Dublin: Northside Pub Tour & Tastings with Local Drinks

Summary

Pubs and stories in dublin’s northside with local drinks music and laughter

You’ll wander Dublin’s northside with a local guide, tasting Irish craft beer, Guinness poured right, single malt whiskey, and floral gin from County Cork. Share laughter over optional traditional food and end your evening wrapped in live music among locals—leaving you with more than just new flavors to remember.

What’s the experience like?

Someone hands me a tiny glass — not sure if it’s nerves or excitement making my hand shake — and our guide, Aoife, grins. “This one’s brewed just around the corner,” she says. The place smells like old wood and something hoppy. We’re somewhere off Capel Street, away from the Temple Bar crowds, and honestly I wouldn’t have found this spot on my own. The first sip is lighter than I expected; Aoife explains the flavors but I’m mostly distracted by the way everyone leans in to hear her over the low hum of conversation. You can tell these pubs are for locals — there’s a comfort to how people nod at each other even if they don’t talk.

We move on — not far, maybe five minutes? — to this Victorian pub near the river. Guinness here just tastes… different. Creamier, somehow colder too. Aoife tells us it’s all about how they clean the lines (I’d never thought about that), and someone tries to pour their own pint and gets laughed at by a guy at the bar who calls him “a brave eejit.” There’s a warmth in here that isn’t just from the heating; it’s more like everyone knows how to be together without fuss.

At Slatterys we finally sit down for food (optional but trust me, you’ll want it). The soda bread is dense and perfect for soaking up stew. There’s whiskey next — single malt from somewhere up north — and then gin from County Cork that smells like wildflowers after rain. It all blurs together a little in my memory except for one moment: Aoife raising her glass and saying “Sláinte” with this look that makes you feel like you belong here too.

The last stop has live music already going when we arrive — fiddle, guitar, voices rising above clinking glasses. Some of us stay longer than planned because it feels wrong to leave while someone’s singing about lost love or home or whatever else people sing about in Dublin pubs late at night. I still think about that walk back across the river, city lights flickering on wet pavement.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Dublin local pub tour and tastings

• Meet beside the Spire on O'Connell Street
• Visit craft beer bar on Capel Street
• Taste three styles of Irish craft beer
• Visit Victorian pub near the river
• Enjoy a glass of Guinness
• Visit Slatterys pub for traditional food
• Taste Single Malt Irish whiskey
• Taste craft Irish gin and tonic
• Enjoy traditional Irish music session

Top questions

Where does the Dublin pub tour start?

The tour starts beside The Spire (the big needle) on O'Connell Street.

What drinks are included on this pub tour?

You get three tasters of Irish craft beer, a glass of Guinness, a taster of single malt Irish whiskey, and a taster of craft Irish gin and tonic.

Is food included on the Dublin pub tour?

No, traditional Irish food is available at the third stop but it is not included in the price.

How long does the pub tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 3.5 hours.

Is there live music during the tour?

Yes, there is a traditional Irish music session at the final pub stop.

What time does the Dublin pub tour start?

The tour begins at 6PM every day.

If I'm running late can I join later?

You can join until 6:30PM at The Black Sheep on Capel Street if you're running late.

Are there age restrictions for this tour?

The minimum age is 18 years old for this tour.

What’s included

Your evening includes tastings of three local craft beers, a glass of Guinness poured fresh near the river, single malt Irish whiskey and craft gin from County Cork—all led by a knowledgeable local guide—with live traditional music to close out your night among real Dubliners.