Dublin’s top five historic pubs

If there’s one thing that Dublin has a lot of, it's pubs. In fact, there are over 1,000 pubs in Dublin.

The weird thing is that every Dubliner worth their salt knows about 350 of them, where the bathrooms are located and what the Guinness on tap is like. If you ask a Dubliner for directions to anywhere in the city, they won’t explain the route by street names, instead they will use pubs names.

Dublin pubs are part of the city’s living culture and its history. From literary hangouts to places where deals are made by politicians and businessmen, to places where locals celebrate, relax and mourn, pubs, for better or worse are at the center of Dublin life.

Here are the top five historic pubs in Dublin:

1 Brazen Head – (Est 1198)

Located down the quays of the River Liffey, the Brazen Head is officially Dublin’s oldest pub. Established in 1198 it was originally a coach house but it is unclear how much of the original structure remains but the pub certainly drips with history.

Just some of the historic figures who are known to have spent time in Dublin are authors James Joyce, Brendan Behan and Jonathan Swift, as well as revolutionaries  Robert Emmet, Wolfe Tone, Daniel O'Connell and Michael Collins.

This is a great pub for live music and a lively crowd. A great spot to experience a real Dublin pub.

20 Lower Bridge Street, Dublin 8. www.brazenhead.com

2 Johnnie Fox's Pub (Est 1798)

Johnnie Fox’s has been at the center of Glencullen village since 1798, the year the Irish Rebellion was led by Wolfe Tone. It was also used for meetings by leaders during 1916.

Fox’s also boasts of being the highest pub in Dublin and has an amazing view of the city below.

The pub is about 35 minutes away from the city center, but it is worth making the trek for the atmosphere, traditional music, dancing, storytelling sessions and other entertainment seven nights a week.

Ballybetagh Road, Glencullen, Co. Dublin. www.jfp.ie

3 The Stag’s Head (est 1780)

This is certainly one of the most beautiful pubs in Dublin. It was established as a tavern in 1780, and it’s still a very popular spot most nights of the week. My advice would be to visit early on a weekday night so you can appreciate the beautiful old wooden floor, marble columns, stained glass and, of course, the stag’s head behind the bar.

Its currently design is Victorian as it was redesigned in 1895, but it has retained this look to the present day. Quite recently, it was refurbished but thankfully little has changed.

Known for its excellent pub food, the favorite being bangers and mash and toasted cheese sandwich, this pub truly feels like you’re stepping back in time.

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Nster.com