Darkey Kelly's — Restaurant in Dublin

Wanted to hear some trad music so my fiance and I figured we'd arrive super early (1.5 hrs early) have some food, some beers and wait for the music to but When we show up music was already playing and the place was already crowded. No big deal.

A waiter that greeted us at the door and told us if we wanted to sit down we had to go to the beer garden. Fine. But there was a side room with a bunch of open tables inside. I didn't want to be the pushy tourist and ask about it so We go sit outside to have our food and our first round. Out there we notice several people being ushered in by the staff and they were acting all hush hush about it. We'll we go back inside after eating and discover they had sat all these people at the extra tables!

The beef I have is, we weren't told about any table wait list and their website said they didn't take reservations so I'm wondering how these people were so special they weren't told to just sit outside like us and we're waived inside for a table.

I was even super patient and took my order to the bar to get my food outside. Whatever... we finished our food and went Inside got another round an just stood by the bar to listen to the music.

Anyways, place was great but massively packed and busy. The music was great. The Guinness and food was great. The only issue was the service. Maybe I needed to slip them 20 euros when I walked in to be on the special secret list if that's a thing. I have no idea.

Maybe we were just being disrespected as we are American tourists with the current political atmosphere.

Regardless. I'd might try to go back on a future visit if I...

Upon a recent excursion into the heart of Dublin, my companions and I had the distinct pleasure of frequenting Darkey Kelly's, a splendid establishment located in a rather desirable sector of the city. The allure of live musical performances was the siren call that beckoned us thither, and I am delighted to report that our expectations were not only met but surpassed.

In due course, the moment arrived for a pint and some sustenance. The ale, true to Dublin's esteemed reputation, was commendable, featuring a satisfactory selection, albeit without venturing into the realm of the extraordinary. Alas, our arrival coincided with a period of considerable patronage, necessitating a brief sojourn before we could be accommodated.

Our repast consisted of fish and chips, which, while agreeable, failed to ascend to the heights of culinary marvel. Additionally, we elected to partake in chicken wings, intended as a communal indulgence. Regrettably, these proved to be of such diminutive stature that they could only be described as a source of disappointment.

But really, what kept us hanging around longer was the live music. The night kicked off with a cover band, followed by a group playing traditional Irish tunes. Both bands were top-notch, filling the place with energy and making everyone feel really engaged.

To wrap it up, Darkey Kelly's is definitely worth checking out, especially for the music. If you're nearby, drop in. You're in for a good time and some...

Darkey Kelly’s is a wonderful place to enjoy authentic Irish food, drinks, and music. The staff is friendly and the atmosphere is cozy and lively. This is the only restaurant in Ireland that we visited twice during our trip, which speaks for itself.

We went there for a lunch and a dinner, and both meals were delicious and satisfying. The lunch was more peaceful and relaxed, while the dinner was more crowded and energetic. We loved the live music at dinner and the vibe of the place. They have a huge selection of beers and whiskies (though I only sampled the beer), and their food menu has a good range of Irish classics. We tried the Beef & Guinness stew, the fish and chips, tagliatelle carbonara, and the sirloin steak, and we were impressed by the quality and quantity of each dish.

They did not rush us and were happy to have us stay there as long as we wanted. We felt welcomed and appreciated by the staff. We also learned about the history of the restaurant and its name, which is related to a notorious “witch” who was burned at the stake in the 18th century (though legit she may have been a serial killer).

We highly recommend Darkey Kelly’s to anyone who is looking for a genuine Irish pub...