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River Bar

3.3 (41 reviews)
ModerateLounges

River Bar Photos

RIVER BAR ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Trendy
Loud
Good for groups

Recommended Reviews - River Bar

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Store front.
Jeff N.

On our third night in Derry, we were hitting up pubs like we had been every day because unicorns and bacon strips. We came across this little gym by accident as we were attempting to hit the oldest bar in Derry. And, wow, was this pub an excellent find. The narrow space was brilliant, which brought a great intimacy and hospitality that you want to see with pubs such as the River Bar. Taking a seat by the front window in this little nook, we enjoyed ourselves as I ordered various pours of Irish whiskey while my wife enjoyed the cider. The people at the bar were friendly and jovial, definitely making our time there an enjoyable one. We will remember this when we make our way back to Derry just outside the City Walls.

Inside
Brian O.

We stopped in for breakfast. There five of us at a table. Three of us sat on a sofa and the other two in chairs. Sitting on the sofa was difficult just because you could not lean back as it was a large sofa. Service came somewhat quick but was not that friendly. Two of us got the French toast, two got the mini Irish breakfast and one got the bap. The French toast was good but came with honey rather than syrup. The bacon here is more like Canadian bacon than bacon we know in the states. The meal wasn't bad. The bap or breakfast sandwich looked really good and filling with everything that came on it. Everyone that had OJ said it tasted fresh squeezed. Not the best place for breakfast but it served the purpose.

Beer!
Michael F.

It's a pretty big bar along the River Liffey near the Temple Bar district. It was a little loud when I was there but that can be expected because there was a soccer, er football, game on the many TVs. Beer + carrot and coriander soup + chicken curry with rice makes for an aromatic evening.

Mushroom and broccoli pasta
Mike L.

7pm on a Saturday Night and we had 7 hungry people looking for a place to eat. They were able to get us all in at one table. Service was amazing we had three nice ladies taking care of us. Mushroom pasta was really good. My wife let me try the chicken fingers and they were delicious. We got the Cheese Chip app and it was okay. Food was hot and beers arrived fast. Everyone was very friendly.

Kathleen D.

Eh, I wouldn't say the food is the best, but if you're interested in a fun scene, it could be a nice place to visit for a drink. I had the lasagna for dinner simply because this was the closest restaurant and I needed food. I thought it was pretty mushy and bland unfortunately. Maybe I just ordered the wrong dish. Service was extremely friendly and prompt, which was nice. I'm not sure I'm itching to return, but if it was the only option, I'd give it a second try.

Chicken, spinach, and tomato tagliatelle
Yasmin A.

Stumbled upon this place at night because it was one of the only places still serving food and it was close to our hostel. The waiter was very nice and made sure we were seated quickly so he could take our order before the kitchen closed. The place is large and we sat at a table with cushions by the window. Nice seating because it's by the water so you can see all the hustle and bustle going on outside. They have TVs and a large bar area for food, drinks, and sporting events. I ordered the chicken, spinach, and tomato tagliatelle and i was stunned at how amazing it was. You could tell it was freshly made with fresh ingredients. Very large, filling portion as well. I was very pleasantly surprised and pleased.

Emma D.

When I looked this place up on Yelp, I was a little surprised to see it had only gotten two stars. A little harsh, until I actually tried the food. My husband and I were in town, and we found ourselves with an hour to spare. Initially we intended on getting subway (in hindsight, we should have walked by and kept going) but as we were walking by, I noticed they had a breakfast menu and we decided to check it out. Being the queen of the Irish breakfasts, I know my standards are high, but this was unacceptable. Looking at the choices, I decided the veggie breakfast with a sausage on the side was the way to go. My husband ordered the full Irish. Prices were 6.00 for the veggie and 9e for the full. So average prices, really. The breakfasts are tiny. In fact, the full Irish looked like the mini breakfast served by my local cafe. There was not enough food to fill you for the morning. Mine came with a sprinkling of mushrooms, a small egg, the teeniest portion of beans I have ever seen and a potato cake. That in itself was weird, but it was burned and seriously lacking in flavour. Toast was cold and there was too much of it. My tea was a great size and the single sausage I had was delicious. I know they're not open long, but it's not hard to get an Irish breakfast right. Or at least close to right. The breakfast menu is trying way too hard to impress. Less fancy potato cakes, add chips instead, make the breakfasts bigger and keep the same price. It's a nice location and the staff are lovely too, it has potential. I won't be back any time soon however.

