Dublin’s Literary Pubs
Dublin has produced some of the world’s greatest writers—James Joyce, W.B. Yeats, Samuel Beckett, Oscar Wilde—and many of them found inspiration in Dublin’s traditional pubs. These literary pubs aren’t just drinking establishments but spaces where literature was discussed, debated, and sometimes created. Visiting them offers a connection to Ireland’s literary heritage in authentic settings.
This guide reveals Dublin’s literary pubs, explaining which writers drank where, what they discussed, and how to experience these atmospheric spaces where Irish literature was forged.
Why Dublin’s Pubs Are Literary
Dublin’s pubs have always been more than just places to drink—they’re social spaces where ideas are exchanged, stories are told, and community is formed. For writers, pubs provided inspiration, companionship, and material for their work.
Several factors made Dublin’s pubs particularly important for writers:
Community: Pubs provided regular meeting places where writers could connect with fellow artists and intellectuals.
Material: The characters, conversations, and atmosphere of pubs provided material for fiction and poetry.
Atmosphere: Many pubs have preserved their traditional character, offering atmospheric settings that stimulate creativity.
Accessibility: Dublin is compact, making it easy for writers to move between different pubs and meet various circles.
Essential Literary Pubs to Visit
1. Davy Byrne’s
Davy Byrne’s is perhaps Dublin’s most famous literary pub, immortalised in James Joyce’s “Ulysses.” Leopold Bloom drinks a gorgonzola here in the “Lestrygonians” episode (Episode 8), and Joyce himself was a regular in the early 20th century.
What makes Davy Byrne’s special is its authenticity. The pub retains much of its traditional character—wooden interior, comfortable snugs, and an atmosphere that feels unchanged from Joyce’s time. The connection to “Ulysses” is celebrated rather than exploited, creating a genuine literary experience.
Address: 21 Duke Street, D2
Opening: Daily 10:30am-11:30pm
Cost: Standard Dublin pub prices (pints €5-7, meals €12-18)
Literary significance: James Joyce regular; Leopold Bloom drinks gorgonzola here in “Ulysses.”
What to order: A pint of Guinness or a gorgonzola (though the exact recipe Joyce described may not be available). The food is good quality pub grub.
2. The Bailey
The Bailey is a historic pub on Duke Street that’s associated with several literary figures, though its connection to them is sometimes debated. W.B. Yeats is said to have drunk here, and the pub certainly hosted many of Dublin’s literary and artistic communities over generations.
What makes The Bailey special is its atmospheric interior and historic character. The pub has been serving drinks since the 19th century, and while modified over decades, it retains a sense of authenticity that makes drinking here feel like stepping into literary Dublin.
Address: 17 Duke Street, D2
Opening: Daily 10:30am-11:30pm
Cost: Standard Dublin pub prices (pints €5-7, meals €12-18)
Literary significance: Associated with W.B. Yeats and broader Dublin literary community.
Atmosphere: The Bailey has genuine historic atmosphere, particularly in the evening when locals and literary tourists mix.
3. Mulligan’s
Mulligan’s on Poolbeg Street is one of Dublin’s finest Victorian pubs, renowned for its oysters (still available) and long literary associations. James Joyce is known to have drunk here, and the pub appears in several of his works.
What makes Mulligan’s special is its preserved Victorian interior and continuing literary tradition. The pub hasn’t changed dramatically over decades, and writers and artists continue to frequent it today. The oysters, once Dublin’s cheapest food source, remain a unique offering.
Address: 8 Poolbeg Street, D2
Opening: Daily 10:30am-11:30pm
Cost: Standard Dublin pub prices; oysters are expensive (€2-3 each) but a unique Dublin experience
Literary significance: James Joyce regular; appears in Joyce’s works; continuing literary tradition.
Unique offering: The oysters are a genuine Dublin tradition and worth trying, even at premium prices.
4. Grogan’s
Grogan’s on South William Street is a literary institution. James Joyce’s father drank here, and James himself frequented the pub in his youth. The pub has preserved its Victorian character and remains popular with Dublin’s literary community today.
