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    Darkey Kellys

    4.6 (317 reviews)
    ModeratePubs, Irish
    Closed 10:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

    Darkey Kellys Photos

    DARKEY KELLYS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Loud
    Live music
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Darkey Kellys

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    Reviews With Photos

    Baby Guinness
    Francine G.

    The largest helping of Guinness stew I've probably ever had and was it flavorful! It came with a side of soda bread (obviously) so if you're feeling ambitious then you can probably eat it all but I'd skip it and just have more stew. Live music every night so if you want a chance to snag a seat, you have to go early! Servers are so kind and friendly.

    Bangers and Mash
    Chris S.

    The food was spot on, plentiful and flavorful. The atmosphere was great and service is at a high standard.

    Easter lamb special with mashed potatoes, fried potatoes, broccoli, asparagus and Yorkshire puddings. Gram for scale.
    Kim H.

    Delicious food, friendly service, great Irish pub atmosphere. We didn't go during the live music but the place was still packed, but we got seated and served quickly. We ordered the Easter lamb special and it was delicious and ridiculously huge servings.

    Menu
    Lori C.

    This is our second time at Darkey Kelly's. Today we stopped in for a drink and to rest our feet a while. It is definitely mush less crowded than it was the last time we were here. They have music 7 nights a week starting at 7:30pm here so it's a fun place to come in the evening for dinner but be prepared to come early or to wait for a table. There was someone keeping track of the order people arrived the last time we came. He was great and didn't let people sit out of turn even though he never took down a single name. We ate dinner here last time. I got a burger and my husband got Guinness stew. The burger was large but a little dry this time. but the fries were perfection. The Guinness Stew was tender with rich gravy over potatoes served with a piece of Irish bread. The only thing my husband wished it had was more chunks of vegetarians. I'm sure they were used to make the stew though.

    Bar area
    Mark S.

    We were tourists in Dublin and ended up mostly at tourist type places, so it was a nice twist of fate that we stumbled across this Darkey Kellys. This place just feels like your home local pub. The service is excellent, the drinks are strong, and the food is great. We must've arrived at a perfect time in early afternoon because we were seated quickly and had an attentive staff looking after us. We had a wonderful time there and I'd highly recommend it to anybody.

    Brenda D.

    We stayed in Dublin for 4 days and we came back to Darkey Kelly's 4 times. Dublin is already an incredible city with a beautiful music atmosphere and kind people. Dark Kelley's only adds more charm to an already beautiful city. My steak is probably the best food I had in all my Euro trip. The bar tenders were so friendly and fast (and so handsome!). Loved the food. Loved the musicians. Loved the place so much!

    Guinness Stew
    Melanie H.

    By far my best meal and conversations in Dublin here at Darkey Kellys. They have local exclusive beers on tap that are great, and the live music is amazing. Cherry on top is the extremely welcoming and funny staff.

    Lamb shank
    Julia S.

    A super cool spot to visit especially given the dark history/background of this establishment. Music was great, food was middle of the road, but service was top notch! A must visit in Dublin if in the area...

    Khadija S.

    Just go. Don't think, don't blink, just go. The cleanest toilets in a pub. The friendliest staff. The best beef stew. What else can you ask for? I stayed for a while and had a really good time. Tried a few Irish whiskeys and drank a few Guinness. The crowd was touristy in the middle of the day (of course) but it was an absolute delight to hang out here. Do not miss out on this gem.

    Outside entrance to the pub
    Grant B.

    Stayed at the Harding Hotel and this pub was attached to the downstairs of the hotel. We had an amazing time hanging out at the pub, having a Guinness for the first time while listening to local Irish music. The people of Dublin were very welcoming! Both of the burger and the fish and chips were fantastic!

    Cute vibe
    Jeanee F.

    Our first night in Dublin didn't disappoint! Went here based on others recs on YELP and it was perfect. Food was great and so was the outdoor patio. Sat with 2 strangers from the States at a community table and loved getting to know them and their recommendations.

    Menu: August 2025
    Jim C.

    The legendary Darkey Kelly's always has a full house. It's definitely easier to get seated at lunch or afternoon, but it's shoulder to shoulder at dinner time, especially when the live music begins. They have multiple dining areas including an outdoor patio, but people are crammed into every space. They have a great menu with plenty of traditional Irish dishes, all of which are excellent. The beef stew was rich and hearty over mashed potatoes with Irish brown bread. There are about 14-15 beers on draft, over 200 whiskeys and plenty of mixed drinks. The staff is as friendly as can be when it's packed and loud. The music was a mixed bag... some singer songwriters were excellent, but one kept reminding the crowd that albums are available for purchase and tips are appreciated after every song he sang. He was the only musician we encountered that asked for money, and he did it relentlessly. Check their schedule for the type of music scheduled each day to find what you like.

    Beef and Guinness stew
    Karen N.

    We had a great time here. A bit touristy but also authentic and fun. We came early (5:00ish) so didn't have any difficulty getting a table. I had the FABULOUS beef and Guinness stew, my husband had the fish and chips, and my son a burger (and a Guinness 0 - what a nice option!). We loved everything and would recommend it to anyone visiting Dublin. Great music started around 7:30 also!

    Already busy early in the evening

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    17 days ago

    Nice pub to start our first day in Dublin. Just what you picture for an Irish pub with good eats and great beer.

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    No food and the place kinda smells guess they have a holiday party no food in the customer 20 minutes for nothing.

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    Darkey Kellys Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Darkey Kellys

    We had fish and chips and by far were the best we've ever had and The Guinness stew was just as incredible.

