Fun scene, good bartenders, a hip 3-level pub with outdoor seating options. Great for locals and guests.
Mark F.
Place rating: 1 Beeston, United Kingdom
Whatever you do don’t sit at the table underneath the stairs, staff swept a load of crap on my head, that’s just careless to sweep without looking below.
Aidan A.
Place rating: 1 Dublin, Republic of Ireland
I am going to echo what some others said here. Food — It can be shaky. It’s just flung on the plate and it’s overpriced. Bouncers –Arrogant, maybe it’s because they share the same street as the Portobello! Xmas decorations — OK what’s going on here. Is this a joke? Garish I think another reviewer said. The owner — He is rude and arrogant and happier in the bookmakers with his old cronies! Finally, The smell from the gents. Absolutely shocking. I won’t say anymore but it’s so strong that girls who open the first door to the bathroom downstairs(and have the entrance to the ladies first) have been known to roar with shock(that’s with the men’s door shut too!) Oh and like another reviewer, I have had my chair confiscated on me as its«now a standing area» Avoid the Barge. There isn’t sufficient respect for customers from the staff and the manager. And the«At Canal» outside drinking used to get out of hand, I often ended up the road sitting with friends past the now closed Charlemont clinic. Also driving over the bridge at the barge, you had to be careful someone didn’t fall out on the road. Again though these days are gone as the bar doesn’t have the popularity it once did and that’s because of the lack of respect from the staff and manager. #Fail
Gavin S.
Place rating: 3 Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Second time here. First time was to watch some rugby. And I have to say it’s an amazing spot for sport! There are TVs all over the pub. So finding a seat with a good view of a TV isn’t that hard at a all. The layout of the pub is also cool. It’s got three levels! Food served on Sunday is carvery — which is average but sometimes that’s exactly what you need, a good Sunday feed. They have a lovely area outside(it’s actually the lock from the canal) but it’s just like an extension of the pub and on a sunny summers afternoon you’ll be luck to find somewhere to sit. It always looks amazing.
Sharon S.
Place rating: 3 Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Ok, so they’ve got a fantastic location overlooking the canal and on a fine Dublin day, the customers can spill out onto the bank of the canal, no questions asked. Love! But that’s about it for me, this pub just doesn’t win out for me… First of all, it’s October, I’m seated indoors at the bar on the middle level — WHAT’S WITHALLTHEFLIES??? Was very off putting, waving them away constantly and only for a match was in full swing on the TV box, I would have left sooner. The food on was Carvery, yep, one of them pubs! Seriously Carvery, can’t deal with half hearted food slopped on a plate :-(
John M.
Place rating: 1 Dublin, Republic of Ireland
well well, went here for a 40th birthday in the afternoon dinner was great, the pints eeeh ok, the two waiters were great, we also bought two platters later on which were great well worth it, only problem was the rude, ignorant, uneducated prick of a manager, and the tall stupid asshole barman, I spent € 760 here and not a word of thanks never again, would I cross the door of this place untill the staff are dumped
Mark S.
Place rating: 1 Woodland, CA
I walked into the pub tonight with my wife, ordered a couple of pints, and took a table. During the 20 – 30 minutes we waited for two pints, I started to feel that we were being deliberately ignored by the bartender for some reason. I have no idea why other than the fact that we were probably easily recognizable as tourists. Perhaps this particular bartender was sending us a message that he doesn’t like non-locals? I suppose that I’ll never know. Eventually, after going to another bartender in a different room, we got our pints. We drank them and left.
Michael G.
Place rating: 4 Donnybrook, Republic of Ireland
I think ¾ stars is an accurate reflection of the barge. Mostly I happen to stop in when the sun is shining in Dublin(so not very often). You can grab your freshly poured beer inside and head out to sit along the canal and unwind after a hard day of crunching the numbers! This place gets quite busy when the weather is good but they seem to have enough bar space/staff to handle it. They do offer bar food which looked quite good without having tasted it. Prices are pretty on par with what you would expect in Dublin.
Sheryl K.
Place rating: 5 Sarasota, FL
Absolutely Devine!!! Excellent food, nice staff and the beer is wonderfully cold which you don’t see this side of the pond much. If you are in the area, don’t miss this one!!!
Irina R.
