There’s a few things that could entice you into a pub to watch a sport. Huge screens, drinks deals, free food, the company of lots of your teams supporters. Here’s a few options that cover all of the bases.
As always, we should clarify that this is ’10 of the best’ , and not ‘the 10 best’. These are opinions, so don’t fret if your favourite pub has been left out.
Trinity bar
The new HD screen in Trinity bar.
Trinity bar on Dame street have fast been gaining a reputation as a really good sports bar. They’ve put their money where their mouth is an invested in a huge ultra HD screen in the main area of the bar. They serve food all day (and it’s mighty decent). If you’re heading out with a group of 10 or more people to watch the match here, just send them an email and mention Publin and they’ll give you some free finger food. accounts@dublincitihotel.com
Murrays bar
Murrays bar on O’Connell street is a good bet for Aston Villa fans. The Villa supporters groups all call Murrays home. They’ll be open early if you want to get some food into you. They’ll be doing discounted food and drink, as well as a few spot prizes, and they’ve got a really large screen.
McGowans
If you’re on the Northside and fancy watching the match somewhere with a bit of atmosphere, they’ll be showing it in McGowans of Phibsboro. The best part about watching it here? The free wings! They give out free wings during games. Just ask the person at the bar. They’ve also got some usual match deals like 2 pints, a bacon cheeseburger, and chips for only €12.95. They’re open late afterwards, so hang around.
The Living Room
The outdoor screen in The Living Room
The Living Room on Cathal Brugha street show just about any sporting event you can imagine. They will, of course, be giving pole position to the FA cup final on their colossal screens indoor and outdoor. They’ve got a massive outdoor area that catches plenty of sun, so if the weather is good this could be a place to enjoy it outdoors. You can always stick around after and watch the German cup final too.
The Lotts snug
Ok, so this isn’t exactly the biggest bar in the world, in fact, it’s one of the smallest. But they do have a pretty good drinks deal during matches. If you wear the jersey of one of the teams playing you only pay €4 for your pints before, during, and after the game. It’s a close atmosphere, so that might appeal to you.
JW Sweetman
One of the sweetman craft beers.
Sweetmans on the quays have loads of screens over 4 floors of the bar. And what’s more is that they do some pretty good food and drinks deals. You can get a pint of any Sweetmans craft beer with either chicken wings or pulled pork for only €10.
The Bankers
Here’s another one, if smaller atmospheres are your thing. The Bankers, for a small pub, really cram in the atmosphere. Good service and friendly staff can make all the difference, and the bankers excel at that. They’ve got 3 screens around the bar and there’s sure to be plenty of commotion around the match. They serve food all day and have a good selection of craft beer on tap and in bottle. They were doing a deal for a burger and a pint of heineken for €8 during matches, so you can always chance your arm and see if it’s still good.
The Mercantile
Mercantile burger and a pint deal
As we’ve included the pub for Villa supporters, it’s only fair that we include the pub for Arsenal supporters. They recently celebrated 25 years as an Arsenal supporters pub by having Ray Parlour over as a special guest. They usually have a burger and a pint deal for €10 on match days.
Harrys on the green
They’ve got a screen outside, but it’s a better viewing experience downstairs.
Is it a cocktail bar or is it a sports bar? It can be both. Harrys have plenty of screens around the pub and have a very good reputation around town for sports of all kinds. For the FA cup final they’ll be laying on a deal of a pint and bowl of wings for €10, or a bucket of beers (5 bottles) for €20.
The 51 bar
The 51 on Haddington road have one of the best meal deals in town and also have plenty of screens for showing the match. Get any item off their evening menu with a pint of beer or glass of wine for €12. Can’t say fairer than that. With all the screens inside it’s practically a sports bar. If the weather is good you can sit outside as well.
