The Brazen Head
The Brazen Head Photos
THE BRAZEN HEAD ATMOSPHERE
Recommended Reviews - The Brazen Head
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
My wife and I were walking from downtown Dublin to the Guiness Storehouse and needed to find a rest room. Once out of the downtown area, the bars thin out. We were fortunately enough to find The Brazen Head which is the oldest tavern in Dublin and possibly the country. We didn't stay long enough to take in all the history, but noted they have an outside area where most people were eating/drinking. There were also a couple of other bars inside. We ordered Irish Coffee each. Mine was the standard way (Irish whiskey) and my wife's was with Bailey's. I must say it was the best Irish Coffee I'd ever had. They probably put a lot of good whiskey in it. The bar area was littered with police and first responder patches from all over the world, but mainly the U.S. The bartender was very friendly and offered some good suggestions for visiting the local churches. Also the bathrooms were very clean.
This is a good start to your time in Ireland. It is a touristy stop with decent food. I consider it a really good way to start your week, but don't expect exceptional food or service. They are a production facility moving a large number of tourists in and out. They will not split bills for a table which isn't convenient.
We beat the lunch rush today, it did fill up quickly and as Ireland is going through a heatwave, (and many places without air conditioning) it did also fill up with body heat. We did get to enjoy our meal with friendly service and generous portions of food. In retrospect I should have tried the cabbage, but the name "Traditional Brazen Beef Stew" temped 3 of 5 of us. The flavor was amazing, the mashed potatoes were also better than other places we've tried, but the beef itself was tough and over cooked to the point I had to stop chewing and just spit it out on my napkin, or I would still be chewing it hours later. We all left many bits of the meat on our plates. (Not sure it was worth the price). My friends enjoyed their salad and bangers. I tasted both and I liked the salad but the bangers wasn't for me. It was amazing this pub has stood the passage of time.
My experience was probably more based on when I came than anything. If I came in when it was quieter, I imagine I would've had a completely different experience. I went in on a weekend afternoon and it was absolutely packed! I got a drink, but then there was nowhere to sit. And the bartender was pretty snippy to another guy, but in fairness, he was probably being annoying. So, take this with a grain of salt since there are a bunch of good reviews. Maybe just not go when it's packed.
The first time I visited the bouncer wouldn't let me in because my dress pants were too wrinkled. An unpleasant experience because other people were wearing similar pants and other people were wearing baseball caps which were not allowed on the dress code. It seems like the dress code is enforced differently depending on the person. Unfortunate as other than the bouncer the rest of the staff are courteous and pleasant. The food is delicious but pricy for the portion and area. I got the beef stew which was recommended It's also really hot at the bar area where I sat. I was sweating profusely and had to leave early. I'm not sure if they have an air conditioner or not. It was cool weather outside.
Ireland's oldest pub is a must visit! But go early or be prepared to wait. The beef stew with three dollops of outstanding mashed potatoes and a great veggie mix (onion, carrots, celery and mushrooms) was among the best we had In Dublin
Ate at The Brazen Head today and sat at the bar with Keith and Anthony as our server. We had the Buttermilk Chicken Sandwich, wings and a side of chips. The chicken sandwich was spicy and flavorful. The wings were basic and the chips were actually fries. Nonetheless less the food was good and the service at the bar was great, very attentive and personable. We arrived at about 6:10 pm and stayed until 9:30 to listen to the live music which did not disappoint. Keith took the time to give us food and pub recommendations as well. This is a classy pub with good food, service and music.
Oldest bar in Dublin which was established in 1198. The staff is wonderful and the Guinness pours are even better. They also have live music and a great amount of history.
10/10 on ambiance, coziness, vibes, and overall feel. 7/10 on service 9/10 on food The hallway where you wait if you'd like a table is a bit small and crowded, but once you get inside, its worth it! The decorations were lovely, the vibe was warm and cozy, and the food was delicious. They were quite slow to take out order, and even slower to bring the drinks (our food arrived first). But once we got what we ordered, we were happy with the outcome. The chicken sandwich was crispy and juicy. The beer selection was nice. The prices were decent. Id definitely come back!
