Dublin Traditional Music Pub Tour: 3 Sessions, Local Guide

Three pubs, three sessions, three drinks—and the difference between a jig and a reel

A three-hour traditional Irish music pub tour in Dublin led by a local musician who takes small groups to three working music venues off the tourist trail. You visit real sessions where musicians gather to play, learn the history and styles of Irish music as it unfolds, and get three drinks—one small Guinness in each pub. Minimum age 18; the tour involves substantial walking across the city.

Step-by-step itinerary

Traditional Irish music pub tour

• Meet local musician guide
• Walk to first live music pub
• Enjoy traditional Irish music session
• Have a drink with new friends
• Walk to second live music pub
• Experience second music session
• Have a second drink
• Walk to third live music pub
• Enjoy third music session
• Have a third drink
• Learn history and styles of Irish music
• Discover difference between jig and reel
• Make new friends and share songs

The Experience

Your guide is a working musician embedded in Dublin's traditional music scene, not a tour operator reading from a script. That changes what you see. Instead of a staged performance in a venue built for tourists, you're walking into three actual pubs where sessions happen because musicians show up to play—the kind of night that unfolds the same way whether a visitor is there or not. The guide takes you off the main streets to find them, which means the walk between pubs is part of the experience: you're moving through Dublin the way someone who knows it does.

At each pub you'll stand in the room while the session plays. A jig and a reel sound different; the guide explains what you're hearing and why—the instruments, the regional styles, the stories woven into the tunes. You're not watching a performance; you're in the space where the music lives. Three drinks come with it, one small Guinness in each bar, so you're there as a guest, not an observer passing through.

The tour runs three hours and covers ground on foot, so wear shoes that work for walking and clothes that suit the weather. There's no reserved seating—you stand or find a spot where you can see and hear. The guide speaks English and the group stays small enough that you can actually talk to the people around you and the musicians if the moment opens up. Evening tours are adults only (18+); an afternoon option exists for those who want the same experience at a different hour.

What’s included

• Live guide in English.
• three live music sessions in three working Dublin pubs.
• three drinks (one small Guinness in each venue).
• instruction on Irish music history, styles and instruments as the evening unfolds.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Real Dublin

Is this one for you?This tour is for anyone who wants to hear traditional Irish music the way Dubliners do—in the pubs where it actually happens—rather than in a venue built for visitors. The local musician guide and the real sessions mean you're not watching a performance; you're in the room where the music lives.

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Top questions

What's the actual difference between a jig and a reel?

A jig and a reel are both traditional Irish dance tunes, but they have different rhythms and speeds. A jig typically has a dotted rhythm and is danced in a hopping motion, while a reel is faster and straighter in its beat. Your guide will point out these differences as you hear them played live in the pubs.

Are these real sessions where locals actually play, or performances set up for the tour?

These are real sessions—the kind that happen whether visitors are there or not. Your guide takes you to working music pubs where musicians gather to play together, so you're stepping into the actual Dublin traditional music scene rather than a staged show.

How much walking is involved between the three pubs?

The tour involves substantial walking across Dublin between venues over the three-hour span. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for the weather, and be prepared for a good amount of movement through the city streets.

What kind of Irish music will I hear—is it all the same style?

You'll encounter different styles of traditional Irish music across the three sessions. The guide walks you through the regional variations, the instruments being played, and how the music has evolved, so you'll hear the range rather than one single sound.

Can I bring children on this tour?

Evening tours are for adults only (minimum age 18). An afternoon tour option is available that does allow children, so families can experience the same three pubs and sessions at a different time of day.

Is food included, or should I eat before the tour?

No food is included or available during the tour. Eat beforehand if you'd like, since the three drinks are the only consumables provided—one small Guinness in each pub.