Temple Bar Hen Do Guide - Dublin

Tourist-laden and traditionally Irish, you won’t forget a night on the cobbled streets of Temple Bar.

BUILD YOUR DUBLIN HEN

Hen Nightlife Guide to Dublin's Temple Bar

Top Reasons to Visit the Temple Bar
A black illustration of a stein of beerBars - Vibrant, quirky and extremely busy, the pubs and bars in Dublin’s Temple Bar are heaving through the day and night
A black illustration of a knife and forkRestaurants - The Temple Bar is basically a grid of bars and restaurants, shoulder to shoulder. You’re not going hungry here…
A black illustration of a musical noteMusic - From up and coming musicians, to global superstars – they’ve all done a stint in the famous Temple Bar
A black illustration of a shopping trolleyShopping - Shamrocks, green hats and ginger beards are on sale in every nook and cranny across Temple Bar
A black illustration of a paint brushArt - Independent performers and artists all head to the Temple Bar to showcase their work

Arguably the most popular tourist attraction in Dublin, alongside the Guinness Factory , this area sees millions of visitors annually, flocking to the cobbled streets to sample a slice of traditional Irish heritage. Dating back to the 12th century, The Temple Bar has serious amounts of history to its name. If the walls could talk, they’d have some stories to tell…

The area is also one of Dublin’s most famous nightlife areas, with vibrant streets lined with back to back old school boozers and traditional pubs and bars. If it’s live music you’re after, it doesn’t get much bigger or better than in The Temple Bar – with all manner of musicians stepping up to the plate to showcase their work, getting feet tapping all day long.

There’s a whopping 772 bars and pubs in Dublin, with a huge percentage in Temple Bar, meaning you needn’t walk further than a couple of paces for your next drink (handy). Whatever time of the day or night you turn up, Temple Bar will guarantee live music, excellent craic and an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the world. That said, this area is known for hiking its prices by the hour each evening, so make sure you don’t go too wild or it’ll run away with your hen party kitty.

It's also where a lot of our Dublin hen party activities take place such as the iconic Pedi Bus Tour, plus much more!

Top 10 Hen Do Pubs in the Temple Bar

No hen party in Dublin would be complete without a trip to the iconic Temple Bar. Whatever time of the day you arrive, we can 100% guarantee there’ll be a unique atmosphere, fantastic drinks and plenty craic flowing throughout. However, this area is known for putting their prices up hourly, so make sure you’re not caught by the ‘tourist trap’…

Black numbered points of bars on a grey map of the Temple Bar in Dublin

01. The Temple Bar

www.thetemplebarpub.com

47-48 Temple Bar, Dublin 2

Exterior of The Temple Bar pub at night, with people in the street

Probably the most well-known pub in the whole of Dublin, The Temple Bar, is the iconic corner pub in Temple Bar district. If its bright red exterior doesn’t give it away, the hordes of tourists taking pictures of it certainly will (note: you’ll be one of them). The atmosphere inside and outside the world renowned bar is buzzing from dusk ‘til dawn, with live music sessions and a whole load of craic bubbling throughout the day. Drinks are super pricy, but even if you just stop for a couple, it’s certainly worth it to say you’ve been. The quirky beer garden is one of the busiest in the whole city, meaning you’ll have to basically camp out to get a seat there, especially on a scorching Irish day.

  • No. of Bars: Two
  • Beer Garden: One of the busiest in Dublin
  • Live Music: Yes, starting from 12:00 'til late
  • Happy Hour: No
  • Fancy Dress: Yes
  • Opening Times:
    Mon – Weds: 10:30 – 01:30
    Thurs – Sat: 10:30 – 02:30
    Sun: 11:30 – 01:00

02. The Auld Dubliner

www.aulddubliner.ie

24-25 Temple Bar, Dublin 2

Exterior of The Auld Dubliner

Although its name may be auld, this authentic Irish pub is still young at heart. As soon as you step through the doors, you’ll be whisked away to a world where talented musicians play live music and the drinks flow as freely as the craic.

