The Bernard Shaw — Restaurant in Dublin

The Bernard Shaw pub in Drumcondra encapsulates the vibrant spirit of Dublin's nightlife. Located just a stone's throw away from the city center, this lively pub offers a unique experience for locals and tourists alike.

The pub is adorned with colorful murals, quirky decorations, and an abundance of character. It's a place that radiates creativity, drawing in a diverse crowd of patrons who appreciate its alternative vibe.

One of the standout features of the Bernard Shaw is its expansive outdoor space. The beer garden, lovingly referred to as "The Big Blue Bus Yard," is a true testament to the pub's ingenuity. The area is an eclectic mishmash of vintage buses, outdoor seating, and art installations, providing a laid-back and communal setting. It's the perfect spot to enjoy a sunny afternoon or spend a lively evening with friends, complete with a drink in hand and a buzzing atmosphere.

Speaking of drinks, the Bernard Shaw offers an impressive selection of craft beers, cocktails, and spirits. From locally brewed favorites to international delights, the pub caters to a wide range of tastes. The knowledgeable and friendly staff are always on hand to recommend something that suits your palate, making sure you have a fantastic drinking experience.

The Bernard Shaw pub is not just a place to drink and eat; it's also a hub for entertainment and events. Live music performances, DJ sets, art exhibitions, and pop-up markets are just some of the events that grace the pub's calendar. This dynamic program makes every visit to the Bernard Shaw a memorable and engaging experience.

One aspect that sets the Bernard Shaw apart is its commitment to fostering a sense of community. It serves as a platform for local artists, musicians, and performers to showcase their talents, providing a stage for creativity to thrive. This dedication to supporting the arts adds an extra layer of depth to the pub, making it a cultural hotspot in Drumcondra.

The only downside of the Bernard Shaw can be its popularity. As it attracts a large number of visitors, especially during peak times, the pub can get quite crowded, and finding a seat might require some patience. Nevertheless, the vibrant atmosphere and the camaraderie among patrons make it worth the wait.

The Bernard Shaw pub in Drumcondra is an extraordinary establishment that offers much more than your typical Irish pub experience. With its artistic flair, fantastic outdoor space, excellent drink selection, and diverse events, it stands as a true gem in the heart of Dublin's nightlife scene. If you're looking for a unique and memorable night out, be sure to pay a visit to the...

I was a fan of the Bernard Shaw when it first opened in this location and honestly I've enjoyed it on occassion a number of times in recent years too but my experience today confirms to me that the place has become an absolute dive. First and formost; its a kip. The tables are grimy, the floors are dirty, its not a confortable place to sit and have a meal...which brings me neatly to my second point; the menu is a complete waste of paper. None of the mains are available to order online through the app...the app allows you to order burgers and wings only. We got the attention of a server and proceeded to place an order with her, hoping to order from the printed menu. They were out of everything. As a party of four, not one of us got our first choice of meal. One member of our party enquired about four dishes prior to simply choosing a burger because every other dish was unavailable. The same person was also told the bar had no Heineken, Carlsburg or Moretti. The server explained some of these beers were never available. The menu sinply isnt representative of what is available on tap. We ordered bacon cheeseburgers and cokes. At this point we just wanted to eat. The cokes took approximately 25 minutes to arrive to our table. They came in plastic cups. The bar was not particularly busy, there was not a large amount of table service orders, there was no reason for the delay or the lack of proper dribking glasses. 20 minutes after we recieved our drinks a server approached our table to explain that they had run out of bacon for the burgers. We didnt take issue with this, but it speaks to the level of disorganisation and poor comunication between the staff. A pitcher of wster snd 4 glasses were plaved on the table 5 minutes after we had eaten, at which point the server asked us to settle the bill because the tab was open for too long. We were eager to close the tab at this stage, but wondered how staff could deliver such poor service throughout our stay and yet be so prompt and persistant when it came to being paid. As we left another group were sested in our place without the table seeing so much as a single whipe with a cloth.

I genuinely don't believe the place should be allowed to operate. I don't think it would pass...

Terrible Oktoberfest Experience - Absolutely Do Not Attend

We went to the Bernard Shaw for Oktoberfest, and it was an incredibly disappointing experience. If you’re considering going—don’t waste your time or money.

First, the ticketing website clearly stated, "Tables & areas are not reservable, so arrive early if you want to sit together." We arrived just five minutes after the event was meant to start, only to find that all the tables were booked for the entire evening. When we inquired about seating, we were told to just "find a place somewhere," as though it should be easy. Spoiler: it wasn’t. Despite arriving early, not only were the tables unavailable, they were booked, and this seemed to be a common issue for many other groups around us.

After spending time wandering through various floors and areas, we eventually found a table that was reserved—but not for another hour. So, we had a brief moment to sit before being asked to leave when the reservation started. Other frustrated guests joined us at the table, all equally disappointed by the false advertising and poor planning.

The event promised “German games” like Stein-Holding, karaoke, Lederhosen Limbo, and more. However, the so-called “show” took place in an area where—surprise—most tables were pre-booked, so we couldn’t even see or participate in the games. To top it off, what little we could hear through the speakers didn’t align with Oktoberfest at all. There was no DJ, just a band playing random music, including Michael Jackson, which was far from the authentic German vibe we had hoped for.

It was shockingly disorganised, and the ticket seemed utterly pointless. You didn’t need a ticket to enter, and the beer inside cost the same as the tokens included with the ticket. To make matters worse, pretzels were priced at an outrageous €10 each, and we didn’t see anyone actually buying or eating them.

In short, this event felt like a complete cash grab. It was inauthentic, misleading, and a waste of money. We strongly advise against attending Oktoberfest or any similar event held at The...