Sean's Bar is a must visit if you are in or passing through Athlone. I mean who doesn't want to visit the oldest pub in the world?! It does get crowded when you first enter but just grab a drink and head out to the outdoor patio for a more spacious hangout spot. read more

Sean's Bar - Pubs Near Me - Athlone, WH

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Such a rich history and such wonderful barkeepers! Timmy gave our small group the official history of Sean's with good humor and hospitality. I've visited the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky and learned about the history of whiskey in the US, but Timmy was able to provide the full history of the birthplace of Irish whiskey in Ireland during the sixth century. We highly recommend that your visit to Ireland includes a visit to Sean's bar for good times and good fellowship. read more

Sean's Bar - Pubs Near Me - Athlone, WH

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Best place ever in Athlone. Apparently, this is the oldest bar in Ireland. I BELIEVE IT. The crew here is fantastic! read more

Sean's Bar - The tap - 9 PLUS 3 Guinness on tap. - Pubs Near Me - Athlone, WH

Great atmosphere and service in the oldest bar in the world! Some old bars have given up on service; trading only on their history. Not Sean's Bar! This cozy little pub has a dark and warm interior to join friends for a drink by the fire, as well as a larger outdoor courtyard area - to enjoy tasty food and drink. Ample historic documentation adorns the walls, as well as a section of the original mud & wattle wall - to awe fans of the archeology channel! Basic Sean's Bar T's and hoodies are available for simpler tastes. A good basic drink selection (from Guinnes to Jameson) is available to all! There is even a domestic US beer on tap (Coors Light) for the less adventurous. Children are welcome before 7pm, so the whole family can come right after church (we saw plenty of evidence of this on Sunday). This place is legit; we enjoyed the atmosphere, and didn't wanna leave!! read more

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A must visit just because it was founded around 900AD. The pub hasn't served food in over 40 years so expect a liquid diet if hungry. The space is much bigger than expected if you count the back rooms. Good selection of beers read more

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As an American it was very easy and enjoyable, the bar tender was very friendly and easy to talk to, the Guinness was cold and well poured. Lots of extra seating in the back for prime hours. read more

Great music and drinks Fantastic place to enjoy a traditional Irish pub and Irish experience at the oldest pub in the world!

We didn't eat, but this place is awesome for so many reasons. Yes, they're "the oldest...", and it is cozy, but the staff there is off the charts good. Friendly, welcoming and fun! They have a great story and they embrace the history. Aside from that, they have a wide range of beer and whisky to choose from, including their own "Sean's" brand, that I thought was very good. Just wish I could get it here in the states. Overall, well worth the stop, whether you're passing through the area or staying for a couple days. read more

The pictures say it all. This bar has been certified to be in a location, used as a bar, since the year 900. Not however the original structure. Thankfully. That would be dark and drab indeed. Walk in the door to a long narrow bar; with a nice warm fire during our visit on yet another cold rainy day. Not sure I understand why sawdust on the floor, but it is a very family friendly locale until 7pm and when we visited on Saturday afternoon there was a gaggle of children enjoying themselves in said sawdust. Walk back, past the main bar, into a smaller, intimate room with a few tables, which would be great for a group of say 10 people or so. Next, continue back to a small hallway were you find the bathrooms. Boys on the left, ladies on the right. Two men came into the ladies while I was there so keep an eye on that gentlemen. Just past this is a large outdoor space. Heaters on the roof are operating in colder weather and in warmer this would be a great spot for a pint. The front bar is just as an Irish pub should be. Dark, a fire going, beers on tap. The outside area is a great spot to enjoy a lovely day. Depending on what you are looking for, this spot has you covered. read more

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Cozy bar, helpful bar tenders, stopped here en route to Dublin from Galway. I don't think they serve food but we're open early which fit our driving plans. read more

Super friendly bar. People from all over come to this place to have a pint or Sean's whisky. Oldest bar in the world at least in Ireland.