What makes Grogan’s special is its connection to the Joyce family and its authentic Victorian interior. The pub feels genuinely old-fashioned, with snugs, wooden partitions, and an atmosphere that would be recognisable to James Joyce’s generation.
Address: 15 South William Street, D2
Opening: Daily 10:30am-11:30pm
Cost: Standard Dublin pub prices (pints €5-7, meals €12-18)
Literary significance: James Joyce and his father regular; continuing literary tradition.
Atmosphere: Grogan’s retains authentic Victorian character, particularly atmospheric in the evening.
5. The Long Hall
The Long Hall on George’s Street is another of Dublin’s historic literary pubs. While specific associations are sometimes debated, the pub certainly hosted many of Dublin’s writers and intellectuals over generations, and its preserved Victorian character makes it atmospheric.
What makes The Long Hall special is its dramatic Victorian interior with a long hall that gives the pub its name. The space is atmospheric and genuinely old-fashioned, creating a setting that feels authentic to literary Dublin’s golden age.
Address: 51 George’s Street, D2
Opening: Daily 10:30am-11:30pm
Cost: Standard Dublin pub prices (pints €5-7, meals €12-18)
Literary significance: Hosted many Dublin writers and intellectuals over generations; specific associations sometimes debated.
Interior: The long hall is particularly atmospheric—a dramatic Victorian space perfect for literary contemplation.
Hidden Literary Gems
6. The Brazen Head
The Brazen Head on Bridge Street Lower is one of Dublin’s oldest pubs (dating from the 18th century, possibly earlier). While its literary connections are less well-documented than other pubs, its age and authentic atmosphere make it worth visiting for those interested in Dublin’s historic drinking culture.
What makes The Brazen Head special is its sense of antiquity. This isn’t a Victorian pub like many others but a genuinely old establishment that feels like it could have been hosting Dublin’s writers for centuries.
Address: 20 Bridge Street Lower, D8
Opening: Daily 10:30am-11pm (shorter hours than many Dublin pubs)
Cost: Standard Dublin pub prices (pints €5-7, meals €12-18)
Literary significance: While specific associations are debated, the pub’s age makes it part of Dublin’s broader literary drinking culture.
Historic feel: The Brazen Head has genuine antiquity, particularly atmospheric in the evening.
7. The Stag’s Head
The Stag’s Head on Dame Street is another of Dublin’s historic pubs with literary associations. While less celebrated than Davy Byrne’s or Mulligan’s, it retains authentic Victorian character and has hosted Dublin’s literary community over generations.
What makes The Stag’s Head special is its authenticity and continuing literary connection. The pub hasn’t been gentrified or touristified, remaining a genuine local pub where literary Dublin’s contemporary writers and readers still drink.
Address: 1 Dame Court, D2
Opening: Daily 10:30am-11:30pm
Cost: Standard Dublin pub prices (pints €5-7, meals €12-18)
Literary significance: Has hosted Dublin’s literary community over generations; continuing tradition today.
Local feel: The Stag’s Head feels genuinely local rather than touristified, even in the centre of Dublin.
8. John Kehoe’s
John Kehoe’s on South Anne Street is another of Dublin’s Victorian literary pubs. While specific famous associations are less documented than other pubs, its preserved interior and location in Temple Bar make it atmospheric.
What makes John Kehoe’s special is its location in Temple Bar, Dublin’s cultural quarter. The pub is surrounded by literary and artistic spaces, and the building itself is a fine Victorian survivor in an area much redeveloped.
Address: 9 South Anne Street, D2
Opening: Daily 10:30am-11:30pm
Cost: Standard Dublin pub prices (pints €5-7, meals €12-18)
Literary significance: Located in Temple Bar, Dublin’s literary and artistic quarter; specific associations less documented.
Location: Temple Bar makes John Kehoe’s particularly atmospheric—it’s surrounded by Dublin’s contemporary literary scene.
