We were so excited to visit the smallest Irish bar in Dublin, but the experience ended up being really disappointing. We got our drinks without a problem, but then we watched the bartender refuse service to an older lady and her three friends -- who didn't even seem to be drinking yet -- saying the bar was closed. She politely asked for just one beer to share, even saying they'd drink it quickly, and he still refused. A few minutes later, someone else came up asking for a Jack Daniels "to drink fast," and he laughed and poured it without hesitation. Then another girl asked for two Guinness, and despite claiming the bar was closed, he said, "How can I say no to that?" and served her. Watching the older lady get singled out like that felt awful and unfair. On top of that, the bathroom was disgusting -- no toilet paper, no paper towels, and the toilet seat wouldn't stay up. Definitely not clean. We came here excited, but it wasn't worth it at all. Just a few doors down there's a fantastic place with great service that was far better than this experience. Sad one person can make her break a place. read more

See all

Tiny random door, once you walk in you have to go down a winding set of stairs. Once at the bottom you're welcomed by a dark cozy pub. The bar tender was great as soon as I entered he asked for my order. Poured me a perfect pint of Guinness for an affordable price. There was no food. read more

See all

YES...this is the smallest pub I have ever been in....Ireland and the U.S,...great place ...was here a few times in the month of July 2025...Great bartenter (sorry I forgot his name) Great pours of Guinness along with others...Got myself a nice T-shirt...but order a size bigger because they run small and shrink....It is in my top 10 favorite pubs in Dublin...DO NOT miss out on this one.....Slainte' read more

As Dublin's smallest pub, it's a must stop in. It's like hanging out in a friend's basement, but that's pretty fun right?

Gord and I checked out the Dawson Lounge because it's Dublin's and Ireland's smallest pub ... seats only 26 people and is in the basement! read more

See all

Really special place. Great pint, super great barman and a one of a kind atmosphere. You feel so welcomed as soon as you walk in as you're forced to be intimate and close with everyone and it works perfectly. One of my favorite Dublin pubs read more

We stopped in here for drinks one night in Dublin but didn't stay long. It's a tiny place and claims itself as - probably the smallest bar in the world. As such, there was very limited seating, and once we finally grabbed a spot, it took a really long time for drinks. No food offered and drinks were not great. Music was also not what we were looking for, so we headed out. It seemed betwixt. The music was too loud and obnoxious to be a casual lounge, but there was no space, nor the right music, for dancing to give it a club feel. Seems like it's probably a better spot for a quick drink during the day, not ideal for late night lounging or club. I feel like we were there looking for the wrong thing, so while our experience was more 3 stars, I'm reflecting on personal bias as our expectations may have been inaccurate. read more

Billed as the smallest pub in Ireland, sure it's tiny, but a great place to get to know the barkeep and other patrons. Great no frills English / Irish draught pours of some local / some macro beers. Definitely a great place to head downstairs and have a pint and a photo or two read more

See all

"Probably the smallest pub on the door" is what the sign outside says and it's not far from the truth. This is definitely a place you could easily miss since the entire establishment is in the basement but it's definitely worth stopping in if you get a chance. The location is killer and I'm adding the Dawson Lounge to my list of must see pubs in the Grafton St. area. I can imagine this place getting too crowded that you'd decide to leave without ordering a drink but my friends are I were able to find a table on a Tuesday night pretty easily. Their selection of drinks is good and the novelty of being in such a small pub is entertaining. read more

See all

Well worth a visit to the self proclaimed "probably the smallest bar in the world" it is pretty Small no food and good service . Great people watching! read more

I love this place! It's got such a character. This is the place I always meet up with my local Irish friends. When I got there for the first time, I saw two Dawson Lounges and I was confused, then I remembered my friend said..."The original one which you have to take stairs to go down..." Because of the size, it gets so crowded on weekend evenings, but it just gives more local/fun atmosphere. We usually meet up here, go to another pub or three, then find somewhere to eat...that's my routine... :) read more

The Dawson Lounge purports to be the smallest pub in Dublin and do you know what, they could well be right. I would associate Dawson Street more with bookshops than licenced premises, but I was in the area and a thirst was upon me, I'd quite probably slake it in the Dawson Lounge. Because of it's small size, Dawson Lounge is not big enough to contain both the Irish and non-native drinking classes, so it's novelty factor and oodles of charm ensure that the place is mainly patronised by tourists. You'd almost wonder how a place that small would be able to tun a profit, but with it's anecdotability, the place is guarunteed to be always almost full of tourists who want to be able to tell the story of drinking in the smallest pub in Dublin. What they should do is hire some old codger in a tweed cap to sit at the end of the bar and utter the occasional piece of native wit. Then they'd be able to charge into the place, and flog t-shirts. read more