    Mentioned in 35 reviews

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    The Stag's Head - Bacon & Cabbage

    The Stag's Head

    (313 reviews)

    €€

    South Inner City

    My 1st to go bar upon landing in Dublin. Got to say, it's the best Dublin's preserved Victorian…read morepub. The authentic Victorian setting, the Victorian mahogany fittings, the mosaic marble tiled floors and granite tabletops, the mahogany bar, capped with red Connemara marble, follows the classic Victorian architectural pattern. The staff are helpful, friendly and patient since their accent is hard to understand sometime. My 1st beer and 1st Irish food, all I can say is what a meal, just simple delish. Being here is just a wondrous experience, the place is cosy, warm and the friendly of the people. So glad I picked this place as my first of Dublin.

    If you want to experience a true Victorian pub in Dublin, The Stag's Head is a beautiful place to…read morestart. Tucked down Dame Court just off Dame Street, The Stag's Head is one of those rare pubs that feels genuinely historic rather than designed to look old. The building dates to the late 1800s, and the interior retains the ornate features of a classic Victorian "gin palace"--rich carved wood, stained glass, brass rails, and a warm, glowing bar that feels wonderfully preserved. We stopped in around 4:30 pm, which turned out to be a perfect time to visit. There were other patrons enjoying drinks and food, but the atmosphere was calm and relaxed rather than loud or rowdy. It felt like the kind of place where locals drop in for a quiet pint on their way home from work before the evening crowd arrives. The staff were excellent--friendly, welcoming, and attentive without being intrusive. The food was very good (we failed to take photos because we were too busy enjoying it). As a vegetarian, I was thrilled to see the Impossible burger front and center on their menu; it was deliciously prepared with guacamole on a brioche bun, and not an afterthought on the menu. My companions both chose the Irish Beef Burger, and said it was excellent. One thing to know: this is a traditional Victorian pub, so cocktails aren't really part of the program. Expect beer, wine, or spirits rather than mixed drinks. In a place like this, that actually feels exactly right. Other pubs do serve mixed drinks. Between the history, the ambience, the quality of the food, and the wonderful staff, The Stag's Head is the kind of place that makes you feel like you've experienced a real piece of Dublin.

    O'Reilly's - Courtesy of Sub Lounge website

    O'Reilly's

    (60 reviews)

    South Inner City

    The Sub Lounge (formerly O'Reillys) was a real find. Not something you'd expect to come across at…read morethe end of an alleyway under Tara St Station, Sub Lounge takes its visitors on a gothic journey into a haven of magical otherworldliness. A group of us wandered down the dark alley one Sunday afternoon, a little anxious about what we might discover... Pleasantly surprised to find ourselves inside a Sleeping Beauty-like cavern of candlelit wonder, we stopped to marvel over the interior before giving the solitary bar man his rush of the century. The place was empty before we arrived, but luckily we'd brought a large enough group to make the entire place our own. The candelabras, mood lighting and high, domed ceilings make this place enchantingly atmospheric, but let's not forget the practicalities. Recipe for a good night with a large group: large tables - check, cheap beer (3.40 a pint!!!) - check, pool table - check... Ok this place is a winner. And get this - they even have a foozeball table! Rad! The toilets are definitely worth a gander... many, many mirrors, and easy to get lost in after a few pints of the dark stuff. OMG - 5 euro COCKTAILS Thurs - Sat night. Done. Sold. I'm there.

    After finishing work I went to meet a few friends here for after work drinks. It started out very…read moregood the first waitress we had could not do enough for us we even ordered a few wedges and chips these were really good. Me and 1 of my friends decided to order some cocktails so we went to the bar to see what we could get I ordered a mojito and a White Russian for my friend. I should have known it would be a disaster when the female bartender had to as the waitress how to make it needless to say it was not very good. After a while my friend decided to get one more round before we left. Well to say we were shocked is an understatement. When the waitress came over she went to order a drink to which the response was cant you see I'm busy what's wrong with you going to the bar, as she turned and walked away and went back to the bar to chat with another member of staff. The girl that had been looking after us earlier I think had finished which was a shame. Needless to say we didn't stay for another drink. This would put me off going back I could understand if it was busy but service like this is not acceptable

    Windjammer

    Windjammer

    (13 reviews)

    South Inner City

    Local bar, very cool people…read more Tons of beer on tap, with some liquor options. Great service, and love the location. Be mindful of going during a sports event! It gets slammed.

    The Wind Jammer on Townsend St is one of Dublin's "early houses", that is, pubs that open at half…read moreseven in the morning. The Wind Jammer is not, however, one of the really fun early houses. For fun early houses that serve already somewhat inebriated people, try The Chancery. The Wind Jammer is the type of early house that caters to shift workers and Gardaí from Pearse St coming off the night shift. Apart from a few couples the morning after the Trinity Ball, they wouldn't let in too many post-club revellers. The door is closed most early mornings, and they have a CCTV camera to give ya a good hard scrutinising before they'll let you in. The only time I was there for early pints, there was only one other group of young lads there and the barman looked like he was about to stop serving them. During the rest of the day and night, the Wind Jammer is a quiet pub frequented mainly by old, grumpy locals, who would sooner bite your head off than ask you the time of day. If you're really desperate for a drink and can't make it til half ten when the rest of the pubs open, by all means go to The Wind Jammer. Otherwise, there isn't that much else to recommend to it. Oh, one other thing. The Wind Jammer is the closest pub to Windmll Lane Studios, so U2 and The Saw Doctors among others have retired there for post-recording session pints over the years. Not the type of thing that would interest me, but sure it might interest you so I thought that I'd tack it on the end there

    Darkey Kellys - pubs - Updated May 2026

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