The Cobblestone

Absolutely lovely - I've seen a few sessions in my native Edinburgh, but it's hard to beat an Irish trad session in Ireland proper. I even got to see some Uilleann pipes played. Great pints too. Contrary to some other reviews, on a rainy Thursday night, it wasn't too packed - I got a great view of the musicians and within half an hour managed to bag myself a barstool at the bar for front row seats! I'd definitely say to come earlier though: the crowd was quieter and more respectful at 8:30 when I arrived than at 10:30 - but even at 10:30 there was still a loud SHUSH! sent up whenever somebody raised their voice over a comfortable background hubbub 😄

This is a beverages only pub. I went for the music and had a great time. The wait staff was very helpful in selecting an Irish ale I would like, and gave me samples to help me decide! Not a lot of seating, but people came and went, so in the end, we had great seats at the bar close to the action!

The Cobblestone Pub – Come for the Music, Stay for the Humanity We came early for the live traditional music — and ended up staying for hours. The music was everything we hoped for: raw, real, and magnetic. But what truly elevated our night was the people behind the bar and the feeling of being welcomed into something much bigger than a pub. While waiting for the session to start, we had the chance to chat with the staff, which was not only fun but surprisingly educational. One bartender kindly clued me in on an important cultural lesson: never order a Black and Tan in Ireland. I had no idea the term refers to the British paramilitary forces sent to suppress Irish independence in the 1920s. It’s an understandably loaded phrase here — not something to casually say at the bar. Grateful for the gentle correction and the history lesson I’ll never forget. I also walked away with newfound respect for Guinness and the subtle factors that influence its taste. Ever heard of invisible congealed milk solids? They can cling to a glass if it’s been used for an Irish coffee and not rinsed well, and they noticeably affect the pour. I’ll never look at a pint the same way again. Special shoutout to Camille, the most intuitive bar server I’ve ever encountered. She’s French, and her quiet command of the room was impressive — kind, proactive, and deeply attuned. She encouraged the quieter guests to order without pressure and even offered water to someone who didn’t want a drink. No ego, no flash — just genuine hospitality. I watched her treat everyone with the same care. We stayed for a few hours of music, and it felt like being part of a living tradition — not just a show. The Cobblestone has soul. If you’re visiting Dublin and want to feel something real, go early, grab a seat, and let the night carry you.

The best pub in Dublin and has been for years. The cats outta the bag though because every tourist knows now thanks to Colbert!!!! But it's still my favorite pint and the musicians that flow through the front end are always stellar. Doesn't matter when you go, it's always a marvelous time with friends.

Known for its Irish music sessions afternoons and evenings. Old time music on Saturdays. Friendly staff. Fair prices. Use the side entrance. It’s gonna be crowded, so be prepared!

June 2025. Best pub we visited in Ireland - I can't rate the Cobblestone high enough. Weekday late afternoon and the place was full, but found seating around the corner where we could hear the trad session and enjoy drinks (Dublin prices, but not Temple Bar prices!). Large trad session going on. People coming in to play and enjoy the company, just like a music pub should be. Good pints and good music without commercialization.

Lovely pub!! We were so happy to find a gluten-free stout on the tap! Truly wonderful to be able to try it as a coeliac! Bit packed but you just gotta squeeze in!

If you’re looking for live traditional Irish music, this is your spot. However, make sure you go as early as possible as the place is jam-packed by 5:30pm onwards. The music is typically at the front of the establishment, and there’s such a hubbub that if you’re sitting in the back, you likely won’t be able to hear anything. So it’s important to try to arrive before the bar area in the front and along the side fills up.

So cute! Love this place. On the brighter bar side until closing you get a very cute 3 person local pure Irish band acapella playing the accordion violin and another accordion like instrument. Too cute! There's no mic so get up close and have a listen! Very local cute old school quality bar! All the typical drinks you want. And next door is a more quaint dim folk and blues type bar space with a live band that plays on a Sat night until about 11:30pm. The bar closes about 1am. It's a walk from the town center, about 15mins and most things are closed along the way. So use the bathroom, get that water or food before hand and come later and enjoy a good local bar for an hour or two. Fun times! And they were so welcoming of the few tourists that dared to venture out into the beginning of local-ville lol. Highly recommend adding this to your list of Dublin things to do and prioritizing it over just staying at the Temple Bar on the city and so on. Have a few convos with the locals while you're there! The kindest people ever!!!

