Whelans was one of my fav pubs, I lived around the corner for a year and went on most Friday. Lots of hipters here, so if that's your thing, you'll love it. The whole pub and dance floor gets atsolutely insanely rammed with people at the weekend, so if you can't handle pushing your way through a crowd then you will do better off avoiding this place. It's a bit crap paying a tenner to get in, but it's always a good time. Toilets can get pretty filthy with long, long queues as the night progresses. It's a nice venue to check out a small gig - it gets packed but not as bad as the usual nights. read more

Great spot for small, intimate gigs. It was really a great night but there was not A/C so after 20 minutes people started boiling, it was ridiculously hot but other than that it was awesome, really. Great smoking/beer garden area with lots of air. I would like to go back here sometime for another gig. read more

There's only music playing on one side of the main bar which confused me. There's a concert room next door separated by a wall partition. Luckily, we got into the concert area and watched a live performance which set the perfect mood for the night. Plenty of seating and quiet place more for conversation. I have yet to watch "P.S. I Love You" since it was filmed here. read more

Whelan's - Pubs Near Me - Dublin 8, D

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This became a daily visit almost every day; I pretty much fell in love with it when I walked in and they had a picture of Lisa Kudrow as one of their visitors. Drinks are always served cold+fast here, and it is a pretty relaxed and welcoming environment to locals and travelers alike. Cool crowd, there's also a dim lit area to the left with some tables/booths if you feel like conversing. There's also an upstairs open area as well, for those who are craving a cigarette with their drink. My favorite part is that they have some GREAT live music acts that really put on a great show (and they also have some good DJ's afterwards as well) read more

This review is specifically for Bourke's (inside Whelan's). When I was there it was quiet night in a small part of Whelan's, there was maybe 10 people in the bar. I ordered a Bulleit old fashioned neat and was made fun of by the bartender. He asked me if I "even knew" what I was ordering and told me that "this is Ireland and we only serve Irish whiskey". When I told the bartender that I did indeed know what I was ordering, and he could make it with whatever whiskey he preferred (since I'm not very familiar with the whiskey they had), he continued to make fun of me while he made my drink. It was so awkward and rude that a bystander even mentioned that they didn't think I would come back since he was so rude. Not a great first impression. Needless to say, I finished my drink and went to a different bar. You could get much better service for a better price many places in Dublin read more

Nice place to have a few jars, whiskies or what have you on an off night, and the smoking deck upstairs is good as well. On the other hand it can get beyond crowded when the bands are on, so be warned, it is what it is, plan accordingly. I myself probably wouldn't go if I knew it was going to be crowded unless I really liked the band that was playing. read more

Great music, lively atmosphere, and a host to many gigs is what makes Whelans such a delightful place to find yourself for a night out on the weekend. If you can find a place to rest your drink, count yourself lucky as this place gets packed very quickly. Even if you're squished in the queue for drinks you can find a way to wiggle to the tunes! Once you get to the smoking area, you get a view of the whole of Whelans and it's cool when you see the stage and the seats from an aerial view. Although it costs a tenner to get in, the drinks are fairly decent in price for town. The people here are what makes this place so special and gives it the eccentric character it holds. read more

Whelan's - Pubs Near Me - Dublin 8, D

Irish people doing to Irish jig. Irish person playing the Irish tin whistle. When in Rome... screw Rome, I'll take a pint and some good humor in Dublin any day. Join the party, have a few and forget they you may have work the next day. Don't forget to pickup some fish and chips as you stumble your way home. read more

The home of Indie music in dublin is definitely whelans and they've never let go of their roots. You can stop for a pint and a chat in the bar, dance your socks off to your favourite indie chunes in the club or hear a local band in the upstairs venue. It might not be swanky but the vibe is good and the punters are friendly. Even the graffiti in the toilets is interesting. read more

Came here for Paddys day and had great fun. Get what you expect when you come in here. Just a tad better than Doyles. Better music. The space helps too. Great craic in their big smoking area even though I dont smoke. read more