The Dawson Lounge - Pubs Near Me - Dublin, D

I first visited the Dawson lounge for whiskey wednesday a yelp whiskey tasting event. If I had not been coming to the event i think I would have continued to walk by this little spot without noticing it. For the event i arrived a little early so i decided to have a pint of Guinness - WOW- i can honestly say one of the best pints of Guinness i have had in all my years here in Ireland Its a tiny little place in a basement and is really a perfect cosy place for a pint on your own or with a few friends. If you're out on the town with a big gang probably best to give this place a miss as you simply wont fit inside. If however you are planning a party you can book it out for the night and have up to 60 people. On a street dominated by huge pubs and chains its great to see this little place and i surely will be making it a regular spot. read more

See all

Not as big a tourist trap as you'd think, given it's novelty and proximity to Grafton. I'd actually go so far as to say it strikes a nice balance between tourists and natives, four of each can fit in before you start breaking any fire safety regulations. And it really is a nice pub, with excellent Guinness. However, the new(ish) barman put a shamrock swirl in my stout the last day. I was hurt and offended, not least because I'd been having a full blown debate as gaeilge immediately prior to the offence. Still, I suppose he's only young. And maybe he was just practicing for the invasion that is June. read more

The Dawson Lounge - Pubs Near Me - Dublin, D

Wonderful folks. This is the smallest establishment of this sort I have ever seen. It is below grade, meaning down a flight of stairs. 80s music, not sure what that is about but I like the genre, so that is fine too. The locals were talkative and welcoming. Highly recommend. read more

Maybe my concept of space is different to the majority of people, blame it on driving a tiny car, growing up in the box room and for some reason always getting the smallest room in any house share - I'm normal size by the by. I just was expecting smaller, I sucked in my gut as we descended the steep stairs in expectation of pushing my body against random strangers in a shared perverse need to drink booze in a tiny space. That said the Guinness was good, the bartender was good craic. I was the only person with an Irish accent down there. Don't get too tipsy as you might break your neck on the stairs. A fabulous spot for a bomb shelter should I ever need one. read more

Okay, after ten years of Dublin, and walking up and down Dawson Street nearly every single day of the last decade, I'm ashamed to say that I had never been in the Dawson Lounge until last night. I wasn't even exactly sure where it was. All I knew is that it's on Dawson Street, and is the smallest pub in Dublin. Well so we went. Down a tiny staircase, into a little living room type place. I want to buy it and keep it as a secret haunt for my own friends. Pretty sure we were the only non-tourists there, however. The barman was pleasant and the Guinness was good. It gets very warm very quickly! Worth it for the novelty value. read more

A Dublin institution, the Dawson Lounge. I've been infrequently frequenting this place since I moved to Dublin and its never lost it's charm. The guy who used to own it was behind the bar this night, Ron Black. The Thomas Reid group bought the bar back in the day and Ron was employed to run it. Good move. I don't know if they still own it now though. (They bought his name too, but thats another story.) Ron is a gem. My brother made the point of saying hello to Ron and while Ron probably didn't remember my brother, he went out of his way to make conversation. Nice guy. Regarding the Dawson and its amount of space, I find this lends to people going in here and only staying for two rounds. So while at one point the place is jammers, after about 30 mins it empties out again and you pounce on the available seats. This night when I arrive there are five free stools at the counter... FIVE!! I only need three - woo hoo! But then after 30 mins a group descends on the place and its jam packed. But this is what I like about the place. The ladies is funny too, the low ceiling requires padding on it so when you stand up after doing your business, you wont give yourself concussion. Everybody living in Dublin needs to experience the Dawson Lounge at least once... read more

A cozy place for a pint, with a bartender who was happy to chat or leave me alone with a book. While down there I did observe several Brits who come in who seemed to be regulars-they were chatting with the bartender about mutual friends and were on a first name basis. I'm part caveman, so having an underground, dim place to hide in a corner and plot my next move is actually quite nice. Bottome line: Does size matter? It seemed to go down fine... read more

The Dawson Lounge beckons on a cooler day. It makes you want to cozy up in this small - supposedly THE smallest - pub in Ireland. Find the stairs leading down to this gem. Take in the mirrored ceilings so you'll feel less claustrophobic. Order a Guinness and speak in slightly hushed tones. The ambiance sucks you in and you may lose an entire day without realizing it. Go. Just go. Tourists. Locals. One and all. Well there may not be room for 'All' actually. But grab a couple friends and find a corner and let time pass in the sweetest and simplest of pleasures right here in this lounge... read more