I went for some traditional music The 1 bartender of Eastern European dissent was lovely The other 2 bartenders were rude n obnoxious The owner was rude and matched the obnoxious behavior of the 2 bartenders No manners No customer appreciation or value Smug If u r going for atmosphere Try not to have fun or u will be asked to keep it quiet

Friendly people, great music, this American can't wait to go back to Dublin and repeat the experience!

It felt not as touristy as the other popular pubs with traditional Irish music. The staff & musicians were so kind. We stopped by several times throughout the week because we loved listening & watching the talented musicians. 10/10!

A hidden gem for tourists as it is w pub with live music and great craft locel beers and whiskeys. The kids are welcomed until 9. Mind it that there is no food, just some packed of snacks. The atmosphere is just so welcoming, celebratory and musical. Everyday after 9 is the music night and every Sunday. The celtic music is something not to be missed in Dublin. Parking is a lot around. Just loved the resonably priced pub! As irish as it could be!

Truly a neighborhood pub with a music problem... I'd heard of this place from other tourists who claimed it was a must see/hear experience. 100% absolutely correct! We got there really early so we can have a good view of the musicians. By 9PM, the place was packed with folks and the music was flowing. Such an amazing experience to see musicians come together randomly and share their craft and talents for us. Truly amazing and a must do experience. Only downside... make sure to have a meal beforehand since they don't serve food. They do sell bags of crisps/potato chips...

Loved this local bar, Went in to hear some locals play Irish music. The place was packed and a bit hard to grab a drink but it was worth it. Very cool

Fantastic traditional Irish pub with live music every night and every Sunday afternoon. They don't serve food but the ambiance, the friendliness and solid pours more than make up for it. While we were there, we could see that it was loved by tourists and locals alike. I would recommend them highly and will definitely visit them next time I find myself in Dublin.

Heard from "the locals" that this is the place for traditional Irish Music so we checked it out. About 20-25min walk from the madness of the Temple Bar district -- but trust me, it's worth it as there are far less tourists here and the music is first rate. Like alot of these places, there is limited seating if you want to both see and hear the music so get here early to grab a spot. Good beer and service too. They don't serve food so eat before or after. I hear Monday Nights are good here as well.

We were in Ireland for a couple of weeks and this became our favorite spot. The staff and regulars honestly make you feel welcome from the minute you order that first pint. We made friends with locals as well as other visitors from all over Europe. Great pints, great whiskey and had incredible traditional music both in the pub and out in the back on the smoking patio. You have to visit this place on any visit to Dublin!

Actual traditional Irish music played by phenomenal local musicians, not to mention a good Guinness poor and fresh draft Bulmers. Be sure to visit!

Busy when surrounding pubs are quiet. Clearly the place to be. Great friendly service.

Four stars for the live traditional Irish music they play every night and the old-fashioned look and feel of the place. The entrance is always crowded with people trying to get the best view of the players, and ordering at the bar can be a bit of a trek, but the locals seem to love it well enough. There are also some tables at the back and extra space farther into the pub, but you wouldn't be able to hear the band that far in. Personally, I loved the ambiance, but the drinks left much to be desired- unless you're a Guinness fan. Unlike most bars in large cities, these guys only serve beer and shots of hard liquor. I can already hear the scoffs and resounding 'duh's' but not everyone enjoys drinking watery beer all the time. And, personally, I think that if you run a bar, you specialize in alcohol; which means that a simple G&T, or some such simple cocktail shouldn't be out of your league to prepare. I get that this place has a loyal following- with good reason- but after trying most of the beers on tap that sounded appetizing- including a cider- I have to say, I would only ever go for the music. Not the best-tasting stuff.

Great pub. Very authentic Irish music, but the place is very small. If you don't score a place near the front, you won't hear or see much as it can get noisy (as it should!) in the back. Wonderful staff and great drinks.

We walked nearly a mile out of the way after reading reviews for this pub. The website said there were food options and live music starting at 5p on weeknights. We were looking for a real Irish pub experience. We arrived at around 6p. There was no music and no food options other than a few snacks. We were hungry and had a big walk back so we didn't stay. Maybe it was just bad luck. Super disappointing.