Exploring Dublin’s Literary Pubs: A Walking Route
Here’s a walking route covering key literary pubs in Dublin’s south city centre in 3-4 hours:
Start: Davy Byrne’s (Duke Street) - allow 45 minutes
Walk to: The Bailey and Grogan’s (both Duke Street, 2 minutes between them) - allow 30 minutes each
Walk to: Mulligan’s (Poolbeg Street, 10 minutes) - allow 30 minutes
Walk to: John Kehoe’s (South Anne Street, 5 minutes) - allow 30 minutes
End: The Long Hall (George’s Street, 5 minutes) - allow 30 minutes
Total distance: Approximately 1 mile
Total time: 3-3.5 hours
Total cost: €25-40 per person (depending on drinking and eating)
Understanding Dublin’s Literary History
Dublin’s literary golden age spanned roughly from the late 19th to mid-20th century, producing an extraordinary concentration of talent:
James Joyce (1882-1941): Revolutionized the novel with “Ulysses” and “Finnegans Wake”
W.B. Yeats (1865-1939): Ireland’s greatest poet, leading figure in Irish literary revival
Oscar Wilde (1854-1900): Playwright, novelist, and wit; Dublin-born though most famous work written abroad
Samuel Beckett (1906-1989): Modernist playwright and novelist; Nobel laureate
Brendan Behan (1923-1964): Novelist and playwright; writer of “Borstal Boy”
These writers and many others found inspiration, companionship, and material in Dublin’s pubs.
Literary Pub Etiquette
Don’t romanticise drinking: These are working pubs, not museum exhibits. Respect staff and other customers.
Keep noise down: Many literary pubs attract tourists seeking atmosphere, but locals come here to drink quietly.
Support staff: If staff share stories about literary history, thank them. These stories are part of Dublin’s living heritage.
Don’t block access: Don’t block bar access or seating areas with photography or prolonged conversations.
Budget Literary Pub Tips
Pint prices: Dublin pub prices are high (€5-7 for a pint). Budget accordingly.
Food vs drink: Food in Dublin pubs is reasonably good value compared to restaurants. Eat pub food rather than dining out.
Happy hours: Some pubs offer happy hour discounts (usually 4-7pm). Check individual pub offers.
Off-peak: Visit mid-afternoon for quieter atmosphere and better service.
Seasonal Literary Pub Visits
Spring: Good weather for walking between pubs. Moderate tourist numbers.
Summer: Busiest time, especially July-August. Literary pubs particularly crowded. Book tables or arrive early.
Autumn: Beautiful autumn light in pub interiors. Moderate tourist numbers.
Winter: Quietest time. Pubs particularly atmospheric in winter light. Some may have shorter opening hours.
A Final Thought
Dublin’s literary pubs offer a genuine connection to Ireland’s extraordinary literary heritage. These aren’t tourist attractions created around literary figures but authentic drinking establishments where writers found inspiration, companionship, and material.
James Joyce drinking gorgonzola in Davy Byrne’s, W.B. Yeats discussing poetry in The Bailey, the broader literary community congregating in pubs across Dublin—these spaces are where Irish literature wasn’t just written but lived, debated, and experienced.
The key to enjoying Dublin’s literary pubs is to treat them as genuine pubs first and literary attractions second. Respect the staff, don’t romanticise the drinking, and enjoy the atmosphere of authentic Dublin drinking culture. Literary history adds depth to the experience but shouldn’t dominate it.
Dublin’s pubs have served writers for centuries and continue to serve contemporary writers and readers today. Visiting them connects you to a continuous literary tradition that makes Dublin one of the world’s great literary cities.
So raise a glass, perhaps a Guinness at Davy Byrne’s or a pint in Mulligan’s, and toast Dublin’s extraordinary writers. The pubs where they drank remain, atmospheric and authentic, waiting to connect new generations to Ireland’s literary heritage.
This guide reveals Dublin’s literary pubs, from James Joyce’s Davy Byrne’s to W.B. Yeats’ haunts, from Victorian interiors to atmospheric snugs. Dublin’s pubs aren’t just drinking establishments but spaces where Ireland’s greatest writers found inspiration and companionship. Visit them and experience Dublin’s living literary heritage.