We were able to find one of the last tables on a Sunday night. It wasn't clear how the seating worked, but as far as I could tell, it's first come first serve and grab your own table. They have a couple of different rooms. The outdoor part in the center is most lively. There are also full bars on the inside. If you're in the outdoor area, even the non smoking area gets some of the tobacco drifting over. We got two pints of beer; of course, one was a Guinness. I also got a Crean, which is lighter. - House bread: very dense, not bad - Beef and Guinness stew: the star of the dinner - this was very hearty and flavorful and came with mashed potatoes - Bacon and cabbage: boiled pork collar was pretty flavorless; I think I was expecting something more like baked/seasoned ham. The cabbage was diced up, and the dish was on mashed potatoes and mashed sweet potatoes, which were too buttery for me - Onion rings: really nice crisp batter, which didn't get soggy even after getting cold Bathrooms were pretty clean. Brazen Head is kind of a Dublin institution as far as pubs go. It's cool to check out for some beer, onion rings, and that beef stew. Service was kind of what you would expect for a pub - no frills, beers and food come out relatively quickly. In the end, it was under €50 for two of us. read more

Really good atmosphere. I think and comfortable. Food was good. A little hard to figure out what's going on with the servers but everyone was friendly and helpful. read more

The oldest pub in Ireland is quaint and cozy. We ordered a couple of pints of Guinness for €5 a piece. Followed by the best fish and chips Ive ever had. Absolutely fantastic! It was priced at €16. If you're going to make a stop at any location, make a reservation here or go during non-peak hours. Best fish and chips ever. read more

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Unorthodox place, with many different rooms inside and addition outdoor. We like the place for it authentic look and the fact that is the Ireland's oldest pub. Delicious Atlantic seafood chowder and light and tasty goat cheese & beetroot salad was our choice for dinner. read more

Had a really awful and upsetting experience here. I was spending a weekend in Dublin so we decided to check this place out for dinner. The bouncer at the door who was an older bald man asked to see my groups IDs before entering. I don't mind as we were a group of girls in our 20s. I used a Mexican form of identification despite speaking english with an American accent (I have dual citizenship.) The bouncer started questioning why I had a Mexican passport and when I explained he accused me of being a drug trafficker. He went on to say that Trump is going to keep all of "you people" out with the wall. I told him I was not going to engage with him and asked for my passport back. He held it away from me and refused to return it until I responded to more of his disgustingly racist remarks about Mexicans. Thankfully my friends intervened and got my passport back and we proceeded inside. As soon and I was inside I stopped the first staff member I saw and asked if he could get a manager for me. He listened to me explain what had happened and was very kind and apologetic. He told me how horrified he was by the treatment I received and immediately brought a manager to me. Throughout this ordeal this staff member was the only one to seem to care about how upsetting the interaction was. The manager came over and after I explained what had happened to him he kind of just laughed and said he was shocked. He seemed very nonchalant and informed me that that guy wasn't their regular door man so there wasn't much he could do. I voiced my concerns that whether he is their regular doorman or not, he is reflecting terribly on their business and as a manager he needs to address that. The manager half heartedly apologized and settled on the explanation that "Irish people aren't racist, you'll just have to spend more time in our bar and see for yourself." I was honestly baffled that this was his response. No sincere apology, no offer to make it up to me and my group, and no promise that he would speak with the doorman or the company he works for and have him held accountable. Needless to say we left and went elsewhere to eat. The whole ordeal really ruined my evening and it bothered me so much to think that others could be subjected to this mans disgusting racism throughout the night. No one deserves to be treated that way and as a business, The Brazen Head management should have taken some very different steps to address the situation. read more

Great for live music.. A real traditional pub.. Service with a smile! read more

We were recommended this place by our taxi driver. We were really happy that we stopped by! The food was good and the beer was good as well! read more

The Brazen Head - Pubs Near Me - Dublin, D

Our first nite in Dublin, and we walked to this restaurant, and had a lovely time, the place has a good environment and tasty food with good customer service. We sat upstairs with 2 couples from Texas, whom I asked to join us since sitting was for a large group, and they said fine. Fun evening. read more

