I highly recommend heading here on a Saturday night. Simply amazing atmosphere with several floors and mutliple musicians playing. Great menu selection, ample seating and located right near the river. Ill definitely go here next time im in town. read more

Merchant's Arch Bar - Spiral stairs. - Irish Near Me - Dublin, D

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We were walking along the crowded streets of Dublin on the first night of our honeymoon when we spotted the Merchant's Arch. Irish music was seeping out from under the huge doors and I knew we had to check it out! Upon entering the establishment our ears were met with one of my personal favorites and a Bruce Springsteen classic Dancing In the Dark it was truly fate that we stumbled in here. We sat at a comfy high top in the corner by the door and ordered some Irish beer. I had the fish and chips and Bobby got some kind of sausage plate the food was pretty good and the company was great. It was really delightful and just what I needed to remind me of home. read more

Nice comfortable place but the food prices vs. the portions was extreme. Had the calamari which was cooked well, maybes pit on the skimpy side. The smoked haddock salad (€17.50) arrived in a small bowl with small pieces of indistinguishable haddock. Still shaking my head that I just shelled out €17.50 and need to go find dinner... read more

The atmosphere is very charming. They had a great musician singing and playing guitar, we sat upstairs overlooking him and the bar area. My hubby got a shepherds pie with mashed potatoes, french onion soup and a large Guinness. He liked the food and could barely walk out after. I got the traditional fish and chips, very good. The staff was super friendly, prices are very reasonable and located in the Temple Bar vicinity, there's loads of other places to go to afterward. read more

We had the pleasure of discovering this spot on a rainy Dublin night during our visit from San Francisco. I'm a lover of live music but the two ladies on stage during our visit were INCREDIBLE. Can't beat the beer, live show, food and overall atmosphere of this spot. Must see! read more

I feel like in the "touristy" parts of every city, there are bars that locals can appreciate. In my mind, this is that one bar in Temple Bar (maybe because a local brought us here). Yes, it is full of tourists, and by full I mean packed to the brim, but the music is great, the atmosphere was cheery and the drinks were flowing. We loved it so much, we came another night (New Years Eve) instead of having to try to find a new bar though the hoards of people. There are two different areas: The Bar bar (downstairs standing with seats also upstairs) and a restaurant bar, which was up the winding stairway. We tried to find a decent place to stand at the Bar bar, but it was packed, so thinking the upstairs we could see was up the stairs in the foyer, we tried it out and happened upon people eating dinner and no live music. We went back down to the Bar bar, found the appropriate stairs, and found a seat at a half taken table with some nice guys willing to share. We all made friends and it was nice to have room while overlooking the massive crowd downstairs. Our waitress was also on point. We had to wait a bit for drinks, but it was an extremely busy night. The live music was AWESOME! The feeling of everyone singing together, at the top of their lungs, was something I will miss about Ireland. It was like "we're all in this (New Years) together!" Now I truly understand when people say "It was great craic." I felt that here! read more

Walked by this bar a million times, always saying 'must pop in there for one' never actually meaning it - it's location screams standard tourist fare and even though the decor looks great, I expected it to lack substance. Ventured in last weekend on a Saturday night and the place was rammed. Like, cannot move a muscle without offending someone/spilling a drink/tripping over a handbag jam packed. We sqeeeeezed our way to the bar - extra vowels for the length of time it took - and after ten minutes got a drink (overpriced, standard temple bar). Eventually found a little nook and got settled, standing room only but that's okay. The music was pumping, live and traditional and everyone in the place was singing along, paying as much attention to the band as their friends with a really nice atmosphere overall. It was strange. I loved and hated this place at the same time. After an hour of truly enjoying myself, it was time to legit and get some breathing space, but in spite of my self I had an excellent time in here. Don't plan to spend your whole night if your there on a weekend, but do swing by! Now my mission - which I do actually mean this time - is to pop in mid week and see what it's all about minus the madness. read more

Great pub and music but Guinness is probably the most expensive in Dublin I've seen. 6.60€

One of our taxi drivers recommended this place for live music. We stopped in on our last night in Dublin so I could get our fix of Irish music. The performers were amazing. One played the guitar and the other played a few different instruments consisting of the flute, violin and guitar. They switched off between traditional Irish music and songs that most people know that they could sing along to. We didn't try any food as we stopped in around 10pm but we did have a couple of drinks which were reasonably priced. I would definitely stop in again next time we're in town to try their food and to listen to live music. read more

Merchant's Arch Bar - Having a few drinks and listening to live music - Irish Near Me - Dublin, D

Good Irish breakfast! Clean and great design. Had full bar, but we just had coffees.

