Temple Bar

The Basics

Explore the quarter as part of cycling or walking tours of Ireland’s capital, which sometimes include visits to the nearby Guinness Storehouse and Jameson Distillery Bow St. or trips to farther-away attractions such as Malahide Castle. Hop-on hop-off bus tours also stop here, and it’s a popular spot for organized pub crawls thanks to the high number of traditional pubs in the area.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Temple Bar can be boisterous at night, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays, when revelers often spill out of pubs onto the streets.

• The streets are cobbled and uneven, so it’s best to wear sturdy, thick-soled shoes.

• Dropped curbs ensure wheelchair users can access most of Temple Bar, though the cobbles can be difficult to navigate.

How to Get There

Temple Bar is prominently located near Trinity College, Dublin Castle, and Grafton Street. The nearest Luas tram stops are Jervis (Red Line), Trinity (Green Line), and Westmoreland (Green Line)—all of which are within five minutes’ walking distance. Tara Street railway station, accessible via the DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) electric rail, is about a 10-minute walk from Temple Bar.

When to Get There

The later it gets, the louder and busier Temple Bar becomes. By midnight on Friday and Saturday, the neighborhood is somewhat of a rowdy party. To experience a more mellow side to Temple Bar, go early in the morning. As a general rule, it’s quieter during winter than in summer, though exceptions, such as the Christmas period, do apply.

Things to Do in Temple Bar

By day, wander the busker- and boutique-lined streets. Visit the Gallery of Photography, watch a movie at the Irish Film Institute, or see the exhibits at Temple Bar Gallery and Studios. Eating and drinking are the area’s other main draws. Pop into a pub for a meal and a Guinness or Irish whiskey and watch a live music session. Families can bring kids into pubs during the day, but at night, most pubs are adult-only zones.

Ways to explore

While many visitors end up in Temple Bar for its nightlife, the neighborhood is popular with daytime sightseers, history buffs, and photographers, too. If you’re more interested in it from this angle, there are Dublin hop-on hop-off bus tours that pass through, along with walking tours or bike tours that often tag on visits to nearby Guinness Storehouse or the Jameson Distillery.

If you’re interested in Dublin’s pub culture and want to explore the bars with a local, opt for a Temple Bar pub crawl to introduce you to the best of the area.

Accessibility

Cobbled streets, crowds, and historic pubs with stairs and tight corridors present challenges for wheelchair users.

Age limits

Ireland’s legal drinking age is 18, and you may be asked for photo identification if you look under 25. In general, kids are allowed in pubs until the food stops being served, although different pubs have different rules.

What to pack

Cash or cards to pay for drinks, and a small, secure bag to keep your wallet safe

What to wear

Layers are useful as the pubs can get crowded and hot. Unless you’re going to a nightclub, there’s no need to dress up too smart.

Not allowed

Drinking on the street

Amenities

Cash machines on Fleet Street and inside the Temple Bar pub, restrooms for customers in pubs

Address 

Temple Bar is in central Dublin, on the south side of the River Liffey.

Driving

Drive into central Dublin, and leave your car at Q-Park Fleet Street, which falls within the Temple Bar neighborhood. It’s open 24/7, so if you plan to drink in the many bars, you can leave your car there overnight. It’s worth booking your parking in advance for a cheaper rate.

Public transportation

Most city center Dublin bus routes stop within walking distance of Temple Bar. Look for routes with stops listed at Dame Street or Aston, Essex, or Wellington quays, if Temple Bar itself isn’t listed. By train, both Heuston and Conolly stations are within a 30-minute walk. Or, you can take a tram from either station to Jervis Street, which is only five minutes away.

Best times to visit

The pubs get progressively lively from early evening when locals call in for after-work drinks. The pubs that serve food generally stop around 9pm, while last orders for drinks are around 11:30pm. Kicking out times vary, but generally the pubs close their doors around midnight, or a bit later on weekends.

Best days to visit

To catch Temple Bar at its most raucous, visit the area on a Friday or Saturday night. However, the area is still lively through the week, so you won’t miss out too much if you’re not in town over the weekend.

Best months to visit

In the peak summer months from June through August, the neighborhood is busier than normal and partygoers spill out onto the streets from the pubs. Aim for spring and fall for the best weather and fewer crowds.

Special events

The pubs of Temple Bar host more live music events than normal during TradFest in late January, when bands performing traditional Irish folk music take center stage. The pubs are also packed with revellers for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations on March 17.