Raise a Glass to the Best Dublin Hotel Bars

Photo courtesy The Belvedere Hotel

Ireland’s capital city is well known for its classy cocktail bars and casual lounges. Contributor Beth Hoke raises a glass to the very best Dublin hotel bars

Updated Feb 7, 2023 / Commissions may be earned from our affilliate partner links  

While tourists crowd the tables at Temple Bar pubs, locals know that some of the best bars in Dublin can be found at some of the best hotels in Dublin. Share a pint in a cozy pub, grab a bite to eat in an outdoor garden, or celebrate a special occasion in a chic courtyard at your choice of the best Dublin hotel bars.

 Cocktails and craic are the order of the day at these lively bars and lounges. So, plan your next Dublin city break with a break from the ordinary and visit one (or more – we won’t judge) of LuxuryDublin’s recommendations for the best Dublin hotel bars.

The Best Dublin Hotel Bars

The Bar @ The Belvedere Hotel

The Belvedere Hotel is located in an historic red brick townhouse on Parnell Square, one of the most convenient places to stay in Dublin. Just off O’Connell Street, the Belvedere is located within walking distance to many of the city’s main attractions.

 It is also home to the Belvedere Bar & Grill, a fine Dublin hotel bar honored at the Irish Hospitality Awards as Dublin’s Live Entertainment Venue of the Year. The Belvedere’s Irish Nights feature a three-course meal of traditional Irish food followed by a two-hour live music and dance show.

The performers are award-winning musicians and dancers with credits that include national and international tours of “Riverdance” and “Lord of the Dance.” Audience participation is welcomed and encouraged. For reservations, visit the Belvedere Irish Nights event page.

The Belvedere Bar & Grill is a contemporary lounge that has been newly refurbished with comfortable seating to accommodate pairs and parties. A fully stocked bar offers everything from soft drinks to signature cocktails.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner is served daily from a menu that includes local favorites and seasonal specialties. The menu is clearly marked with vegan options and an allergen index for those with dietary preferences or restrictions.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: The Belvedere Hotel

C Central Bar @ Camden Court Hotel

The C Central Bar & Bistro in the Camden Court Hotel is the ideal city centre location to relax after a day of hitting the luxury shops on Grafton Street. A recent redesign features plush furnishings in contemporary colors that create a stylish setting for a drink and a bite to eat.

From the soup of the day to creative salads, their all-day menu has something for everyone. Pair a glass of Pinot with your pasta or grab a pint of Guinness from the bar to go with your order of Howth Harbour fish and chips.

Live sporting events broadcast on the bar’s large plasma screen televisions alternate with live music performances by local musicians. The friendly and professional bar staff receive high ratings for their part in making the C Central Bar & Bistro a “go-to” destination for a night out with friends.

See for yourself at the C Central Bar & Bistro in the heart of Dublin.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: Camden Court Hotel

P. Mac’s @ Drury Court Hotel

Pub fare and pints of beer are the order of the day at P. Mac’s, the award-winning bar at the Drury Court Hotel. Aglow with the light of lamps with fringed shades and candles dripping wax onto an eclectic assortment of trays, the gastropub has a cozy ambience.

The casual vibe created by the mismatched tables and chairs tucked into every nook and cranny draws a young crowd of regulars. Join them at this popular Dublin hotel bar to enjoy the camaraderie and craft beer.

Seasonal menus offer sweet and salty selections of elevated comfort food like chips (French fries to you Americans out there) topped with truffle sauce or bacon jam, and vanilla bean ice cream combined with raspberry Belgian ale in an ice cream float that you’ll not soon forget.

Is your mouth watering yet? Make your way to P. Mac’s at the Drury Court Hotel.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: Drury Court Hotel

Harcourt Bar @ Harcourt Hotel Bar & Garden

One of the newest Dublin hotel bars, the Harcourt Hotel Bar & Garden is the perfect place to celebrate any special occasion with your family, friends, or colleagues. Spacious indoor and outdoor seating areas cater to group of all sizes.

Whether you meet in the main bar for margaritas or gather in the glass-covered garden lounge for beer and BBQ, you’ll appreciate the attention to detail that went into designing this all-weather event space. The wood-paneled main bar is filled with tufted bar stools and banquettes.

The outdoor lounge features cushioned benches and chairs draped with blankets to ward off the chill on wintry nights. Pillars, plants, and panels cleverly divide the space into smaller sections for private conversations.

Their prix fixe cocktail menu runs the gamut from standard selections to elderflower cosmopolitans and hazelnut espresso martinis. Non-alcoholic drinks and a selection of wine and beer are also available to go with a menu of starters, mains, and sides made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Book a table at the Harcourt Hotel Bar & Garden today.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: Harcourt Hotel Bar & Garden

Liberties Gate Bar @ Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin

Drawing inspiration from the world-renowned distilleries in the area, Liberties Gate Bar at the Hyatt Centric The Liberties has all the essentials that many other Dublin bars have: a welcoming atmosphere, traditional Irish food, and bartenders who can serve the perfect pint. But this particular bar offers a unique experience – the Liberties Mixology Course.