The Dawson Lounge was definitely a surprise for me. As soon as you walk in and grab a pint, you turn around to find a seat. Literally. This is the smallest pub in Dublin but never once have I felt that I was crowded in this nook pub. I loved taking out-of-towner's to this pub just for the novelty, a pint and the token picture in front of the red door so they could go home and tell everyone they went to the smallest pub in Dublin. I feel a bit weird about this pub. Just because if you are having a conversation with someone I feel like everyone in the pub can overhear you. So this would be a place for me to frequent alone and with a book. Also, there is only one bathroom and it says MEN. Now I'm sure women can use it too, but I've never seen one! With everyone watching everyone's move I don't think I'd have the cahones to use it! read more

Great little pub, and I do mean little. I honestly think the pub we built in our house is larger. But hey, that's all part of The Dawson Lounge's charm. And make no mistake, it is charming...unless you're claustrophobic, and then I'm sure it's terrifying. Let anyone coming up the stairs to the door on street level leave first - they're just making room for you! Make your way down into the Lounge, shimmy through the crowd (if there is one, and there likely is), order your drinks (nothing fancy!), and carve out a bit of space for yourself. Hold your pint in one hand, tucked in close to your chest so that it doesn't spill if/when you're jostled. Make new friends since you're elbow to elbow with all sorts, tourist and local alike, or get a bit more intimate with your date. Listen to the conversations swirling around you, have a few drinks, and enjoy the experience of being in Dublin's smallest pub. Then, when you're ready, head back up the stairs, giving a nod and a smile to anyone in the doorway waiting for you to pass so that they can have their own Dawson Lounge experience, and head to a larger, but probably less quirky and charming watering hole. read more

The smallest pub in Dublin if not Ireland, this charming watering hole is no bigger than your bedroom, but what it lacks in size it self-assuredly makes up for in charisma. Nobody is sat at any given point more than two yards from the bar. Despite a lot of people playing on the novelty value of the bar and henceforth seeing it more as an exposition than actual business I have revisited now coming up to five or six times as I perceive it to be a truly decent pub where you can unwind in a unique milieu. Other than some generic Irish relics adorning the wall, nothing else indicates that you may be located exclusively in Dublin. Once you have clambered up the stairs and reach the pub you feel like you have truly fled the hullabaloo that the streets of Dublin proffer. With no windows, no doors directly out onto the street, it's like a dressed-up bunker with a bar, in the nicest possible way. As the pub is so teeny it is almost inevitable that you will end up talking to the table next to you. If you are more predisposed to wanting to keep it private between you and your own party then that is achievable for sure but if you are prone to socializing and talking to other punters then this puts forward a candid opportunity to do so. read more

God I love this pub. I came back here the other day after a two year hiatus and I really need to come back more. It's a pure winter pub isn't it. How much cosier can you get than a tiny shoebox underground bar?? The Guinness is top notch too. Love it. I'll be back lads, ain't no doubt bout it. read more

Cool place to check out once or twice. Feels like you're heading down stairs to your buddy's basement for a few beers. ha ha Its the kinda place you want to have a pint with a friend before heading out. Fun to check out. read more

Small and cramped. Bar tender was a creeper. Drinks were overpriced. Just go somewhere else. read more

It's so easy, and a shame, to forget this place exists. We nippe din here for a drinnk after the recent Yelp Viking Splash event. Yes it's tiny, but intimate in it's own way and definitely a real pub. It's cozy, comfortable and as I commented to S_ I could easily while away a winter (or more typical Irish summer) afternoon in here with a good book and a good pint. Speaking of pints, like so much these days, in most establishments Guinness tends to come as mediocre, rather than the traditional range of great to dishwater. The Dawson Lounge sticks to the old rules, and serves a truly great pint of the Black Stuff. I wish we could have stayed for longer, but I'll certainly be back for more. read more

Feel bad for writing this because it is a bit of a local secret. It's located on Dawson St not far from St Stephen's Green and Grafton Street. They say it's the smallest pub in the world...I think I've been to one slightly smaller, but this one is definitely in the running. Seems like someone opened up their basement bar to the public. It is warm and cozy. Definitely a cool spot for a little Pint. read more

