Cocktail barTraditional pub€€€south-city-centreMon-Wed 16:00-23:30, Thu 13:00-23:30, Fri-Sat 13:00-00:30, Sun 15:00-23:00
The Long Hall on South Great George's Street in Dublin 2, a Victorian saloon since 1881 with original mahogany and mirror back-bar, the city's best Guinness.
Signature drink: Guinness
Food: Bar snacks and toasties only
Tip: The bar runs the length of the room; sit on a stool in the back snug to watch the bar staff work. Cash and card.
Cocktail barTraditional pub€€€south-city-centreMon-Sat 10:30-23:30, Sun 12:30-23:00
Grogan's on South William Street in Dublin 2, the artist's pub since the 1970s, the city's reference for a creamy Guinness and a toasted-cheese-and-ham.
Signature drink: Guinness with a ham and cheese toastie
Food: Toasted cheese and ham toasties only
Tip: Cash and card. The front lounge fills with regulars; the back room is the conversation room. Toasties stop at 18:00.
Cocktail barTraditional music pub€€€north-inner-cityMon-Thu 16:00-23:30, Fri-Sat 14:00-00:30, Sun 13:00-23:00
The Cobblestone on King Street North in Smithfield, Dublin 7, Tom Mulligan's family trad music pub, the city's reference for an unplugged session.
Signature drink: Guinness
Food: No food, drinks only
Tip: Nightly trad sessions from 19:00, free entry. The back room is the dedicated session bar; arrive 18:00 for a seat.
Cocktail barCocktail bar€€€south-city-centreMon-Tue 17:00-23:00, Wed 17:00-23:30, Thu 17:00-01:00, Fri 16:00-02:00, Sat 15:00-02:00, Sun 15:00-22:00
Peruke and Periwig on Dawson Street in Dublin 2, a Victorian-cabinet cocktail bar on three floors, the city's reference for a Dealer's Choice and a Manhattan.
Signature drink: Dealers Choice cocktail
Food: Bar snacks only
Tip: Three floors; the basement is the speakeasy room. Bookings essential Friday and Saturday; the ground-floor bar takes walk-ins.
Cocktail barCocktail bar€€€south-city-centreMon-Wed 14:00-23:30, Thu 14:00-01:00, Fri-Sat 14:00-02:30, Sun 14:00-23:00
The Bar With No Name above L'Gueuleton on Fade Street in Dublin 2, a hidden-entrance cocktail bar marked by a wooden snail, mismatched decaying furniture.
Signature drink: House Negroni
Food: Tapas-style snacks
Tip: Look for the wooden snail beside L'Gueuleton; the entrance is unmarked. Walk-in for cocktails.
Cocktail barCraft beer bar€€€south-city-centreMon-Thu 12:00-00:00, Fri-Sat 12:00-01:00, Sun 12:00-00:00
P. Mac's on Lower Stephen Street in Dublin 2, a candlelit craft-beer bar with twenty Irish and US taps, the southside's reference for an Irish craft IPA.
Signature drink: Whiplash IPA on tap
Food: Bar snacks; food trucks outside
Tip: Twenty taps weekly rotation; ask the bar for the Whiplash, DOT or Trouble Brewing pour. Cash and card.