McDaids

Nice pub, nice beer, nice atmosphere. Great place to hang out with friends for a pint after work. I totally recommend this pub.

Stopped in because it is exactly across from the Westbury where we were staying. Good bar, definitely still filled with locals though it is right in the center of Grafton. Come in, have a pint and enjoy the atmosphere. Be aware though that smoking is still heavy in Dublin and the front/​entrance is often crowded with smokers.

Oh, another classic one. I’ve only been there during the day, for the occasional weekend beer while strolling through the city. Nice place, friendly staff. Unfortunately no IPAs or Plae Ales, that is a pity. Still, one good TV screen and a good pint of Guinness.

Tiny little pub off of Grafton, but doesn’t seem to get too crowded. Normally a good spot to pop into before meeting people for dinner around South William Street. Easy to get a drink and watch some TV. Can normally find a stool to sit at.

A pub that time forgot. Nothing fancy here, just a great local atmosphere. A few older suits, some old timers, a couple of younger people, and us. We chatted with half the bar over pints, and made a few new friends.
I’m told that Hillary Clinton stopped in for a pint recently, though you would never have guessed. Very unpretentous and low key place, but a great pint.

Great pub in the city centre. Quaint with lots of history and character… as a traditional pub would be expected for in Dublin. Evenings get busy. Great Guinness.

Sardines of the world… I’ve found you your ultimate watering hole!
After many years in Dublin and many attempts to try McDaids only to be sidetracked by another boozer on the way, I finally made it.
Fortunately It was mild and dry weather because I had to drink outside — the alternative was squashing in amongst the throng and risking having my pint knocked onto me by a stray elbow/​hand.
It’s not the kind of place I’d fancy on a weekend night unless it was reasonably warm outside but I might go back sometime to try it out when it’s likely to be less busy so I can see what it’s like to pull up a pew and sample the atmosphere inside.

One of my coworkers decided to take me here on my second to last day in Dublin. «You should probably have a pint somewhere that at least has some history.» He said.
Well, considering McDaids was established in 1779 (as told to me by a shirt hanging from the wall), I’d say there was plenty in these walls. Being from America, a country that is only 3 years older than this pub… yeah, I was amazed.
It’s a small spot, narrow and dim, and even on a Thursday evening, it was pretty busy. However, it was nice to sit down on a stool, and later at a table, and just relax with my coworkers for the week.
Before coming here, if you’d asked me about Guiness, I’d say «Guiness is Guiness. It’s all the same.» Well, I can say with confidence that I did manage to down one here easier than I have back home, and it didn’t have quite the same aftertaste. This is a good thing, as far as I’m concerned.
I’d imagine that this place probably floods with patrons on the weekends, so if you’re in town and want to check it out, go for mid-​week. Don’t worry, no one will look at you funny.
If I lived here, I don’t think I’d go here much at all, but if you’re visiting, I’d say it’s worth a shot. Or a pint.

Friday night is probably not the best time to go here, it was far too packed and quite uncomfortable.
I like a pub with some seating … and on first looks there was none, and then I discovered it had an upstairs. Up a rather steep and dangerous staircase you will discover a smaller bar with extra seating.
After discovering the bar the next thing to hit you is probably the dank smell of the … well I’m not sure what it was … but it drove away several groups of potential clients.
Another thing that really annoys me is when they clear the drinks while there is still over two inches left in the bottom of your pint

Love this Pub!
Been coming here for donkey’s years and it hasn’t really changed a lot.
First of all, when I was home last, I walked in with my mates, of course, dressed to the nines (cause you can’t go out for a bloody litre of milk in Dublin without your stilettos and lipstick on or your mother/​sisters/​friends would pretend no to know you at all! LOL)
Anyhooo…the old men who were propped up at the bar with their pints and chasers neatly placed in front of them, all had something to say… it was a little late in the evening, they had probably been watching the Saturday football matches or the racing and were well oiled to say the least.
«Yer only gorgeous, love, only for the missus at home now, I’d be marrying ya!»
Then, as the night progressed and we all became more familiar, here’s how it went…
«Yer quare gorgeous, love»
«Jaysus, yer a ride!»
«Yeah, I bet you’re a spinner, wha»
«I’d eat chips out of yer knickers!»
This is Dublin for you, Ireland really. You have to be a little thick skinned and be able to give and receive the «craic» as we say, it’s all in good fun.
The reason I love coming here is because it has so much charm and character. I mostly used to come here for tea and an bag of crisps (student days=being broke to shit and half starved) I love sitting in the corner and watching all the old timers come in and not having to say anything to the bartender only for him to have the pint pulled and on the counter before the gentleman has his coat off and brolly put away.
I sit in the corner, close my eyes, and think of all the famous writers, artists and né’re do wells who probably sat just where I am and how they must have talked about current events, politics and of course sport. Brendan Behan, a brilliant playwright but a roaring drunk, James Joyce, Patrick Kavanagh and Flann O’Brien all hung out here and probably closed this place manys the morning at 6−7am and then wandered down to Bewleys for a coffee only to probably come back for a hair of the dog!
Come any time of the day or evening/​night, it always has a mix of locals and people from all over the EU mostly and it makes for interesting people watching, it’s dead cool.

