I’m well aware that the conversation around “the best pint” is a topical one. Like most enjoyable things this is subjective; the price, location, variety and quality of a pint have different levels of importance to different people. This guide will hopefully encourage some of you to head out when you can. I know how easy it is to say no to a night in a pub with the difficulties set against us now – being turned away unless you’re in your 20s and a good value pint in town goes hand in hand with flying pigs. Consider this a cheat code for when you manage to get you and all your friends free on the same night.
The drinking culture in Ireland has often come under scrutiny and been used as a vicious stereotype. Pubs have, for centuries, been a place where stories and friendships form. Often you find yourself knocking over social barriers you wouldn’t otherwise, in the line for the bathroom striking up conversation with someone two generations ahead of you or waiting for your pint to settle and having a laugh with the bartender. A pint of lager, stout, or a glass of whiskey lowers these inhibitions – there is danger in that of course, and you don’t have to be a psychologist to know that easing any social anxieties with a drink isn’t something to get too used to. However, sitting in the Lemon & Duke with their famed mocktails would afford you the experience that some would argue is a right of passage when growing up in Ireland.
Heartbreakingly, this culture has faced a shift with the rising costs of a night out. Ireland is currently operating on 23% VAT on alcohol, one of the highest in the EU, and the hospitality industry is under pressure to increase their prices due to rises in rent, energy bills, and now the minimum wage at €13.50.The Government has given them little help in this budget. Come December 1st, your taxi will be at a higher price too. Transport services to most people’s homes don’t run past midnight and even if you live a walk away from your pub in town, you’d likely rather pre-drink than spend the abominable €7.00 – €10.00 on your drink of choice.
After speaking with hospitality workers and pub goers in Dublin who have watched this nightlife scene deteriorate in energy, The University Times has gathered that the majority of people say they miss the “spontaneity and richness” of in-person conversation that the pub environment offers. Young people are having to reimagine how they socialise while they hear their parents, older siblings, and whoever else, talk about their irreplaceable nights during their youth.
Price-wise, you honestly can’t get much better than the €5.70 at the Pav. However, sometimes you want to venture outside the 500-metre radius of your lecture hall, that only hours before you found yourself contemplating how you’d fit this week’s reading in. So, DisnDat offers a quality toastie and pint of Guinness for €10. (3 Dame St, Dublin 2). If you don’t want the sandwich you can get the Guinness for €6.80. If a big bargain is what you’re looking for, the Auld Triangle on the corner of Gardiner St and Dorset St serves a pint of Guinness for €4.80 (in cash only, more expensive if you pay by card). It’s a pub full of characters and people who miss when having a quiet pint wasn’t such an investment.
I know that the quality of the drink, particularly Guinness, is a unifying absolute. Very few people want to drink a glass of muck no matter what else it has going for it. The Palace bar on Fleet Street served me one of the best pints I’ve had in some time. It’s not a very youthful pub but the publican seems to care about what you’re getting served, and what’s the harm in diversifying the age demographic? Peter’s Pub on Johnson Place also serves a good pint and is great for people-watching outside.They have heaters and blankets and as with the Auld Triangle it attracts some great people to talk to, but it’s small enough so going with a group bigger than five won’t always work. The Stags Head is a cliché, sure, but there’s a reason for that; you’ll enjoy it. Each of these will bring you up to the €7.00 end for a pint but depending on what you’re looking for it’s well worth it.
Beer isn’t your thing? If you’d like a good cocktail, El Silencio near Peters Pub has exactly what you’re looking for. With your drinks you can also get some delicious-looking Mexican food, it can be pricey though. Capitol Lounge on Aungier Street often has great deals on cocktails – 2 for €15, every day before midnight.They tend to have a live DJ on a Saturday too. Fans of eating good food while you drink – Toners on Baggot Street has teamed up with Cirillos Pizza so that you can order from them and eat it in Toners Yard while having what a member of the Guinness family themselves called “the best Guinness in Dublin”. If you have a big friend group or even just one with all sorts of personalities and you want to cater to everyone without the fuss and bother on the group chat, The Giddy Dolphin in Temple Bar has a range of drinks, a Wowburger inside, darts, foosball, pool, and TVs for live sports. Plenty to do!
The cost of living has far outweighed the FOMO for most people, but hopefully with a bit more persistence, we will all be able to have a few fun nights out without breaking the bank.