Super long day of travel getting from Seattle to Dublin after a 3.5 hour layover in Amsterdam. Checked into our AirBnB and looked for a place to grab dinner and a pint or two. Stayed a 5 minute walk from here last night and already trying to figure out if we can make it happen a second time before we're off to Paris. Incredible atmosphere. Lively and energetic at 10pm on a Sunday night. Live music, multiple spots that each have different vibes. Perfect pints of Guinness and some of the best fish and chips and Irish stew we've ever had. 5 out of 5 isn't enough. Oh, and did I mention the place is almost 900 years old? read more

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An amazing traditional Irish pub with great bands and fun atmosphere. The traditional Irish food was great as well. Most of all, it is about the people and their amazing hospitality. We felt at home. read more

It's way less touristy than I thought it was going to be. We had two pints of pale for €13. Lots of quaint booths to have a drink and a chat. Nice patio open air type seating if the weather permits. Crazy amount of dollars and emergency services patches. Eh it's too much stuff on the walls. read more

Super happy we managed to find a table, even though it was kind of small, it was enough for our Fried Brie and Fish and Chips. I would definitely recommend the Fried Brie, with the cranberry sauce, which brings out a refreshing aftertaste. The beer battered fish and chips portions were huge and the fish was very tender. For drinks I tried the Orchard Thieves Cider, which was not too sweet. Overall the vibe is really chill and the place is packed. read more

The Brazen Head - Fried Brie / Fish and Chips - Pubs Near Me - Dublin, D

Absolutely the best time here! The food was amazing and the servers were efficient and fast. Good job to the cooks cause we had a very large group. The history of this place is so neat and to say I've eaten there....well, need I say more read more

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Ok so the worst part about this place is it's not big enough for alllllll the people who want to come in. But I don't think even if they made it twice the size that it could ever accommodate the masses. That being said, I LOVED this place. The bangers and mash were PHENOMENAL. The burger was delicious as well. The wait staff was very friendly and accommodating trying to fit everyone in every space possible. They worked quickly and stayed on top of everyone's orders. We had planned to stay for the live music but left after dinner just so other people could enjoy it as well. If you want a great Irish meal, stop here. If you're looking for drinks, this is the place too. You get to experience the oldest pub. read more

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The Brazen Head can get extremely busy and is on the pricy side, but it's a great example of an old, classic pub where you will find some locals as it is outside Temple Bar. Have never eaten, but it looks delicious. read more

My experience was as simple as it gets. Brazen Head was an entertaining place with plenty of seating, fun, and beers to go around. My group stopped by to get a little taste of Irish history and had a great time people watching and relaxing. It was crowded and like any place in the area the service was relaxed. We were seated outside and with no fans and little wind it did get a bit stifling. Nothing spectacular about the food either but the enjoyment was all in the experience and drinking. A great stop for those who want to say they drank in the older pub in Ireland :) read more

Great place to grab a drink and soak in the history and atmosphere. There is a steady flow of traffic, but everyone seems kind and happy to be there. Traditional Irish menu. Food is hearty. It's a can't miss pub and worth a visit if you're in Dublin. Bigger folks might feel a bit cramped. read more

Sat at the bar and had a great time. Bartender John was super friendly and funny. Very attentive service and great beers. Had Guinness and Kilkenny which is foamy like Guinness but lighter. Drank alot and walked away for under 40 euros. A must visit place in Dublin. read more

Probably one of the coolest pubs in all of Dublin (at least that I have been to). Love the history, the age, character, people, booze etc. Even the touristy stuff is kinda fun. If you are in Dublin, stop in. It is worth it. read more

"Do you have any specific destinations while you are in Dublin?" the cabbie taking us from Dublin Airport to City Centre asked us. "Uhh, the usual tourist sites" I replied stupidly. Well, of course we were going to see the Guinness Storehouse, but beyond that I was drawing a blank. "Let me recommend to you this place called Brazen Head". "Raisinhead"? I'm sure he'd never heard that one before. "Nope, Brazen Head. It's Dublin's oldest restaurant, and is in a very historic neighborhood. You'll enjoy it". "Uh, ok". I think we were still getting our land legs after our ten hour flight, but we really should have pressed the guy for more tips, as it turned out that his suggestion was a very good one indeed. We had spent a rather warm morning traversing the grounds of the Dublin Zoo, and even though we had a great time, we hadn't had anything to eat from about 8:30 until about 2:30, so we were getting kind of hungry. As the Brazen Head was located approximately halfway between Phoenix Park and our hotel, we realized that the opportunity was there. In spite of it being one of those restaurants where it's not immediately clear what you're supposed to do upon entering (somewhere in the list of top ten general complaints I have about restaurants), once we had a table the experience was very much worth it. The pub caters to all sorts of clientele, from local wage earners to both local and international tourists. The menu includes classic Irish fare such as Atlantic Seafood Chowder and Beef & Guinness Stew to more internationally recognized eats like hamburgers and chili. If it had been a bit cooler I'd no doubt have tried their Irish Coffee, but given we were visiting the country during something of a heat wave, I had both a Guinness and I believe a Crean's, another local effort in the ale department. The first was as always awesome, the latter adequate. For the prices we paid, it was well worth it (and it's an awesome place to people watch, to boot). Highly recommended. read more