I can't give more than one star here as its a nightmare on weekends. Emily says it might fit 60. Sure, try 200 on a Saturday. That's what happens! They don't have a bouncer so as many try and squeeze in and do squeeze in. It's got out of control on weekends. Weekdays could be fine, but I have to mark it overall and you probably have 3 reasonable nights (weeknights) and 3 awful nights(Weekend) and 1 in between (Thursday) As others have said, Barmen are rude, prices are expensive. Difficult to get a pint with ten mins to go also, not the queue, the bar staff are heavily reluctant to give you a drink at "1120 PM" read more

"Probably" the smallest bar in Ireland is their claim. It was bigger than I imagined. Maybe we picked a good time, but it wasn't overly crowded. I counted about 18 people though and that was about all that needed to be in there. We stopped in on a Saturday afternoon and it was nice. Just grabbed a Guinness and then continued on, but I don't see this as a place you come and hang out forever! Just a cute stop get a pint and head out! read more

baby humble, little, mini, miniature, petite, pint-sized,pocket-sized, small-scale, teeny, undersized, wee, ...... thats the dawson lounge, smallest pub! i like going in here for one drink. after shopping , after work, after an event. just one drink. i have always found a seat in here too, for such a small space with limited seating its amazing that i have never had a drink standing up. I wonder what the capacity is? some day i will bring a huge munch of friends in here and see how many i can fit in, kind of like the how many grannys can you fit in a mini kind of thing! read more

The Dawson Lounge - Pubs Near Me - Dublin, D

Adorable basement bar that is definitely worth a visit, and worth showing off to any non-Irish who happen to swing by Dublin town. The bartender is a lovely old guy who's always up for a chat, no matter who you are, where you're from or where you're going. The Guinness flows well here (not that I'm an expert or anything) and it's a lovely place to retreat from inclement weather for a pint or two. Just don't come here to spill raunchy secrets about the torrid affair you're having with your boss - the whole pub is the size of someone's living room and your 'private' conversation WILL be heard by everyone in the bar. Listen out for the poor bugger who's locked himself in the bathroom - you'll hear him every few minutes, but the bartender never seems to get too concerned. That's because he knows what you don't... read more

Tiniest bar in Dublin. Good service great beers what else is there? read more

Let's be original : This is soooooo tiny! Well I really enjoyed my time and the atmosphere in this authentic pub. It is nice to visit the place and have a drink but if you want to stay a bit longer, it becomes quite complicated to talk and hear your mates. Definitely a place to visit (and to find) in Dublin!!! read more

This "smallest pub in Dublin" is surprisingly not a tourist trap. Not sure if they have food here but it's a quaint little pub that's great to have a few pints at. Right off Grafton Street you can easily pop over after some shopping. Good beer selection and great service! read more

This place was death on legs back in the bad old smoking days with no ventilation and low ceiling but nowadays it is just cosy. It almost forces people to interact. Can be a pain getting to the bar for a pint if there are more than one or two people propping it up and it is a bit disconcerting standing in the toilets with people walking on the opaque glass tiles above you. Speaking of which there is a women's toilet, a bit further to the back than the men's. For the great mix of older Dub (this place) and Celtic Tiger (Cafe en Sein) this street provides the right spot. It is a great pub for a tourist experience and also for locals. read more

this little bar is like the living room of one of the Ewing family with it's wood panelling. To get here you go down a narrow staircase and you are sure to find a spot to sit or stand as this place fills up then empties regularly. Conor the new owner was a great host to us for the evening at the end of our Easter pub crawl. The budweiser is good and the guiness too or so one of our group claimed. Well worth a visit and thankfully not an overly pretensious place unlike some other bars nearby. A relaxing attitude exists in this place. read more

Great pub at the South end of Dawson St. by SSG. It's easy to miss if you're not looking for it. It's size is it's charm, but the place delivers. A very nice place to grab a pint and sit and chill with friends or just be one on one with someone. My only complaint would be the music. The barkeep just played some crap dance/pop stuff which didn't do a lot for the mood or my thought of his musical opinions. read more

Great Guiness and worth a visit if you aren't closterphobic!

Every time I travel to Dublin (which is pretty often since I'm now married to an Irishman), I always stop into The Dawson Lounge. It is an iconic pub situated right in the heart of Dublin, and it's claim to fame is that it is the smallest pub in Dublin. However, it's more than just a teeny watering hole. It always has a fun and welcoming atmosphere, thanks mainly to the friendly bar staff and management. They really know how to take care of their customers and show them true Irish hospitality. Pints are around 5 euro as well, which is excellent value considering the pub is right in the city center. Trust me on this one - this pub is worth checking out. Come for a pint; stay for the craic (Irish for 'good times')! read more