Great great great venue for live music and a great atmosphere. Definitely a place I visit every time I am in Dublin as you will always be assured to have great 'Craic agus ceol' ! read more

The best Dublin venue if your into alternative music (I am), have spent many a great night there in the last 20 years, my only criticism would be that there range of beers is very poor, mostly just your, Coors, Heineken, Budweiser crap with 1 or 2 decent bottled beers (Budvar), they need to be alternative in more than just music, most Irish people have travelled and discovered proper beer in other Countries, they should support Irish microbreweries and at least get a Galway Hooker tap in (check out Anseo across the road from it, has 2 or 3 irish microbrews on tap) read more

Great venue for upcoming acts or well known-favourites. Also great for atmosphere and a good night out with your pals. Definitely one of my favourite drinking holes in Dublin! read more

Labyrinth of a venue. Was there last Thursday to see a band and discovered yet another room off the smoking area. Was good too with its twin peak style curtains behind the stage. Often think I should have came here more over the years. Think I prefer the mid week to weekends here. My only gripe is the drink are a bit of a rip off. Think i was paying 6 euro for a Budvar. Good night though! read more

This is a review of Whelan's as a venue for live music, not the pub, which I never go to. My main problem is that it's hard to find a good viewing point to see a popular act, i.e. when the place is full. I've been to two gigs in recent months where this has been the case. Too many tall people downstairs, move upstairs, you can't see the stage because the balcony is full of people, and the sound is terrible. Go back down to the bar area, try to see from there. Nope, a big pillar in the way, the noise of the bar, more people in your way. In the past year, gigs by two of my favourite artists, Martha Wainwright and Low, have been spoiled by being in this venue. I've seen them both play in other venues in the city with no problem. read more

Went here for a gig last Saturday. The band were excellent. Great age mix and vibe. We then moved downstairs to meet some friends. Great spot for a live session and a few laughs with a group. Worth a drink or two or three... read more

Get lost! Dungeon of bars and stages.

This place is like the twilight zone, if you want to get lost in a pub then this is the place to go. There seems to be new rooms added every time you go. Mad pub. But seriously though, good music good atmosphere. Would recommend :) read more

Big one, with rooftop and multiple scenes. good for dancing. Super crowded. But nice looking people. I will come back.

I associate Whelan's with my student days. I remember we used to go there all the time and even queued at the side door on a Saturday night to get into the late bar. I don't think I'd bother queuing to get in anywhere these days! I'm older now but I still pop into Whelan's every so often. It's a really old, traditional type of pub and there's always a good atmosphere. I love the whole spit on the floor vibe that it has going on. I do notice there are still some studenty types in there (some things never change!) but that shouldn't put anyone off! It's also a great spot for gigs. There's a really intimate setting and you'll often find bands playing there before they hit the big time. Jeff Buckley performed there back in the '90s! read more

Whelan's - Pubs Near Me - Dublin 8, D

Good place for a cheap drink. They were serving Gin and Tonic ( the tonic was a splash) for €5 which is cheap. It filled up with students around 10.30 so I am guessing word is out! Its a grand spot for a drink and a chat especially if you are younger than 30. read more

Came here because it was mentioned in the PS I love you movie. Got a drink. Had a fun time. Service was easy, wasn't crowded at the time I went. Got nostalgic, then left. read more

This is my favourite live venue in Dublin. Love going to gigs here.