I mean , it's the oldest bar in the world, it's 5 stars !!! I went out if my way just to say I had a Guinness at Sean's Bar, and the whole place didn't disappoint !!!! read more

Sean's Bar - I'll never forget it !!! - Pubs Near Me - Athlone, WH

Alert - there is no food served here! It's only drinks! But lovely pub nonetheless - it's long and lean and dark and smells hoppy. Great seating arrangements, but it's also tiny. Good price for drinks, friendly barkeep but honestly main reason for stopping here is to knock off another notch on the bucket list and successfully say you've been to the oldest pub in the world, as per the Guinness records! Note: #244 of Yelp 100 challenge for 2016 read more

Sean's Bar - Outside - Pubs Near Me - Athlone, WH

It's nice to get a history lesson while having a few pints. Sean's Bar is the oldest pub in the world. The walls are made of sticks and clay, but have been covered with a more modern wall. The employees are friendly and knowledgeable and are willing to talk in detail about the history and construction of the bar and the surrounding area. read more

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Oldest bar in Ireland and a must stop for that Irish Stout. This bar is located in a small little town, and parking wasn't an issue mid-day. We were able to find parking a block away. NO, they don't have food at this bar but they do have friendly bartenders and great service. Inside you will find old pictures along with the certificate of the guinness world records, creaking floors with sawdust everywhere, and if you like to take a smoke they have sitting outdoors with heaters that you can turn on when it's cold. They do have a second outdoor area you can sit at with a nice view of the town. Also, for being a small narrow bar they had many stalls in the girls restroom. Plus, plus! read more

Passing through Ireland from East or west it is a wonderful and unique place to stop. Crowded but not too touristy, had a lovely lunch next door. Would definitely recommend for a quick stop to see the history and enjoy a pint! read more

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A must stop in Athlone as the oldest continuing bar in Europe since the year 900. This was a stop on our pub crawl and by this point in our crawl, I was grateful for the many types of cider available. It was unusually sunny so we sat outside and enjoyed the friendly atmosphere. read more

Sean's Bar - Pubs Near Me - Athlone, WH

This place is so great. There's a huge beer garden with cozy seating and a cover and heaters for inclement weather and another part facing the water with open air. The inside is intimate and cozy and has fantastic music and REALLY attractive and attentive bartenders. I actually adore Athlone much more than my time in Dublin. Relaxed atmosphere with local shopping. read more

Sean's Bar - Representing Chicago (CPD) and my mom. - Pubs Near Me - Athlone, WH

Nothing like making this the first stop for a pint after hitting the ground in Ireland. Bar had the old timey vibe, the beer was cold and the clientle entertaining. Place didn't have a level or plumb floor or wall - which adds to it's character and Guiness BOWR cred. Be sure to try the house beer, Sean's Stout, blonde and red ale. read more

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This is a small bar full of patrons on a Wednesday afternoon. It is well worth a visit.

Great wee pub. Open turf fire, live music. Nice locally brewed beers available. Gets busy at night. Biiizzee. read more

Sean's Bar - Pubs Near Me - Athlone, WH

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What a great feeling to be one of the oldest pubs ever! With saw dust on the floor, initials and date engraved in the wooden tablrs, and old memories covering the walls, it really feels like a trip to the past... read more

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Drove out of the way from Sligo Town to Athlone just to see this place and it didn't disappoint! Oldest bar in Ireland (and I think the world). Over 1,200 years old. Rediculous. Low ceilings, a proper pint and peat fire. What else could you ask for? Make sure you take a walk outside and see the castle just outside the front door and the riverfront is a nice stroll as well. Mostly older folks here which I like. Where I come from (Cleveland, Oh) everything is cookie cutter "gastro" or "fusion" crap and its nice to see something staying true and old-school.. Slainte! read more

So it's the oldest pub in Ireland, but it's certainly not the best. Cool to visit but not someplace that has authentically good craic. The beer garden out back (have come to realize that "beer garden" in Britain and Ireland typically just means a few picnic tables for smokers) is massive and looks like it could get quite crowded during the summer months. Guinness was good, not fantastic. One plus is the cozy atmosphere in the bar with the wood-burning fire. Despite its historic age, the place has a "we cater to crowds" feel to it. Would definitely stop here if passing through Athlone, but wouldn't call it a pub that merits a trip unto itself. read more

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Great bar! Wish there were some toasties as well. People are welcoming and the pints were cold.