Less than one minutes’ walk from the Temple Bar pub, this brightly painted building is another ‘must visit’ in the area. Its attractive façade, old-school interiors and wide range of drinks attract tourists from all over the world, who just can’t leave once they’re inside… It’s one of our personal favourites in Dublin, so much so, it’s where we spent the majority of a hazy night on a recent LNOF trip to Dublin. Always packed to the rafters, you’ll be lucky to get a seat in here – not that you’d want to sit down when the live music is that good…

  • No. of Bars: One
  • Beer Garden: No
  • Live Music: Every day
  • Happy Hour: No
  • Fancy Dress: Yes
  • Opening Times:
    Mon – Weds: 10:30 – 01:30
    Thurs – Sat: 10:30 – 23:30
    Sun: 11:30 – 01:00

03. Vintage Cocktail Club

www.vintagecocktailclub.com

15 Crown Alley, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

Vintage Cocktail Club's seating area with candles on the tables

Not an area known for its cocktail bars, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the hidden gem that is Vintage Cocktail Club. Taking you on a journey into the dark and distance Prohibition Era, this Crown Alley bar offers that ‘wow’ factor at every turn. The exclusive, relaxed and welcoming vibe of the bar is a throwback to the golden age of speakeasies, aviators and silent movies, complimented by the fabulous vintage-chic 1920s themed drinks. These guys work in sittings, so although you may be lucky and get a seat when rocking up on your hen night, we certainly recommend you book ahead. Once you’re there, ring the doorbell, take a seat and prepare for every taste bud to be well and truly tingled…

  • No. of Bars: Two
  • Beer Garden: No
  • Live Music: Yes
  • Happy Hour: No
  • Fancy Dress: No
  • Opening Times:
    Mon – Weds: 17:00 – 23:00
    Thurs – Friday: 15:15- 23:00
    Sat – Sun: 13:30 – 23:00

04. Porterhouse

www.porterhousebrewco.ie/temple-bar/

16-18 Parliament St, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

The interior bar, with stairs in the corner, at the Porterhouse

Producing the very best lager in the world, it’s no surprise you can’t get moved here on a weekend. Welcoming stag and hen parties with open arms, the award winning Porterhouse Central is a multi-level gem in the Temple Bar. Opening its doors in 1996, this is Dublin’s first pub brewery, and has continued to grow in popularity since the very day it opened. Unlike other bars who will catch you with their hiking of prices, Porterhouse has a selected ‘beer of the day’ which will only cost you €4; a snip considering the usual inflated drinks prices of this area.

  • Beer Garden: No
  • Live Music: Yes, every night
  • Happy Hours: No
  • Fancy Dress: Yes
  • Opening Times:
    Mon – Thurs: 11:00 – 23.30
    Fri : 11.00 – 00.00
    Sat: 11:00 – 02:30
    Sun: 11.00 – 23:00

05. Oliver St John Gogarty's

www.gogartys.ie

18-21 Anglesea St, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

Exterior of Oliver St John Gogarty's, at night

Oliver is the type of man you need in your life, and not one you’d necessarily take home to meet your parents. The loud and brash 19th century neighbour of The Auld Dubliner has a bright green and yellow front façade, attracting tourists in their masses. Spanning two lively levels, Oliver St John Gogarty couldn’t be more Irish if it has leprechauns welcoming you in and a pot of gold in the doorway. There’s even an award-winning restaurant serving up Irish classics, where you can line your stomachs whilst getting in on a bit of the local culture. They also do face painting on a weekend, so prepare to get green, white and oranged up on your hen do.

  • No. of Bars: Two
  • Beer Garden: Outdoor seating area
  • Live Music: Yes
  • Fancy Dress: Yes
  • Happy Hour: No
  • Opening Times:
    Mon – Sat: 10:30 – 02:30
    Sun: 12:00 – 01:30

06. Fitzsimons Temple Bar

www.fitzsimonshotel.com/bars

21/22 Wellington Quay, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

The stage area in Fitzsimons Temple Bar

Overlooking the picturesque River Liffey, this cornerstone of Temple Bar nightlife is yet another reason to host your hen party in the area. With its seriously laid back atmosphere and continental vibe, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d been transported from the heart of Ireland, to somewhere far more exotic. Despite the Temple Bar nightlife zone being renowned for its traditional old school boozers and rustic ‘blokey’ pubs, this multi-level party space is well known for its great cocktails – a welcome sight to hen party eyes. Compared to other bars and pubs in the area, it’s also not too badly priced, meaning your hen party kitty will stretch even further than you thought. The rooftop terrace bar is also one of the very best in Dublin (believe us, we’ve sampled them all and had the hangovers to prove it…), offering a warm Irish welcome with a generous helping of potent booze. We like it.