The Brazen Head is such a classic Dublin stop and absolutely worth visiting for a pint. The atmosphere is historic for being the oldest pub in Ireland, cozy, and exactly what you hope for when grabbing beers in Dublin. It's definitely popular, but that adds to the energy. Grab your drinks at the bar and seat yourself at any open table. Amazing service and friendly staff. Great place to stop in, have a drink, and soak up the pub atmosphere.
Came here after a long day of exploring Dublin and had such a great, warm and hearty meal. The service was quick and the eating environment cozy. They are well known for their stew but I opted for the chicken sandwich and my friend the mussels this round. We did come early and were able to have no wait. Highly recommend this place and would love to visit again.
Wow - the atmosphere is great! The fish and chips was incredible - it was so lightly fried and you could tell how fresh. The bangers and mash was a good addition too with the veggies and the sweet potato polenta was nice. Very good overall!
While in Dublin, we made it point to grab a pint at the famed Brazen Head, which is Dublin's oldest pub, dating back to 1198! The pub is unassuming from the exterior, at least given the classic architecture of the area...which is weird to say seeing as it is essentially a little castle! Once you walk through the arched doorway, you are in the thick of it from the beer garden to the two interior pub areas, which are distinctly different in vibe and energy! We popped into all areas, getting our pints and then enjoying them outside in the semi-covered beer garden! While we spent most of our time outdoors, we did experience the local music and group singalong inside, which was classic and almost storybook-esk! Servers were friendly and efficient. They constantly had a line, but made sure to speak to everyone and get those pints in hands as quick as possible! Overall, we absolutely loved The Brazen Head and would definitely recommend for those visiting Dublin!
What a great little find. Not on the super touristy road, but a delight nonetheless-the-less. We waited a bit to be seated, but otherwise it was a quick service. I recommend reviewing the menu before arrival. The Beef Stew was absolutely the start dish. Great flavors, textures, and temp. A herbal delightful dish with some veggies and great mashed potatoes. The fish and chips were good, the batter light on flavor but still fresh. && the house white wine was wonderful. They do have a courtyard for drinks if that is more your fancy. If in the area, stop by this place is great! read more
2 months ago
Popped in here on Friday night only a small ten minute wait for the table. All staff friendly. The atmosphere felt very next worldly to me from sitting inside look out at the stone, felt medieval. We got 4 items to split; chowder ( did not care for), fish and chips ( okay), beef stew ( pretty good loved it and the freshness of the peas) and lastly bangers and mash ( 10/10 amazing !! Carrot puree and sausage were so so so good!) read more
2 months ago
drinks 8/10 ambiance 9/10 service 8/10 good time in one of the oldest bars. basic drinks nothing fancy but it's good. def overpriced beers but it's good times and good vibes read more
My wife and I were walking from downtown Dublin to the Guiness Storehouse and needed to find a rest room. Once out of the downtown area, the bars thin out. We were fortunately enough to find The Brazen Head which is the oldest tavern in Dublin and possibly the country. We didn't stay long enough to take in all the history, but noted they have an outside area where most people were eating/drinking. There were also a couple of other bars inside. We ordered Irish Coffee each. Mine was the standard way (Irish whiskey) and my wife's was with Bailey's. I must say it was the best Irish Coffee I'd ever had. They probably put a lot of good whiskey in it. The bar area was littered with police and first responder patches from all over the world, but mainly the U.S. The bartender was very friendly and offered some good suggestions for visiting the local churches. Also the bathrooms were very clean. read more
This is a good start to your time in Ireland. It is a touristy stop with decent food. I consider it a really good way to start your week, but don't expect exceptional food or service. They are a production facility moving a large number of tourists in and out. They will not split bills for a table which isn't convenient. read more
