The Irish Pub Guide

Temple Bar is one of Ireland’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting 3.5 million visitors each year. For many partygoers visiting Dublin for the weekend, it’s the first place that comes to mind.

Renowned for its lively bars and unbeatable craic, Temple Bar has a reputation like no other—but what’s it really like when you get there? Is it truly the ultimate spot for pubs in Ireland, and should it be where you spend most of your trip?

Here’s what you should know before you go.

Pints for €10?

It was reported by The Sunday World earlier in 2025 that Ireland’s first ever €10 pint was sold in a Dublin pub, and yes it was in Temple Bar.

The Merchant’s Arch in the middle of the tourist spot was charging €10.45 for a pint in their restaurant when ordering food as well, which is much higher than you’d pay for a drink in the majority of Dublin pubs.

And this is not unusual in Temple Bar, most of the drinks will not be hitting €10 but you can expect to pay an extra euro or two for most orders compared to places outside of the pub.

But is it worth it ? That depends on the person, not every other pub in Dublin can guarantee live music and a big crowd at almost any stage of the day, seven days a week. This is what you’re paying for when you head to Temple Bar.

Do locals actually drink in Temple Bar?

There is a mixed view on Temple Bar from the locals, with the above point about prices being one of the main things that steers Dubliners from drinking along the cobbled streets.

One Reddit user summed up this sentiment: “Temple Bar is very touristy and expensive. Walk through the area and sample the atmosphere, but spend your money elsewhere. Dublin has over 700 pubs. They are not all in Temple Bar. You have a huge amount of choice.

“Try around the Baggot Street area or George’s Street or South William Street or pubs like the Cobblestone in Smithfield or Donoghue’s on Merrion Row. I could go on and plenty of others could chip in too. Dublin’s pub scene and nightlife is not just Temple Bar. We, the natives, generally avoid it and go elsewhere. Tourists think it is the place to be.”

But that is just one view, while it might not be ideal for people always in Dublin, there is something iconic and great craic about being in Temple Bar if you’ve never been to Dublin before.

The positives of a visit to Temple Bar

• Great Atmosphere – Even though it’s touristy, the energy is unbeatable, with live music, street performances, and a vibrant buzz.
• Historic Charm – The cobbled streets and old buildings give it a unique character.
• Solid Pubs – While overpriced, a few pubs, like The Temple Bar Pub and The Porterhouse, do offer great live music and an extensive drink selection.
• Stag and Hen heaven – if you’re coming with a massive group looking for a big party throughout the day, Temple Bar is probably the place to be.