Recommended to us by several people. I can't really rate this place, not being from Dublin. It's a local treasure. For us it was so packed we couldn't move and couldn't hear the musicians over the bar chatter, but there was definitely a great vibe.

Loved the local ambiance! Awesome place to see local musicians play Irish music and even hear some sing after chatting with us. Fun!

Had the best night listening to a trad session that included several ballads sung beautifully by regulars. Couldn't ask for a better experience while sipping a Bushmills.

This was my real Irish pub experience. From the barmaid who greeted me warmly, to the musicians who filled the room with song, to the huge pints of Smithwicks that went down way too easily, to the three locals next to me discussing something really loudly that I couldn't help overhearing but also couldn't understand for the life of me... Bottom line is I'm never going to forget this place. I don't know if there are better bars in Dublin. But I loved this one.

There are so many places where you can hoist a pint and enjoy some music. This is the real deal however. They host the regular Trad Ses or Traditional Sessions as they are called. We were not disappointed the music was exceptional. Be warned however; it's off the beaten path and will create you to make some special effort to get here. You will not disappointed.

What's up Yelp? During a recent trip to the Irish Isle, I found myself 6 Guinnesses deep here following a tour at the nearby Jameson distillery. My friend and I came here at the recommendation of our "Fables and Folklores" tour guide (swell guy, 5 stars for self deprecating humor). After talking to some of the other American patrons, it seems the tour guides are either BFFs with the owners or they genuinely like this place. After my experience, I can honestly say it's likely a combination of the two. The Cobblestone was a VERY (!!!!!) welcome break from the Temple Bar district. Unlike the bars in Temple Bar, you'll find cheap drinks and actual Irish music here....not Irish people covering American hits. Also unlike Temple Bar, the Guinnesses will cost you just under 5 Euro and I'd imagine the rest of the drinks are reasonably priced too. Keep in mind, this place does not serve food, so be sure to grab something before filling your belly with beer and whiskey. Anyway, I gotta thank my tour guide for his recommendation. If you find yourself in Ireland, go to Cobblestone where you come for the music and stay for the craic (not crack...they don't have any of that there). Sláinte!

A perfect place to immerse yourself in Irish culture. The joint is a traditional pub with music nightly. The nights I went, a different group of musicians were preforming near the front of the pub. I enjoyed grabbing a pint there several evenings during my stay in Dublin. The Cobblestone is a very enjoyable time.

I love The Cobblestone pub. It's a staple of Dublin's trad music scene. They are still fighting the fiver with pints of Guinness ringing in at $4.90. They have live trad music every night and even have it in afternoons. It is a must visit in Dublin!

I spent two days in Dublin on a solo trip overseas, and was extremely underwhelmed by the bar scene. I decided to go to the Brazen Head to check it off the bucket list, and got to chatting with one of the bartenders there who asked me if I liked music. Well, duh. Who goes to Ireland and doesn't enjoy a little pub music? ;) So he wrote down a list of his top three favorite hangs in Dublin proper, and this is the first stop I made. This bar is cozy and everyone is ridiculously friendly. I felt like I stuck out a bit in Dublin as a female solo traveler, but a very sweet older gentleman started talking to me as soon as I grabbed a drink. There was a group of musicians playing on the floor beside patron tables, and people were singing and smiling and dancing. This is exactly what I expected from Dublin, and I'm so happy to have been recommended to it.

A cosy pub that is bigger than you think at first - if you count in the backyard too. But still rather a small pub. It's always lively here and of course the fact that there's basically always live Irish music on adds to the lovely atmosphere. There's not overly much space where the music is on though but always space to stand and listen. The customers are a mix of local regulars and tourists - and people like me who come here whenever in the area. As for the drinks they've the usual mainstream and a bit of craft beer so there should be something for everyone. I also love their blackboard with advertisements for music and dance related events, courses and groups. If I'd live closer I certainly would be tempted to try some of it.

This place is cooool, with two very friendly and kind bartenders! They have traditional music every day of the week, and the people that seem to come here are all nice and jolly! Who doesn't love jolly?! It was quiet until about 5:45 on a weekday, but it picks up when the music starts. Bonus: the put some dank juniper berries in your gin and tonic. Pretty cool.

