The best bars and cafés Ireland

Copán bar is a huge, multi-storey bar-restaurant-nightclub with a large terrace, located in the heart of the Rathmines district, a residential area not often visited by tourists. Its resolutely modern, lounge style attracts a young, trendy clientele eager to drink good cocktails, eat excellent burgers and party in a place that's something of a change from the capital's city center. Themed evenings are regularly organized (see the establishment's Facebook page).

In the heart of the Temple Bar district, there is definitely a great atmosphere in this five-storey bar... five floors! And each floor has its own style of music, where bands regularly perform live. The clientele is cosmopolitan, rather young (maximum 30 years old). Major sporting events are broadcast on a big screen. Downstairs, DJs liven up the dance floor of the nightclub after the concerts on weekends. On the roof, there is a very pleasant terrace with a view, very popular with the youth of Dublin.

On the way to Temple Square, it is hard to miss this yellow and green facade, its countless flags and its statue of James Joyce. The Oliver St. John Gogarty receives letters from admirers from all over the world, nostalgic for the so irish atmosphere within its walls. If the place mainly welcomes tourists, it offers good plates for a Temple Bar pub. And every day, there is livetraditional music from 12:30 to 2:00 in the morning.

Opposite the Theatre Royal in Dublin, this is another famous local hangout, which has had patrons like Nat King Cole and Judy Garland in the past. This traditional Victorian pub, open since... 1782, has a reputation for serving the best Guinness in the Irish capital. It's up to you to make up your own mind! In any case, there's a real atmosphere in this lively and charming place that also saw James Joyce... and J.F. Kennedy when he was still a journalist. A legendary bar.

A large clock inlaid in a wooden panel separates the two parts of this charming pub: wide benches on one side and a long marble corridor with mahogany benches on the other. It's a pleasant decor for this comfortable local pub, which comes alive at weekends (younger clientele, DJs...), offering live music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A place as typical as it is friendly, for a meal break (soup of the day, gaelic chicken, shepherd's pie, etc.) or just a drink.

Not far from St. Stephen's Green and the Grand Canal, this traditional, popular and friendly bar attracts a clientele of local regulars as well as students after classes. Soccer matches are shown on a big screen in the large wooden room surrounded by stone walls. A good place to start afterwork. Pint prices are fair. Serves Irish cuisine and the famous Irish Stew. Live music on Thursdays, DJ sessions on Fridays and Saturdays and open mic on Sundays. Atmosphere guaranteed!

The Flowing Tide is one of the most famous pubs in the Irish capital. For good reason, it's one of the oldest in Dublin. And it's the pub where you'll come to stop after a show at the Abbey Theatre, one of the country's most important venues. You can chat with Dubliners, most of whom are regulars. The ground floor is very authentic and full of charm. And when the weather is good, you can also sit in the courtyard around a barrel. The pub also broadcasts major sporting events.

The large windows overlooking George's Street make Hogan's a somewhatpretentious place at first glance, although the clientele, mostly in their thirties, is rather relaxed and smiling. Live music sessions are organised in the spacious room of Hogan's and the more the night goes on, the more it happens in the basement to sway to the rhythm of the DJs on the dance floor. In short, a fun night out among the Dubliners is guaranteed. Dubliners generally have a real affection for this place.

The Locke is one of the oldest pubs in Limerick city and has won numerous awards for its gastro-pub style menu. It's a comfortable place to be and, more importantly, it's a good place to eat at reasonable prices. One of the major attractions of this pub is its location on the banks of the river, near the cathedral. There is also a large outdoor terrace, which is very popular and very pleasant when the weather is fine. Traditional music concerts are scheduled every night of the week.

Many musicians perform within the walls of this pub. Every Wednesday, young folk songwriters come to play their songs. On Monday evenings, there are traditional music jams. An institution in Kilkenny. You can also try some of the house specialities such as one of the fifty soups on the menu (tomato and chorizo, broccoli, pear and blue cheese, sweet potato and coconut) or the traditional Irish Stew, as well as a selection of vegetarian dishes(raw energy salad or lentil pie).

This is the place to be if you are on a trip to Howth and want to spend the evening. This pub has a very friendly atmosphere and is a meeting place for the village fishermen, locals and tourists alike, where you can eat fish and seafood dishes and drink a good local beer. The prices are attractive and the setting is really charming, especially thanks to its patio with a marine atmosphere. And every weekend, live music concerts are organised. An excellent address.