As good as it gets. Amazing atmosphere, amazing people, amazing music, amazing food... Yeah a must see in Dublin.

This pub was the highlight of our stay in Dublin, not for the food or the excellent beer; but more for the Irish Storytelling dinner that we booked online. Man, this dude was funny, and great storyteller. In such entertaining fashion I've learned more about Irish history, culture, fairy tales and folklore more than any museum would have taught me. There was some singing in the end. What a delight this was. Cheers! read more

The Brazen Head - Pubs Near Me - Dublin, D

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Cool atmosphere and good pub food. Seafood chowder is solid. Definitely recommend to anyone visiting Dublin.

Stopped here for lunch, very cool old Irish pub. Outdoor seating, very comfortable. Service was great, Guinness was better. If you ever in Dublin Ireland, make sure you check this place out. read more

Alright fair enough so it's a tourist bar. But to take our heads out of our a%*£s for a second, we must also come to the conclusion that there may be a reason that tourists flock to certain places. A cliché becomes a cliché for a reason! You don't got no out of towners frequenting holes in the walls and the likes.. (oh wait...!) Anyway, the reason they call come here is; 1. It's the oldest pub in Dublin 2. It's just a lovely feckin setting. They've got a whopper outdoor beer garden area out the front (with over-head cover for those occasional rainy days..!) It's full of trellising and different levels, and wood, and little seating nooks. Then inside, there are lots of different rooms inside that lend a nice cozy atmosphere to the place. 3. Good food. Ok so we just had chips and sauce - the chips were perfectly cooked, but the sauce! Sweet chili like you ain't had before - homemade and ridiculously tasty They offer lots of other types of entertainment like trad sessions, storytelling and the like, but of course there are other places in the city that may be better for locals to discover the likes of this. My point is, if you're looking for a nice spot outside for a few Sunday drinks, you can't go too far wrong with the Brazen Head! read more

Oh my goodness...this bar has *gasp* TOURISTS in it! Yes, you heard me correctly--tourists. Those awful, money-spending, non-locally-living people. How could you possibly even consider coming to this place, much less trying to have fun in it? It certainly can't be possible. *sigh* So, so tired of people complaining about tourists in Ireland. Especially since the tourist trade in Ireland employs about 180,000 people and generates like 4% of their GDP. There are tourists literally everywhere in Ireland, so stop trying to find places where "only the locals go," because frankly, they don't really exist, except in places where people don't really want to go in the first place. Now, as for Brazen Head... - Nice enough staff. Lots of them seem eastern European. One of the waiters helped us to stalk and grab a table, which was a fun bonding experience. - Outstanding patio area - It gets super crowded, so be prepared to hunt for seating, especially if you're planning on eating there - Drinks are cold and good - Food is standard pub fare - They have autographed memorabilia from when Tom Jones performed there. YES. It's worth a visit, whether because it's the oldest pub, or because you just want to hang out at a fun place. read more

I never thought about this place until I had an American in town that loves Guinness as much as me. It was my first time there last night and I must say I loved it. Yes it's full of tourists but why not? I mean this place is done so well. Away from the craziness that is Temple Bar, it looks like nothing special from the outside. Then viola you are suddenly holding hands with Nicole Kidman & Tom Cruise in that delightfully accurate depiction of Ireland in the memorable film titled 'Into the West.'* Begorrah and begosh yes Paddy Murphy yes. I jest it could easily go down that Orish route but what it has done instead is mimic the upper scale Irish pubs that you find in the States. Dollar bills with folks signatures are pinned to the walls. Live Irish music plays in another room. Guinness is good, atmosphere is lively... I definitely will go back to that spot again and again. *Of course I didn't mean that film I meant 'Far & Away' which JC C rightly pointed out - it was just a cunning move on my part to make sure you pay attention - well done! read more

