Having visited Dublin on many an occasion, one task I always set myself is to visit at least one ‘debut’ pub every trip. In all honesty this isn’t too much of a chore with over 1000 pubs to choose from (I have now done approx 150 so plenty more reason to keep visiting!).

I have chosen, in no particular order. 10 of my favorite non touristy pubs. You  have to go a little off the beaten track to find some of these but that is half the fun. They are:

1. The Dame Tavern, Dame Lane:           

I said in no particular order but this is definitely my favorite pub in Dublin, it is a must visit on every trip and we have enjoyed some great (not by us I hasten to add) sing along in here. The Dame Tavern is on Dame Lane only a 5 minute stagger from the Temple Bar area but largely untouched by tourists. The pub itself is very small and a little unspectacular, a rectangular room with a small rectangular bar in the corner and in the same corner is the gents. One thing you will notice about the more traditional pubs is they don’t pay much attention to the loo’s, functional is as good as I can say, but you don’t spend much time in there so alls well! We always arrive in the evening a few pints in but never have we been made to feel unwelcome, the bar staff are fantastically on the ball and are always ready to pour you another.  It is 9.30 to 10pm every evening that this pub really comes alive for that is when the singer/guitarist plugs in and the place really takes off. They always play a number of sing along classics and again the locals don’t seem to be offended by a group of blokes waving their arms about and howling along enthusiastically. I don’t apologise for the amount of photos below, it will give you an idea of the time we have spent in the Dame. An absolute must visit!!

Number 2. The Snug Bar, 15 Upper Stephen Street  

We visited the Snug Bar just before midday on a Friday lunchtime. It is hidden away just off the main road up to Camden Street. We entered and were immediately struck at how small the pub was and how wonky the floor was, full of character. As we arrived there were 5 blokes sat in what looked like ‘their’ seats where no one else ever sits! But as with many of these ‘real’ Dublin pubs the locals all acknowledged us and seemed to take a real interest in why we were there and the fact we had explored our way away from the usual tourist traps of Temple Bar (which are all good fun by the way!). I think we were the first non Dubliners to stroll in, in a while. We settled down to a cracking pint ( only €3.50 too!) as one of the locals went to the door way for a ‘ciggie’. This is when we realised how small the pub was as within seconds we were all floating on potent fumes of this ‘ciggie’. It was time to move on as a bloke walked in with his son with something in a plastic bag to sell, it’s that sort of place, not sure I’d visit after dark!! Character building!!

Number 3. The Lord Edward, 23 Christchurch Place  

The Lord Edward was another pub we stumbled upon in the historic area opposite the Christchurch Cathedral. First thing you notice is just how heavy the front door is and in contrast how light the toilet door is, funny what you notice. It is a round bar with stools and tables spread around. The couple of times I have been in the same elderly barman has been working with shirt and tie on, comfortably old-fashioned! There is always a decent mix of locals, from shall we say the more hardened drinkers to the occasional suit. quite uniquely you can also sit in little snug where you can pull the shutter down which on the third day of three on the Guinness can prove quite a humorous novelty! Visit to see a mix of Dublin!

Number 4. Farrell’s Pub, Dun Laorghaire, Dun Laorghaire shopping centre.  

You have to hop on the DART to visit this little beauty. Travel south to the beautiful seaside town of Dun Laorghaire up the high street to the shopping centre. Yes that’s right the shopping centre!!  To add to the excitement you have to get in a lift to go up three flights and when the lift opens you are straight out into this delightful old skool boozer. That is of course unless you are claustrophobic then you have to go through the shopping mall and up three flights of steps as one of the lads had too! The moment the lift open everyone in the pub stops looks and then gets back to their racing post and their pint of Guinness. It’s another cheap spot at just over €3 a pint! There is racing on the tv and a mainly elder crowd are scattered around enjoying their own company or having the craic in a small huddle. Once again the barman was great and friendly as were the locals even giving us some tips on the nags! we sat looking out the window over Dublin Bay, a great view! To add to the character of the place go to the toilet and there is a big no smoking sign with two elder gentlemen having a sly toke on a roll up, with a wink a smile and a finger on the lips they carried on with a little grin, you get the impression the barstaff know it happens. You have to realise it is a long way to get outside for the elder gent. Well worth the DART trip, get out of Dublin and visit! (Now sadly shut!)

Number 5. The Bloody Stream, Howth, Howth DART station:  

Okay strictly speaking you could argue this is a little touristy but it is a cracker of a boozer made all the better for having to jump on the DART north to visit. Howth is a great little fishing harbour town which is well worth a visit on its own right. Keep an eye out for the seal bobbing his head up in the harbour! The Bloody Stream is actually built into the Dart station. It is a fantastically unique pub with great indoor and outdoor space. It’s the sort of bar inside that you have to duck down a little to get through the low wooden beamed doors. Great bar staff and waitresses, we have eaten every time we have been here and its cracking pub grub with big lean-to the freshly caught fish of the day.We have always been lucky with the weather when we have been and sat outside. Last time was on a Sunday afternoon and there was a singer guitarist playing and as the pints were sunk we managed to ruin the atmosphere by trying to join in!! Decent grub, live music most nights with a great outdoor beer garden, whats not to like??!!

Please read my next blog for the next 5 ‘non’ tourist pubs of Dublin.

Cheers and yours in Guinness Gup.