Between two pints, a waitress picks from a pile of CDs, for choices oscillating between independent rock and jazz from the 1950s. The clientele here is as heterogeneous as can be: old-timers, students, couples... The bar, totally and deliciously faded, seems to have crossed the centuries, just like the owner who can sometimes be seen circulating between the tables to have a chat with the regulars. What do people come to look for in these places, which are often crowded at weekends? Above all, a friendly atmosphere unlike any other!

On the corner of Castle Street and South Market Street, this two-storey, semi-circular building has a festive atmosphere and is a great place to come for a drink. Young and old mingle daily on the ground floor terrace, which has a pub-like atmosphere, and on the upper floor, where you can dance to DJ sets on the weekends. You can listen to some current hits as well as the Stones, Blur, David Bowie or the Strokes... Pleasant retro-style leather armchairs overlook Corn Market Street.

An Spailpín Fanach ("The Migrant Worker") is a really nice pub and very typical of the city with its brick walls, its pleasant little corners and its fireplaces, you really feel good here. And for a long time since the establishment was founded in 1779. Quite quiet during the day, the pub fills up in the evening until it becomes really crowded sometimes. You can listen to traditional music every night except Saturday and eat typical pub food in a relaxed atmosphere.

Meades Bar 126 is a wine bar with a very pleasant, intimate atmosphere, featuring retro furniture, small round tables and candlelight. The wine list is excellent and not too expensive (between €5 and €6 a glass). You'll enjoy all this with the soundtrack of Neil Young, Bob Dylan and a host of flamenco tracks... A Spanish touch that's also reflected on the menu, as the establishment offers a host of delicious tapas throughout the evening. Cheese and charcuterie platters will also delight your taste buds.

Opened in 1823, the Palace Bar is one of the oldest pubs in Dublin. In the 19th century, it was even the haunt of famous writers from the city or just passing through. Its unique atmosphere and old-fashioned charm, with its beautiful woodwork, barrels and glass dome, give it a unique look that makes it a favourite with regulars. In addition to the beers, there are many whiskeys to try, including a hot whiskey. Very famous Irish music sessions are often held here on Thursdays. Beware, the establishment is often crowded.

The Foggy Dew was established in Dublin in the early 20th century and this historic bar will seduce you for a quiet aperitif. A chance to chat with your neighbours, locals perhaps, before heading out into Temple Bar or Grafton Street. The average age of its clientele is around 25-30 years old. The pints are very affordable for the neighbourhood; the Sunday live sessions are of quality, rather ska-reggae. Many artists from the 1950s have left their prints on the wall, take a look. Great atmosphere!

The doors of the Bailey are adorned with evocative names: Synge, Beckett, Kavanagh... which remind us of the literary past of the place, which is now long gone. There is no shortage of space during the day, thanks to the restaurant on the^first floor, in this vast space dressed in blue, from the carpet to the benches. You can taste great Irish classics, very well done. In the evening, on the other hand, you will generally find a big crowd at the counter. The regulars crowd this city institution as soon as the night falls.

I really like this small and cosy Irish pub, with its old-fashioned decoration. From time to time, music can be heard in the background, but usually it's the conversations at the counter that are heard in the background. All generations meet here for a beer, watching the game on a small screen (muted) and replaying the latest rugby and Gaelic football matches. And, to make matters worse, everyone is greeted with a big smile!

Here you are in the smallest pub in Dublin... and maybe in the world, as the little sign at the entrance proudly announces! This confined place, installed in the basement of this Dawson Street door, has been fitted out in a very seventies style, and can welcome about twenty people around the bar or on one of the... three tables of the tiny room. The pints are cheap and the staff is adorable and always smiling. An unusual address that stands out among the trendy bars in the area. Worth a try during your stay

The Market Bar is an old warehouse converted into a bar, which has kept all its character. In a huge room, with high ceilings and brick walls, you can sit around a wooden table to enjoy some pretty good tapas or have a drink. Many beers of course, but also excellent cocktails await you here. You will also notice the wall filled with wooden shoes. It's worth a visit for the place alone. A very good brunch is also served at the weekend.

From the outside, this pub looks quite small, but it's not. Many Dubliners gather here after their day's work to drink a quality Guinness in a typical setting. It serves competitively priced pints and attracts journalists, politicians and the working classes who mingle in a cheerful hubbub. The Nesbitt, as they call it, is a simple, rather old school place and one of the oldest pubs in the Irish capital, since it has been serving beer and whiskey since... 1867 !