A corner stone of Dublin and Music scene centre. It has a bar and music venue area. The Bar is free in but later busy nights it's not possible to get into the bar. So the cover charge for the club or gig can be the pricey situation. Have enjoyed many gigs there. It seems to be a meeting piont for artists in the irish music industry at times. I have fond memorys of Whelans on Sundays at around 17:00. Just by the bar anybody could turn up with a guitar and join in and play. Sometimes Damien Dempsey would turn up and sing reverently Dubliner folk tunes. Paddy Casey could appear also the odd time accompanied by other music industry collegues aswell as pals. The pub is a nice interior with a decent smoking area. Often they would do cheaper beer deals to cater for the students that would pour in around 21:00. Beside Whelans is a DIT college and it is also located near student flat land. So the scene is quite young and lively. A particularly chilled out pub at times before its fills up with punters. However it is also a late bar on weekends. So Dj's that arrive into the bar can play interesting sounds. They do food aswell during the day. read more

Had to come here after seeing PS I Love you...bar on the older side. But I had a blast!

felt very welcomed here! although, the €15 card minimum is WAY too much compared to other places down the lane. way better than Flannery's for sure though. read more

I've been there in May, it was very nice. Tasty Bulmer's Berry, great music and nice people. :)

One of the best venues to see bands I've ever been to (and I've been to a lot). Whelan's just has that laid-back music dork atmosphere you can't fake. Crowds here tend to talk less and listen more than other Dublin venues, which is really nice when you're seeing bands you actually want to hear. read more

Whelan's is the historical hub of rock music in Dublin. By day, it's a charming pub, where you can count on a good pint and some decent music. By night, the attached gig venue (Whelan;s live) hosts live bands, you might expect to see anybody from the Frames to Juliet Turner or the remaining members of the zombies and it's a particularly good place to catch local talent. After 11, the venue opens as a nightclub and things get crazy as thronging crowds attempt to move between enthusiastic dancers. Expect to hear sounds like Joy Division. There's a large, recently renovated smoking area where Indie youngsters converse freely with singer songwriters and former Pearl Jam roadies. read more

A great venue for live music, a classic choice. All the best play here, and yes it's down and dirty, but worth it!

Such a fun place to attend with friends. We had a big group and it was the best fun I had my entire time in Ireland. This is a huge place so there's plenty of opportunities to choose what bar scene you want to enjoy. You can enjoy live music, dancing go upstairs in the open air, sit down at a table or simply sit at the bar. Love this place and I would defiantly find myself heading there again. read more

I wouldn't head here unless there was a gig (great venue) as you just can't move when its busy, the crowd isn't what it used to be and when it comes to buying drink there its priced up with the likes of those fancy joints, the nearing the 6 euro mark for pints, nearly 15 euro for two drinks if you're doing anything fancy now. It is cosy during winter nights, so pop along for a gig because it is a nice place for gigs but as a pub its lost its charm for me. read more

Cool, great hip variety of people here. Nice drink, it's a Dublin icon you need to check out. They also have live bands that play.

One of the most infamous venues in Dublin. If you just want to have a quiet drink with friends, catch some traditional Irish music or see some fantastic music acts, this venue/pub has it all. Been here countless times for both concerts and just to visit and I have nothing but great things to say about the service I experienced every time I've been there. Friendly, helpful staff that will try to help with any enquiries you may have. Brilliant place to see a concert in, intimate, wherever you are you pretty much have a nice view of the stage. read more

Good place to catch some live music which doesn't start till about 11pm - I can't remember. However prior to that they were playing some pretty old school 80s and 90s tunes. This place reminds me of a typical college hangout however the crowd seemed older and less rowdy (this was before the live music started). Pretty dark on the inside and as fun as you make it. I enjoyed the vibe enough to recommend coming back for a few drinks and moving on or staying for the live music. read more

multiple stages and a bar bar in each room. really fantastic place to see a show.

great bar i've seen a lot of great musicians here over the years though it tends to get super busy on a saturday night!

I love Whelan's. When it's the time of the night you have been out for five/six hours, most people are merry and happy, looking for a place to dance, you always try to end up in Whelan's. It's always a bit messy and overcrowded but the music is great to dance to and it's always great fun. Pity it costs a bit to get in. read more

Loved this place!! Thank you Whelan's for a great New Year's Eve 2010. I'll be back!

I'm going there tonight!