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The Library Bar

4.0 (63 reviews)
ModerateBars
Open 10:00 am - 11:30 pm

The Library Bar Photos

THE LIBRARY BAR ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Classy
Casual
Good for groups

Recommended Reviews - The Library Bar

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Reviews With Photos

Sharon S.

Tucked away from the madness... This is a true Dublin gem! A very classic hotel bar yet open to the public, it's located on the 1st floor of the grand hotel on Exchequer Street and is a great little nook when you just want to have a good bar, with just the right amount of atmosphere so you can catch up and chat away with your friends. Introduced to this place through a friend recently and it's on my list forever more now when it comes to finding that perfect, catch up with your friend over a drink. The blend of people is great, age group is that bit older as in over 30's so it's got just the right feel for me. Blend of tourists but interestingly on the 3 times I've been here now it's been good ole Dublin folk too. If you are after loud music and a sneaky pull, this is not the place but chilling is your thing... Yes. No frills the bar whilst a full bar, not sure they'd be accommodating the latest cocktail on trend for you but a pint, or a spirit an mixture... Sure!

Nice bar
Clive B.

I was shown this bar on Saturday night on a pub crawl with someone who has lived here for 10 years. We wondered where she was taking us to start with as you walk into a hotel and head up the stairs and end up in a very nice bar off the beaten track so to speak. We only had one drink but it was enough to work out what a gem this place is. The only issue I had really was having to use a card from the bar to go to the toilet. I mean really? So try it out if you can find the way!

Comfy
Firas A.

Went there after a yelp.ie event with some friends! Atmosphere: great, luxurious lounge, upholstered chairs, dark wooded book cases, saloon style carpetted pub Drinks: fresh and cold beer Service: quick & friendly Cost: €5.2 pint Location: middle of city centre, easily accessible. Tip: you need a card to access the toilets, get it from the bartender :-)

Graham's Fine Ruby at great value. The closest to a young Vintage Port I have found.
Joao F.

The Library Bar is a quiet and very quaint little niche, tucked away in Dublin 2. I went in there with some friends and had no idea what to expect, the setting alone is worth the visit. It's a quiet place with a old fashioned style of decor, really takes you back. It's a great place to have a quiet drink and a chat with friends, perfect for a relaxed drink in the afternoon, a quick drink before you head out to dinner or, in our case, the perfect place to end a rowdy night out. The staff were very nice and very accommodating as I asked them about their Port selection - I'm picky - and the Graham's Ruby they had in stock was excellent.

picture from website
Aoife R.

Going to the Library Bar in the Central Hotel makes you feel like you might be sneaking into a private members club, as there are precious few signs proclaiming its presence. The big overstuffed armchairs and sofas make it popular across the board - it does tea and sandwiches for genteel ladies and big dirty pints for anyone who wants them. The atmosphere is a real life example of convivial and it's a great place for eavesdropping on gossip - I would say that its out-of-the way location makes it a top spot for adulterers.

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Review Highlights - The Library Bar

Being on the first floor of the Central Hotel means you can just disappear and leave Dublin behind while you're there.

Mentioned in 11 reviews

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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.

The Blind Pig Speakeasy - Bar area

The Blind Pig Speakeasy

(91 reviews)

