Patrick F.
Yelp
This is the bar I would consider my local, and probably the best craft beer bar in Dublin. It's the only one that seems to regularly cycle the taps and brings in new brews regularly, along with having a different cask ale (ie. a real ale) on special anytime you go in. Yes, it's pricey enough, but it's worth it. The owner/ manager, whose name I cannot for the life of me remember, is a gent also. I ran in there one day after a night out in desperate need of food from Kebabish, the excellent kebab place across the road, while every cash machine in what seemed like ten miles was out of order, and the place was closing in 5 minutes. I hastily asked for a half of Dark Arts and twenty euro cash back. Of course, the bar person gave me a funny look and asked himself only for him to laugh and say 'I would never deny anyone a kebab!' Needless to say I greatly appreciated the gesture, and the excellent business practice. The first time I was in there was also an excellent experience, as the owner/ manager gave us recommendations and allowed us to sample before we settled on a drink (and, in turn, all of us had a no. 2 in our minds that we wanted to go for). I would also recommend the cheese board, and to talk to the manager for recommended beer pairings, he knows his flavours.
While the place is a lot more busier than when I started going to it, it's great to see people supporting quality product and service when it comes along. It's never too packed, and I always manage to find a seat for two at least.
Something to try out - they serve Dingle Whiskey, which would make me think the place is owned by the Porterhouse guys to use as a market testing ground, which will not be available to the general market till 2016, so it's an opportunity to sample it before hand. It was fair too young and sharp for me, the punch seemed to overpower the flavour. However, I would try it again to see it I was initially wrong, as I can be, and greatly look forward to sampling it properly when the product is finished in 2016. They also do a free cheeseboard if you book a table for 4 ahead via phone or twitter, something which I've always been meaning to do.
Overall, a solid bar which is made by the staff and the quality of the brews.