We beat the lunch rush today, it did fill up quickly and as Ireland is going through a heatwave, (and many places without air conditioning) it did also fill up with body heat. We did get to enjoy our meal with friendly service and generous portions of food. In retrospect I should have tried the cabbage, but the name "Traditional Brazen Beef Stew" temped 3 of 5 of us. The flavor was amazing, the mashed potatoes were also better than other places we've tried, but the beef itself was tough and over cooked to the point I had to stop chewing and just spit it out on my napkin, or I would still be chewing it hours later. We all left many bits of the meat on our plates. (Not sure it was worth the price). My friends enjoyed their salad and bangers. I tasted both and I liked the salad but the bangers wasn't for me. It was amazing this pub has stood the passage of time. read more
My experience was probably more based on when I came than anything. If I came in when it was quieter, I imagine I would've had a completely different experience. I went in on a weekend afternoon and it was absolutely packed! I got a drink, but then there was nowhere to sit. And the bartender was pretty snippy to another guy, but in fairness, he was probably being annoying. So, take this with a grain of salt since there are a bunch of good reviews. Maybe just not go when it's packed. read more
The first time I visited the bouncer wouldn't let me in because my dress pants were too wrinkled. An unpleasant experience because other people were wearing similar pants and other people were wearing baseball caps which were not allowed on the dress code. It seems like the dress code is enforced differently depending on the person. Unfortunate as other than the bouncer the rest of the staff are courteous and pleasant. The food is delicious but pricy for the portion and area. I got the beef stew which was recommended It's also really hot at the bar area where I sat. I was sweating profusely and had to leave early. I'm not sure if they have an air conditioner or not. It was cool weather outside. read more
Ireland's oldest pub is a must visit! But go early or be prepared to wait. The beef stew with three dollops of outstanding mashed potatoes and a great veggie mix (onion, carrots, celery and mushrooms) was among the best we had In Dublin read more
Ate at The Brazen Head today and sat at the bar with Keith and Anthony as our server. We had the Buttermilk Chicken Sandwich, wings and a side of chips. The chicken sandwich was spicy and flavorful. The wings were basic and the chips were actually fries. Nonetheless less the food was good and the service at the bar was great, very attentive and personable. We arrived at about 6:10 pm and stayed until 9:30 to listen to the live music which did not disappoint. Keith took the time to give us food and pub recommendations as well. This is a classy pub with good food, service and music. read more
8 months ago
10/10 on ambiance, coziness, vibes, and overall feel. 7/10 on service 9/10 on food The hallway where you wait if you'd like a table is a bit small and crowded, but once you get inside, its worth it! The decorations were lovely, the vibe was warm and cozy, and the food was delicious. They were quite slow to take out order, and even slower to bring the drinks (our food arrived first). But once we got what we ordered, we were happy with the outcome. The chicken sandwich was crispy and juicy. The beer selection was nice. The prices were decent. Id definitely come back! read more
The Brazen Head is such a classic Dublin stop and absolutely worth visiting for a pint. The atmosphere is historic for being the oldest pub in Ireland, cozy, and exactly what you hope for when grabbing beers in Dublin. It's definitely popular, but that adds to the energy. Grab your drinks at the bar and seat yourself at any open table. Amazing service and friendly staff. Great place to stop in, have a drink, and soak up the pub atmosphere. read more
4 months ago
Came here after a long day of exploring Dublin and had such a great, warm and hearty meal. The service was quick and the eating environment cozy. They are well known for their stew but I opted for the chicken sandwich and my friend the mussels this round. We did come early and were able to have no wait. Highly recommend this place and would love to visit again. read more
10 days ago
4 months ago
Wow - the atmosphere is great! The fish and chips was incredible - it was so lightly fried and you could tell how fresh. The bangers and mash was a good addition too with the veggies and the sweet potato polenta was nice. Very good overall! read more
While in Dublin, we made it point to grab a pint at the famed Brazen Head, which is Dublin's oldest pub, dating back to 1198! The pub is unassuming from the exterior, at least given the classic architecture of the area...which is weird to say seeing as it is essentially a little castle! Once you walk through the arched doorway, you are in the thick of it from the beer garden to the two interior pub areas, which are distinctly different in vibe and energy! We popped into all areas, getting our pints and then enjoying them outside in the semi-covered beer garden! While we spent most of our time outdoors, we did experience the local music and group singalong inside, which was classic and almost storybook-esk! Servers were friendly and efficient. They constantly had a line, but made sure to speak to everyone and get those pints in hands as quick as possible! Overall, we absolutely loved The Brazen Head and would definitely recommend for those visiting Dublin! read more
