Ireland · DRINKING TOURS

The 15 Best Pub & Drinking Tours in Ireland

41 tours  ·  from $9 a head

The pub is the other half of an Irish trip and a guide gets you past the ones with the harp on the awning. These 15 cover the literary crawls, the trad sessions and the whiskey walks, priced and clear about what is included.

Dublin: Generation Pub Crawl - Moving through Dublin’s local pub circuit
Drinking Tours, Nightlife, Pub Crawls, Tour Reviews, Tours in Dublin

Dublin: Generation Pub Crawl

1.Generation Pub Crawl

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,457 reviews · from $16Our pick

Meet an English-speaking local guide at 4 Dame Lane for a five-hour Dublin night out. You’ll visit five pubs and clubs, starting with free Guinness, then enjoy shots, live music, drink discounts, skip-the-line access, Whelan’s, and VIP entry to Copper Face Jacks. Groups can be large, but guides such as Matthew, Lee, and Brian keep the pace moving.

“This was a great way to meet some new people in the city. It was mostly tourists but Jonathan and Matthew did a great job guiding us to each pub and telling us a bit about the history of each place we went. I’d definitely do another one of these if I had the time”

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Dublin Literary Pub Crawl - Walking between Dublin’s literary landmarks
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Dublin Literary Pub Crawl

2.Dublin Literary Pub Crawl

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,607 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Meet Colm, John, Frank, or Finbarr at the Duke Pub for a 2-hour-15-minute walking tour through Dublin’s literary and pub culture. Expect four pubs, comic performances, Irish poetry, music, stories about Joyce, Wilde, Beckett, and Yeats, plus a final quiz with prizes. Drinks and food cost extra.

“The pub crawl is a unique experience in literary journey of Ireland in relation to its pubs where much of these mastpieces were created by Samuel Beckkett, James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, G B Shaw and others. Great performance by the duo who walk you through the pubs.”

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Generation Pub Crawl Dublin - Temple Bar, then places locals use
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Generation Pub Crawl Dublin

3.Generation Pub Crawl Dublin

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 400 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $16

Start at 4 Dame Lane at 8pm with a welcome Guinness, then follow local guides such as James, Brian, Lee, or Oscar through Dublin pubs and music venues. Expect free shots, drink discounts, Temple Bar, a local nightlife stop, and skip-the-line entry to a late nightclub. This is a social party night, not a history walk.

“I had a blast such a fun time and the host was engaging the group and the selection of pubs was great as well. Fun time and yes I would recommend it.”

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Dublin Out-Off-Tourist-Path Pub Tour and Tastings with a Local - Strand Street Great and a proper Guinness
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Dublin Out-Off-Tourist-Path Pub Tour and Tastings with a Local

4.Dublin Out-Off-Tourist-Path Pub Tour and Tastings with a Local

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 361 reviews · 3 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $50Top rated

Start at the Spire and walk with a local guide through four Dublin pubs. Taste three Irish craft beers, Guinness, single malt whiskey and Cork gin, then finish with traditional music. Guides such as Rob, Sam, Jack and Connor are known for friendly stories, though the final music stop can vary by night.

“Connor was an awesome guide, he really knows the area and has a ton of passion for the local our scene and Ireland history. Our group had an awesome time, and we were brought to some awesome local Irish music!”

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Dublin: Traditional Pub Walking Tour - Key points at a glance
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Dublin: Traditional Pub Walking Tour

5.Traditional Pub Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 295 reviews · from $48

Meet beneath Dublin’s Spire and follow an English-speaking guide such as Connor, Martin, James, or Rob to four local pubs. Taste craft beer, Guinness, Irish whiskey, and milk gin, with optional Irish food and traditional music at the final stop. It is a social, four-hour introduction to Dublin’s pub culture beyond Temple Bar.

“This tour was a blast! Our tour guide, Martin, was awesome, and our group was so much fun. I highly recommend it.”

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Dublin Coastal Craft Beer and Seafood Trail - St Mary’s Abbey and Howth’s older layers
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Dublin Coastal Craft Beer and Seafood Trail

6.Dublin Coastal Craft Beer and Seafood Trail

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 290 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $127

Spend three and a half hours in Howth with guides such as Patrick, Paddy, Mark, or Mike, sampling seafood chowder, smoked salmon, shellfish, Guinness soda bread, and several Irish craft beers. Walk the harbor, old ruins, courthouse, lighthouse, and headland before returning to the station.

“Excellent guide, great conversation and food Highly recommend the experience. Add Howth to the list of amazing places to see.”

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Afternoon Dublin Mountain Pub Tour(small group pub crawl max 15) - Stop one: The Merry Ploughboy at the mountain foothills
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Afternoon Dublin Mountain Pub Tour(small group pub crawl max 15)

7.Afternoon Dublin Mountain Pub Tour(small group pub crawl max 15)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 259 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $83

Leave central Dublin with guide Shane for a five-hour visit to three rural mountain pubs: The Merry Ploughboy, Johnnie Fox’s, and The Blue Light. Expect local beer advice, Irish songs, pub stories, live music, food at your own cost, and views toward Dublin Bay. Transport and guiding are included, drinks and meals are not.

“Had a great time! Excellent pub choices. Good variety and great sightseeing! Host was enthusiastic and fun! Would definitely do again.”

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Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Pub Tour small group tour max 15 people - Shane sets the tone from the first drive
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Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Pub Tour small group tour max 15 people

8.Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Pub Tour small group tour max 15 people

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 240 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $116

Leave central Dublin with guide Shane for a nine-hour small-group tour through the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains. Visit six rural pubs, stop for food at Glenmalure Lodge, meet locals, learn about Irish drinks and pub culture, and finish with traditional music. Drinks and dinner cost extra.

