Favorite Pub in Dublin

Ed - the RS guidebook mentions a pub north of Temple Bar and the river. My copy is AWOL right now so I don't remember the name of it, only that RS described it as in a non-touristy part of town and as a place where you hear real Irish music. Maybe someone else will pull out their guidebook and remind me of the name. Over the bridge near the east end of Temple Bar it was about 3 blocks north and then 3 blocks east in a rather seedy, industrial looking area. We went there in May 2014 after having heard the stuff in Temple Bar venues and Brazen Head, and after spending lots of time in small town pubs (e.g. Kenmare, Dingle, Trim, etc) with locals who were playing in small bars for the love of it, not hired to serenade tourists. The place was packed on a weeknight and I didn't detect any other Americans. I'm no expert on Trad, but the music was much more like what we heard in Dingle etc, not the usual Molly Malone stuff heard in Temple Bar. I don't remember the beer, but that's not why we were there. If I wanted music in Dublin I'd go there in a heartbeat.

Greetings from Ireland, the pub that Rick recommends on the Northside of town is called 'The Celt' on talbot street. Best pub in Dublin, therefore the world.
I introduced Rick to it many many years ago after we watched a Donegal Gaelic Football match in relatively nearby Croke Park.
You'll love the music and the vibe, say hi to copy, the bar Manager, a real stalwart.
Le meas/with respect
Stephen McPhilemy
Rick Steves Ireland Tour-Guide

It was a chilly, wet August day as I trudged along a dismal street to Kilmainham Gaol (a "helpful" local insisted I get off the tram at what turned out to be the wrong stop). At long last, I arrived at my destination at midday to discover that the last tickets for the day had just been sold (no one warned me). Dripping wet, shivering, and thoroughly disheartened, I looked up and spied the Patriot's Pub on the corner. Nothing cheers one up like a pint and a bowl of thick, hot soup with brown soda bread. After warming up and drying out, I explored the typical warren of rooms and came upon a couple of gentlemen having a game of darts. Best afternoon ever - learning about the game and trying it for myself (it's hard), joining in their camaraderie, chatting with a tourist couple who visit Ireland yearly and had made this their "local." What made it special wasn't this particular pub, but the friendly people in a neighborhood setting.

I did enjoy seeing the hen parties in Temple Bar in the afternoons. I don't know how much fun it is later on . . . they were pretty sloshed.

If it hasn't morphed into a wine bar or gastro pub my vote goes for Keogh's.

Hi Claudia
Do you mean the famous Kehoes on South Anne Street, just off Dublin?
If so Im typing this from there right now with a creamy Guinness sitting in front of me!
Please to report it hasn't morphed into a wine bar!! :)
Slainte!
Stephen McPhilemy
Rick Steves Ireland Tour-Guide

stephenmc - I want your life!

Ed - I won't share my favorite as it doesnt have music, but i will share

The Palace Bar on Fleet Street.

After a late night at Gilbert O'Sullivan in St. Patrick's Cathedral, I was dying for a coffee the next afternoon. Went to a great coffee spot and discovered it had turned into a Starbucks. So -- I looked around the corner and said to a man - "do you think that pub serves coffee?" pointing at the Palace Bar. He assured me they would, so i went in, all the way to the back, where am amazing glass-covered ceiling from Victorian times brightened up the back bar. Wonderful atmosphere, great set up to chat with others near by. As I finished my coffee, a man came in with a fiddle case. Then another with an accordion case. Next thing I knew, 6 guys were playing their hearts out and the coffee was put aside, and the pints came out! It was a fantastic atmosphere, lovely old decor (it's been around since the late 1800's) and a great pint.

To top it off, as i was leaving a few hours later, my neighbor from Waterville on the Ring of Kerry was in the front of the bar with friends - it's an Irishman's hangout, so that makes it even better!

Easy walk to the Irish Gallery of Photography & Irish Photographic Archive in Temple Bar, too.

Highly recommend it!