Dublin: Literary Pub Crawl with Actors & Quiz Night

Summary

Dublin’s pubs echo with stories, laughter, and literary legends

You’ll wander through four historic pubs in Dublin with local actors who bring Irish writers’ words to life right where they drank and argued. Expect laughter, unexpected stories about Joyce or Wilde, and even a friendly quiz night thrown in. You’ll leave with more than just pub recommendations—maybe even a poem stuck in your head.

What’s the experience like?

I signed up for the Dublin literary pub crawl mostly out of curiosity — I mean, I love a good pint, but I didn’t expect to get goosebumps from poetry in a crowded bar. We started at The Duke on Duke Street, which already felt like stepping into someone else’s living room (if their living room had old wood floors and that low hum of chatter). Our guides were actors — you could tell by the way they just owned the space. One minute we were laughing about Brendan Behan’s wild nights, and the next, someone was quoting Yeats so quietly you had to lean in over your glass to catch it. There was this moment when the door swung open and rain mixed with cigarette smoke — weirdly comforting.

Every stop on this literary pub crawl felt different. At one place, an older guy at the bar winked when he heard us talking about Joyce — “he drank here too,” he said (no idea if it was true, but I wanted to believe him). The actors kept things moving with stories about Oscar Wilde’s sharp tongue or Beckett’s odd habits. Sometimes they’d slip into character mid-sentence, and you’d forget for a second that you were just feet away from the street outside. There was a quiz near the end — not gonna lie, my team did terribly but we laughed more than we competed. Something about sharing pints in these places makes strangers feel like old friends for a night.

I still think about that last poem before we left — something about Dublin rain and lost loves. Maybe it was just the Guinness talking, but it hit differently after hearing it surrounded by all those voices and old walls. If you’re into books or just want to see another side of Dublin (with a few pints along the way), this tour is worth every step between pubs. Not everything made sense, but maybe that’s part of it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Dublin literary pub crawl experience

• Start at the Duke Pub on Duke Street
• Walk to famous literary pubs
• Listen to actors recite Irish literature
• Learn about Irish writers' lives
• Enjoy a pint at each pub

Top questions

How many pubs are included in the Dublin literary pub crawl?

The tour includes four different Dublin pubs along the route.

Is there a guide on the Dublin literary pub crawl?

Yes, local actors guide you through each stop and perform readings from Irish literature.

What age do you have to be to join this tour?

The minimum age for participants is 16 years old.

Does this tour include any activities besides visiting pubs?

Yes, there’s also a literary quiz with prizes for winners during the tour.

Is the Dublin literary pub crawl wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels.

Where does the literary pub crawl start?

The tour kicks off at The Duke Pub on Duke Street in central Dublin.

Are infants or children allowed on this tour?

Infants can attend if seated on an adult's lap; specialized infant seats are available if requested at booking.

What’s included

Your evening includes guided walks led by local actors through four historic Dublin pubs, live performances of Irish literature at each stop, plus entry into a lively literary quiz where winners take home prizes before heading out into the city night again.