The Brazen Head

Its a little bit outside of the Temple Bar zone so a few less tourists and good traditional music and good Guinness. Reputed to be the oldest pub in Dublin, dating back to 1198. Apparently it’s also haunted by the rebel Robert Emmet.

The Brazen Head is the oldest pub in Ireland with the documentation to prove it's existed since 1198, well before the drinking laws were passed. As a well established local to The Brazen Head I had to make a point about 'doesn't attract too many locals', it does....in droves but different locals, different nights, different music! The Brazen Head is my all time favourite pub, I have never found anywhere like it. It has a great local attraction as well as the obvious tourists. Apart from the fabulous food, great music and friendly staff, there is always fun to be had here and you will always get a warm welcome. I walked in here on my own a good few years ago and now I can honestly say I have some of the best memories here and some of the best friends....staff, locals and tourists! If you want a unique experience in Dublin take a trip into The Brazen and chat to the locals.....Sat & Sun night for Dublin's ultimate barman....just ask for Noel!

As it is claiming to be the oldest pub in Dublin (and even in Ireland, if I'm not mistaken), the Brazen Head sports some kind of medieval exterior and main entrance, but it gets better once you're inside, and the premises and building really do look old. The service and the sessions on the weekend are great - but this is mostly due to the fact that 80-90 % of the visitors are tourists looking for a "real Irish" experience and therefore ready to party.

The Brazen Head is very nice but at the same time it seems to not lure many locals for sure. THe atmosphere can be a bit stagnant. Its worth a see especially within the viccinity. Possibly on the way up to the Guinness Store house.

It claims to be the oldest pub in Ireland, but the Kingshead in Galway also claims that, so it wud be interesting to see which is rite! Favours an older crowd, and doesn’t attract locals

Lively Irish music and really great food. This place can get very busy but the atmosphere is always good. There is a gorgeous courtyard/ smoking area on the way in. Lovely and old-fashioned.

It’s supposedly Dublin’s oldest pub so they have no excuses for getting anything wrong and its longevity is testament to the fact that they don’t. Despite having the misfortune to be situated opposite some of the ugliest buildings to be erected since (and inspired by) the Atlantic Wall during WWII the Brazen Head is well worth a visit in the afternoon or the evening. There is another once off advantage to the location although it will only be realised once in a time yet to come - when the Dublin Corporation offices are eventually demolished the best ringside seats will be right here.

The atmosphere inside is nice and cosy with a number of good sized lounges branching off from a courtyard that has been spruced up for the smokers.

The decor isn’t as contrived as the modern suburban barns that take after this because the old things have actually been here for a long time rather than just shipped in.

There’s often live music there and the place is very tourist friendly.

Excellent music!

The oldest pub in Ireland, according to it’s legend, is a great place to dive in and respect the tradition and history of Irish inebriation with a pint of their finest Guinness (or Kilkenny or whatever else you fancy). A tidy little place to kickstart your drinking and conveniently located near the city centre.
Very popular with the locals as well as tourists, this place has a fantastic courtyard to enjoy your tipple.
Never tried the food, as I was enjoying the Guinness (and with over 600 calories per pint, I was trying to watch my figure).
Saying that, everyone I spoke to in here recommended the stew and the food as a whole. But they were drunk at the time, so it really is your call…

The Brazen Head in Dublin let’s everyone know that it is the oldest pub in Ireland, by painting this fact on their sign! but it is something I would be proud of too and the food and drink on offer here make it well worth a visit. The building itself is a treat as it is the same as it was centuries ago and the stonework gives pretend stonemasons like myself a real buzz.

The Brazen Head is reportedly the oldest pub in Ireland, dating back to 1198. All the guide books proclaim this, and so the Brazen Head ends up being a very busy place. It’s not all tourists, though you’ll find a fair proportion of them there at any one time.

It’s certainly an old pub. There are a few small rooms, each with a different feel to it, with one upstairs room dedicated to dining. Beams can be low, and watch your head when going through doorways. There’s more than a few bits of wood that are no longer straight up and down. That adds to the charm, though.

They’ve got a nice courtyard with tables for when the weather’s good.

Food is very tasty, and beyond the normal pub standard.

They have live Irish music every night of the week.

The last time I was at the Head I was waiting my turn at the bar when a group of American tourists were trying to decide what to drink. A perplexed Yank asked the barman, “Do you have any light beer?”

Without batting an eyelash, the barman replies, “Well, Guinness is pretty light.”

“Okay,” the American says, “I’ll try one of those.”

I didn’t follow him to see if his pint matched his expectations.

This is possibly my favourite pub when visiting Ireland. It has homely, old traditional décor - dark wooden beams and low ceilings. There is a great mix of local and tourist customers, and the locals and staff are very welcoming - and full of funny tales!
They quite often have music on which is usually fun and traditional, and the food here is good and reasonably priced too. I had the Guinness stew and it was delicious - it tasted home made and just as traditional as i hoped it would. There is a good range of ales and beers which will not break the bank.

In the evenings this pub is VERY popular and gets busy. However, it never seems overly crowded and the staff never seemed rushed. I was actually asked ’’same again?’’ on a busy night and low and behold it was the right drink. Considering i was drinking a spirit and coke i thought that was pretty good.

They have a large outdoors area which is great if you smoke or just want to get some air!

PLEASE do visit here on your next trip to Dublin, you will not regret it.