Tom S.

Tropical Dublin bar. Drunks, friendship, hugs and lots of singing. I wore green to fit in. I didn't eat as I'm not sure they even serve food. Music was good and just a great place to stop in.

Brie salad. It was far from Brie-lliant.
Gemma C.

This is a joint that is smack-bang next to my bus stop and does decent wine, has comfy seats and the bar staff know their shiz. A three might seem harsh, especially for a place that I so frequently frequent, but my quality of experiences here shift more than the Irish weather. I have sat with friends overlooking the Liffey and have eaten well-prepared grub that doesn't break the bank, I have also popped in for a pint to the usually quiet bar, only to see it has been transformed into sweaty cattle market, writhing to the beat of cheesy, loud Latin music. On my most recent visit, I ordered a fried Brie salad... Remembering wistfully my past experiences there of yummy caramelised walnuts goats cheese and balsamic vinegar. Nope. What I actually got was greasy, and I'm not just talking about the Brie, THE ENTIRE SALAD WAS GREASY. That's if you could call a sparse messy handful of lettuce leaves and an odd bit of carrot a salad. Bleugh. That's the last I'll ever be eating here.

Hefe in Ireland.

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6 months ago

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2 years ago

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4 months ago

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1 year ago

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5 years ago

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11 months ago

AMAZING! Food, staff, and atmosphere were incredible!! My friends and I came here on a trip in March and had the best night!

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

Food and drinks were fantastic! Service a little slow, but still friendly and in all fairness it was really busy!

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2 years ago

Solid spot to catch the game. Loved their seafood soup. Plenty of the best beers on tap. Tourist and local approved.

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2 years ago

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5 years ago

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6 years ago

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10 years ago

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8 years ago

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12 years ago

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7 years ago

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11 years ago

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8 years ago

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6 years ago

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11 years ago

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10 years ago

Don't go for the food, go for the salsa nights on Fridays, very cool latin atmosphere.

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8 years ago

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12 years ago

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9 years ago

While the staff was friendly and they have good beers on tap, the food was absolutely terrible.

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12 years ago

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Review Highlights - River Bar

Regreton and latin hip-hop down stairs, Salsa, zucamba and bachata upstairs (I think they to throw some merengue in that mix too in my opinion)..

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The Black Door

The Black Door

(18 reviews)

€€

Harcourt

Hello, I'm traveling in Dublin for a couple of months. checking out places. I tried to go to the…read moreblack door. there was literally no line . the door person said they were done ( which is the term for your not getting in) and then let his scrub friends in. Now I am not the most polished guy but wearing dress shoes, french cuffed shirt and a jacket, I thought I would have made the grade. Apparently not. The only people coming out where a bunch of old dudes (like my self) not models or anything worth the exclusivity. Pretty much don't bother this place is BS. PS the only 5 stars seem to be from young women so probably the only ones getting in and getting a drink.

Shocking incompetence from the bouncers here last Saturday night. They aim for quite a mature crowd…read moreand so it was. There were quite a few people waiting outside, inquiring quite politely and reasonably soberly about getting in. There was no aggression or drunken messes at all. Well the bouncers didn't have a breeze what to do and started spouting crap about it being a VIP club and if you weren't on the list you weren't getting in. This is obviously not true. So they gave up on this approach shortly thereafter and told everybody to queue to the left. Then they said nobody on the left was getting in. I pointed out that they had asked people to queue on the left but the fella denied it. So we gave up and headed up to The Odeon. It was quite bizarre. They were either completely incompetent or evil geniuses that wanted to get rid of a crowd. I reckon it's the former because the only reason to have turned people away would have been if the club was full and surely they would have just explained that. Anyway, won't be in a rush to encounter those clowns again.