Spend an entertaining and educational evening with friends and family at this contemporary Dublin hotel bar learning how to become a mixologist from an in-house expert. After your mixology masterclass, stay for drinks chosen from an extensive selection of Irish whiskey, signature cocktails, draught beer, bourbon, brandy, scotch, gin, tequila, rum, liqueurs, and an assortment of aperitifs.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin

Den Bar @ Lansdowne Hotel

The Den Bar at the Lansdowne Hotel is one of the most well-known Dublin hotel bars. Its proximity to Aviva Stadium makes it a favorite of rugby fans who head over after matches to drink a toast or drown their sorrows. The bar also has the world’s largest collection of rugby ties.

In addition to hosting Leinster and Irish Rugby Football Union matches, Aviva Stadium is home to the Republic of Ireland National Football Team and hosts American football games and music concerts as well. It’s not unusual to see players and pop stars sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with the bar’s regular patrons.

Another draw of the Den Bar is their very popular Irish House Party nights, organized by local dancers and musicians to promote authentic Irish culture. Traditional songs and stories are shared from the stage, and you might even find the performers joining you at your table during this interactive Irish experience.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: Lansdowne Hotel

Link Lounge @ Red Cow Moran Hotel

Appropriately named for its function as a link that connects a modern extension to the original building, the Link Lounge at the Red Cow Hotel is a popular place to meet your LinkedIn connections in person. Draw up a contract over a cup of coffee or broker a business deal after breakfast.

Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi and plenty of places to plug in are some of the features that make the conveniently located Link Lounge a business hotpot. This bovine-themed business hub also connects to the hotel’s newest addition – the Atrium Restaurant and Bar.

Once the work of the day is done, you and your colleagues can relax in front of the fireplace on cognac-colored club chairs or slide into a booth to share a bottle of wine and a bite to eat.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: Red Cow Moran Hotel

O’Brien’s Bar @ Mercantile Hotel    

In Dublin, hotel bars aren’t just places for throwing back a pint, they are also places to cheer on your favorite sports team. O’Brien’s Bar at the Mercantile Hotel is one of Dublin’s best bars to catch a rugby match or a Gaelic football game.

O’Brien’s is a great place to start with a toast to your favorite team. With eleven screens showing all major sporting events, including tennis, golf, horse racing, soccer, and even American football games, Obrien’s is known as the home of sport.

Follow up the game by drinking and dancing at the Mercantile’s adjoining bar, Hely’s. The bars have a combined capacity of 1,100 guests so you’ll find plenty of fellow sports fans who want to continue the revelry long into the night.

O’Brien’s and Hely’s share a bar food menu with a selection of Irish comfort food and match day specials paired with pints of draught beer. If beer isn’t your drink of choice, you’ll find plenty of creative cocktails, as well as wine from around the world.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: Mercantile Hotel   

Five Bars @ Fitzsimons Hotel

In Dublin’s Temple Bar district on the left bank of the River Liffey, you’ll find the Fitzsimons Hotel and its namesake bar. But this is no ordinary Dublin hotel bar. Spread out over five floors, it offers customers everything from live entertainment to al fresco drinking and dining.

Whether you’ve come to Temple Bar to listen to live music, dance the night away to tunes spun by a DJ, or watch your favorite sports team crush the competition, you can do it all at Fitzsimons. You’re free to move between the bars as the mood strikes you.

When you’re ready for some fresh air, head up to the rooftop bar with its bird’s-eye view of the trendy neighborhood. Don’t let the evening’s cool breezes keep you from enjoying the scenery; the Roof Garden is heated to a comfortable temperature for your year-round enjoyment.

Secure your spot with a reservation at the Roof Garden.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: Fitzsimons Hotel

Metropolitan Bar @ Clifton Court Hotel

For double the fun during your Dublin holiday, book a stay at a hotel with not only one, but two bars. The Clifton Court Hotel is home to the Metropolitan Bar (known locally as the Met Bar) and Lanigan’s, both of which are known for their authentic Irish hospitality.

The Met Bar was established in 1882 and its eclectic mix of traditional and modern decor makes everyone feel at home. Make plans for the day while you enjoy a full Irish breakfast or linger over a four-course dinner as you look out over the River Liffey.

The bar has an impressive selection of cocktails served up by a cheerful and charming bar staff. From Thursday to Sunday, the Met goes into high gear with music and entertainment for the late-night crowd.

Not to be outdone by its fellow Dublin hotel bar, Lanigan’s encourages craic of all kinds. Mingle with the cast and crew from the Abbey Theatre, learn how to pull the perfect pint, book a private party, or just stop by and soak up the atmosphere.

Like the Met, Lanigan’s has an extensive drinks menu. If you’re hungry, Ma Lanigan’s Irish Stew comes highly recommended.

Visit the Clifton Court Hotel for more details.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: Clifton Court Hotel

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Contributor Beth Hoke is a travel and lifestyle writer who has created content for some of the industry leaders in experiential travel, including Google’s Touring Bird; Tui’s blog, Musement; and Vamonde. Her features have appeared online and in print at RileyMag.com, DispatchesEurope.com, and Military Spouse magazine.