Thomas House is a nice little punk pub that is a 15 minutes walk outside of city centre & away from…read morethe Crazy ass tourists. It reminded me of a place I used to go to in Bellflower called Midway. The only difference is they have good punk music. The beer was excellent and I must quote them on this, "no sissy drinks like an apple martini." I will forever be grateful to this pub as I discovered St. Bernardus. Only the best beer in the world and it's made by Monks. Something about the rich flavors in it made for a climatic experience. As I drank that pint, I tasted all it had to offer. It's dark with a full, ivory-colored head. It was amazing, try it and don't hesitate to go to a punk bar in Dublin, Ireland when you get a chance. Cheers!

Exactly what you expect. Comfortable no-nonsence bar with great service and better drinks.read more

Five stars. Slatterys in Rathmines is my favourite pub in Dublin…read more There is something special here. The widescreen TVs are cool. I know the lads who put them in from a great TV store up the road Upstairs sees new bands and those giving it a try for a shot on the spot. I'm a downstairs man and it's just special. A small long snug is unique. Great bar staff. I have been here a lot and am due a visit Highly regarded bar by all I add 5 stars without doubt. #Best bar in the county.

There is nothing Gastro, Super or Mega about this authentic Old Mans Pub in the heart of Rathmines…read more With tongue-and-groove wood ceilings, creaking stained wooden floors and a genuine snug (that's almost always taken) in the lounge, Slattery's is a genuine pub experience that's easy to enjoy. On Bombay Pantry nights we'll wait here while our order cooks, sipping our bevvies and sitting in with regulars, soaking up the atmosphere. The main area is open-plan with a few tall stools around the pillar tables plus niche booths and seating at the bar. Papering the high walls throughout are framed sketches and gig posters, really adding to the atmosphere of a favourite local spot, The crowd here is well balanced, in the evenings there's plenty of aul fellas and pensioners mixed with the pilates and yoga crowd -though who's more likely to end up in the downward facing dog by the end of the night is anyone's guess.

Fantastic non-touristy pub with live music and great bartenders like Carlos who make the afternoon…read morememorable. Don't just go to Temple Bar when in Dublin. In fact skip that and venture out. This is very close walking distance to Jameson, so a great after distillery experience.

Know what you're getting into before coming here…read more My girlfriend and I were jonesing for some Irish music done by the locals and were told all around town this was one of the places that has it on a regular basis. Upon entering it was pretty packed, and my girlfriend and I were searching for the live music and where the band was going to set up if indeed there was going to be live music. Now here is where it gets funny my yelp friends, when we searched the outside bar area and still couldn't find it, I went up to the bar and asked one of the bartenders when do the musicians arrive and his reply was, " they are in the corner over there playing already." The three-person band was playing very softly and in the most far-reaching left side of the bar hidden away. You could not really hear it and when I say the place was jammed pack with people near them, I am not joking, we could barely see them. I had half a beer here as my girlfriend and I weren't in the mood to stand the whole time to music we could barely hear. I appreciate that this is an old bar that people frequent, kind of reminded me of the dive bars in Philly to a degree but just know what you are in for before coming if this is the bar you ultimately choose for a night out. As always people SYOY!!!!

You love pubs. You love trad…read more You're a star at drinking pints. You're short a tin whistle. There's hope yet. In addition to a classic and beautifully maintained pub, J. McNeills also runs a music centre on the second floor for repairs, sales and sheet music. Once you've got the arsenal of instruments and songs down, take part (or just sit back, pint in hand) in one of the City Centre's most prolific sessions. Check the board outside for an idea of the music on for the evening -the taste is eclectic and bluegrass is favoured.

McNeils is a tiny wee pub on Capel Street and it's usually overlooked because there is nothing loud…read moreabout it and well, it's next door to a sex shop. But it's well worth going to for a pint- or a few. They have open sessions on Thursdays, so if you like traditional Irish music or even play an instrument, you can drop by and join in the session. Apart from the trad sessions McNeils is a pretty nice, relaxed, comfortable standard Irish pub. A good place to enjoy a quiet pint and a chat, with professional barmen and a bunch of welcoming regulars. If you can though, try and make it here for the sessions.

`Hughes is one of a couple of early pubs along the Luas line. It's also very conveniently located…read morenear the Four Courts. So if you're feeling a bit shaky about your pending court case, head in and have a few pints to steady the nerves. Not sound legal advice? Ok maybe not, but they do have such a large range of opening hours that it suits people coming off the night shift who want to have a pint or two before heading to bed. If you're not a morning drinker they've also got some pretty good trad music in the evening. The place doesn't normally fill up all the way so you can definitely get a seat and have a quiet pint with friends.