Love, love loved this place! The location is prime, right on the water. Did I mention there is a beer hall above the 2nd level? The 1st and 2nd levels of the restaurant were packed, but we were the only couple in the beer hall and it was absolutely fabulous. We had a great view of the river, drank some nice craft beer and had great conversations with the bartender who was extremely warm and welcoming. This was another of my favorite places in Dublin. read more

Merchant's Arch Bar - Upstairs hidden beer hall. Gem! - Irish Near Me - Dublin, D

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Great time, great music, great food and the likes. We stopped in before lunch and secured a 730 reservation for a good dinner table. This proved to be a wise move as we arrived for dinner and were seated at a table upstairs overlooking the bar area and stage. We ordered a nice appetizer and meal and enjoyed the music during our meal. I had the Guinness stew, very delicious. The service was good. The entertainment was excellent and made the evening very enjoyable. It's a loud environment so not a place you can sit and talk. Make a reservation and have a great time. read more

We visited a lot of pubs and bars on Thai trip and this was our favorite. Right near the river. Great location. We got a seat every time we went but almost always close to full or full. One of the things was they had good local singers/guitar players/bands and you were close and great service and reasonable Beer section. Had lunch there once. Food was good. Maybe not great. But definitely good. read more

This is a very nice pub to have a good night and enjoy good live music, good beer and to meet great people !!! The staff is very efficient and nice ! If you're hungry you can eat huge portions of bacon, irish stew or just sandwiches. That can help you to hold out all night long! Even if it's a busy place, it's not too much crowded like some other very touristic pubs of Temple Bar ! You can also watch rugby or gaelic games there ! read more

Great service and selection Live music really added to ambiance. Fun place. We ordered the lamb special and it was good read more

Worst service EVER!!!! If negative stars were an option, this place would get 3. I ordered a salad with no dressing; it came with dressing. I returned it, waitress looked at me as if I was to blame. The undressed salad came and half the lettuce was on the verge of being rotten (see photo below). Not to mention, they were out of several of the beers and whiskeys our group ordered. Please do not patron this place. So many other great bars, pubs and restaurants in the area. read more

Merchant's Arch Bar - Irish Near Me - Dublin, D

Walked in after dinner to listen to live music. It was hopping but not insanely crowded. Contrary to what others say there was nice a mix of locals and tourists. In any case it didn't matter because we were all singing to classics from Green Day, Coldplay and A few Irish tunes as well. The band (I think) was called "Reely?" And they were up there having a blast. Songs flowed from one to another. At the end people of all different ages danced jigs, waltz, and white man shuffle. Do go. You'll enjoy the atmosphere. read more

Merchant's Arch Bar - Reely band. - Irish Near Me - Dublin, D

Walked in with two young kids, hungry and tired... So glad we did! The staff is welcoming and the food is scrumptious. We had Beef and Guinness pie, with lovely side of mashed potatoes and veggies. My daughter had the chicken "goujons" with chips- and these were really good too. Interesting historical building and nice ambience inside. Highly recommend!!! read more

Awesome band played here. We had an upstairs seat w a great view. Good beer, atmosphere, and people! read more

Merchant's Arch Bar - Live music! - Irish Near Me - Dublin, D

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Great live music! Huge selection of beers on tap! I didn't want to leave. I will be back on my next visit!

The atmosphere was great. The music was very enjoyable and the food was killer. I had the cottage pie and I couldn't get enough. I desperately wanted to know the recipe. Mixed drinks were a bit more expensive than I would have liked. read more

Merchant's Arch Bar - Irish Near Me - Dublin, D

Loved this place! It was packed every night with locals and tourist. Lots of great live music, fast service and an ample beer selection. I tried a few different ciders --- both were really good. I tried to go back to this place on two more occasions but it was so crowded I had to leave. I would strongly suggest visiting this place, but go early. read more

Came here twice last week because of the amazing music (could've sworn there's Ed Sheeran playing). In addition there's very good pub food, nice waitresses and more restaurant-like atmosphere upstairs. Definitively the best place to start your evening in Temple Bar or when you actually want to talk to each other. read more

Music was live and pretty good but very loud. My spouse put earplugs in and we sat upstairs behind a wall and it was still too loud for her. Food was so-so. She got the seafood chowder which was a cut above the other several we've tried in Ireland...and that's good because the price was 30% more too. I got the black and blue burger which was also 30% more than elsewhere, but was maybe half as good as what I've had for less. Chips were nothing special and I had to ask for tiny caps of mayo and ketchup...otherwise nothing. read more