Pub a bit tristounet, but very nice and large beer garden. Also includes a nightclub, the Lighthouse Disco, which opens from midnight to.

A real pub. The impression is that the time stopped a century ago. At Biddy's it's the people in the corner who make music. They are breeders, teachers or retirees and come to the bed after dinner and go to bed on the 22 h… Mary McAleese spent a week in Glencolumcille every year, and we understand it!

Établissmeent has been in the family since 1949. The prices are very reasonable, and the clientele is a small, friendly crowd of people. On Thursdays, it is a concert of traditional music, and live live music on Saturdays and Sundays in a good child atmosphere.

Silken Thomas, a family business that is now almost fifty years old and located right in the centre of Kildare, is a complex with several different rooms and atmospheres: in Flanagan's Lounge it's rather modern, in Lils it's the Irish tradition, and finally Squires invites you to follow the sport with a pint in your hand. The staff is really friendly, we spend a very good time. Families are also welcome. A real institution in Kildare, a meeting point for the inhabitants.

If you are looking for good craic in Lahinch, Flanagan's is the place to be. The crowd is young and dense, and is a good mix of locals and tourists, most of whom come for the surf and the many pints of local beer on offer here. There is also always good music, especially when the establishment programs traditional Irish music sessions. You can find the program on the Facebook page of Flanagan's Bar

What could be better than sipping a beer on the seventh and top floor of the Storehouse, with an impressive view of the Dublin skyline, in the heart of the spiritual home of Guinness? That's what the Gravity Bar offers in the Liberties district and the first pint will be free after visiting the Guinness Storehouse. Even Prince William and Kate Middleton have tasted the famous dark beer at Gravity. And they could enjoy the good big soft armchairs to admire the Phoenix Park and the mountains in the distance.

The Celtic is a great place to discover Irish and international whiskeys, wines, craft spirits and cocktails. It must be said that the house has more than 1,000 different whiskey labels! And to learn as much as possible, the Celtic is also the Irish Whiskey Experience which offers a wide variety of specialized courses and tastings on the mythical Irish beverage. Enjoy the kitchen that concocts fresh, local food every day.

A bar with a rather young clientele, really a must in the neighbourhood, and which invites you to taste a lot of local craft beers and draught beers. Even the decoration of the establishment honours the famous beverage. At the back of the room, there are large tables with a very friendly atmosphere and board games are also available to customers. In short, an excellent address where you are always welcomed with a smile. Billiard lovers will also find a table on the bar floor.

Large choice of wraps, paninis, croque-monsieur, soups, salads, quiches, ready meals... and French and Irish pastries like the twice baked almond croissant! In hot drinks, there is also everything you need, like the delicious homemade carrot and potato soup (the ingredients change according to the season). The Franco-Irish owner couple offers the best of both cultures, making the French Quarter a dynamic and welcoming café. Perfect for a little restorative and gourmet break.

Arundel's By The Pier is both a restaurant and a charming pub that always displays its (well thought-out) suggestions of the day on a slate. The menu focuses on the essentials: well-prepared local specialities and excellent desserts. In summer, visitors can also enjoy the view of the small port of Ahakista from the benches outside. Proof of its many qualities, the establishment is widely acclaimed by the locals. A must try during a trip to the region.

O'Sullivan's is one of the newest pubs in Dingle and its pretty blue painted building attracts locals and visitors alike. And the least we can say is that the establishment goes out of its way to be the best pub in town, with its traditional Irish music sessions every night and a very warm and lively atmosphere. Don't hesitate to go and have a pint if you are in the area.

The Cock Tavern is the oldest pub in Howth (the building itself dates back to the end of the th century) and is the most pleasant, according to its habitués. The pint is at about 4 €, and the place has a garden garden, billiards, a game of darts, a jukeboxes box and a fireplace in the winter. Rock concerts are given on Friday and Saturday evening and place on Sunday evening traditional Irish music. It is also the Cock Tavern that is organized by boat fishing to the island north of Howth (10 to 15 €).

This Camden Street pub has been a favourite of Dublin's youth for decades. The bar is always packed at weekends, but there's a huge room at the back and very efficient staff who will never leave you dying of thirst. The music it plays, often live with bands or DJs, makes you want to dance furiously and, as the regulars say with a smile, "you haven't really been to Dublin if you haven't set foot in Flannery's". An institution in the capital.