Oldest pub in Europe, really good vibes on a Friday night with 2 different band playing Must do in athlone read more

Its an old bar alight, but don't get too excited. They have tried to maintain an old look, mainly by not cleaning or washing anything. So be warned. It is located besides the Shannon and has a beer garden out the back. Despite what I am saying I still would tell people go see it for yourself, some people do love it and would go to no other bar in Athlone. read more

The oldest pub in Ireland and I get first Yelp. Well we went in for our first Guinness in Erie. And it was GOOD. The perfect location for the perfect pint! Plus, there were several ghosts. read more

Loved this place for a traditional feeling Irish pub! it was July but the weather was cold and we walked in and they had the fire going and trad music going strong. It was hard to hear the music from the back, but that was only because everyone was chatting and making merry! I ordered a coffee -- it was not good, but this place still gets 5 stars for ambiance. read more

Have been to Athlone several times, first visit to Sean's. A cozy pub for locals and tourists alike. The back room is massive, I can only imagine the scene on Paddy's Day!!!! read more

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Everything I expected. Prompt and courteous service. The place itself is huge towards the back with a biergarden. The front is the old section. They even have their own beer "Sean's beer". Did I forget to mention the huge castle about a hundred feet from the front door. read more

Sean's Bar - Outside - Pubs Near Me - Athlone, WH

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We were there August 2019. We loved it here. We heard that it was the oldest pub in Ireland and that they display police/firefighter patches. The pictures looked just like what I expected an Irish pub to look like so we were determined to go there. We landed in Dublin, dropped our bags at our hotel and hopped the train to Athlone. Sean's Bar did not disappoint. The bartenders (Adam and Tim, I think) were so welcoming and happy to tell us the history of the bar. Adam was happy to hang the patches I brought from the USA. We met a couple from Dublin (Debbie and her husband...he was originally from Holland). They were also welcoming and gave us great adice as to what to see while in Ireland. Unfortunately, our time there came to an end as we needed to catch the train back to Dublin. I meant to buy a couple T-shirts and a few coasters as souvenirs, but we left in a hurry and I remembered later. I would love to go there again if I ever get to Ireland again. read more

Great little bar and Timmy is a great bartender. He was knowledgeable, funny, and helpful, all while serving several customers. Lots of history and right beside the Athlone Castle so worth the stop! Great place to get your first pint of Guinness in Ireland. read more

It's old, it's big (if you count the outdoor area), and it's more expensive than everywhere else in town. There's a huge beer garden in the back if you want a little elbow room. Worth grabbing one pint in to say you went to Ireland's oldest pub. read more

For those that think that other pub in Dublin is the oldest one, I would like to correct you and send you to Sean's the actual Guinness book World Record Holding oldest pub in Ireland. It is well worth a stop when going through town. Just walking in it is possible to appreciate the great old feel to it that they keep alive through the sawdust on the floor, music, and paraphernalia on the walls. We also had an excellent chat with the fellow who was working that day who gave us some more history of the place. read more

Great spot. Do an amazing whiskey sour, ask for Jamie. Some man for one man! Well done guys, keep it up

Had to find the oldest pub while I was in Ireland! Great place in a sweet little town. Loved all the first responder patches they collect - found quite a few from places I've lived! My favorite part though was the little stage out back - a dad playing guitar and maybe 4 or 5 yr old son who was belting out the rock songs with proper facial angst! Just added to the atmosphere of this not-to-be-missed places! read more

So glad I decided to stop in here! There is an interesting mix of tourist and regular drinking together in harmony; makes for a pretty unique atmosphere. The bartender and manager were friendly and quite knowledgeable about the history of their pub. This is the ultimate stop for your crawl. read more

The oldest pub in Ireland just happens to be down the street from my mom's place in Athlone... So, of course we had to go! The atmosphere of Sean's is really amazing. People young & old getting together to enjoy a pint or just listen to trad music in a fireplace-lit room. Everyone is so nice in Ireland, and that's very clear when you go to Sean's. Lots of joyful conversation & banter to be had! They do have a larger part out back that includes a beer garden, but really... The front (the old part) is what's worth the trip. It's packed, but I prefer to think of it as cozy. :) read more

Not sure why people mention the fact that this place doesn't serve food as a negative... it's a pub not a restaurant! Unsurprisingly, one of the best pubs in the whole country is also the oldest. Definitely recommended if visiting Athlone for a weekend stay. Get there early however as it can get crowded with tourists. read more