4 months ago
Came here for some drinks and food. The live music was great and Stephen was an awesome bartender! read more
i mean just look at the stew. cmon. you can just about taste the history in the air and the bartender was so kind! she even wrote me a list of her favorite pubs which were all likewise amazing. should be mandatory for anyone visiting for the first time read more
We stopped in at the brazen Head for a quick lunch. We sat in the upstairs part of the pub, which was what I would call quaint, but a little less charming than the downstairs part. Part. We split a cottage pie and we were really glad we did. It was very large. Enjoyed that meal! And would return to eat here again! read more
2 months ago
This is Irelands oldest pub and it was definitely worth checking out. The brazen beef stew was absolutely incredible!! It had a cute pub vibe and there was a long line but it moved pretty fast. read more
5 months ago
We walked in here fully expecting it to be a huge tourist trap but it was on our walk and we figured why not. It was already fairly busy for 4:30pm on a Tuesday but the staff seemed to manage it well as neither myself or anyone else waited long for beer. I loved the aesthetic of the bar itself. I only saw the smaller sitting area by the bar and the courtyard. We sat in the courtyard because we're Canadian and don't care about the cold and it was the right choice because it was so cute out there and I loved the music playlist. The only real downside was that it cost €17.50 for two euro. read more
The oldest pub in Ireland opened in 1198. Should be a national monument. Cool, ideal front and interior. The main old bar is a must see. There are several but you have to find the original bar. Seated right away in the upstairs dining room that was a big, old, space. Good choices of beer with pictures on the menu. Food menu is limited with some non-Irish food to support anyone in your party who doesn't want traditional Irish food. Service was fast when it came to ordering and the wait. Irish stew was excellent. Full of flavor and I'm not a big stew kinda person but this was really good. Chips are so-so. Want to try the bar next time. Would repeat. read more
Great traditional Irish pub close to the river even though it's predictably spendy. There is a great outdoor area to have drinks and a quaint indoor seating area with lots of Irish charm! Had the fish and chips and it was amazing! Left me wanting it again the next day. The server was quick but didn't come back to the table after the food. He was around though and was quick to help. Was good for small kids as well. read more
I see why this pub is Dublin's oldest pub and managed to stay in business 827 years - food is great, drinks are great, service is great, ambiance is great! Food: - beef stew: I saw some comments that this was too salty but this was not my experience! Very warm and cozy on a cold autumn day - seafood chowder: very generous with the seafood and surprisingly light, and not too salty, great flavor - Caesar salad: fresh lettuce, like straight off the iceberg. Not too much dressing. Instead of croutons, it's a beautiful piece of toasted bread. I was not expecting an Irish pub's Caesar salad to be so good. Surprisingly one of the best, if not the best, Caesar salad I've ever had - even better than Gordon Ramsey's Hell's Kitchen Caesar Salad. Drink: - Guinness: some of the best beer I've ever had. Creamy and fresh tasting Service: Seated quickly, food and drink came quickly, friendly! read more
Great dinner in a casual atmosphere. We were seated immediately at 18:00 on a Saturday and the service was fast and friendly. The fish and chips were delicious and was a huge portion. No kids menu but enough options to keep kids happy on the regular menu. The outside area was packed with people drinking and socializing. Great option for drinks or dinner and drinks!! read more
2 months ago
The oldest pub in Dublin, Ireland. Great traditional Irish stew, drinks, and services. The ambience was wonderful! read more
8 months ago
The Brazen Head is a pretty cool place to check out! We've made a point to stop by here nearly every time we are in Dublin. Hyped as the oldest pub in Dublin, there are several different cosy rooms to check out with various historical memorabilia lining the walls including paintings, signs, bottles, kettles etc. When you walk into the outside seating area, you are greeted by a medieval suit of armor which sets the overall tone for the Brazen Head. The only downside is it seems to get more and more expensive to come here and the staff appears to be in a rush to get you in and out fairly quickly. read more