  • Beer Garden: Open-air roof terrace
  • Live Music: Musicians and DJs
  • Happy Hours: No
  • Fancy Dress: Yes
  • Opening Times:
    Mon - Sun: 10:30 – 23:30

07. Bad Bobs

www.badbobs.ie

35-37 Essex St E, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

An empty bar at Bad Bobs

Bad in the very best way, Bob is about to woo you on your hen weekend in Dublin. Covering all bases, this lively haunt not only rustles up cracking American and Irish food, but has live music to rival the very best in the area and premium drinks to match. The award winning maze of a restaurant-bar-nightclub hybrid (just try to find the exit after a few drinks) is jam-packed with vintage ephemera and has live DJs and musicians showcasing their work throughout the day and night. As one of the only actual clubs in the whole of the Temple Bar, all five floors of Bad Bobs are rammed from dusk until dawn, and understandably so. Plus, as if you hadn’t had enough alcohol, cocktails are often on two-for-one deals and their cocktail making workshops are also pretty hard to beat. Whatever happens, you are not leaving this place sober, Bad Bob will make sure of it.

  • Beer Garden: Open air roof terrace
  • Live Music: Yes
  • Happy Hour: No
  • Fancy Dress: Yes
  • Opening Times:
    Mon – Weds: 16:00 – 01:30
    Thurs: 16:00 – 02:30
    Fri: 15:00 – 02:30
    Sat: 14:00 – 02:30
    Sun: 15:00 – 01:30

08. The Brazen Head

www.brazenhead.com

35-37 Essex St E, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

People sat in the beer garden at The Brazen Head, during the day

Does your local have its own Wikipedia page? Nope, we didn’t think so. Historically a meeting place of the city’s biggest rebels, The Brazen Head has so many stories to tell. If the walls could talk, and all that… Officially Ireland’s oldest pub, dating back to 1198, The Brazen Head boasts a lantern-lit ambiance, unrivalled ambiance and presence in Temple Bar – stepping through these ancient doors is basically like stepping back in time. Its inviting castle-esque exterior and friendly Irish welcome sees hundreds of tourists and locals pass through its doors daily, to catch up with old friends and leave with new ones – cheesy, but it’s true.

  • Beer Garden: Yes
  • Live Music: Yes
  • Happy Hour: No
  • Fancy Dress: Yes
  • Opening Times:
    Mon – Sun: 12:00 – 23:30

09. Buskers on the Ball

www.buskersontheball.com

Fleet St, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

A pool table at Buskers on the Ball

Located beneath the already world-renowned Buskers Bar, the ‘on the ball’ party hub is the perfect place to spend some chill time between activities and nights out. With five ping pong tables, six pool tables and even two shuffleboards (our personal favourite, surprisingly addictive game), you won’t want to leave this fantastic bar. Boasting a capacity of 900, often filling on a big weekend, it’s certainly a popular haunt and something a little bit different on the Temple Bar nightlife scene. We’ve whiled away many an hour in this particular Temple Bar spot, and we recommend you to, too.

  • Beer Garden: No
  • Live Music: Yes
  • Happy Hour: Yes
  • Fancy Dress: Yes
  • Opening Times:
    Mon – Thurs: 15:00 – 23:30
    Fri – Sat: 12:00 – 00:30
    Sun: 12:00 – 23:00

10. The Giddy Dolphin

https://giddydolphin.ie

2-5 Wellington Quay, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 PK72, Ireland

A main about to throw a dart with friends behind him cheering him on

Dolphins have a reputation for being friendly and so does this authentic Irish pub. Known for ‘endless craic and entertainment’ you can expect creamy pints of Guinness, live sport, mouthwatering burgers and pizza, e-darts and live music from Dublin’s finest musicians every day of the week. The brill pub will have you jumping (out of the water, like a dolphin, get it?) with joy.

  • Beer Garden: No
  • Live Music: Yes
  • Happy Hour: Yes
  • Fancy Dress: No
  • Opening Times:
    Mon – Thurs: 12:00 - 23.30
    Fri – Sat: 12:00 – 00:30
    Sun: 12.00 - 23.00

Dublin Hen Do Activities

Why not check out our huge range of Dublin hen party activities - including the famous pedi bus tour, the Guinness Factory tour and entry into some of the city’s top nightclubs?

View All Activities in Dublin

*We take pride in our work and all of the information in the guide was correct at the time of publication - 02/01/2023. Probably.

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