A couple of Irish guys bought us glasses of Baileys and Jameson that I shared with my friends before I settled for a pot of tea. How would I been able to ponder my life with all these lame pickups instead of great conversation? I don’t think this place is charming and I’d go somewhere else for a better atmosphere. I had to show my ID before I could enter. I wouldn’t have managed to write in here surrounded by the bar scene.
Its packed. Nearby guys spoke in French about how easy American girls must be. Random Russian men wanted to take photographs with my friends. The Guinness is okay. There’s no telly and you can’t hear the music.

Fab pub full of old charm character and punters! This ain’t your party pub but it is a great place to go and have an excellent pint of Guinness and listen to all the old men chat and moan.
McDaids played a part in Dublin’s literary history as the local of playwright and novelist, Brendan Behan sat, drank and wrote in here and maybe even based some of his characters in The Hostage and Borstal Boy on people he met and drank with here! McDaids was also the one time haunt of Patrick Kavanagh, Flann O’Brien, J.P. Donleavy and Liam O’Flaherty.
The pub exterior has hardly changed from the Victorian times and the interior is grand and dark and dimly light! Just want you want from a pub. But if you are coming here on the weekends be warned it does get crowed as full of tourist as it is a well know pub in the guide books!

A really great and tiny little place, you might just miss it! This place is really freaking old and you really feel like you are drinking in the 1800’s or something. This isn’t a hip, young crowd. This is like, legit 70 year olds talking about their days growing up on the farm. This spot is definitely worth checking out!

McDaids, You just have to go there if your ever in Dublin. Bar Staff are the best. They make the best baby guinness’ ever and they are cheapest in price. Dont expect to get a seat, as the pub is small and very very popular with everyone so its always packed. Need I say more folks. McDaids speaks for itself. I’ve been going in there on and off since I was eighteen years old. What I like most about McDaids is I always feel like i’m rite at home in my own front Lounge. You always feel (no matter whom you are, completely comfortable. Wear what you like, There is no dress code. Enjoy, I always have a great nite there. I mite go there this weekend.

I like McDaids. I’ve fond memories of it going back to about the 1970’s when I was too young to sample it’s delights, it appeared to me at that time everything I wanted to grow up fast & experience! Later on I’ve an equally fond recollection of meeting a gorgeous school teacher called Joan here, by her choice, and although she was a lost cause to me, you know I’m silly enough to still look for her perched with her long legs on a barstool by the window every time I go in. But thats quite a few years ago now.
Of course it’s a very popular bar, the main bars one average sized room with a very high ceiling, and there’s a room beyond, as well as upstairs, but it soon fills up. Being just off busy Grafton Street it’s hardly a pub that’s needs a loyal follower to find too!
I like it because like the best bars in Dub it doesn’t try to be anything it’s not, and it’s the music of conversation that you’ll hear most times you’re in, apart from when there’s a big sporting event on of course!
The paintings on the walls reflect Dublins literary giants, some of whom were regulars, so there’s naturally a lot of tourist interest.
This is where along time ago I first heard the name Brendan Behan uttered, and being a bit of a rebel myself, if not a 100% Irish rebel as he was, I grew up to love the man.
He’d frequented this pub on a regular basis for about 20 years up until his passing in 1964. In the early days he was still earning his living as a housepainter after coming out of a 4 year stretch in prison that was to fuel his extreme intellect and passion for all things Irish.
I’ve heards loads of stories over the years off ordinary people of Brendan and others who drank here like Patrick Kavanagh who bore more grudges than he ever bought rounds! Austin Clark and Brian O’Nolan, who as Flann O’Brien wrote the wonderful book At swim two birds!
Brendan once said:
«Yeats can have his f – ing castle and Joyce his tower… I’m happy in McDaids. We don’t talk crap about literature here. We talk about who’s goin’ to buy the next f – ing pint.»
Famously of course he once hurled his typewriter through the window here, a fit of rage that for a while got him barred, and at exactly the same spot where Joan used to sit. Sorry too many memories!