The Blue Light

Dublin, Ireland

4.2

Closed now

9 reviews

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+353 1 216 0487
Address:
Barnacullia Sandyford, Dublin, Republic of Ireland, Dublin 18
Stepaside
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.5 miEnniskerry Road
0.7 miKilgobbin Road
0.7 miBelarmine Avenue
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Bussiness info

Accepted Cards
Credit, Debit
Bike Parking
Yes
Good for Groups
Yes
Noise Level
Average
Good For Dancing
No
Alcohol
Full Bar
Happy Hour
No
Coat Check
No
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Has TV
Yes

Today

Today 11:00 am – 11:30 pm
Closed now
Local time (Dublin) 1:12 AM Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Business hours

Monday 11:00 am – 11:30 pm
Tuesday 11:00 am – 11:30 pm
Wednesday 11:00 am – 11:30 pm
Thursday 11:00 am – 11:30 pm
Friday 11:00 am – 12:00 am
Saturday 11:00 am – 12:00 am
Sunday 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm

Description

Specialties

In the foothills of the Dublin Mountains, The Blue Light is a quintessential example of a rural Irish pub. The warm fireplace and rustic interior make this spot a lovely place to enjoy an evening.

Trad sessions every Tuesday and Wednesday from 9.30pm

Live music Friday and Saturday from 10pm

Sunday from 5.30pm.

Instruments also welcome.

Full bar, tea and coffee available.

Snacks include

Cheese and Onion Crisps

Salt and Vinegar Crisps

Bacon Fries

Scampi Fries

Salted Peanuts

Dry Roasted Peanuts

History

Established in 1900.

The Blue Light was originally an old Shebeen where the occupiers would warn smugglers across Dublin Bay when it was safe to smuggle in their goods by flashing a Blue lantern which was visible from the mountain across the Bay.

Today we still have the lantern on the wall above the bar door.

Meet the Business Owner

Pat H.

Business Owner

Pat is the long time owner and very hands on member of staff. Always has a smile and time to laugh and Joke with customers.

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9 reviews of The Blue Light

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Place rating: 4
Dublin, Republic of Ireland
There is a nice charm to The Blue Light.
And then there’s the view of Dublin, excellent view.
Inside we settled in the bar in front of a lovely turf fire. The Guinness was good.
Only downside to this visit was the amount of midges flying around the in the bar — ugh.
Place rating: 4
Dublin, Republic of Ireland
I was introduced to The Blue Light by local Dubliner friends and if you want to really experience something different and local, this is your spot. It was a lucky night, the view was clear and there was a live band playing. You know those green hills you always see from the city, grab a car, cause that’s where you are headed! The drive will bring you from city, to suburbia to a small narrow road to finally the Blue light. On a nice summer day, sit outside on the patio /​beer garden with the amazing view of Dublin. The beer is great and cheaper than the normal city price, not to mention serves one of the best Guinness’ in town. You get that homey vibe, every one who come are locals and you can’t beat a night with live music. Thumbs up, and definitely coming back again!
Place rating: 5
Honolulu, HI
One of the best pubs!!! I went on a pub crawl and this pub was the first stop, but our favorite. The pub is small, the locals are very friendly, we even got to meet the resident local everyone knows Charlie. Good times!!!
Place rating: 4
Dublin, Republic of Ireland
You’ll need a car. I was in a car with a new driver and we drove nearly vertically up a scary winding road up a mountain. The Blue Light is pretty much the first place you can stop and safely turn around!
Once there, however, it’s gorgeous. The view over Dublin is unbeatable, much better enjoyed on a sunny day however. The pub itself is very tiny and dark, with a turf fire in the corner. There is a large outside area which I imagine might get a bit chilly. The general vibe is very relaxed– no dress code or anything but you’d probably feel a bit out of place in high heels or anything too smart. Friendly service also, erring on the generous side with spirits. If you lived up there it would be an amazing local but it’s also nice to make the effort to go and see.
Place rating: 5
Cary, NC
Guidebook says «one of the top 10 rural pubs in and around Dublin» and I agree. Just keep driving and driving off the main road straight up a mountain on a 1.5 lane road to arrive at the Blue Light.
With a coal fire burning in the main pub area an a convenience store to buy traditional UK snacks (such as bacon or scampi flavored crisps) you feel like a local. The old bar keep poured a perfect Guinness, a heavy handed Jameson, and mixed a shandy with just the right lemonade to lager ratio.
The Blue Light pub is all about the view over Dublin, and on a sunny day like we had, it is a destination to reach.
Place rating: 4
Bray, Republic of Ireland
Nice and cosy place. Beautifully located on the hills of Sandyford, overlooking Dublin. The pub has 2 areas: a place with the bar and the lounge, which is devided in two, an ‘upper’ level, and one down 3 steps. Very nicely set. Not a fancy place for tourist, just the simple place where people meet, as it should be. Go and see for yourselves!
Place rating: 4
Fort Lauderdale, FL
This was our first stop on the Rural Pub Tours. We had a wonderful time. The bar area is quite small but the staff is friendly and that night there was a very cute bartender, which always helps.
There were quite a few rooms, the outdoor area, the lounge room, and the bar room. I liked the set-​up, very unique. Lots of locals at this pub, so it was great to get out of city center and mingle with the true Dubliners.
Place rating: 4
Dublin, Republic of Ireland
What a super little pub, if you love a chilled out atmosphere with no strict dress code, a place where every style goes (and where everybody knows your name and they’re always glad you came! ok well not that, that is for cheers!) then this is the pub for you! It has amazing views overlooking Dublin bay. This pub is simply fab in the sunshine with great out door seats and a super beer garden. The atmosphere was buzzing the two times we were there, with bikers stopping off to the locals near by. For those of you who feel the cold there is a big indoor area, nothing too fancy but lovely and snug with a real fire. There is music every Friday and Saturday night, unfortunately we did not get to hear the music but next time!
I can promise you this there is no better way to enjoy your drink than in the mountain fresh air and with the great sea views of Dublin.
Place rating: 4
Sydney, Australia
What an amazing view of Dublin’s fair city! What an awesome pub! If you are able to tear yourself away from Dublin’s city centre and head out here you are in for some great craic, some great Guinness, and, if you are lucky, some awesome trad music.
The Blue Light is a rad pub up in the hills of Sandyford. It’s nearby Johnny Foxes but without the hoardes of tourists. A group of us descended upon this gem on a Sunday afternoon after a trek through the Wicklow mountains (ok, so it was more of a stroll, technicalities!)
Outside it was miserable and lashing, but inside a turf fire was burning, the Guinness was flowing and the fiddle was playing. We had ourselves a wonderful, cosy afternoon in one of the many rooms within this pub.
Great place to head to if you’re willing to make the extra effort. There is a lovely outdoor area so would be sublime on a sunny day.