Yes, yes, and can I get another yes?! This place is the place to be for live, traditional music. Holy smokes. I bet there were twenty musicians or so crammed in to play music. This is by far the best place in Dublin to find traditional music. The place had tourists and locals alike. It's not a tourist trap. I would definitely arrive early and park it for the next several hours. As the night goes on, the bar just gets more and more packed. They have a pretty good selection of traditional and craft beers on tap as well. Cheers!

In the smithfield market area (jameson distillery). You can usually catch musicians having a session. The prices are reasonable too. It's a pub- no food. At night it gets crazy crowded though!

There is local Irish pub. We can hear the Irish music live every night. I think the customers were local people and also there were tourists. You can enjoy the Irish beer, whiskey and listening Irish music.

When I anticipated a trip to Ireland, this is exactly what I had envisioned. A seemingly neighborhood pub with folks gathered around just playing music and singing odes. The bar staff was attentive and friendly, much more so that in the US. And the prices, while not posted were very reasonable. Especially being steps away from the Jameson tourist destination I went on two separate nights and it was packed both times. People either congregated close enough to see the musicians or towards the back for conversation. I have literally never been to a bar where it was sooo easy to meet strangers and nearly instantly connect, if even for a brief moment. The funny part was when I arrived home, my buddy regretfully said he forgot to tell me about this amazing pub he went to when he came to Dublin and he should have recommended it to me before I went overseas. The name? The Cobblestone.

When we walked in their must have been 8-10 people playing instruments and singing at the front of the pub, it was spectacular. One of the few spots in the city where we found people actually playing old Irish/Celtic music. The pub itself was wonderful, lots of character with movie and music posters from local groups and productions. It had the classical Irish homeliness to it. Another great thing was the pub was well sized, so my wife and I sat in the back and the music was great, but far enough away that we could hold a normal conversation.

Although not as awesome as the Crane in Galway, this was easily the most "traditional" Irish bar I ventured into while in Dublin. It had musicians in the corner playing some live Irish music. And, it was warm and homey, giving you a place to pause away from the music as well on the other side of the room if you wanted to converse a bit. It made me feel a bit like I stepped back in time or just to a smaller city. If you are on the younger side and traveling alone, however, you will feel a little bit out of place, as the crowd does seem to be more on the older locals side of life. Bottom line: Warm up a bit and have a pint.

Wow, what an absolutely fantastic little pub. When I think of Ireland, or a night out drinking with the Irish, this is exactly the type of place I imagined. Located just outside of city center and south of the river is this smashing little pub. When you first enter it's like wading through a tiny little sea of people, but completely worth having a go. To the immediate left of the front entrance is an area that is reserved for musicians only, and what a talented bunch of musicians we encountered. Violins, guitars, and flutes (one of which was 200 years old!), you get a true taste of authentic Irish music. The bartenders are also incredibly friendly, and the pints are among the best priced we encountered during our stay. At one point, a younger gentleman bartender asked for my order, to which I ordered a round. About 5 minutes passes and he comes back, asking for my order again. Just a moment later he returns and asks "Did I get you your last round?", to which I laughed and said he had not but it wasn't a problem at all. He felt awful, but they were slammed and we weren't upset at all. We had a laugh and a conversation and all was well. Overall, an outstanding little pub that I would 10/10 recommend to anyone visiting Dublin, and the winner of my first 5 star review!

Definitely worth stopping by for a true Irish pub experience! This place feels very authentic and local because it is far enough off the main tourist path. There is great live music from a few people sitting in the front section, and it feels very traditionally Irish. They also have a great Guinness, one of the best in Dublin in my opinion (along with Kehoe's and the Storehouse).

I absolutely love The Cobblestone. I enjoyed listening to the live traditional Irish music while enjoying my pint of Guinness. I will definitely go back to the Cobblestone on my next trip to Dublin.

This place is amazing, but don't come here because I don't want it to get super touristy! We met the owner and his daughter and nephews were here for the night to play some amazing trad music. It was our last night in Dublin and we made lots of new friends. This is a beautiful pub away from the loud dubstep and people who are gratuitously drunk. I love it and i'll be back. This is a gorgeous fun pub with fun people and the owner is super cool and extremely friendly!

