As Ireland continues to be battered by storm after storm, there's one place we want to be.
Cosied up in a pub corner by a roaring fire with a hot whiskey. Or a pint. Or whatever you're having yourself, really.
If you've spent the Christmas period at your parents house, wearing every fluffy sock in your possession and permanently wrapped in a blanket as the refusal to leave the heating on for more than ten minutes a day prevails, you may find yourself in need of a bit of toasty respite.
Luckily, there are plenty of fine establishments in Dublin ready and waiting to welcome you in, fires blazing and the waft of briquettes hanging heavy in the air.
In a time where supporting Irish hospitality is the only thing more important than doing whatever you can to reduce your bills at home, this listicle couldn't be more timely. Here are ten of our favourite spots in the city for a pint by the fire.
Arthur's Blues and Jazz Club
Thomas Street
One of the places that instantly comes to mind when you think "Dublin pub with fireplace", Arthur's on Thomas Street also offers, as the name would suggest, a regular roster of blues and jazz performances to accompany your cosy evening by the flames. And given Arthur's stones throw proximity the Guinness Storehouse, the pints are as you'd imagine, top tier.
Whelan's
Wexford Street
Walking into the front bar of Whelan's on a gloomy winters' evening and being greeted with a roaring fire surrounded by an ornate, highly Instagrammable mantlepiece is the stuff of dreams, and every Dubliner knows it.
One of Dublin's most beloved music bars, Whelan's has a regular roster of gigs and comedy shows to follow your fireside pint, with the main venue also acting as a great location for a boogey at the end of a night out.
McGrattan's
Fitzwilliam Lane
A hop, skip and a jump away from Grafton Street, McGrattan's is the perfect spot for a cosy, relaxing pint after a stressful day of braving the January sales. Plenty of snugs to settle into and a classic pub grub menu, McGrattan's traditional pub-grocery exterior could potentially make it a bit of a tourist trap if it was on a busier street, but its inconspicuous location on a quiet lane means it's usually not heaving with Guinness jumpers and Carroll's bags.
Slattery's
Capel Street
There are a good few fireplace-boasting pubs along the
world's 22nd coolest street, and Slattery's is one of them. While I couldn't locate a photo of the fire in all its glory, here's a bowl of stew and a pint of plain, both of which I'd recommend as accompaniment. As its Google blurb will tell you Slattery's is one of the few pubs in Ireland with licence to open at 7am on weekends, but you'll usually find the shutters lifted at about 9am for all your early pinting needs.
McNeills
Capel Street
Another cosy Capel Street haunt, well revered for its fireside set up and welcoming atmosphere. McNeills had a previous life as a music shop, and this legacy can be felt through the pub's traditional Irish music sessions 6 nights a week. Locals come and go and tourists regularly delight at the warm, welcoming atmosphere - there's something for everyone, you might say.
O'Neill's
Suffolk Street
O'Neill's Bar is just around the corner from Trinity College, and the perfect place to sit and watch tourists maul the Molly Malone statue from. Like a few others on this list, O'Neill's is also an excellent spot for a bit of trad if you fancy a soundtrack for your fireside sesh.
Brazen Head
Lower Bridge Street (just off Usher's Quay)
Ireland's Oldest Pub could have the potential to be chilly but it's quite the opposite with five fireplaces, one for every room. Established in 1198, the Brazen Head is a bit like a mini village with lots of history to explore - trinkets and kitschy signage adorn the walls, and a classic pub grub menu with beef stew and mussels alive, alive-o will provide all the hearty sustenance you require.
Idle Wild
Fade Street
I think I can confidently say this is the only pub on the list where the fireplace is accompanied by a gigantic disco ball. A bit more modern than some of its neighbours with plush velvet sofas and an artfully tiled bar, Idle Wilde is great for date night, after-work pints or a catch up with pals. There's well crafted cocktails and an impressive shelf of whiskey, and Idle Wilde successfully maintains party and cosy atmospheres in equal measure.
The Celt
Talbot Street
A haven for tourists and locals alike with walls full of memorabilia, live music and a hearty bar menu, the Celt call themselves "the perfect Irish pub" and to be fair, they're not far wrong. Expect live music and traditional pub grub, with two rooms and a covered beer garden brimming with rustic charm.
The Swan Bar
Aungier Street
A Victorian heritage bar in the heart of Dublin 2, the Swan has plenty of cosy nooks and crannies, great drinks and of course, the glue that holds us all together, a welcoming fireplace. The Swan is widely regarded as one of the best spots for a pint in Dublin so if you consider yourself a connoisseur, be sure to head in for one.
Did we miss out your favourite spot for a fireside pint? Let us know and we'll add it to the list!
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