Bars and Cafes in Temple Bar and environs (Dublin)

Oliver St John Gogarty

Oliver St John Gogarty was born in 1878 and was a man of many talents: a poet, writer, pilot, politician, sportsman and surgeon. He became known among Dubliners for his kindness and alms-giving to the poor of the city. Located in Temple Bar, this bar is popular for its traditional Irish music sessions, while the restaurant specialises in seafood. Be warned however: the Oliver St. John Gogarty can get very busy indeed during the summer months.

Farringtons

Formerly the Norseman pub, Farringtons was formerly small, intimate and the home of some of the best live music in the city. Its location in the tourist mecca of Temple Bar, however, led to the bar being massively extended and Farringtons' character is now, consequently, much altered. Nonetheless, some of the old features remain, the food is good and it's still a reasonably good pub in which to hear traditional music in the city center.

Temple Bar Pub

Set in the heart of Dublin's "Left Bank", the Temple Bar pub has recently been renovated, which means it can pack in more people than ever. The Temple Bar is always full to capacity and during the summer its clientele spill out onto the cobbled streets. Once an authentic establishment loved by locals, the pub has now become a haven for tourists, and it's virtually impossible to get a seat any night of the week. The atmosphere is boisterous, however, and a lot of fun. For all those whiskey enthusiasts, there's now a "Whiskey Whiskey" cafe inside serving Ireland's largest collection of the sacred spirit.

The Octagon Bar

The Octagon is one of the the most understated beautiful bars in Dublin. As part of U2's Clarence Hotel, it attracts the obvious music and media types, but the intimate layout of the place prohibits the kind of cat-walking that you might expect. An open fire and complementary bowls of yummy snacks add extra charm to this bar which, incidentally, serves the best cocktails in Dublin.

Buskers Bar

This lively pub in the Temple Bar Hotel can be fun if cocktails, more cocktails and loud music are to your taste. Expect queues on summer weekends as the place soaks up the hordes of wandering tourists in this part of town. They offer a mouthwatering selection of bar food to choose from midday, and a late bar on Fridays and Saturdays. The interior design certainly borders on the surreal, however.

The Auld Dubliner

While its name may bring nostalgic images of times past to mind, this busy Dublin pub can't help but attract the bustling tourist trade in Temple Bar. You won't find too many locals here; but if a boisterous, lively atmosphere is what you're after, the Auld Dubliner is as good a pub as any in the area.

Joy of Coffee

Located in the heart of Temple Bar, this relaxed coffee shop is very popular with tourists, and is the ideal location to read, write a postcard, or just hang out in one of Dublin's most thriving commercial areas. A truly comfortable cafe, there are big wooden tables, a huge choice in coffees, and board games to occupy your time. Sandwiches and desserts are reasonably priced and the background music on the CD player is usually something hip.

The Long Hall

This kind of pub seems to be a dying breed these days. Instead of offering neon-glowing dance floors it provides nothing but good beer and good conversation in a long room with a long bar. Its walls are festooned with a bewildering array of exotic trinkets and portraits of ancient Chinese gods, making for perfect conversation jumpstarters. The bar-staff is friendly, as is the crowd. Weekdays are mellow, but on weekends it becomes so packed that finding a seat borders on wishful.

Foggy Dew

If you happened to have been in Dublin about ten years ago and have fond memories of this tiny but friendly bar, you're in for a shock. The Foggy Dew has been completely refurbished of late, and is now at least ten times the size of its former self. Opening late at the weekends, the Foggy Dew remains busy, vibrant and still full of life. Its music policy perhaps leaves a little to be desired.

The Button Factory

A popular venue for both Irish and international bands, the Button Factory also features a great bar, and its glass facade makes the venue an ideal place for a relaxing drink. Very popular with students, the centre features club nights most evenings, and also regularly plays host to Saturday afternoon gigs, showcasing emerging new Irish talent.

Mulligans Pub

Licensed in 1792, this drinking institution rates as one of the oldest pubs in Dublin. It holds a tremendous allure with locals and visitors alike, and John F. Kennedy even made it his favorite stop while working in Ireland in 1945. Its old wooden interior creates the perfect setting for sipping a fresh pint of Guinness. As a worthy nod to its past cell phones are banned inside its doors.

The Lotts

Lotts is a popular café-bar in Dublin. This cozy and small place is usually packed; many people come here in big groups. The bar has a good collection of beers to choose from and the staff is warm and friendly. It also has a small restaurant, which serves Mediterranean cuisine.