Forget all those places in Temple Bar blaring out the diddly-aye, this is the place to go in Dublin for traditional Irish music as it should be. There are three main areas to this bar. To your left when you walk in off Smithfield square there are a few seats with "reserved for muscians", this is where the magic happens. I don't think there is much planning to this, but every evening you have a few people who bring along instruments and play along together. This is trad music as I remember it in little country pubs as a kid. There is a second live venue in the back, there is usually a charge in to see whatever local group is playing. Then there is a large outdoor smoking area. I really like this area, it looks like the shell of a bombed out building (which it kinda is). The bar has a nice selection of craft Irish beers too. It is one of the few Dublin bars selling Creans larger (lovely!).

Best Irish bar I have ever been to! Musicians are always in the corner playing. I spent half of my time listening to music, and half of my time talking to friendly locals or travelers like myself who could not believe their good fortune on finding this amazing pub. I happened to walk in on the first night of my trip, and while I went to many pubs in my five days in Dublin I always carved out time each night to go back and enjoy the wonder of this piece of Ireland. I will be back to Dublin if only to make sure I can come back to this bar. Thank you Tom for your hospitality!

Lovely unassuming pub in the heart of Smithfield, a minute walk away from the Lighthouse cinema. We visited on a Sunday evening and the place was busy! There was a reserved area of trad music players and they were playing some lovely tunes, although situated where they are, only one-third of the pub were able to hear them. Bartender was a friendly chap and promptly served us our Galway Hooker pints, looking slightly bemused when I ordered a dry martini and lemonade. He had to dust the bottle off!

Are you too tired to get the bus to Doolin? Too demoralized to go to yoga? Too broke to drink downtown? There IS a solution: The Cobblestone. More than once I've walked past Cobblestone on my way to the Elbow rooms and been seduced by the sound of fiddles tuning up at 5 pm. Invariably this means that instead of bending over an inflated rubber ball in beginners pilates I find myself seated at the bar, talking whiskey with a local, tapping my foot along to the reels of Sliabh Luachra and feeling unnecessarily sentimental about being Irish. Now that's an achievement.

If you are looking for an amazing local pub with authentic Irish music this is it. We were able to watch local musicians play they rotate around as new musicians roll in so you never really know what your going to see. Great mix of people young, old everyone got alone and no issues. I can get credit but what else could one expect!

This may be my favorite bar in Dublin. I've been here a few times and the live music is awesome. Beer prices seem reasonable. They have an outdoor area in the back with a couple of rows of picnic tables that are usually packed when the weather is nice. They are also sheltered, so I imagine they may be packed a lot of the time. The atmosphere here is top notch and the beer prices are pretty decent. Highly recommend as much as I'd like to keep this place a secret - seems the cat is already out of the bag with this one.

Must stop point on your Dublin wanderings. Finish that tour of Jameson, come on by. Music, Irish Beer, and great atmosphere. Have a drink and sit a spell. You will be glad you did.

Shhhhhhh still not known by many tourist. You will get traditional music at a pub not full of all the temple bar tourist scene. We were able to sit back and relax and have the true pub experincebh

This was a "traditional" Irish Pub. The beer (Guinness) was certainly cold. A little crowded, which was fine. Although they said it was traditional Irish music from what I was reading on other reviews. When I was in there it was filled with hipsters listening to a guy playing on a banjo playing the song "You are my sunshine" and followed by "theme song from the movie jackass".... so I wouldnt call it "traditional irish". But like I said the beer was cold and i was able to find a seat in the back of the pub, so for that reason, its a 2 star.

Fun. Was able to bring our little one to enjoy the music. She'd been cooped up in her stroller and this was fun for her and us.

Can't understand how anyone could give this place less than 5 stars...which explains is high rating. You really can't ask for much more in a pub - cozy, great live music, very inviting, and crowd that embraces both young and old, Irish and non-Irish. Biggest negative was the crowd around the live musicians - the price one pays for being provided free music from folks who clearly love the act of playing! Just forced us further back of the bar, which was great to sip a few pints and people watch anyway. This would be my hang out if I was fortunate enough to live in Dublin...

This is where the tourists don't go. So....if you're a tourist, and you go here, don't ruin it! Live band, cheap drinks, local Irish folk. Downside: no food/kitchen!

Small little bar in the heart of Smithfield. This place is the exact cliché of what you think of an Irish bar. Went there on a Tuesday night and there were live Irish music. The musicians were great. But I don't like places like that kinda darky, dirty bar.

Everything you want from an Irish music pub! In a residential area and as simple as can be. Love it.