Although the Joycean riddle famously included in ‘Ulysses’ challenged visitors to traverse the city without passing a pub, an arguably more challenging feat on match day is to find the best pub to watch a football game in.
This is because while Dublin is certainly filled with a seemingly endless selection of exquisite drinking establishments to choose from, not all of these are necessarily suitable for watching sports in.
In fact, many of the pubs featured in the ‘top Dublin pubs’ lists tend to be much more traditional, often not sporting a TV and or even music. While in another setting, your main priority might be ensuring you have access to the creamiest pint of Guinness possible, your priorities will understandably change when you want to find the best spot to watch the match from.
In this article, we will give you a rundown of the best watering holes in the city to watch a football game in!
Regardless of whether you are having an all-day session with your mates or are watching more casually as you focus on betting on Gaelic sports, these are the best pubs in Dublin to sit and watch a football game.
JW Sweetman’s
Although it has undergone a few changes in ownership over the last few years, JW Sweetman’s is still a great choice for watching football in the city.
With a history stretching back all the way to the early 19th century, JW Sweetman’s is a microbrewery, pub and restaurant that serves up a range of tasty beers in a lively city centre setting.
Hordes of sports fans can be seen descending on JW Sweetman’s on match days, with punters prizing this location for its ample seating, massive number of screens and excellent beer. These factors combine to make JW Sweetman’s a solid choice on match days.
The Camden
Situated on one of the city’s liveliest streets for socialising, The Camden is an easy choice for those of you looking to watch the football match before a night out on the town.
The Camden is a premium sports bar and venue, which features a cocktail bar, excellent food and drink options, a private speakeasy, massive beer garden, private cinema and even an on-site brewery!
It’s easy to see why so many sports fans choose The Camden as their watering hole of choice when there is football to be watched.
The Living Room
The Living Room on Cathal Brugha is another popular option in Dublin for watching sports.
Touting itself as Ireland’s number one sports bar and party venue, the Living Room is situated right in the heart of the city and is open until late seven days a week.
While the Living Room is an excellent location for late night revellers looking for a night out on the town, it is also a solid venue to watch football in.
It features ample seating, a number of massive viewing screens and long, well-staffed bars that can sling out mid-game pints in an instant!
Woolshed Baa and Grill
Situated right on Parnell Street, the Woolshed Baa and Grill is the watering hole of choice for many Dubliners hoping to watch the match in a lively setting.
In terms of what makes the Woolshed such a popular choice, it is primarily known for the variety of sports on show. In contrast to many other pubs which tend to stick to the familiar trifecta of soccer, GAA and rugby, the Woolshed Baa and Grill broadcasts a wide range of sports, including American football, baseball and basketball.
The only major downside compared to some of the other pubs included in this list is that it does tend to be fairly lively. While this might be great if you are in a big group looking for a night out on the town, those of you who prefer a more low-key setting might be better served going elsewhere!
The Back Page
Those of you looking for a more low-key affair would be well-advised to check out this pub situated just outside the hustle and bustle of the city centre.
Despite being on the outskirts of central Dublin, however, The Back Page is anything but a sleepy watering hole. Those of you willing to make the trek out to Phibsborough — which was recently identified as one of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods — will be rewarded with a lively, welcoming venue serving up pints, cocktails and pizza.
Even better still, when the matches are over for the day, The Back Page also lets punters rent out board games and ping pong tables!
Image: calflier001/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
