11 Of The Best Pubs In Dingle (For Guinness + Music)

This guide is filled with what I think are the best pubs in Dingle, based on many nights spent in the town…

When it comes to pubs Dingle is arguably best-know for two – Dick Mack’s and Foxy Johns (yep, the hardware-store-come-pub).

And, while these are both great spots to whittle away an evening, there are plenty of other bars in Dingle worth nipping into below, as you’ll discover below.

The best pubs in Dingle

Take a quick glance at the map above – it’ll give you the lay of the land. As you can see, most of the Dingle pubs are found in close proximity to each other.

Some of these pubs hold regular live music sessions, others are proper, traditional-style pubs and others, like Dick Mack’s, are lively.

1. Curran’s Bar

I’d argue that Curran’s is one of the most overlooked pubs in Dingle, despite the fact that it has been running since 1871.

Originally a general store (as was the case with many pubs in Ireland), you’ll still see shelves packed with hardware inside.

Stepping into Curran’s feels like stepping back in time, and I mean that in the best sense possible. The pub has a gorgeous, ‘untouched’ fell about it and the service, going off my last two visits, was warm and friendly.

I can vouch for the Guinness in Curran’s being mighty. If you can, try and get in early and grab seats in the snug!

2. Kennedy’s

If you ramble through Dingle, you’ll find it hard to miss the colourful exterior of Kennedy’s – yep, it’s the big purple one.

However, don’t let the funky exterior fool you – this cosy spot couldn’t be more traditional on the inside. 

Those that visit can expect a beautiful open fire, some quirky decor (like a big chest that’s used as a table) and a glorious old-world buzz.

There’s also an open door policy that welcomes in all kinds of travelling musicians (not just trad).

Explore the peninsula: From the Slea Head Drive to Conor Pass, there’s endless things to do in Dingle!

3. Foxy John’s

If you’re in search of traditional pubs in Dingle, you’ll find few that can go toe-to-toe with the brilliant Foxy John’s.

You’ll find it on the main street where it’s a mix between a pub and a hardware store.

When you ramble through the doors here the first thing that’ll catch your eye is the wall behind the bar, where you’ll find everything from a hammer and nails to rat poison on sale.

On the 3 or 4 occasions that I’ve been here, there was a trad music session playing away.

The pints are creamy, the atmosphere is mighty and the setting is as unique as you’ll find in any of the Dingle pubs on offer.

4. Dick Mack’s

Next up is arguably the best known of the many Dingle pubs. Dick Mack’s has been keeping visitors to Dingle well-watered since 1899.

This is a brilliant pub that’s spread out across a pokey front bar and several other small rooms and a large beer garden.

If you can, try and nip in here early and get a seat/some standing space in the front bar. The seats just to the left as you come in the door (behind the wooden desk) are the best in the house.

From this spot, you can watch the comings and goings of those entering and leaving and you can have a gawk at the many artifacts that stand out proudly on the walls.

Need a place to stay? See our Dingle accommodation guide for a range of options

5. Hannie Agnes’s

Hannie Agnes’s is hard to miss on Green Street thanks to it’s beautiful green-and-cream exterior.

Inside, Agnes’s offers an authentic, no-frills Irish pub experience, brimming with character.

The bar is lined with plaid-cushioned stools, while rustic wooden benches and stools create a snug and welcoming seating area.

The walls tell a story, adorned with vintage photos and advertisements that add to the pub’s nostalgic, lived-in charm.

Known for serving a top-notch pint, Hannie Agnes’s becomes even cosier in the colder months, when there’s a stove crackling away.

6. Bob Griffin’s

Bob Griffin’s is another of the few Dingle pubs that tends to fly under the radar a bit. Griffin’s opened its doors in 1937 and then closed up shop around 20 years ago.

In 2019, after some very carful restoration, Griffin’s reopened, and it has been welcoming thirsty travellers since. 

The interior of this pub is beautifully traditional, with cosy adjoining rooms where you can tuck yourself away for a few hours.

The pub also boasts a big aul beer garden with plenty of room for big groups to huddle around for a yap.

7. McCarthy’s Bar

Next up is the oldest of the many pubs in Dingle, which is some feat! At over 150 years old, you won’t get much more traditional than McCarthy’s Bar. 

McCarthy’s shut it’s doors in 2015 but it reopened two years later in 2017, to the delight of tourists and locals alike.

It was November 2018 (as far as I can remember) when we nipped in here on a rainy Saturday evening, soaked to the skin.

We managed to get 2 stools near next to the stove and we perched ourselves there for the next 4 hours (taking in what we were told was the nights ‘early’ trad session).

This is a brilliant, no-fuss spot that’ll make those of you in search of old-school Dingle pubs with a buckets of character very happy.

Dingle pubs with live music

There are several Dingle pubs that have racked up rave reviews over the years for their live music sessions.

In the section below, you’ll find some of the best pubs in Dingle for live music. Note: these tend to get busy, so get in before the music starts to grab a space to sit/stand.

1. O’Sullivan’s Courthouse Pub

During my most recent stay in Dingle, the lady running our B&B told us to ‘Head to O’Sullivan’s – it’s where the musicians from the other pubs head after their own sessions finish’.

We tipped down to see what it was all about. When we opened the door we were greeted with a blast of chatter and music.

After several lovely long hours spent nursing pints and chatting, I can tell you O’Sullivan’s lived up to the hype!

The music here tends to kick off around 9 each night aside from Sunday, when there’s an early session at 18:00. If you arrive in winter, you’ll find a roaring fire, a warm welcome and a serious pint of Guinness.

2. John Benny’s Pub 

Next up is arguably one of the best pubs in Dingle for food – John Benny’s (it’s also a stone’s throw from some of the best restaurants in Dingle!).

Any of you that visited Dingle back in the day (before 2002) may remember that this pub used to be called Maire De Barra’s.

The pub was bought by John Benny Moriarty (who was raised on Dingle Main St) and renamed John Benny’s in the early 2000s

The hosts, John & Éilís, are well known traditional Irish musicians, and their pub is one of the towns finest venues for music, song and dance. 

3. O’Flaherty’s Pub

Next up is another very traditional pub, and I mean traditional in every sense – O’Flaherty’s. This is one of several Dingle pubs where you’re guaranteed a decent bit of music.

When you step in the door, you’ll be greeted with a high ceiling and a beautiful flagstoned floor. You may also catch conversations yapped away in Irish.

This is a casual spot that’s the perfect setting for a pint after a long day of exploring. If you land in here on a quiet night when there’s a bit of music rocking away, you’re in for a treat.

4. Neligan’s

There are few seats as fine on a cold winters night as the ones to the right and left of the stove in Neligan’s Bar.

This is one of several Dingle pubs that boasts live music seven nights a weeks and, from everything I’ve heard, they host some of the best sessions in town.

This is one of the newer pubs in Dingle and it’s racked up some rave reviews at the time of typing (4.7/5 from 140 on Google).

Explore beyond the bars in Dingle

There are over 50 bars in Dingle, which can be the downfall of some visitors who get lured in before they have time to explore the peninsula.

So, before sampling the best pubs in Dingle, take some time to:

• Do the Dingle Peninsula Drive
• Tackle the Slea Head Drive
• Visit the various beaches in Dingle
• Sample some of the great food in Dingle