If you're looking for somewhere to sample the atmosphere of Dublin then please stay away from this pub. A compete tourist-trap with eye-watering prices for drink. As an Irish person I almost felt ashamed that tourists were being asked to pay these prices. read more

Merchant's Arch Bar - Irish Near Me - Dublin, D

Ok, yes, it can be kitschy and touristy but for a visitor this place made it memorable. This pub welcomed me with open arms as I waited for some friends for the night. I must rave about the bartenders now. They were skilled in multi-tasking by pouring pints and having conversations and working the bar with ease. The live music was awesome and great to sing along to (yes, they do have a speaker outside the bar to attract the US tourists) but I had such a fun time - just making you feel welcome - now that's service! I did go for the fish and chips which exuded the standard pub food. It was a bit greasy for some people's standards but I loved the portion size and the crispy, thick fries that are lightly salted. I think the best thing is they know how to pour their pints and use the right glasses which you rarely get back in the States. So if you are a tourist, come here, feel welcome and enjoy a wonderful start to the night. read more

Live music, very pleasant atmosphere. The servers were extremely accommodating, even so far as charging a friend's phone. Beautiful!!

AMAZING QUESADILLAS!!! 100% recommend to anyone who needs a break while exploring Dublin! Although, FYI it's pretty touristy

We came here with our two kids on our last night in town, having enjoyed an earlier visit. It was a mistake. Our waitress confused our order, management refused to fix the mistake, and we ended up paying a ridiculous amount for food we didn't get. I asked the waitress if we could order plain cheese quesadillas with a side order of fries for our two vegetarian kids, and she said yes. I got a cheese and mushroom quesadilla. Turns out she charged the kids for chicken quesadillas - minus everything but cheese - at literally twice the price of the mushroom quesadilla (18 Euros each). I asked why they didn't just charge us for the cheaper quesadilla if it was just cheese anyway, and was told I should have sent it back if I didn't want it. How did I even know?! I incorrectly assumed some amount of logic and good faith, I guess. Wrong. This is something management could have *easily* fixed, but refused to. Bad service and bad response. We definitely will not be back. read more

I was only in Dublin for 4 days and went here my last night. I instantly regretted not finding this place earlier in my trip so I could have gone every night of my trip! BEST bands and great vibe. The bartenders were AWESOME! This is a MUST for any trip to Dublin read more

Great pub!! Good music and beers for an authentic Irish pub^^I recommend the blue cheese burger is delicious ^^ the food is one of the best Irish pub food in Dublin read more

Great pub. The evening we came for dinner was the Boston college and Georgia tech football game, and it was crowded, but we got a table upstairs. Atmosphere is great with live music and tvs playing the football games. Food was very good, had the chicken wings, shepherds pie and Guinness beef stew and of course, a pint!! Love that even when they're so crowded, they don't rush you like here in the states, so you can enjoy your time and drink and food and listen to the music. Definitely recommend this place read more

Nice bar, good food, service was polite... but the music is SO RIDICULOUSLY LOUD, that one can not even yell to communicate with their table mates. It's too much. Fix it or I will never be back. read more

Nice pub great choice of beer and whiskies. Nice live music and good service. I will defenitely be back. Whilst its in Temple Bar it still feels like it stands on its own :-) read more

On St. Patrick's Day my merry band of drinking buddies squeezed in with the other revelers. One intrepid member of our group made it to the bar and ordered 10 pints of beer, which we then chain-gang style passed back. Much to my surprise, the pints had been poured in actual glasses, not plastic cups! The band was playing a mix of traditional irish music and U2. It was an awesome Dublin experience! I highly recommend this quaint bar! read more

Strapping lads singing to me, football on the telly, great food, and a Green Spot. I'm in heaven. What a nice little find. We literally wandered into the most enjoyable experience of our day. read more

Pretty good! Really liked the particular artist there playing music the other night. The beer was nice and the food ok. I'm a really tough critic of food, so left this with just a three-star, but will definitely go back and have a great time! read more

Actually 4 1/2, but not quite up to a 5 rating. Still, very good all the way around. The service was prompt and cheerful. I was made to feel very comfortable despite being very much the bumbling tourist. We tried the beef and Guinness pie, bangers & mash, and bacon with cabbage. All where uniformly excellent and served promptly. Prices were very reasonable. For beer lovers, their ale sampler was an excellent way of sampling the fine local microbrews. read more

Food was ok. I ordered fish and chips, nothing over the top but very edible. Service was average.

Good pub, just off the Liffey on the corner of the alley with the same name. Often sports live music on both floors and has a rather wide selection of classic, craft and international beers. read more