7 months ago
My husband and I stopped by the Bra head after our tour of the Guinness factory for a nice lunch at the pub. This pub is so cute and quaint. The waiter was friendly and helpful, and we both enjoyed our food so much. My husband had the fish and chips which was lovely and I had the Irish stew which was warming and cozy on a cold rainy Dublin day. read more
1 year ago
It's an oldie but goodie. Perhaps the oldest functioning pub in Dublin, this place oozes character and a sort of hobbit hole coziness. The waitstaff is friendly and appears to be entirely non-Irish, but they are prompt and know the dishes. The bangers and mash were very good, but we prefer the beef stew. The pints come in half and full pours, so you can sample a few beers! And the vibe is amazing...low ceilings and wood frames with plenty of pictures and memorabilia to remind you that you are sipping a guiness among the ghosts of Dubliners past. There's an inside seating and outdoor courtyard so you can have two different kinds of experiences. Great spot! read more
Wow very cool experience in Ireland's oldest pub! The history in this place is amazing, If the walls could talk! We sat in "the library", where the walls are lined with patches from those that keep us safe from, fire, accidents and bad guys. Unfortunately the kitchen was under renovation so we had limited options for food, what we did have was excellent, and they put a great pint of Guinness! read more
10 months ago
We stopped here to get a drink in the oldest pub in Dublin and it was cool experience. You can see the original room and get a drink there but they also have lots of other rooms with live music and a big outdoor space. It was super packed in the room with the music, so we ended up getting one drink outside and then moving on. Worth a stop though! read more
2 months ago
4 months ago
1 month ago
Visiting Ireland for the first time, I did my best to read up on good places to grab dinner in Dublin. Scanning the area I was in, I came across The Brazen Head pub and saw it was rated pretty well so I decided to go there for dinner and overall, I had a good experience! I walked in on an early Wednesday evening, around 4pm. Following the signs to the host station to be seated, at first, I was a little confused as there was no one there, but after about five minutes, the hostess came and found me a table. Inside it's dark and a little stuffy but there were multiple dining areas with quite a few tables with tons of cool posters, pictures, flags, etc. hanging up on the ceilings and walls. The seating outside was reserved for those only looking to grab a pint. I was seated at a small table in the corner in one of the smaller dining areas, but that was fine since it was just me. The waiter was courteous and did what was necessary, no more and no less. After looking over the menu and placing my order, I sipped on a Guinness with Black (black currant juice) as I waited and took in the ambiance. About 20 minutes, or so, later, my dinner arrived - Fish and Chips. Theirs is a beer battered Cod with homemade tartar sauce and chips. This was pretty good! A nice and crispy Cod fillet with plenty of thick-cut French Fries. I'll be honest, I've had better fish fry, but I was more than happy with this. It tasted good and filled me up. The Brazen Head pub was a fun spot to go to for dinner, but I don't feel compelled to come back again for food. The staff were adequate but nothing spectacular. If I come back to Dublin, I would maybe come back for a pint and skip the food. read more
11 months ago
My husband really wanted to check out the oldest pub in Dublin, Ireland when we were visiting Dublin, Ireland (October 2025) despite me letting him know that there was negative feedback from others who had previously visited The Brazen Head such as "feeling rushed by waitstaff, prices high, ect" & I was so hoping that our visit to The Brazen Head would have been a more positive experience. read more
Page 1 of 26
More info about The Brazen Head
20 Bridge Street Lower
Dublin 8
Republic of Ireland
Thomas Street
Directions
(01) 679 5186
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.brazenhead.com
Hours
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
From the Business
The Brazen Head Reviews in Other Languages
Review Highlights - The Brazen Head
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
47 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
11 years ago
16 years ago
13 years ago
14 years ago
3 years ago
4 years ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
11 years ago
17 years ago
1 year ago
10 years ago
7 years ago
3 months ago
7 years ago
10 years ago
2 years ago
7 years ago
11 years ago