€€€

South Inner City

It feels a bit weird writing a public review of a secret spot...but I can't gatekeep this spot!…read more The Blind Pig Speakeasy was one of our favorite spots while in Ireland, and it ranks high on our list for several reasons! They are situated in the base of a sister restaurant, so from the main entrance the only give away is the neon "shhh" sign that sits over the stairway. Once at the base of the stairs an unassuming bookcase/shelf appears. This honestly got us, as we had no clue this was the entrance at first. We wandered around and into the bathrooms expecting some cool bathroom stall entrance. It wasn't until someone came out from behind the bookcase that we figured it out! We did let the "door" close and played with the art on the wall, including the bronze pig head, which turned out to be the hidden lever! Legit already wowed before entering! Upon entry, you are legit transported into a small speakeasy with a few high tops, a cozy bar and a small dining room beyond the second archway. The walls are stone, the lighting is dim and moody, the woods are heavy, and the vibes are immaculate! We sampled a few house-made cocktails, got an appetizer and a few main dishes. Spent a total of close to 2 hours, which is standard and actually timed. Which makes sense and I like, it keeps things moving, on time and allows plenty of time to soak it all in! The Jolly Roger and Espresso Martini were my cocktails for the night. There was a clear theme with both, as stout and espresso were highlights in both. For the app, we went with the fritto misto, which is a combination of fried cheese and veggies. Our mains were both pasta dishes. They were light and simple, yet complex and robust. They were tasty and impressive! Service was stellar from entry to exit. The host's, bartenders and our server were all top notch, friendly, helpful and a joy to interact with! Oh, I do highly recommend reservations! They are a small and very in demand spot, so trying to walk-in is a bit risky. Overall, we absolutely loved our evening at The Blind Pig! It was one of our best times and meals on our trip around Ireland...memorable for all the right reasons!

Great drinks, strong, and great service. Andrew the manager is awesome. It's a small place so plan…read moreahead and make reservations or pack your patience.

The Temple Bar - Roast beef sandwich

The Temple Bar

(730 reviews)

€€

Temple Bar

The area is a hotspot for tourism and is one of Ireland's number one destinations. It lies on the…read moresouth bank of the River Liffey. It is believed that 'Temple Bar' street's name originated from 'Sir William Temple' from the 'Temple family (you can see the same on the outer wall of the pub) The most iconic pub in Dublin, the Temple Bar Pub, sits proudly on the corner of Temple Bar and Temple Lane South. With live music from 10:30 am every day, this is a pub with a party atmosphere all day long. I was amused at how many people popped in, snapped off a quick photo or a 30-second video, and then left without stopping for a drink. Then again, at €8 a pint, and it's one of the more expensive drinks in an already expensive city ( and I did the same in 2-3 pubs), and that's fine. Doesn't matter whether you wanna have food or drink here or not, but I would definitely recommend (in capital letters), have one drink here. Yes, it's expensive (just 3-4 euros more, come on), but the vibe, that's totally worth it. I truly believe, though, that if you're going to experience Dublin, then you can't leave without experiencing Temple Bar. I had like 4-5 drinks at different pubs, and though it's touristy and "trap"- I would come here again and again. No other place has a "temple bar pub ' vibe. There is always live music, the stage is rarely empty, and the diary is always full. The Temple Bar Pub is famed throughout Dublin for its lively, traditional Irish music scene. PS: don't get confused with Temple Bar at the end of every pub. Its neighborhood name (Temple bar neighborhood), and this pub is Temple Bar pub.

Is Temple Bar an overpriced tourist trap in a saturated area of Dublin? Yes…read more However, with that said, I feel it's a must-see for first time visitors. I went during my first trip to Dublin and not again until my boyfriend and I went to Dublin together. As it was his first visit, we had to go. The bar is always packed unless you arrive as soon as they open. It's not longer after opening time that it becomes a mad house well into the night. They've always got live music and proper Guinness pours (more $$ than elsewhere). So yeah, it's a tourist trap but it's also fun if you know what you're getting into and what to expect.

The Long Hall - Outside

The Long Hall

(109 reviews)

€€

South Inner City

I love The Long Hall! It's such an amazing pub. Guess who else loves this place? Bruce Springsteen!…read moreI was told they even keep a bottle of his own whiskey behind the bar for his visits. How rad would it be if he were there at the same time? One of these days. This space is absolutely gorgeous. Proper Victorian pub decor in reds with stately wood all about. Proper wooden bar. Original interior from 1881. The pub has been around since 1766 and is one of the oldest ones in Dublin. They make the best Irish coffee, hands down. They've got all of the proper pours, whiskey, gins, and so on. The prices are affordable though they have a few things that are a little more (depending on age). I can't go to Dublin and not go to The Long Hall. Facts.

