The Ha'penny Bridge Inn — Restaurant in Dublin

Such a fantastic pub. I’ve stopped in a bunch of times now, so I figured a well-deserved review was long overdue. I initially discovered them on my first trip to Dublin in April, 2023. I was walking around the bustling Temple Bar neighborhood where my hotel was located, when the Ha’penny Bridge Inn’s exterior caught my eye. It just had that appealing look of what I envisioned an authentic Irish Pub looking like. (Plus its location is so scenic; literally in the shadow of the historic Ha’penny Bridge crossing the River Liffey.) Went inside and was immediately greeted by Sean (great name!). He pulled me a delicious pint of Guinness, and the craic was set into motion. I’m a bit of an Irish Historian who likes to soak in as much knowledge as I can whenever I’m in Ireland. So I tend to ask a lot of questions over a few pints. And Sean was more than willing to tell me all about the rich history of the pub itself, Dublin City, and Ireland in general. (I soon discovered Sean’s family owns the pub.) On my most recent visit this past April, I met Sean’s dad Michael. Equally nice guy. I talked his ear off as well; asking a ton of questions. And he graciously answered them all just like his son. (The apple truly doesn’t fall far from the tree.) But seriously, every time I’ve stopped by, the experience has been top-notch. All of the staff have been super-friendly. And I’ve had some great conversations with the locals as well. (From my experience here, I’ve found there to be a nice mix of tourists & locals alike.) I’ve also seen a few tremendous trad sessions on the first floor by the main bar. (They have live music on the second floor too, which I plan on catching when I return in October.) The pub is also well-appointed; with lots of cool memorabilia (including timeless Dublin GAA pictures) adorning the walls. Plus a huge collection of Police/Fire/First Responder patches directly above the main bar. (Classy touch.) I follow them on Instagram, and they’re constantly proactive, with lots of funny posts, pics of tourists pulling their first-ever pint of plain, and live music clips. I’ll certainly be back there again in a few months. But if you’ve never been before, do yourself a favor. Take your mandatory photos by the Ha’penny Bridge first. And then pop on over to the equally historic Ha’penny Bridge Inn Pub for a creamy pint (or three). Trust me, the craic alone will be worth it. (And oh yeah. Tell Sean that Sean...

Got off the bus just near O Connell Street, so we (me and the brother) decided to head for our first pint, and an early one at that, at The Ha’penny Bridge Inn, just across the Liffey from the Ha’penny Bridge (imagine that!). This popular bar in Dublin is a good place for comedy and live music. It has comedy nights a few times a week, with the odd live mike thrown in now and again, and it’s where you can see well known and up and coming comedians try out their new material. And the music they have on offer isn’t just your standard Irish pub fair, bluegrass and blues can often be heard upstairs on a cold wet Dublin night.

The bar is just around the corner from Temple bar, but it’s cheaper (around €5 for a pint) and probably better than anything on that tourist blighted area. Quieter and with a mostly local clientele, this bar is a good place to sit down and have a friendly chat, without any music blaring off a radio, or sports on the box turned to the max.

The bar man/owner/manager “Mick” is a bit of a legend, with his piercing wit and comic outbursts. For people that are not used to his one-liners and banter they might be a little unnerved by his directness, but he is a funny fecker, and chatty to boot. He is definitely a character. But don’t be put off by that description, Mick, the bar staff and the regulars are all very welcoming, and it’s very easy to strike up a good chat in this old style Dublin boozer.

The Guinness is pretty good in this place as to be expected with the Brewery only up the road, but I wanted to lay off the black stuff, so I went for a pint of Harp, since it was such a long time I had seen that drink on tap!

Good pint in good company, talking about sport, and it was only about 12 in the day. Can’t ask for much more in...

If you haven’t been to The Hapenny Bridge Inn in Dublin, you’re missing out on one of the city’s absolute treasures! This pub is pure magic — buzzing with atmosphere, laughter, and that unbeatable Dublin spirit.

Owned by Mick, Sean’s father, this family-run gem has that special warmth and authenticity you just can’t find anywhere else. Right at the heart of it all is Sean, the second-in-command and the ultimate captain of fun and attentiveness. Sean’s sharp wit and hilarious sense of humour make every visit a total blast, and his attentiveness means you always feel genuinely looked after. Whether he’s serving a pint or sharing a joke, Sean’s energy lifts the whole place.

Then there’s Dan, who’s absolutely legendary for his ability to speak Irish fluently — bringing a deep sense of heritage and soul to the pub. Dan’s warmth and passion add a layer of authenticity that makes The Hapenny Bridge Inn feel like a true slice of Irish culture right in the heart of the city.

Massive shoutouts to Goron and Stephen, who are absolute masters behind the bar, pouring perfect pints with ease, and to Fabio, whose vibrant energy keeps the atmosphere electric.

But it’s the whole team — every single member of staff — who make The Hapenny Bridge Inn so special. Together they create a welcoming, lively vibe that keeps people coming back time and time again.

If you want an unforgettable Dublin pub experience filled with fantastic people, great craic, and a genuine sense of community, this is the place to be. Huge thanks to Mick, Sean, Dan, Goron, Stephen, Fabio, and all the amazing staff for making this pub the heart and soul of Dublin’s...