Hughes is one of Dublin city's oldest traditional music venues. It holds music sessions nightly…read more This place is usually dead during the day and early evening but come 10pm the place is teaming with locals and musicians, there were 12 musicians playing all flutes and fiddles. It wasn't the most lively of trad nights, not at all like a Temple Bar sing a long fest but it was really authentic and the musicians were playing more for themselves than the audience!

Oh my Lord, what a night!…read more I've been wanting to go to the Ruby Sessions for ages and finally made it this Tuesday night. I'd heard it's good but nothing more and didn't know what to expect. Especially as it goes quite late on a Tuesday night, was hoping it lived up to its reputation for me to forego an early night before work the next day. AND, it did. In fact, surpassed my expectations. If you are a huge music fan and want to enjoy original live music even when it's not coming from the biggest known names in the industry, then Ruby sessions hits the spot to say the least. And with some big names dropping in every once in a while, it's not hard to understand why. It's the type of night that has earnt its reputation fair and square where you hear the different acts perform completely mesmerised and you wouldn't be surprised if a few years down the line those same performer's names will be on everyone's lips because they are just brimming with talent oozing out of them. The fact that they perform original music too and manage to entertain is not to be taken for granted either. There are many talented musicians who don't manage to compel audiences unless singing covers and many people don't enjoy listening to songs they've never heard. Not a problem at the ruby sessions as every single performer is just amazingly talented at what they do. I left feeling like kicking myself for having taken so long to make it round to this. The best bit of all, despite the sessions taking place weekly for the past 16 years, the venue remains small, upstairs at Doyle's, I'd guess about a 50 strong crowd in total, makes you feel like you've gone upstairs into a well kept secret that only the privileged few know about and you are rewarded by being entertained by some seriously talented peeps in return. I've no doubt this will now become part of at least a semi-regular routine for me, and just another reason why I feel blessed to live in this fair city of Dublin with it's hidden underbelly of art & music and talent that even a lot of the bigger cities worldwide just can't rival!

I went there last tuesday and the session was soooo great! The room is quite small but was totally…read morefull and I've had the chance to seat just in front of the stage. Artists were litterally one meter beyond me! What a great experience to listen and watch talented singers and musicians just for 6€ and during 2 hours! I think this place will become my future tuesday nights' spot!

We saw Jim Gaffigan perform here on our last night in Dublin. Vicar Street is a performance venue…read morethat was close to our Aloft Hotel. It has a great bar area and a perfectly-sized theater area with a huge sea of tables with cushy stools, surrounded by a few rows on all sides of stadium seats and a small upper balcony with a few rows of seats as well. The staff was all friendly and helpful. The drinks are pricey, but that was to be expected. Happy to bring our drinks into the venue space for the show. There is a lounge and a coat check area, and the bathrooms are clean. We were happy to be at the very back corner of tables because the table area was spaced very close together and people in the center had a really tough time finding their table and getting in and out, as needed. Even in the back table, we had a clear view of the stage and the sound was great. Note that tables seat 4 people, so if you go with less people than that, be prepared to make friends with the strangers seated with you. We would definitely go to this venue again. I would love to see live music here. There is a great pizza place next door, too.

Very intimate venue for a concert. Lots of bars and bartenders for pre and post show drinks!read more

This joint had a lot of character I thought. Walking in.... it's divey complete with a flower in a…read morepop bottle at the bar! Many cool aspects here.. check out the door, the entry way & the actual bar is beautiful. I may have showed up at an off time but I didn't like the clientele or the staff. Good place to stop for one as the pint was pretty good// talk later

The following day, my face still hurt. It felt like I'd been working out my cheeks. An evening in…read moreThe International Comedy Club will have you laughing 'till you cry. On a Sunday, it isn't as packed as I'm used to (which means actually getting a seat) and it only costs €5. Five euro for five comedy acts! Bargain! Whatever about the audience heckling the comedians, this venue is so tiny that they heckle you! I was "picked on" by two comedians that night. First, Aidan Bishop (Des Bishop's sexy brother) complimented me on my summer dress and asked where I was from. There was no fear of me outshining the comedian as I replied, "Ireland." Duh! Fred Cooke (yer man from the Spar ads) insisted I was Jean from the UCD musical society and that we "shifted" back in '99. He impressed me with how quickly and wittily he improvised when someone from the audience suggested songs for him to perform. He really involved the crowd and even got the barman to dim the lights as he danced Thriller-style and played two recorders at a time. Then, Aidan got up and rapped with him. Abie Philbin Bowman (writer and performer of "Jesus: The Guantanamo Years") seemed like he was showing off with all he knew about politics and history. Us Irish don't like cockiness. We find self-deprecation a lot more humorous. On the other hand, Aussie Damian Clark (from TV show "I Dare Ya") was energetic, hilarious and has such an infectious laugh. So if you want some chiselled jaw lines, get your funny bones down to The International Comedy Club!