De Barra's Folk Club is undoubtedly the most famous pub in Clonakilty. People talk all the way to Dublin about its walls covered in photos and wooden masks from all over the world, yet they don't take it seriously. Noel Redding, Jimi Hendrix's bassist, played there every night until his death in 2003. And the establishment always has excellent traditional music sessions for its music-loving guests. To make matters worse, the staff is very friendly and smiling. A must stop if you are spending an evening in Clonakilty.

This excellent wine bar tucked away behind St Stephen's Green has some classic, but organic or organic snacks to nibble on. More importantly, you can choose from over 500 top quality wines, which explains the rather high prices. And the sommeliers' advice is always very sound. Impeccable service. The setting is both intimate and luxurious, the atmosphere quite posh. It is possible to dine there (from 15 € to 25 € per dish), but only by reservation. You can also take part in tasting workshops.

The black and white tiled floor and the rough wooden furniture set the tone when you enter this pub, which deserves its name as it has been established for more than 300 years. Yet it doesn't cultivate a traditional pub style, but rather a trendy gastro-pub look that can be confusing at first glance. The atmosphere is smart enough to meditate while sipping a drink in the afternoon. Offers Irish cuisine, such as beef and guiness casserole or traditional irish stew and some good seafood.

There's something here for all tastes and ages. In the first part of the pub, a cosy atmosphere awaits you, with an open fire and a traditional music session every evening at 9pm. In the second part of the evening, at the back of the pub, a stage hosts modern music groups and the dance floor attracts the local youth. We love the mix of genres, both musical and in terms of clientele, the reasonable prices and the bar, which is well worth a visit with its beautiful lit arcades and wide selection of drinks. A meeting place not to be missed!

This is the Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa's café-restaurant, accessible even if you're not a resident of the hotel. In a trendy decor and pleasant atmosphere, come and enjoy modern Irish cuisine at any time of day. At snack time, you'll be delighted by our homemade French pastries and hot drinks. At weekends, don't forget to book for brunch! The food is delicious and plentiful, and there's a DJ on hand to set the mood all year round! The service is as professional as it is friendly, and the prices fair.

Halfway between trendy and medieval Dublin, here is a superb pub where you will not fail to admire the clock on the very long counter, as well as the dark room decorated with old engravings, or the blue ceiling surrounded by chandeliers and decorated with colourful mouldings. In this place full of character and tradition, the prices are very reasonable and you can sit down to chat quietly. You will understand why the Long Hall attracts so many regulars. And why it is a popular destination for tourists passing through Dublin. We like it!

This is Drogheda's most typical pub! This town-center building with its unique bar atmosphere dates back to the late 19th^century . Nano Reid, a brilliant local artist born in 1900, lived upstairs in this pub when it belonged to her father. A truly warm welcome, with some forty Irish and international beers in store, although, naturally, Guinness usually wins out here. Tea and coffee are also served, with a smile. Thirsty or not, Clarke's is well worth a visit!

No deafening music in this classy and traditional pub where an enormous stuffed deer head, which gave its name to the establishment, is enthroned. The Victorian tavern at Stag's Head is the perfect place for a quiet chat or to meet Dubliners who have come to relax over a Guinness (the pub has been featured in Guinness advertisements!). The clientele is rather middle age. Possibility to order a soup of the day, a burger, fish & chips and other typical dishes. The establishment also offers trays to share.

Here again, this is a very good place to spend a nice evening away from the touristy areas of the Irish capital. But be careful, stay discreet because Mc Sorley's pub is a favourite haunt of regulars and Ranelagh inhabitants who don't want to make this place too well known. At the end of the week, the place is packed as soon as the sun goes down. Sports events are shown on flat screens. Good selection of beers. The only downside is that the price-quality ratio of the menu needs to be reviewed.

This pleasant address adds to the long list of the oldest pubs in the Irish capital. It's not the oldest, but it still has its original Victorian layout - with its famous wooden partitioned nooks and crannies - and mahogany doors with stained glass windows, which gives it a certain charm. The carpeted staircase leads up to a warm room that has felt like home since its inception in 1803. And you suddenly understand how the pub can be so much a part of Irish life.

Don't be fooled by the smallness of its entrance. If the adjective small is to be used here, it's rather to precede the word nugget! You'll be lucky if you get a seat upstairs or on the terrace, otherwise it's the takeaway option. In your right hand, you'll take one of their fabulous hot drinks, and in the other, a brioche-based delicacy. We recommend their cinnamon roll, served warm, the taste of which still haunts us. Waffles, eclairs, crêpes and other sweet treats await you for a... soft break!