Place rating: 4 Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Beer 5 euro. Ale 5.30 euros. In general, place is big, not super crowded but still quite loud after 10pm. Good for dancing though.
Kevin Y.
Place rating: 4 Toronto, Canada
Proper pour of Guinness, contemporary music and a nice atmosphere. What more can you ask for on a first night in Dublin. Will probably have lunch here over the weekend due to some of the decent reviews here on Unilocal. Definitely looking forward to more experiences here.
Colleen G.
Place rating: 2 Dublin, Republic of Ireland
The best thing going for the barge is the fact you can drink on the canal which is a savage beer garden. Unfortunately today the smell of piss in the toilets was shocking & that was at 3pm not am. Zero choice of craft beers & the wine is a no go. sort it out The Barge!!!
Dorin C.
Place rating: 3 London, United Kingdom
The bar is ok. But don’t order steak there! At least 1⁄3 was fat and uneadable stuff.
James D.
Place rating: 5 Dublin, Republic of Ireland
If you wanna find a way to spend a sunny afternoon then look no further. It doesn’t get much better when the sun comes out then grabbing a drink in the barge and sitting on the canal. Nice after work crowd and friendly staff. It’s a must try. Ps. They throw a great Super Bowl party
Hazel C.
Place rating: 3 Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Cosy spot ! perfect for lunch out in January … somewhere warm and comfy to protect you from the winter blues and rain and cold… a delicious € 8. carvey and a hearty soup … Just one thing that puts me off is you go in, get your tray, go up and get your food and THEN pay ELSEWHERE at another counter and THEN find a seat… I know most carvery places do this but im just not into that at all… I prefer either waiter service or if you are going to get up and get your own food at least have a system where you maybe pay first then do your own thing or something or at least pay at the same person that serves you the food, carrying a big awkward tray trying to balance your dinner, then fumbling for your purse and either carrying your big heavy coat and bag in your arms OR keeping them on you until you sit and your sweating and your bag is getting heavy. then look around awkwardly for an empty free seat meanwhile your food is going cold. so yeah as I said most places do this its not really a bad thing as such but certainly not my cuppa tea and probably wouldn’t go back for the stress alone despite how tasty and cheap the food is. sorry barge you have great potential but your just not for me im afraid…
Wallace M.
Place rating: 4 San Jose, CA
Went here for NYE with my wife. 4 euro drinks all night and they gave out free appetizers! Had a good clean crowd but not over-ran. They had nice decorations and a friendly staff! I am from California(usa) and you would be hard pressed to find a clean establishment like this with such cheap drinks.
Wesley W.
Place rating: 5 Dublin, Republic of Ireland
A great out of the way pub that can’t be beat on a nice hot summer day. With outdoor seating that overlooks the canal the view is stunning. The food is lovely here as well, as is the staff, and the prices are reasonable. They also tend to show all the major sporting events so well worth a visit.
Brian B.
Place rating: 4 Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Lovely. The Barge Inn sits right beside a lock gate on the canal, and on a sunny day(or even if the sun is only threatening to break through the clouds), it is a great place to meet mid-week and sit outside for a few beverages an a chat. Food is good value, and tastes great. Six of us met up here on a Tuesday, and had no problem finding a seat. There was a good crowd there, but there is also ample seating, both upstairs and down. The chicken curry is worth a try, very well presented, and very tasty. Thumbs up for this peach of a pub:-)
Reid Y.
Place rating: 3 Fremont, CA
Came here to watch a World Cup match in 2014. Good Guinness, friendly staff, large enough televisions to watch the match. On a nice day the patio outside and overlooking the canal is great.
Justin K.
Place rating: 1 Dublin, Republic of Ireland
I came here on a Friday with some friends from work. The staff was incredibly rude and would not even allow me in the bar, as they suspected I just wanted to use the restroom and not actually buy a beer; as I had told them I needed a round. I think they have a paranoia about people bringing their own beer and drinking by the canal. The very odd thing, is this still drives business, as there was a lot of people enjoying the sun and ordering drinks, even with some bringing their own beer. I spoke with 2 employees there, both at the door, and was approached with the same confrontational manner and distrust — so I just left. I bought my beer across the street at a convenience store(for my friends as well, since it was my round) and will now always bring my own beer. Odd turn of events. I just don’t want to support them with such a rude attitude, distrustful attitude.