Five Great Country Pubs to visit in Dublin City

Dublin City is a brilliant hub for nightlife, with pubs and nightclubs that will satisfy every taste. Unfortunately, the best country pubs in Dublin are constantly overlooked. Tourists are often sucked into Temple Bar for what is essentially a pocket robbery disguised as the quintessential Irish experience. Students find themselves pulled towards Camden Street for handiness because it’s located near the main clubbing area.

A great deal of people will love those experiences. However, we know that this is not what many country folk are looking for. Us ‘culchies‘ are all about soaking in a vibrant atmosphere surrounded by charming décor. We appreciate friendliness, warmth, great Guinness, live music and even the odd bit of grub! So what does Dublin have to offer for the traditional pub-lover?

Read on to find out!

The Celt on Talbot Street looks unremarkable from the outside, but step inside to be instantly transported to rural Ireland. This gorgeous pub boasts a cosy décor that provides the perfect setting for a pint and a few laughs. The walls and the roof are adorned with all the typical trinkets that we love to see in an Irish Pub.

A delicious pub grub menu awaits you, featuring Irish classics at low prices. Enjoy bangers and mash for €15 or if that’s too hefty pick one of the bar bites options. The cocktail sausages, onion rings and chips always hit the spot, for just €10. After enjoying your feast, sit back and relax while you are serenaded by traditional Irish music 7 nights a week!

The Celt opens from 11:30am most days and the live music starts at 9:30pm.

The Brazen Head on Bridge Street claims to be Ireland’s oldest pub, though that accolade supposedly belongs to Sean’s Bar in Athlone. For now we’ll allow the Brazen Head, established in 1198, the title of being the oldest pub in Dublin at least! The present building has stood since 1754 and, unlike the Celt Bar, looks remarkable from the outside and more resembles a castle than a bar! The pub combines cosy outdoor and indoor areas, warmed by a glowing fire and decorated to perfection.

From 12pm to 9pm each day you can avail of a simple yet delicious pub food menu. Prices are very steep however, with a fish and chips costing €21! We enjoyed the buttermilk chicken burger, but probably not enough to justify the cost. Their music room hosts live music 7 nights a week and when this place gets going it’s a real joy to behold. This place is very popular among international tourists which contributes to a wonderfully friendly atmosphere.

The Brazen Head is open from 12pm every day and the live music starts at 9pm.

O’Neill’s Pub and Kitchen keeps watch over the Molly Malone Statue on Suffolk Street, in Dublin’s busiest area outside of Temple Bar. Its close proximity to that tourist trap contributes to an incredible atmosphere, yet it is far enough away to avoid the extortionate prices. This excellent boozer has something for everyone, be it a quiet pint or a lively music session.

O’Neill’s is huge so it rarely gets too packed, and you can find a corner to suit any kind of night you wish to have. The charm starts with a beautiful exterior, only enhanced by the amazing interior. Explore the nooks and crannies of its multiple floors as well as the beer garden, before finding a spot to dig in for the night.

Once renowned for tasty food, they are currently building a new kitchen so only have a limited menu available. You can still grab a breakfast, soup and sandwiches, or a tiny number of main courses until 10pm each night. You will have to enquire about the particular menu on any given day. They host live music 7 nights a week, but the immense size of the place means you can easily avoid it if looking for a quiet night. We adore the jovial evening atmosphere in this pub which attracts visitors from all over the globe. The excellent bar staff provide an added level of amusement too.

O’Neill’s Bar opens from 12pm Sunday through Tuesday, and 10:30am Wednesday through Saturday. The live music starts around 9pm each night.

Mary’s Bar on Wicklow Street sits ideally in the bustling heart of Dublin City. This unique boozer looks petite from the outside but inside lies a long and narrow interior, beautifully adorned with ornaments. The pub famously (and comically) doubles as a hardware store and the atmosphere is first class. Patrons enjoy delicious pints while playing board games or nibbling on some of the confectionary on sale here. They serve a limited number of cocktails, and a pint of Guinness costs around €6.20, which is exceptionally cheap for the area.

Downstairs you’ll find an impressively well hidden WOW Burger where you can grab a delicious Bacon and Cheeseburger for less than €10. There is definitely no better way to satisfy your beer hunger! TVs regularly showcase the biggest sporting events and the pub hosts live music 3 nights a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. We were initially worried that Mary’s might be a fad that people visited predominantly because of the amusing hardware store element. We couldn’t have been more wrong about this brilliant pub!

Mary’s Bar opens at 12pm every day with the live music kicking off at 7:30pm.

Kehoe’s Pub on South Anne Street sits just off Grafton Street, in the heart of Dublin City. This 19th century boozer, Ireland’s traditional bar of the year in 2017 and 2018, was once frequented by Irish literary greats who wanted to enjoy some of the best pints of Guinness in Dublin! This multi-storey establishment manages to maintain a homely feel despite its size, owing to the many snugs available.

Kehoe’s isn’t the type of pub you go to for food or live music. This joint prides itself on being a place to enjoy some very reasonably priced pints while enjoying a chat and a laugh with friends. You may be sceptical at what seems like a lack of offerings but you must visit this place to understand its charm.

Kehoes opens at 12pm Monday to Thursday, 10:30am Friday and Saturday and 12:30pm on Sundays.