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    James Joyce

    3.8 (56 reviews)
    ModerateIrish Pub
    Closed 11:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

    James Joyce Photos

    JAMES JOYCE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Touristy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - James Joyce

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    Reviews With Photos

    Bar
    Walter L.

    If I have time, I try to visit an Irish pub in most of the new cities I visit. So I feel like I have a good idea of what makes a good one. This is a nice spot for a Guinness in the heart of Spain. Service was ok... not great but could have been worse. The beer was great. Bar combined some elements of Spain with elements of a traditional Irish pub. I wouldn't go out of my way to go here again but I enjoyed my visit.

    Ryan R.

    Finally, an Irish pub in Madrid that isn't a Spanish restaurant cloaked in an Irish façade. This might be the most legit Irish place in Madrid, serving dishes such as Sheppard's Pie, Guinness Stew, fish and chips and different types of beer. Now, that's not to say that they don't try to throw some Spanish flair in there too because they do. The food is delicious and always served as a full portion. I've never left feeling that I needed more or that I didn't get enough. I have had the Guinness Stew twice now and each time it's been consistently scrumptious. My wife had the fish and chips, which is enough to satisfy any hunger. The mixed drinks are very delicious. We had a Long Island and a mojito. Both were tasty and perfectly balanced. The service is fast and prompt; they even speak English and have an English menu, which is a nice relief at restaurants in Spain. I personally suggest you sit outside under the canopy of bright green trees. While you dine, you'll be sandwiched between two beautiful and iconic glorietas, the Fuente de Cibeles and the Puerta de Alcalá. This place is great and I'll definitely be back again and again. The price is very reasonable and competitive. It's also a great place to take visitors who might not be ready for, interested in, or who are tired of jamón, strong cheese, and other Spanish food items. Go and have a great time. Btw, the Leffe beer is my favorite, if you're taking suggestions. Enjoy!

    Fish and chips.  Much bigger than it looks!
    Jeff H.

    Exceptionally busy Irish pub . The fish and chips were spectacular. They were filled to capacity when I left, exceptional service as well.

    Formula 1 qualifying.  Terrible reception.

    Made reservations to watch F1 qualifying. Reception was bad on TV. This place is very popular and even requires reservations for F1. Bad reception is sad. Food was mediocre at first for me. Hamburger was no better than what I can make at home. Fries were not fresh. Wife's goat cheese salad was delicious, that is what she first said. About 9 hours later the food poisoning kicked in. Terrible night. Our fault for ordering goat cheese at a pub. Sorry JJ pub, we had really high hopes but you need this feedback.

    Fish and chips and it was REALLY good. The fish portion was huge. I've been to Ireland and this is superb.

    Really cool place. Loved the fish and chips. The staff were amazing. Very friendly. Definitely a "go-to" spot.

    Burger, fries and salad €8.20 plus 30c per extra such as cheese and bacon
    James C.

    Nice Irish pub in central Madrid serving good hearty food which is familiar to the British or Irish palette and perhaps a bit of an adventure for the Spanish! There seems a good mix of international and Spanish clientele, in fact the two ladies on the table next to mine were Icelandic. The menu offers a good selection of traditional fayre such as steaks, burgers, shepherds pie and curry. Beer options include Guinness (obviously), Murphys, Heineken as well as some real ales. I had the burger which was one of the nicest I've had with French fries and salad. Everything was delightfully fresh, I could tell it had only just been prepared for me. Even the salad had not been prepared in advance. I added cheese and bacon to my burger which were charged at 30c each. Unfortunately, I decided to have dessert. I say unfortunately, because this cost them a star in my overall rating. I had Apple crumble and custard. It was lukewarm and the custard was barely warm at all. I'm not a fan of serving desserts in this way - I was presented with apple crumble sat in a millimetre of custard. I prefer a good serving of hot custard poured over my dessert but maybe that's just me. The venue itself looks very traditional and is rather tired around the edges. Decent wifi which is always a bonus when you're away from home. Would I go again next time I'm in Madrid? Possibly, though I'd skip dessert!

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    4 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great service and a nice place to watch soccer. The nachos and burger are good as a change of pace from tapas.

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

    I love this place. I go here every time I'm in Madrid. Fish and Chips or Shepherds Pie can't go wrong.

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    4 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    3 years ago

    o my god, Guinness is delicious in this place. nice and friendly people. strongly recommending

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Healthy pours and super friendly staff!! Plus they have live music on Saturday nights

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    5 years ago

    Good alternate to Spanish cuisine. Fish and chips is great, beef is good. Something for everyone. Tables both inside and outside.

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    11 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    11 years ago

    Business owner information

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    Matthew L.

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    10 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    13 years ago

    Very friendly with solid pub food. Mathew was great and helped us with our Madrid itinerary and gave us several great tips.

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    9 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    11 years ago

    Don't watch sports here. They'll change their mind and show something else. The staff there don't seem to know what games they are showing.

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    17 years ago

    great place to be when watching a game. you will be standing throughout the game if you done get there super early.

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    11 years ago

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    Page 1 of 2

    James Joyce Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - James Joyce

    The best Irish Bar in Madrid and the only one that serves a pint of Guinness to any reasonable standard of quality.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    Triskel Tavern

    Triskel Tavern

    3.6(9 reviews)
    1.1 kmMalasaña
    €€

    Monday night pub quiz! The regular barmen, Marc and Damien, are lovely. The prices: not so much…read more(€3.70 a pint). No credit cards accepted -- bring cash, or run around the corner to Calle Fuencarral for an ATM. Big basement, great for groups, but I think it only opens for weekends. Los lunes: ¡noche de trivia! Los barmen regulares, Marc y Damien, son muy buena gente. Los precios no tan buenos (€3.70 una pinta). No se acepta tarjetas de credito -- trae contigo algo de efectivo, o ve a Calle Fuencarral para los cajeros. El sótano está muy amplio, y bueno para grupos, pero creo que solo se abre los findes.

    This may not entirely be a fair review because I went to an event that just isn't my typical scene…read more I was at Cien Montaditos before and a friend suggested Triskel's for their open mic night. I have never been to an open mic(I know this is sad) so I was excited to go. Once there, I bought a fairly pricey beer and headed to the basement where the music was. The atmosphere was very cool because the basement was likely a cellar before, with the original stone still intact. In the back corner was a small stage where people played music. I think if I had a larger affinity towards playing music I would have enjoyed myself more, but unfortunately I do not. Also I was in the mood to drink and dance and this was not the scene. I would like to go another another time, perhaps on quiz night or a night where I just want to relax before I totally write it off. It just wasn't my scene; not the fault of the bar.

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    Triskel Tavern
    Triskel Tavern
    Triskel Tavern

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    James Joyce - irish_pubs - Updated May 2026

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