5 live music worth the night across Ireland, editor-ranked. All Ireland guides.
Whelan's ★ 4.8 · Dublin
camden-street · 25 Wexford Street, Dublin 2, D02 H527
Whelan's on Wexford Street is the canonical Dublin live music room, three venues across the building running seven nights, with Hozier and Glen Hansard alumni.
Tip: The main venue is the upstairs room, not the front bar, ask at the door if you have a ticket. Sundays are the trad night and the bar pours till 01:00.
The Cobblestone ★ 4.8 · Dublin
smithfield · 77 North King Street, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 TP22
The Cobblestone in Smithfield Dublin is the Mulligan family trad pub The Guardian called Ireland's most famous traditional music room. Free nightly sessions.
Tip: The front bar session is free and starts at 19:00, you sit where the regulars say you sit. The Balcony TV gigs are in the back room and ticketed.
Vicar Street ★ 4.7 · Dublin
thomas-street · 58-59 Thomas Street, Dublin 8
Vicar Street on Thomas Street in Dublin opened in 1998 and has hosted Bob Dylan, Adele and Ed Sheeran in a 1,500-standing Liberties room that touring artists prize.
Tip: The cabaret-table seated layout is the best one in the room, book direct on vicarstreet.com and pick the bottom tier for sightlines.
Devitt's ★ 4.5 · Dublin
camden-street · 78 Camden Street Lower, Dublin 2, D02 C642
Devitt's on Camden Street Lower is the south side Dublin trad institution, with live Irish music sessions seven nights a week and a regular musician's audience.
Tip: The Wednesday session is the longest-running, get there by 21:00 for a seat near the players. Order at the bar, food is decent and not the point.
The International Bar ★ 4.3 · Dublin
south-city-centre · 23 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2
The International Bar on Wicklow Street in Dublin hosts Ireland's oldest comedy club upstairs and a basement that runs blues and singer-songwriter nights cheaply.
Tip: The Comedy Cellar Tuesday and Thursday nights are the originals, pay at the door and bring cash, the upstairs has no card machine.