VerdictDestinations 🛡️ Independent — no pay-to-rank🔎 Graded for who you are✓ Verified 2026-06-17How we grade → The verdict
Who it's worth it for
Great for
- Travellers on a budget
- If you've only got a day
- Couples
- Solo travellers
- Local-life seekers
- History & culture buffs
- Night owls
Worth it for travellers on a budget, if you've only got a day and couples; not for families with kids.
Why we say this
Insider secrets & local vibes
Widely regarded as the real thing for trad — informal sessions where serious musicians play in the front bar, free to walk in and listen.
Not independently verified — estimatedFree to enter; you only pay for your drinks.
Not independently verified — estimatedIt's small and gets rammed early, the sessions are for listening with no talking over the musicians, and it's a no-frills old boozer.
Not independently verified — estimatedWhat it feels like
Reading the room, traveller by traveller
Solo
The most authentic trad in the city, and easy to slip into alone to listen.
As a couple
Atmospheric and genuine, but expect to stand and stay quiet during sets.
With friends
Arrive early to get a spot; it fills fast and isn't a place to talk over the music.
Good to know
Before you go
Cost
Free in; pay for drinks
- Best time
- Arrive early evening before the front bar fills.
- Getting there
- In Smithfield, on the Luas red line, northside.
- Accessibility
- An old, compact pub with limited step-free space.
Alternatives
If it's not your thing, try
Was this helpful?
Make the most of it
Book through our partner — we may earn a commission, and it never changes the verdict.
- The Cobblestone in Smithfield is renowned for nightly free traditional Irish music sessions.
- It is regarded by many locals as Dublin's premier authentic trad-session pub.
🛡️ Independent — no pay-to-rank🔎 Graded for who you are✓ Verified 2026-06-17How we grade →