We were on a tour of Ireland and another member of our group mentioned that she went here and it…read morewas Bruce Springsteen's favorite bar in Dublin, so we had to go! We were lucky enough to get 2 seats at the bar, in front of Bruce Springsteen's private bottles of whiskey, which are stored on a shelf up high. Our bartender was great, friendly and he told us about the bottles for Bruce. He also asked us if we had tried any of the beers by Changing Times Brewery. I believe he said the brewery makes beers exclusively for 12 pubs. He was so nice to give us samples of 3 beers. They were all very tasty, and I don't drink beer! The vibe in this bar is great, beautiful to look at. I loved hanging out there, too bad we were in a rush, I could staying here for hours. Great experience, we will definitely be back!

The Bank on College Green - Gorgeous lighting at night

The Bank on College Green

(452 reviews)

€€€

South Inner City

Gayle, Fern, Don, and I came to The Bank on College Green for our "farewell" dinner at the end of…read moreour recently completed 2-week Ireland vacation. PRO 1. Gorgeous space within an old Bank Building, with great happy energy or "Craic". Nice mix of locals and tourists. 2. Nice more intimate dining on the Mezzanine. Even the group at the adjacent table seemed far away. Even with limited people watching opportunities, it was fun to look down on the main floor and on our level catch glimpses of a young date in progress. 3. Friendly and pleasant wait person. 4. Both Don and Fern enjoyed their Butternut and Ricotta Ravioli Dish and their Chocolate Brownie for Dessert. 3 of us also enjoyed the local Clockwork Stout. +/- 1. The pro-Palestinian trappings were perhaps a little too "in your face", starting with the big flag at the entrance, and proceeding to the small pin worn by the wait person. I otherwise have no issues with folks expressing their opinions. 2. Gayle's French 75 was just OK. CON 1. Gayle and I ordered the burger which we found overcooked and largely inedible. The much more tasty chips weren't enough to make up for this. 2. Gayle loved her Irish Coffee (See Picture).

The Bank Bar and Restaurant opened in May 2003 and is located on College Green in the heart of…read moreDublin. This site has been occupied since Viking times, as it is located in the oldest region of the city in close proximity to the viking parliament The exterior is Franco-Scottish in inspiration and is unique in that it is one of Dublin's rare examples of Scottish sandstone. The interior, which was once the main banking hall, is a stunning example of merchant power and patronage displaying an extraordinary ornate setting, stained glass ceiling, mosaic tiled floors and spectacular hand carved plasterwork and cornicing. This old-school pub features an ornate Victorian decor with filigreed mirrors and carved-wood snugs (enclosed booths). In addition to perfectly poured Guinness, the pub is known for serving potent gin and tonics. we spent some nice time here and it was really beautiful.

No Name Bar - Terrace area

No Name Bar

(88 reviews)

€€

South Inner City

Highly recommend visiting if you're in the area. This bar is nicely tucked away from a lot of the…read moretourist destination bars. Look out for the entrance or you might miss it! Great for both beer and cocktails. Watching the bartenders craft drinks was an art form. Service was attentive as well. Lots of great seating, both indoor and outdoor. We opted to sit outdoors on a mild November night which ended up being a really nice experience. It was pretty busy even on a Sunday night. If you're in the area, definitely add No Name Bar to your list!

This place goes by two names, depending on if you are looking at Google Maps, or on Yelp. Google…read moreMaps calls it "The Bar With No Name" (and so do it's proprietors in the hotel above). But Yelp calls it "No Name Bar." Late at night, this is the place to be. The music is loud, the place is hoppin', and everyone is movin' and groovin'. It's LOADS of fun, I can't express that enough - but it DOES get packed! If you are staying in Kelly's Hotel up above it, you MUST visit at least once to see what all the fuss is and why your hotel room is rattling until 2 or 3 in the morning. They have DJs playing every Friday and Saturday "from 10pm until late" as it's billed on their website. It's connected to the hotel, so if you are staying there, you can just head down the stairs to enter. From street level, use the entrance with the snail hanging above the black door with the address number of "3" on the door. It's so easy to walk past and not notice it. The entrance is JUST past the sidewalk patio for L'Gueuleton.

The Library Bar - bars - Updated May 2026

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