The Lord Mayor's Lounge

The Lord Mayor's Lounge

(12 reviews)

€€€

South Inner City

Amazing afternoon tea experience at the Lord Mayor's Lounge in the Shelbourne hotel!…read more Made reservations online in advance and enjoyed their 200 year anniversary menu. Their service includes an unlimited choice of teas and coffees which are served with great care, even switching tea cups for each new type of tea to enhance the flavors! Sandwiches are also refillable and the desserts are decadent! Saoirse was great in addition to the entire staff we interacted with! Attire is smart casual.

This is the best high tea - savory tea sandwiches that can be refilled as much as you want, freshly…read morebaked scones with clotted cream, butter and strawberry jam, a generous assortment of desserts, and unlimited coffees and teas from their list of over 30 choices. The teas we tried: Ginger Lemon Myrtle (herbal) Decaf Ceylon Strawberry Cream (herbal) Matcha Latte I loved the Ginger Lemon Myrtle - it was spicy, so no holding back on the ginger here. Our server recommended the Strawberry Cream tea, and it was DELICIOUS. They pour you an herbal tea with a true strawberry flavor, and then you add cream to your cup. This one is definitely worth trying! We saw an adorable little girl at the next table with a hot chocolate with marshmallows and her own miniature-sized 3-tier-plate of assorted goodies that were totally different from the adult assortment. And so cute!! Any little one would gasp if they were served what she was. Service was perfectly gracious the whole way through. Never rushed. Highly recommend! Make sure you make reservations in advance, as there are only two seatings per day.

No. 23 - Elegantly decorated

No. 23

(4 reviews)

€€€€

South Inner City

We went in for a drink before a night out. Order two kettle one dirty martinis with blue cheese…read moreolives. Totally fair they did not have blue cheese olives. The bartender himself was very kind in that respect. However, we were charged for kettle one, by the bar back, in all fairness seemed brand new. However, we received Tito's (saw him pour Tito's in front of us) a dirty martini style with plain olives. Service was subpar at the bar. If you were not a resident at the hotel, it seemed it was not respected at the bar how your service was indeed intended. We said to the person who charged our card that we were charged kettle one but poured kettle one, still charge us for the kettle one prices. Honestly, not worth it go to O'Don Hughes in the pub across the street.

We had time for a drink here while waiting for our dinner reservations, and we were so pleased with…read morethe excellent service, beautiful sitting room, and delicious cocktails. The sitting room was cozy with elegant couches and a fireplace. Lovely cheerful colors and gorgeous paintings on the walls. Our server was so friendly and took our drink order promptly. Shortly after ordering, we discovered our table was ready at Patrick Guilbaud. The server was so nice that he went over to ensure they would let us bring in our freshly made cocktails. My amaretto sour was delicious and the bees knees my friend had was so tasty and refreshing. We're so pleased we stopped in, even if it was a brief experience.

Candlelight Bar - Bathtub Gin Time

Candlelight Bar

(4 reviews)

€€€

Dundrum

Super nice place above Siam Restaurant, hope into the lift and head to the 2nd floor... As the lift…read moreopens, instantly you get why it's named Candlelight bar! The place is dimly light throughout, so whether you come here daytime or night, you get the same experience... Candles make up most of the ambience in here, very inviting! Staff are always friendly, greeting you with a smile and always happy to accommodate you whether it's an intimate table for 2 or a group booking. There is often live music, whether it's a piano player or live singer/band it makes for a nice drink spot at the weekends. Also great for a pre or post dinner drinks! Place offers a full bar so you can get all the usuals you'd expect of a bar however this place is also doing some fantastic things with their cocktail menu... Some interesting and very unique drink concoctions plus let's not go with calling out their unusual presentations, I just got served a gin cocktail in a bathtub with a rubber duck... Was called Bathtub Gin Time which is a serving for 2, oh my it was yummy and refreshing plus topped with a lavender and rose foam, it literally smelled like a freshly run bath tub! I love to visit here and always recommend it to my friends, am excited to tick off another drink from their cocktail menu very soon! Build your own Mimosa sounds appealing, so that might be the next one.

Best cocktail bar in Dundrum area. Their selection of drinks is by far pretty diverse with great…read morecocktail options. I love the whiskey cocktail that comes with 3 glasses for tasting and the cocktail with cachaça fubá.

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.

River Bar - lounges - Updated May 2026

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