Located at St James’s Gate, the Guinness Storehouse sits on the site where Arthur Guinness famously agreed a 9,000-year lease in 1759.
For many tourists spending one day in Dublin or a weekend in Dublin, a visit to the Guinness Factory is at the top of their to-do list, and for good reason.
Those who embark on a Guinness Brewery tour (book it here) are immersed in the brand’s history, the stout’s creation process, and, of course, enjoy a pint in the Gravity Bar.
Some quick information about the Guinness Storehouse
Although the Guinness tour is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.
Note: if you book a tour through a link below we may make a tiny commission that helps us keep this site going. You won’t pay extra, but we really do appreciate it.
1. Location
The Guinness factory is located slightly off Dublin’s south quays at St. Jame’s Gate. It’s a 15-minute walk from St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a 20-minute walk from Kilmainham Gaol and very short walk from some of the best whiskey distilleries in Dublin.
2. How to get there from Dublin City Centre
Getting around Dublin is handy once you know how. You have 5 options to get from the city centre to the Guinness Storehouse:
- Walk (40 minutes): From O’Connell St
- Public Bus (15 minutes): Get the 123 from Dame St or O’Connell St in direction of Walkinstown and get off at James’s Street
- Hop on/off Bus: If you plan on visiting multiple attractions, the hop on/off bus goes to the Storehouse
- LUAS (15 minutes): Take the Red Line in the direction of Tallaght
- Taxi/Uber (25 minutes): A taxi or one of the ride share apps will cost around €15
3. Book online to avoid the queues
While you can buy tickets at the door, you’re better off buying online in advance. The reason for this is:
- The time slots may be full when you arrive
- You’ll avoid the often lengthy queues
4. Parking
So, there’s some very limited free parking at the Guinness Storehouse on Crane Street, (see it here on Google Maps). There’s paid parking near the Four Courts here (15-minute walk away).
5. Part of the Dublin Pass
Exploring Dublin over 1 or 2 days? If you buy a Dublin Pass for €70 you can save from €23.50 to €62.50 on Dublin’s top attractions, like the EPIC Museum, the Guinness Storehouse, The GPO, the Jameson Distillery Bow St. and more.
Which Guinness tour is best?
When it comes to booking the Guinness tour in Dublin, you’ll have several different choices, each of which has pros and cons.
I have done each of the tours below in recent years, so the opinions below are based on my personal experience.
1. Guinness Storehouse Experience
The 1.5-hour Guinness Factory tour is the most popular tour amongst those that visit this website and I’d argue it’s the one that most people should go for.
It’s a self-guided tour that allows you to explore at your own pace and soak up the sights and sounds of the factory and its exhibitions.
It finishes in the Gravity Bar where you can enjoy a pint with a view over Dublin.
2. The Stoutie
This variation is the exact same as the first except that, for an additional €8, you get a pint with your selfie on it.
It’s a hefty charge to pay to see your face on a pint, but it’s a nice novelty for those looking for a unique memento.
3. The Connoisseur Experience (€95)
Those that take the 1.5-hour Connoisseur Experience will embark on a guided tasting journey with a Guinness Connoisseur, exploring the flavours and stories of four popular Guinness variants.
You’ll enjoy a private bar experience, learn to craft your own pint, and explore all seven floors of the Guinness Storehouse.
If you’re looking for a guided tour with a difference, this is worth considering.
4. The Guinness Academy
The Guinness Academy Experience is a self-guided tour that includes a short lesson on how to pour the perfect pint, costing an additional €12.
While I personally don’t think that it’s worth the extra cost, it might be enjoyable for avid Guinness fans looking to enhance their visit.
5. The Jameson + Guinness factory tour combo
Now, the final tour will suit those of you that plan on also visiting the Jameson Distillery on Bow St.
This is a combo, skip-the-line ticket that includes both attractions. It costs around €112, and it includes the best of both tours.
