint of plain.
The Porterhouse Brewing Company, established in 1989, was Dublin's first microbrewery. It has, ever since its inception, produced some of the best brews in the city, including its own very fine porter. Their Temple Bar brewpub is located on Parliament Street, where patrons are lured inside, thanks to the enormous vats that are visible from the street. Owing to its popularity, the place gets a little crowded towards the end of afternoon. Midst a handsomely decorated dining area, home-brews are served with much love along with a good selection of delicious pub grub. Not to be missed here are Temple Bräu, Hop Head and Wrasslers 4X Stout, couple these refreshing drinks with a portion of chicken wings; you'd soon be coming back for more!
If you happened to have been in Dublin more than a decade ago and have fond memories of this tiny but friendly bar, you're in for a surprise. The Foggy Dew has been completely refurbished of late, and is now at least ten times the size of its former self. Opening late at the weekends, the Foggy Dew remains busy, vibrant and still full of life. Live music on Sundays is pretty much a tradition by now, while the bar's wall creates its own dazzle with the interesting rock music artifacts that adorn it.
This is one of the most popular bars in the city centre and it's not difficult to see why. Two spacious floors accommodate hordes of affluent twenty-somethings and the mood is understandably upbeat. The ground-floor is quite chic in the daytime when you can appreciate the beautiful wood-carved bar, but at weekend nights you'll be too busy trying to attract the barman's attention to notice the décor. Hogan's is also the place for a late pint: it stays open until wee hours.
Located directly across the road from its historical namesake, the Ha'penny Bridge Inn is a busy, friendly and traditional pub that gets extremely lively at the weekends. The venue upstairs features a variety of different acts, ranging from open-mic comedy clubs to traditional Irish music sessions. Well worth a visit, and a great place for a quiet mid-week pint.
If you have never been to Dublin before and want to experience what it was like here before Ireland's fin-de-siécle economic boom, head for Grogan's. The seemingly immortal owner and barman, presides over the second home to a heady mix of artists, writers, street performers, hippies, students and diehard locals. There's no music, but you won't really notice because there's a unique atmosphere created by a city-centre pub with great Guinness, no pretensions and friendly staff who will make you a lovely ham and cheese toasted sandwich, even at 10.30p on a Saturday night.
This well-preserved Victorian pub is an unassuming hive of entertainment in the city center. The downstairs bar is a fine example of a traditional Dublin pub; small, smoky and with a healthy mix of youngsters and die-hard regulars. Upstairs is home to a small venue with a program of comedy, theater and music. A poster on the outside of the pub will tell you what's on.
An iconic pub dating back to 1779, Mc Daid's is a Dublin institution. Once frequented by prominent literary figures like Brendan Behan and Patrick Kavanagh, the pub still retains its historic charm with the classic stained class and dark wood furniture. The friendly barkeeps are likely to strike up a conversation over a pint of Guinness on draught.
Across the river from the Four Courts stands The Brazen Head, reputed to be the oldest pub in Europe. A tavern has stood on this site since Viking times and The Brazen Head celebrated its 800th birthday in 1998. James Joyce was a regular and makes two references to a "Brazen Head" in Ulysses. Today one can enjoy a drink, order some scrumptious food and listen to the impromptu Irish traditional sessions that usually take place at the weekend; all in a historical and literary setting.
Cassidy's is a pleasant local pub a little out from the City-Center, and its biggest claim to fame is the fact that Bill Clinton had at least three sips of a pint of Murphy's beer here when he visited Ireland in December 1995. For atmosphere and character it hardly merits the trek out to Camden Street, but if you happen to be in the area going to a night-club like the POD or Mono, you might as well have a pint (or even two) here in Bill's honor.
This charming traditional pub is often frequented by journalists, due to the fact that it's directly across the road from the side entrance to the Irish Times building. The bar's interior remains virtually untouched by the ravages of the Celtic Tiger, and the antique décor and polished woodwork make for a relaxing pint. The function room upstairs is sometimes used for literary events such as poetry readings and writers' workshops.
Established in the late 1940s, the Dawson Lounge prides itself as being the smallest pub in Dublin. The basement interior is certainly tiny, catering for perhaps thirty people at a push, but the atmosphere is great, and it certainly provides an alternative to the warehouse-like drinking dens that have cropped up all over the city of late. Get there early if you'd like a seat, and watch your step on the staircase.