Filed under: food and drink, nightlife, pubs, top-feature
The Best Pints of Guinness in Dublin
Not all pints are created equal in Dublin. After drinking a few pints of Ireland’s famous stout in pubs across the city – I realized that some pubs simply pour a better pint than others.
So what makes the perfect pint? First of all – the bartender needs to allow proper time to pour your pint. Unlike other types of beer, Guinness requires time to settle. A trip to the Guinness Storehouse will teach you that it takes almost 3 full minutes for a perfect pint. When you’re standing at the bar – this time can actually feel significant. The best bartenders don’t care – they won’t rush the pour.
A few places in Dublin pour a perfect pint. Here’s my top 3:
1. Keogh’s: This city center pub, located just off Grafton Street, hasn’t changed for decades. With plenty of space to sit and a pleasant atmosphere – it’s a great place to start your night. A long wooden bar and ancient carpet only adds to the character of the place – and a few different ‘snugs’ (small rooms within the pub) are great for a group of friends. Be prepared for this pub to get crowded during Happy Hour – head upstairs for more space.
Address: 1-2 Trinity Street, Dublin 2 (map)
2. Toner’s: This classic Baggot Street pub has a sign outside with a quote from Rory Guinness saying, ‘Toner’s pours the best pint of Guinness in Dublin.’ This statement initially made me suspicious – but after having my first pint at Toner’s, I was convinced! This pub is small and can get quite crowded on the weekends – but it’s a real Dubliner’s hangout.
Address: 2 Upper Baggot Street, Dublin 4 (map)
3. Cassidy’s: Stop in this pub on a Friday or Saturday evening for some live music with your pint. Somehow a Guinness tastes even better when its accompanied by an Irish singer/songwriter on the acoustic guitar. If you’re in Dublin for a big match – this pub also shows the games.
Address: 27 Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2 (map)
BONUS: Where better to sample Guinness then where it’s made – at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin? Buy your tickets in advance online – not only will you save 2 euro on the admission price – but you won’t have to wait in line to enter either. One of the best parts of the visit is the Gravity Bar. This bar at the top of the factory offers panoramic views over Dublin. On a clear day – there is no other view in town quite like it.
Address: St James’s Gate, Dublin 8 (map)
Photo Credit: Jessica Colley
8 Comments
Awesome! I can’t wait to try my first Guinness in Ireland. I hear they really do taste completely different. Thanks
Hi Christina, they really do taste different! Before I moved here I heard all sorts of stories about how ‘Guinness doesn’t travel well..’ but it’s true! There’s nothing like a Guinness with a good pub lunch on a Sunday afternoon.
I don’t think I made it to any of these bars when I was in Dublin…another good reason to go back! Thank goodness my Guinness.
Best pints of Guinness in Dublin are, without a doubt:
1. Cobblestone, 2. Gravediggers, 3. Brazen House, 4. Leeson Lounge
Mulligans is a solid pint, maybe 7 out of 10 but it is certainly not the best. I was in Toners on Authurs day when the barman pours me a pint, doesn’t let i settle, and shoves it in front of me. I’ll say no more.
Hey Ronan,
Thanks for your input. There is no topic quite as controversial as the best pints of Guinness in Dublin. I’ll agree with you on the Cobblestone, solid pint. At Leeson Lounge the barman hasn’t let my pint settle, so I’ll disagree there. Not sure what was going on at Toners on Arthurs Day, but the photograph above I took myself, 4 perfect settled pints from Toners. Maybe they were having an off night.
Thanks for your comment!
Jessica.
Hi Jessica
Those pints look great. Maybe Toners WAS having an off nice; the irony as it was Authurs Day. I’ll go back and give them another chance!
On 17th December, my pals and I, are doing our annual world famous Guinness Tour involving 5 pubs and some serious rating and analysis. We even print up score sheets for everyone with many categories rating the creaminess, the viscosity of the pint etc. It’s great craic.
The pubs this year are, and in this oder, starting at 1.30pm (everybody has either taken the day off or is taking a half day):
1. Leeson Lounge
2. Gravediggers
3. Coblestone
4. Mathews (new pub on the tour; has been tipped as a possible winner!)
5. Brazen Head
Why don’t you (bring anybody you like with you) come along?! There will be about 10 – 15 of us.
Ronan