The Ultimate Guide to the Best Guinness in Dublin (2024)
We’ve scoured the city to find the best places to enjoy a cold pint of the famous black stuff. We’ll take you to some of the best pubs and bars in Dublin, where you can enjoy a delicious pint of Guinness. Read on and find out where to get the best Guinness in Dublin!
Top 10 best pubs for a pint of Guinness
Here are the pubs and bars where you are most likely to try the best Guinness you’ve ever had. To put this list together we have taken into account pub reviews, and we ruled out the Gravity Bar in the Guinness Storehouse as it doesn’t qualify as a pub. Great bar though.
So, without further ado, here are the top 10 pubs in Dublin for a pint of Guinness:
1. John Kavanagh The Gravediggers
John Kavanagh The Gravediggers is a great place for a pint of Guinness because of its atmosphere, its staff, and its history, and most importantly, Guinness there doesn’t disappoint.
At the Gravegiggers, the atmosphere is cosy and inviting, and the staff are friendly and accommodating. The pub has been around for about two hundred years and has a unique history, which can be seen in the decor as well as the stories that come from the staff.
Guinness is always served in the proper glass, always at the right temperature, and always with a creamy head. Cheers to The Gravediggers!
Address: 1 Prospect Square, Glasnevin, Dublin
Read: The Best Dublin Pub Crawl Routes (2024)
2. McNeill’s Pub
McNeill’s provides a classic experience of Dublin’s nightlife, offering up traditional music six nights a week and a warm, inviting atmosphere. When it comes to Guinness, locals and tourists alike all claim that this is the best pub for a pint. Why? Not only will you get a perfectly poured pint of Guinness at McNeill’s, but you can enjoy it by the fireplace during the cold months or listening to traditional Irish music. A fantastic Guinness experience!
Address: 140 Capel St, North City, Dublin
3. Old Royal Oak
Tucked away in a quiet corner of Dublin is the Old Royal Oak, close to Kilmainham Jail and the Royal Hospital. It has a cosy atmosphere, like in a countryside pub. There’s a downstairs snug for private conversations and a great selection of toasted sandwiches. But we’re not here to talk about food! Their Guinness is always smooth and worth the price, making the Old Royal Oak one of the best pubs in Dublin for a pint of the black stuff!
Address: 11 Kilmainham Lane, Dublin
Read: The Best Cheap Pubs in Dublin
4. The Hacienda Bar
The Hacienda Bar in Dublin is well-known for its friendly atmosphere and lovely owner, but also for its excellent Guinness – the bar keep is experienced and the Guinness is always served in perfect condition.
You can enjoy your pint while playing a game of pool or just looking around – the interior design is quite unique and they have a wall covered in pictures of celebrities that came to The Hacienda.
Good pint + good vibes, we’re sold!
Address: 15 Mary Street Little, North City, Dublin 7
Read: The Ultimate Guide to Dublin on a Budget (2024)
5. Peadar Browns
Peadar Browns was established in 2015, and is a traditional Irish Pub located in the heart of The Liberties. It offers a warm, inviting atmosphere and a cosy escape from the hectic pace of Dublin City. But most importantly, their Guinness is reasonably priced and served perfectly.
Is it the decor (a tribute to Ireland’s independence) or the live Irish music that makes the Guinness even tastier? We’ll leave that for you to decide.
Address: 1A Clanbrassil Street Lower, Merchants Quay, Dublin
6. The Temple Bar Pub
The Temple Bar Pub is an iconic spot situated in downtown Dublin, renowned for its vast whiskey and beer selections and pub food. With a relaxed and inviting atmosphere and nonstop live music, it’s the perfect place to grab a pint. A pint of Guinness? You’ve come to the right place!
The pub takes great care to ensure that the perfect pour is achieved every single time. It also has a long history of serving Guinness that dates back to 1840, so they know what they are doing when it comes to pouring the perfect pint.
The perfect pint every time, it’s a skill!
Address: 47-48 Temple Bar, Dublin 2
7. The Brazen Head
The Brazen Head, located in the Liberties area of Dublin, is a renowned pub with a history stretching back to the 12th century. It is the oldest pub in Dublin, and boasts a cosy atmosphere and live music on weekends and evenings. There, you can enjoy a selection of beers, wines, spirits and traditional Irish dishes, making it a perfect destination for a night out.
And what is a good night out without a pint of Guinness? Many patrons have elected The Brazen Head best pub for a Guinness, and we’re told that you’ll enjoy your pint even more with their delicious beef stew. This pub is also one of the best pubs in Dublin for Irish coffee, but we’re digressing.
Address: 20 Lower Bridge Street, Dublin 8
8. The Cobblestone
The Cobblestone, an Irish pub located in Smithfield Square, is the perfect place to visit for a night of fun. With a wide selection of craft beers and ciders, along with traditional pub food, the atmosphere is cosy and inviting.
Enjoy the atmosphere while listening to traditional live music in the background, and with a pint of Guinness in your hand! It’s a matter of opinion, but the pub has been renowned for decades for its Guinness pints.
Some believe they’re the best due to the freshness, while others think the accompanying live music enhances the taste. It’s up to you to decide!
Address: 77 North King Street, Dublin 7
9. The Palace Bar
The Palace Bar, situated in Dublin’s city centre, is a Victorian-era pub that features a great selection of spirits (including their own whiskey) and beers. Many have claimed that this pub is the best spot for a “cracking pint of Guinness”.
Not only is it perfectly poured and at the right temperature, but we’re told that the history of the pub adds to the experience. How does it feel to be drinking your Guinness where iconic Irish writers like Brendan Behan and Samuel Beckett used to sit?
Address: 21 Fleet Street, Dublin 2
10. The Long Hall
The Long Hall, an Irish pub located in the centre of Dublin, has been open for more than 250 years. Its stunning Victorian-era interior dates back to 1881. It provides a variety of beers, wines, spirits, and Irish cuisine.
There is no loud music or TV, so it is an ideal spot to grab a Guinness with friends or to chat with your neighbours. The staff certainly know what they are doing when pouring a pint of the black stuff, but we think that the friendly atmosphere of the place adds a nice flavour to your drink. Sláinte!
Address: 51 South Great George’s Street, Dublin 2
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Wondering what a good pint of Guinness is?
A good pint of Guinness is a creamy, dark-coloured beer with a distinct, slightly bitter flavour. The perfect pint should have a thick, creamy head of foam that has a light tan colour and should last until the last sip.
When served properly, the beer should have a distinct aroma of roasted barley, coffee, chocolate, and hops. The taste should be smooth, not too bitter, and the aftertaste should be slightly sweet.
The way Guinness should be served
Guinness should be taken seriously. Because let’s face it, there’s nothing like enjoying a perfectly served pint of the black stuff in Ireland’s capital city.
- Start with a clean and dry glass
- Hold the glass at a 45-degree angle and slowly pour the Guinness from the tap until it is three-quarters full
- Place the glass on a flat surface and allow the beer to settle before topping off the pint
- When the beer has settled, top off the pint until it has a slight dome shape.
- Serve the pint with a shamrock etched into the top of the foam
To Sum Up
Dublin has no shortage of establishments to find the perfect pint of Guinness. Now that you know the best places to get the best Guinness in Dublin, all that’s left to do is to grab a pint and enjoy the perfect pour. Sláinte!
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