Three Historic Dublin Pubs You’ll Never Want to Leave

In Dublin, pubs aren’t just places to drink. They’re living pieces of the city’s history, where revolutions were whispered into being, novels were drafted over pints, and music has been played for longer than anyone can remember. If you want to sip a Guinness where the walls have more stories than the guidebooks, here are three of my favourites.

The Brazen Head: 1198 and Still Pouring

The Brazen Head claims to be Ireland’s oldest pub, and who am I to argue with eight centuries of history? The building has been everything from a coaching inn to a meeting point for revolutionaries. Wolfe Tone, the leader of the 1798 Rebellion, drank here - centuries later and we're instagramming the walls.

Yes, it’s a magnet for visitors, but that also means it’s got a lively atmosphere, especially if you catch one of the regular live trad music sessions. Food-wise, you’ll find hearty Irish classics - think beef and Guinness stew, fish and chips - that pair perfectly with a pint. Go early in the day, grab a table in the courtyard, and picture the horses and carriages that once clattered through.

The Long Hall: A Time Capsule in Mahogany and Mirrors

Step into The Long Hall and you’ll feel like you’ve wandered into a perfectly preserved Victorian postcard. Dating from the late 1800s, it’s all polished wood, ornate glass, and the soft buzz of conversation.

It’s not a food spot... you come here for one thing, and that’s the pint. Order a Guinness, stand at the bar (never hover awkwardly in the middle), and take your time. There's no live music and no radio, just the gentle hum of conversation, which is exactly as it should be in a pub this beautiful. It’s a place where Dublin moves at its own pace - unhurried, warm, and pleasantly buzzed.

The Palace Bar: Where Words Flow as Freely as the Beer

Tucked on Fleet Street in Temple Bar, The Palace Bar has been a literary hangout since the 1940s, when half the journalists from The Irish Times could be found here “on assignment”. The Victorian interiors have barely changed, and neither has its knack for attracting characters.

It’s cosy, friendly, and the kind of place where you might overhear the start of a great novel... or the end of someone’s workday rant. They’re also known for their excellent whiskey selection and occasional traditional music sessions upstairs. No kitchen here either, so think of it as your pre-dinner or late-evening stop.

Join a Pub Crawl Worth Bragging About

On our Pub Crawl Through Time, you won’t be lost in a crowd. With an ultra small group, we slip into the corners of unique historic pubs. You’ll hear the untold tales, enjoy unforgettable pints, and share the craic with locals.

Plan Your Own Legendary Crawl

Prefer to explore at your own pace? Try your luck at tracking down the Dublin Heritage Tours Founder’s Pub Map, hidden away under a pot of gold on our homepage. It’s a compeltely free, interactive Google Map you can keep forever, with 60+ of my favourite pubs - each tagged with notes on food, music, and history - and it’s always kept up to date. Our gift to you, to explore and support the city's best establishments!