Dublin, Ireland is a land of historic castles, Catholic churches, little leprechauns, lucky shamrocks, pots of gold, pints of Guinness and rowdy bars filled with music and craic.
Among the many Irish pubs in Dublin, The Brazen Head reigns king. Honored as the Oldest Pub in Dublin, Brazen Head is an institution…and a must-see sight!
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The Brazen Head Pub is open from mid-morning until late every night – but the best time to go to this popular pub is during their legendary Sunday Session.
The Brazen Head Dublin, Ireland
We routed our way through the city on a Self-Guided Walking Tour that purposely ended at the Brazen Head Pub Dublin.
Inside the walls are covered in memorabilia and classic Irish pub décor. The layout consists of five small rooms – three of which have bars. There is also space upstairs, as well as in the outdoor beer garden.
The cozy ambiance is highlighted by comfort food aromas – like fish-and-chips, fresh mussels and hearty beef stew. It is a quintessential Irish bar – and exactly how we imagined it would be.
We eased into a booth in the back room and waited patiently for our perfectly poured pints of Guinness. Our first sip confirmed what we had heard: Guinness does taste better in Dublin.
I wondered how many pints have been served from these bars – and based on our initial observations and silly math – there have been oh-so-very many!
Foodie Tip: The Brazen Head is touted as one of the best pubs in Dublin for food. We believe the best pub food in Dublin is traditional Irish fare – which features heavily on the Brazen Head menu.
Live Music at The Brazen Head
While the claims of being the Oldest Bar in Dublin were enough to entice us to visit the Brazen Head, we specifically planned our visit to coincide with their famed Sunday Jam Session.
Nearly all of the Dublin, Ireland pubs host live musical performances, but none are as intimate or endearing as a Sunday Session at The Brazen Head.
For more than 20 years, Rafferty has been entertaining guests on Sunday afternoons. By the time we wandered into the front room bar for the music, it was completely packed – with both locals and tourists.
Standing on my tippy toes, I could just see the seven musicians sitting in the corner booth. Ranging in age from nearly dead (their words) to rather young, they played guitars, a fiddle, an accordion, bodhrans (Irish drums), and spoons!
It truly was a traditional Dublin, Ireland Sunday Session, as they doubled as comedians and story tellers. During ballads, the entire bar sang along and when they played upbeat tunes, there was so much stomping that the entire room was shaking.
Initially, we had anticipated only staying for a few songs, but the atmosphere was so engaging that we couldn’t tear ourselves away. We ended up staying for the entire 3-hour traditional Sunday Jam Session. Slainte!
Pro Tip: The Brazen Head Sunday Jam Session takes place on Sundays from 3:30pm until 6:30pm. The pub also hosts nightly live music from 9:30pm onwards.
Brazen Head Dublin History
The history of Brazen Head Dublin is a bit murky and often challenged. While they claim to be the Oldest Pub in Ireland, that fact is contested by Sean’s Bar in the town of Athlone.
It is said to have been established in the year 900 (and, if that date is correct, it is possibly the oldest pub in the world).
The origins of the Brazen Head can be traced back to 1198 and an Inn that operated on the exact same spot on Bridge Street – and that date makes it the Oldest Pub Dublin.
That said, there is evidence that ale was sold from an establishment on the site in 1661 – and there is no doubt that the current building was constructed in the 1750s.
No matter the exact age of the bar, it is clearly one of the oldest pubs in Dublin! Long serving as a place for socialization, it has also seen a slew of famous guests – from James Joyce to Garth Brooks.
Where is The Brazen Head Pub Dublin, Ireland?
Brazen Head is located at 20 Lower Bridge Street in Usher’s Quay. It is just about a 10-minute walk from the center of Temple Bar, a 5-minute walk from Christ Church Cathedral and about 15 minutes from the Guinness Storehouse.
More Must-See Old Pubs in Dublin, Ireland
This is no shortage of old Irish pubs in Dublin. In fact, there is said to be a total of more than 750 Dublin bars.
After having a pint of Guinness at the Oldest Pub in Dublin, be sure to check out some of the other Dublin Famous Pubs.
The Stag’s Head Dublin
Established in the late 1700s, but renovated to its Victorian style in 1895, The Stag’s Head is highly ranked for its ambiance and food.
Mulligan’s
Since 1854, the low-key and no-frills Mulligan’s has been slinging drinks to the literary crowd and thirsty patrons.
The Gravediggers
A local’s bar, The Gravediggers is the insider’s nickname for the John Kavanagh Bar – which dates to the year 1833 (and firmly establishes its place on the Old Pubs Dublin list!).
The Long Hall
One of the old, classic Victorian pubs in Dublin, The Long Hall was established in 1766 and pours a pretty tasty Guinness!
Johnnie Fox’s
Although not technically in Dublin, Johnnie Fox’s pub – located 20km (12 miles) south in the Dublin Mountains – is a traditional bar that claims to be the Highest Pub in Ireland, established in 1798.
The Temple Bar Pub
The Temple Bar district is well-known for its numerous Irish pubs that attract visitors from around the world. Among the many is The Temple Bar, which dates to 1840.
While perhaps not the most authentic pub in Dublin, it is always packed with people having an excellent time!
Other Dublin Pub and Irish Drinking Experiences
While popping into a few pubs during your Dublin visit is a good way to get a taste of the city, there are more in-depth experiences to be had!
Dublin Guinness Storehouse
Join a connoisseur on tasting experience at the famed Guinness Storehouse. Learn about the different varieties, explore the museum and enjoy two fresh Guinness pints in the Gravity Bar!
Jameson Distillery
Take a guided tasting tour through the Jameson Distillery on Bow Street. Sample Ireland’s famous whiskey while learning about the distillation process and behind-the-scenes stories.
Dublin Pub Crawls
For a fun night with fellow travelers, join one of the many themed Dublin Pub Crawls. You can follow in the footsteps of literary heroes, seek out the sweet sounds of traditional Irish music or party the night away!
Map of Old Pubs in Dublin, Ireland
Use this Google Map to find all of our recommended Dublin Pubs from the map below!
Travel Tips for Ireland
Travelers as interested in exploring as drinking in the pubs will find that there are ample things to do in and around Dublin City! Check out our complete Dublin Itinerary to plan your vacation to Ireland.
Planning a Trip to Dublin, Ireland
There is a lot more to Dublin trip planning than simply seeking out the best pubs. Be sure to start with our top tips for Planning a Vacation to Europe.
Organization is key to any big trip – so it’s essential to keep all the details straight. Our printable Travel Planner has more than 20 pages to keep it sorted!
Sightseeing in and around Dublin
Looking for more Dublin experiences? Use our guide to the Best Free Things To Do in Dublin. The city is also great jumping off point for other Ireland Adventures!
Take a quick day trip to the coastal village of Howth Ireland. Here there are a handful of harbor-side pubs and tucked-away taverns.
Alternately, the village of Malahide offers charm, excellent cuisine and an impressive castle.
Make the trip to Belfast in Northern Ireland, where there are several old taverns – like McHugh’s Bar, Whites Tavern and Kelly’s Cellars.
In the coastal town of Bray, check out the characteristic Harbour Bar after trekking the Bray Head Cliff Walk.
Don’t forget the West Coast of Ireland! We have complete guides to the village of Doolin (including the Cliffs of Moher), the mystical Aran Islands and fun loving Galway!
Start planning your trip to Ireland! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
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