Established in 1198, The Brazen Head is the oldest bar in Dublin. It is located south of the river Liffey at the base of the Fr. Matthew Bridge/end of the N1 and northwest of Christ church. The layout remains very similar to the original coach house. You first enter through a covered entrance to an outdoor patio area. there are booths along the walls with tables and stools balanced precariously on uneven cobblestones. Once you've found yourself steady, a server will offer drinks and food. Unfortunately, while sitting outside, you cannot start a tab so bring cash or you will have to close out each round on your card. Sitting there, you start to really admire the establishment. It has survived almost 1000 years amid rebellion, famine and wars. History shows over and over that societies flock to a good strong drink in good times and in bad. And even now, it still serves its established purpose, although more expensive than originally priced. Expect to pay a couple euro more per round than other bars you'll frequent. We did not get a chance to stay long, especially since we planned on hitting quite a few spots that day. I strongly recommend coming here for a quiet pint, especially if you're visiting for the first time. Nothing beats telling people that you got a drink at the oldest bar in Ireland! read more

At first, it seems like mayhem, but it does come together. It is a maze of rooms, and you have to find your own table. Having said that, when you do sit down the service is top shelf and the food is good and well prepared. Will definitely go back when I am in Dublin read more

We were planning to go to Sean's Bar in Athlone, When It rained badly. So we decided to settle for The Brazen Head, an 814 year old pub - the 2nd oldest pub in Ireland. It was pretty crowded, the Guinness tasted just like It did all week long. Great Irish music and a great place to sit back and relax when It isn't packed with tourists. They say that the pub is "officially" the oldest in Ireland but we all know If the Guinness World Records doesn't 'say so', It ain't so. read more

The Brazen Head - Pubs Near Me - Dublin, D

They have a great outdoor seating area and some delicious Irish cider (I'm not a beer drinker so I was very excited about this). Plus, it's Ireland's oldest pub so you feel like you're really getting the full experience! I went on a Friday afternoon (before 3) and it was relatively crowded, but we were able to get a table outside. read more

SO SUPER 100% COOL!!!! The patio is awesome. The Guinness flowed (as did the cider and Jameson). We did a story-teller dinner which will never be forgotten. My sister even named her son after one of the fairy tales. The story-teller was so animated - DO THIS! Dinner was... dinner... I mean Irish food isn't anything to write home about, but the culture and people are amazing. *Sigh* I could live in Dublin in a heart beat. read more

It's supposedly the oldest pub in Ireland, but other than that - it's nothing special. Builiding is obviously old (though not the original of course.) The place was full of stag parties and tourists and the prices reflect this clientèle. Food was fine - we got the Bangers and Mash and the Beef Chili (spicier than you might expect!). Service was quick enough and the waitress was average. If you're nearby, pop in - otherwise don't go out of your way. read more

The Brazen Head - Bangers and Mash - Pubs Near Me - Dublin, D

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The Brazen Head claims to be not only Dublins, but Irelands oldest pub, established 1198. I am pretty sure that they don't have hard proof for that, but the result is clear: The Brazen Head is probably one of the most "touristy" spots you will find in Dublin (besides the whole Temple-Bar-District) It is noted in all guide books and it comes worse: The only Irish people in the Brazen Head are probably the musicians who play Traditional Irish Music nearly every evening. The staff? Probably from Poland. The guests? From everywhere, but rarely Irish. And I usually despise obvious "tourist traps". So, why am I so fond of this particular place? Well, perhaps because the "Brazen Head" gave me many lovely memories of evenings with a perfect, cliché "Irish night out", especially when I have family or friends from the continent visiting. Or perhaps because in this place they still try to put on a jolly face and give you the "typical Irish" experience a tourist expects to find here. In many non-tourist pubs, this is missing and the grumpyness-factor is quite high nowadays. Perhaps the Brazen Head is not at all a "real" Irish Pub, but an Irish Pub like tourists all over the world know them from their home towns, and perhaps that's the reason why I felt so re-assured the moment I entered the premises: finally, there it was, the Ireland I always imagined in the Irish Pubs of Stuttgart, Paris and Prague (In fact, the feel of the place is very similar to the "James Joyce" Pub in Prague...). Staff is very friendly, the musicians are very good most of the time, and it's one of those places where it happens very easily that you start a conversation with somebody unknown. Some last practical notes: Especially important during the summer weeks: there is an outdoor area with tables (and ashtrays)! And yes, you can eat and drink outdoors, too. A last word on the food: it is amazing! Very good pub grub. Not cheap, but worth it. Fish&Chips are among the best I've ever eaten in Ireland (not too fat, and the fish tastes like fresh fish, no de-frost shit). The stews are also remarkable. So next time you have guests looking for the "real Irish" experience or want to treat yourself with a little "holidays in Ireland"-feeling without driving to the west-coast, just swing around the Brazen Head! P.S. It happened to me on one occassion that the live music was not "Traditional Irish" but Blues. So check the website or phone them if you are after the "Irish Music"-experience. read more

