There’s (arguably) no better kind of Christmas celebration that the festive classic of The 12 Pubs of Christmas, so if you and your friends/family are looking for a very merry outing on this side of the Liffey, then here are our 12 Northside Pubs of Christmas.
Pubs 1 Through 6:
Slattery’s Pub:
- Slattery’s is a classic Dublin pub on Capel Street.
- Slattery’s has been licensed since 1821, and has gone through many names such as Fortune & Co. and Hanna & McClure’s to get to where it is today.
- They make great pints and serve delicious food, which makes them the perfect spot too start off your 12 pubs experience.
McNeill’s Pub:
- McNeill’s can be found on Capel Street as well.
- They have many traits that make them an excellent pub to visit, such as their delicious drinks, nice open fire and a selection of second-hand instruments for sale.
- They also host live music events quite frequently if that is something that you want for your bar crawl.
The Boar’s Head:
- The Boar’s Head is, once again, located on Capel Street.
- The Boar’s Head serves a mean Irish stew and a perfect pint, they are also a big GAA pub so you’ll have no problem finding fans when you’re in there.
Jack Nealon’s:
- Jack Nealon’s is located further down the road from The Boar’s Head.
- They have an unbelievably detailed history and thus have mastered the art of making drinks, if it’s a bev and a good time you’re looking for, then look no further than Jack Nealon’s.
Lotts Café Bar:
- Lotts bar can be found on the corner of North Lotts & Liffey Street Lower.
- Lotts is split into both a quaint Dublin pub and a modern lounge rolled into one. They frequently show live sporting events and are available to rent as a party venue.
- They have a wide selection of cocktails, beers, wines and spirits too choose from.
Gin Palace:
- Gin Palace can be found on Middle Abbey Street.
- The bar has a beautiful Victorian-style interior with carved wooden dividers, stained-glass windows and mosaic floors.
- Gin Palace claims that with over 200 different gins from around the world, they have the largest selection of gin in all of Dublin.
Food Break!
At this point in the night, you’ll probably be pretty drunk, so it might be smart to take a quick break, get some food into you and then continue on, and what better food to fuel the night than a kebab.
Istanbul Kebab House:
- You can find Istanbul Kebab House on Liffey Street Lower.
- You won’t be able to find a more authentic Kebab in all of Dublin, with all their ingredients, equipment and recipes being traditional Turkish items.
Pubs 7 Through 12:
The Oval Bar:
- You can find the Oval Bar on Middle Abbey Street.
- They have a wide selection of drinks, from spirits to whiskeys to wines and beers, and even champagne.
- They were first licensed in 1822 and have been a part of the Dublin pub culture ever since
The Flowing Tide:
- You can find The Flowing Tide on the corner of Abbey Street Lower and Marlborough Street.
- Given it’s proximity to The Abbey Theatre, the Flowing Tide has seen plenty of actors come and have a drink or two. It has also survived an artillery shell during the Easter rising.
- There is also a downstairs bar named the Neptune bar where you can get spectacular cocktails and more.
Piper’s Corner:
- Piper’s Corner is on the corner of Marlborough Street and Sackville Place.
- Piper’s Corner hosts live traditional Irish music very frequently, and with the lively atmosphere, great drinks and old school feel, they are the perfect place to visit for your pub crawl.
Brannigan’s:
- Brannigan’s can be found on Cathedral Street.
- They are a classic Irish gastro-pub with dishes such as lamb stew, Irish lamb stew and ptim Irish beef burgers.
- This little piece of Dublin culture has seen it’s fair share of Irish history, including Dublin’s first elephant (yes, an elephant) about 330 years ago.
Electric Circus:
- You can find Electric Circus on Talbot Street.
- They are not your average watering hole, with eclectic artwork, decorations and wall paintings that you won’t find anywhere else.
- They have a large selection of specialty cocktails as well as the classics. They also have, of course, plenty of beers and wines that you can order.
The Celt:
- The Celt is located very close to Electric Circus on Talbot Street.
- The Celt has gone from being a horse stables to being one of the best authentic Dublin pubs around.
- They also play live Irish music 7 days a week, so I think it should be a perfect end to a perfect night.
And there it is, from the classic pubs that help sculpt Dublin’s nightlife to the less classic pubs that do the same, if you do happen to take our advice and visit any of these pubs, we hope you have a fantastic time. And remember, always drink responsibly.