The History of the Guinness Brewery in Dublin
When you visit the Guinness Brewery in Dublin, you’re treading on hallowed ground! It was the original site where Arthur Guinness began his brewery business in 1759.
Planning for the future, he signed a 9,000-year lease at £45 per annum and started brewing his dark porter-style ales.
He used dark malt to create his stout, which was instantly a favourite with river and street porters, among other local workers.
Then things escalated
10 years later, he decided to begin exporting, shipping a modest 6.5 barrels to England, and the rest, as they say, is history.
By 1886, Guinness sales reached 1.13 million barrels a year, and the company was floated on the stock market.
That was in spite of the fact that Guinness owned no bars or pubs and refused to advertise (this changed drastically over time). The product spoke for itself.
The decline and joining up with Diageo
In the 1970s, Guinness sales had declined, so the owners had to relaunch it and introduce pale malt.
The company merged with Diageo in 1997 but retained the Guinness brand’s rights and trademarked the Irish harp logo.
Now, in 2024, Guinness is a roaring success both at home and overseas, with the factory firmly establishing itself as one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ireland.
However, not all pints are equal – see my guide to finding the best Guinness in Dublin for more.
Things you’ll see on the Guinness Factory tour
There’s plenty to see on the Guinness tour in Dublin, regardless of which tour you take.
Behind those sturdy black gates, the Guinness Storehouse offers a memorable and educational experience that any ale drinker or Guinness aficionado will remember for years to come.
1. The brewing process
Stroll through the historic Guinness Brewery, see the hops and learn about the specialist strains of yeast used in this unique brewing process.
See the rushing waters that are a vital part of the Guinness brewing process.
2. Fittings from the original brewery
You’ll often see the Guinness Factory mentioned in guides to the best museums in Dublin. This puzzles some, but it is a museum of sorts.
The Storehouse is home to fixtures from the Guinness Brewery’s original days. Interestingly enough, some of these are from over 250 years ago.
3. Old-school Guinness ads
Immerse yourself in 80 years of Guinness advertising – you’ll be surprised at some of the memories it brings back!
Interact with the ads and take photos that put you in your very own Guinness ad.
4. The journey to greatness
Track the four key ingredients that go into every pint of Guinness in Ireland’s #1 tourist attraction.
Once the brew is completed, learn about the coopers and the epic sea voyages that led to Guinness becoming an international brand in 150 countries.
Things to do near the Guinness Storehouse
There are endless things to do near the Guinness Storehouse – in fact, many of the best things to do in Dublin are a short walk away!
Here are some of my go-tos:
- Whiskey distilleries (3 to 6-minute walk): Some of the top whiskey distilleries in Ireland are a short walk away. Roe and Co (6-minutes), Pearse Lyons (5-minutes) and the Teeling distillery (15-minutes)
- Dublin’s Oldest pub (10-minute walk): The reigning champion of ancient pubs in Dublin is the Brazen Head which dates to 1198. See my guide to the oldest pubs in Dublin for more
- Phoenix Park (15-minute walk): Dominated by the 200ft tall Wellington Monument, the Phoenix Park is one of the largest enclosed public parks in any capital city in Europe
- Kilmainham Gaol (20-minute walk): Infamous for being the site of incarceration for many Nationalist leaders, Kilmainham Gaol is one of the city’s top attractions
FAQs
I’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Is it worth the money?’ to ‘How long is it?’.
In the section below, I’ve popped in the most FAQs. If you have a question that I haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.
Can you buy Guinness Storehouse tickets at the door?
Yes, you can. However, it’s strongly recommended that you buy tickets in advance online. This way, you can 1, reserve a time slot, 2, avoid disappointment if the time slots are full, and 3, skip the queues at the door.
How long is the Guinness Storehouse tour?
This will depend on the type of tour you take. Allow at least 1.5 hours for the self-guided tour and 2 if you take the premium Guinness tour in Dublin.
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.