This is the oldest pub in Ireland and it's full of character. Came here for dinner one night and it was packed! We got a table on the second floor and had THEE BEST EVER onion rings. The food was good but the onion rings were perfection! Good service, nice vibe, you should definitely check this place out while in Dublin. read more

The Brazen Head - Pubs Near Me - Dublin, D

The Brazen head claims to be the oldest pub in the city - I certainly can't contradict this, it is after all, beside one of the oldest houses in the city (the post office on Ushers quay). The place is slightly dark and cramped but if you were to be honest - that's a good thing in a pub. I try to avoid during the summer - it is a bit of a tourist trap. read more

I've been a couple of times now, and I've hung out in both the cozy little inside bar and the outside patio. The Guinness is lovely, the tourists are pretty subdued and seem to be engaged in real conversations (vs OMG OMG OMG...I think I just saw Derek from Crystal Swing...or maybe it was Jedward...), and the patio is a great place to sit outside on a warm Dublin night. The food is pretty good for pub grub, the only negative moment came when I was first there and ordered fish and chips...which, in spite of the menu posted on the wall as you walk in, they don't actually serve. Apparently the menu is just for "pretty". I ended up with a lovely beef & Guinness stew, and of course, another pint to soothe my fish & chip free doldrums. Bottom Line: Yeah, it's touristy. BFD, get yer arse in here... read more

Just a short distance from our hostel it was a place to definitely visit. Being the oldest pub in Ireland says many things about the place like withstanding the test of time. It's a unique pub where you feel both indoors and out at the same time. The music was good which is what we were looking forward to it. Ended up being a part of the best night in Dublin. read more

The Brazen Head - Fun times - Pubs Near Me - Dublin, D

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This is an Irish institution that proclaims it Ireland's oldest pub (12th century). It's settled off Victoria Quay in Dublin's City center - a very easy walk from Heuston Station. I arrived there around 7:00 p.m. after a nice train ride from Killarney, Co. Kerry. I was famished and ordered the signature dish, "Guinness Stew", as my main. For my starter, I had their famous "Seafood Chowder" and washed down everything with a pint of the black gold. The chowder arrived quickly with a side of Irish soda bread and creamy Irish butter. I really love Irish butter. It's so orange-dark, creamy, and delicious. Tabs of butter with Irish soda bread and a dash of salt will make the devil giggle with joy. It accompanied very well with the chowder which was smoky, rich, and packed with deep flavor. I suspect that the bowl would suffice as a main as well for the small-stomached. The Guinness Stew was chock-full of beef, carrots, and other things. It was delicious and tasted very authentic and homemade. There was a tiny hint of bitterness that was palatable, but it indicated to me that perhaps the stew had been simmering for more than its optimal "simmer life". This is understandable since it's a stew in a restaurant. Things are made en masse and left preserved. The people were friendly. One piece of advice is coming from America. You need to seat yourself. I was standing for sometime thinking you'd be seated somewhere. It was a very busy evening with LOTS of people. It's a nice place to sit down and have a pint, listen to talk, and enjoy an authentic Irish pub experience. read more

This pub is way more fun than temple bar. We thoroughly enjoyed the friendly people and pints o Kilkenny!! The live music is amazing. Can't wait to come back! read more