“Fantastic experience! We had a great time, and really had the chance to leave the big city and experience the countryside. Highly highly recommend.”

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Dublin: Irish Night Show at the Merry Ploughboy Pub - Arriving before the 8pm performance
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Dublin: Irish Night Show at the Merry Ploughboy Pub

9.Irish Night Show at the Merry Ploughboy Pub

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 208 reviews · from $39

Spend about 3.5 hours at the Merry Ploughboy Pub, a Dublin County venue run by traditional musicians. Choose show-only admission or add a three-course Irish dinner, then watch live singers, musicians, and stepdancers perform from 8pm. Expect communal tables, audience participation, plenty of humor, and a location about 30 minutes from central Dublin.

“Beautiful songs and dance.. Bar owner thought I am a driver when I asked for a drink...guess they need to open up their minds and not be overtly racist”

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Dublin Mountain Pub Tour ( small group Pub Crawl max 15 people) - Stop one: the Merry Ploughboys at the mountain foothills
Drinking Tours, Nightlife, Pub Crawls, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Dublin

Dublin Mountain Pub Tour ( small group Pub Crawl max 15 people)

10.Dublin Mountain Pub Tour ( small group Pub Crawl max 15 people)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 163 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $83

Join Shane for a five-hour evening through the Dublin Mountains, stopping at the Merry Ploughboys, the Blue Light, and Johnnie Fox’s. You’ll ride in an air-conditioned vehicle, meet local pub owners and regulars, hear live Irish music, and share the night with no more than 15 people. Drinks and dinner cost extra, so eat before you go.

“This tour was amazing. Our guide, Shane, made sure we were all safe, got to know each other and shared his knowledge of his beautiful Ireland. He kept us entertained from the start to the finish the pubs he took us to were quaint, friendly and well worth visiting. I highly recommend this tour.”

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The Perfect Pint Pub Tour - Glasnevin Cemetery and the Gravediggers pub
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The Perfect Pint Pub Tour

11.The Perfect Pint Pub Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 144 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $181

Start at Guinness Storehouse at 2:30 pm and ride with a local guide through Dublin, past Croke Park, the River Liffey, O’Connell Street, and Glasnevin Cemetery. Visit four traditional pubs, hear Guinness and Dublin stories, and finish with a hands-on Guinness pour. Groups are capped at eight.

“We had a very enjoyable experience with Denis. His vehicle was clean. He was on time and very friendly. He took us to 4 great pub locations and he was very knowledgeable. The last stop we learned how to pour our own Guinness. We all had a memorable time.”

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Dublin: City Pub Crawl Experience - Starting at Trinity Bar on Dame Street
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Dublin: City Pub Crawl Experience

12.City Pub Crawl Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 143 reviews · from $28

Join an English-speaking guide such as Nicola or Brion for four hours of Dublin pubs, live Irish music, welcome drinks, shots, and late-night dancing. Start at Trinity Bar on Dame Street, visit three local bars, meet people from around the world, and finish at D Two. Bring your passport or ID.

“Really great way to experience all the live music bars. Our tour guide Nicola was fantastic at introducing everyone in the group and went out of her way to send all the photo's from the night out the following day. Good drink offers on the stops. Highly recommend for your first time out in Dublin to avoid all the tourist traps!”

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Dublin: Traditional Pubs Walking Tour with Local Guide - Four pubs, four different stops
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Dublin: Traditional Pubs Walking Tour with Local Guide

13.Traditional Pubs Walking Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 112 reviews · from $31

Meet your English-speaking guide outside Utah Teapot in Smithfield for a three-hour walk to four traditional pubs. Guides such as Kevin, Andy, Helena, and Steve bring local stories, drink knowledge, and Dublin tips. You buy your own drinks, with an average total of about €25, and return to the meeting point.

“Perfect tour with the perfect guide! Thank you Kevin for the authentic experience.”

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Kilkenny: Smithwick's Beer Experience - Finding the entrance on Parliament Street
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Kilkenny: Smithwick’s Beer Experience

14.Smithwick’s Beer Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 108 reviews · from $25

Spend one hour at Smithwick’s Experience in central Kilkenny, where a live English-speaking guide explains Franciscan brewing, the Smithwick family, and the four ingredients in each ale. Expect a hands-on brewing display, family portraits brought to life, and a complimentary pint or soft drink in the intimate bar. Audio guides are available in four languages.

“Tour was brilliant, our Guide Barry was funny and very knowledgeable, Great Value for money and a beautiful pint at the end in the lovely in house bar!!!!”

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Pub Crawl Walking Tour Through the Heart of Irelands Capital - Starting with the 1916 Rising at the General Post Office
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Pub Crawl Walking Tour Through the Heart of Irelands Capital

15.Pub Crawl Walking Tour Through the Heart of Irelands Capital

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 84 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $48

Join Donal or another local guide at The Spire for a relaxed three to four hour walk through central Dublin. Hear the story of the 1916 Rising at the General Post Office, visit the Oval Bar and Palace Bar, then pour your own Guinness at the Ha'penny Bridge Inn. The group is capped at 12.

“This was a must do experience if in Dublin. Our guide Donal was an expert at keeping us out of tourists traps and showing us some great pubs along with some history. We had an incredible experience getting to go behind the bar and pour a pint of Guinness. At the end he pointed us in the right direction to carry on with our night. He even hailed us a cab! Excellent experience!”

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