Finding a good pub...

DonQuigleone

I'm looking to meet some new people at the moment, and I'd love to find a good pub where I can meet some likeminded souls. However, I've never been much of a drinker, so I don't know much about which pubs are best. I'd like a pub where:

1. It's a fairly quiet relaxed atmosphere, no loud music or TV, just lots of people talking.
2. It's easy to meet new people.
3. The clientele are a bit eccentric, and more intellectual (or pseudo intellectual )
4. Plenty of people around my own age (24)
5. Decent gender balance (I'd like to meet some women, if possible, my workplace is 99% male).

I'd be looking for somewhere either in the center of Dublin or near Maynooth/Leixlip.

If you can think of something that fits the bill that isn't a pub I'd also be interested in hearing. I'm just looking for somewhere I can hang out when I'm off work and feeling a little social.

I've also been trying meetup groups as well, but I fairly frequently find myself passing through town on a friday evening with nothing to do, so having somewhere I can "default" to would be nice. The last time I wandered through town, all the pubs I found were either filled with overly loud piped music, or everyone was middle aged.

Passenger

Give Grogan's on South William St. a lash. It has quite an eclectic clientele, decent pints and is very central. Flann O'Brien even mentions it in his masterpiece At Swim Two Birds.

Galadriel

Passenger wrote: »

Give Grogan's on South William St. a lash. It has quite an eclectic clientele, decent pints and is very central. Flann O'Brien even mentions it in his masterpiece At Swim Two Birds.

+1

Grogan's matches all the points you mentioned.

liffeylite

I agree with Grogans.

Also try:

The Stags head on Dame court
The Thomas house in the liberties ( day time before the gigs etc are on)
The Speakeasy café bar on South Georges street
The Bernard Shaw in Portobello ( day time again as it gets lively in the evening)
Sin E on the North Quays. just by Grattan Bridge.
Kennedys by Tara Station
Oscars in Smithfield
Flowing Tide by the Abbey Theatre

Avoiding alcohol, I think a lot of the trendier cafes would suit you:

Foam on Great Strand Street
Fumbally in the liberties
Bibis in Portobello
Wuff in Smithfield
Third space in Smithfield
Accents by Stephens green
café upstairs in tower records - forget the name
café in the IFI in Temple bar


Plenty more but some to aim at to keep you busy

reprazant

Oscars in Smithfield?

Is this new? Where is this place?

harry Bailey esq

the ha'penny bridge inn would tick all your boxes,as would tp smiths or the gin palace,both on abbey st.also brogans on dame st. next door to the Olympia theatre.

not yet

sticksman wrote: »

Slightly off topic but there seems to be a new place on the junction of Capel St and Strand St? It looks like it could suit the OP. Has anybody visited yet?

You are joking aren't you.

shakin

reprazant wrote: »

Oscars in Smithfield?

Is this new? Where is this place?

Yes new cafe bar where number 6 was, nice spot been there a few times and food looks good. No website but there on facebook.

AnonoBoy

not yet wrote: »

You are joking aren't you.

I read that and thought "Nealon's? Why would anyone think Nealon's is new?"

Then I realised he was referring to Panti bar and trying to be funny.

DonQuigleone

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'll be sure to try a few of them.

not yet

AnonoBoy wrote: »

I read that and thought "Nealon's? Why would anyone think Nealon's is new?"

Then I realised he was referring to Panti bar and trying to be funny.

Nealons would fit the bill thou, nice quiet pint, good mix of people.

AnonoBoy

not yet wrote: »

Nealons would fit the bill thou, nice quiet pint, good mix of people.

That's true. The only time the TV is on loud in there is when there's a big match on.

And they do toasties.

Lovely.

not yet

AnonoBoy wrote: »

That's true. The only time the TV is on loud in there is when there's a big match on.

And they do toasties.

Lovely.

Great pint, people leave you alone if you want or chat if you want. And you're only 5 min from Temple bar if you choose to go mad.

AnonoBoy

not yet wrote: »

Great pint, people leave you alone if you want or chat if you want. And you're only 5 min from Temple bar if you choose to go mad.

See you there in 10 minutes? :pac:

not yet

AnonoBoy wrote: »

See you there in 10 minutes? :pac:

Ha Ha I'm out in meath but from that neck of the woods.

skimpydoo

I am surprised nobody mentioned The Market Bar.

Lux23

He said he was looking for a good bar..

RebelButtMunch

not yet wrote: »

Nealons would fit the bill thou, nice quiet pint, good mix of people.

Nealons is now seen as 'gay friendly' whatever that means. Last time I was there it was just full of men. Not what OP wanted.
In b4 homophobic bashing. I'm just saying OP wanted a 50% mix

AnonoBoy

RebelButtMunch wrote: »

Nealons is now seen as 'gay friendly' whatever that means.

Gay Friendly - does that mean they're friendly to gays or the gays in there are friendly?

They're right across from Panti Bar and I know they sometimes have 'Bear' nights upstairs in Nealon's so it's not a pub that would in anyway frown on anyone for being gay.

But it's still a regular pub. Probably more men than women in there but I've rarely found it to be exclusively male in the evenings.

DonQuigleone

RebelButtMunch wrote: »

Nealons is now seen as 'gay friendly' whatever that means. Last time I was there it was just full of men. Not what OP wanted.
In b4 homophobic bashing. I'm just saying OP wanted a 50% mix

Correct. Though higher then 50% would also be welcome . Going to try Grogans first, and maybe some of the others.

Ravelleman

Against the Grain. It has flavoursome beers and, more often than not, a young, slightly offbeat crowd.

Your tastebuds deserve a place like that.

Bits_n_Bobs

Ravelleman wrote: »

Against the Grain. It has flavoursome beers and, more often than not, a young, slightly offbeat crowd.

Many many beards though!! I think we need a new 'bearded hipsters' / 'no bearded hipsters' pub metric.

Lux23

Against the Grain really need to sort out their wine list, €6 for a glass of Pinot Grigio. Cheapest wine around.

SHOVELLER

Great spot on Francis Street!