Temple Bar

Temple Bar is Dublin's riverside cultural quarter, a warren of cobbled lanes crammed with colourful pubs, live music, galleries and restaurants that forms the lively night-time heart of the city for visitors. Named for its most famous pub, it is loud, touristy and undeniably fun, if not where locals go for a quiet pint.

History

In Anglo-Norman times the district was part of St Andrew's parish, and one of its earliest buildings was the Augustinian Friary of the Most Holy Trinity, near today's Cecilia Street, from around 1259. In the 17th century the land was redeveloped as gardens for the houses of wealthy English families, when the Liffey shore ran further inland, along the line of Essex Street and Temple Bar (Wikipedia, Temple Bar, Dublin).

What you'll find

• The colourful pubs - the famous painted bars with live music.
• Live traditional music - the sessions in the pubs, aimed at visitors.
• The cobbled lanes - the atmospheric riverside streets.
• Galleries and markets - the cultural side, with weekend food and book markets.

When to go

Year-round; evenings are when it comes alive with music and crowds. Weekend food and book markets add a daytime draw.

What to expect

It is heavily touristy and pints here are among the most expensive in Dublin, so locals largely avoid it. The music is real but staged for visitors. It is fun for a lively night, but the more authentic pubs and sessions are elsewhere in the city.

Nearby

Trinity College, Dublin Castle and the Liffey boardwalk are alongside; the whole centre is walkable.