The Brazen Head

IrishGermanAmerican

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +25%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 5 | $$$

A must go for anyone in Dublin. The Brazen Head is the Oldest pub in Ireland going back to 1198.

They had great food (Irish Stew,Guinness Stew), great music, great story telling. The story telling is great to do with the kids. My wife and 10 year old daughter loved it, worth the price!

I made it to many historic pubs while in Ireland but this was the best by far considering all they have to offer.

You should also check out O'Neills for food and a drink, The Long Hall, The Stag's Head, The Long Stone, Mulligan's and many others. And that's just in Dublin, Ireland is just amazing for checking out old historic pubs.

If going to Dublin buy the PBS dvd Historic Pubs Of Dublin it was a great help.

04-14-2012 03:09:07 | More by IrishGermanAmerican

spdyfire83

Ireland

3.75/5  rDev -1.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 5 | $$

I stopped at The Brazen Head recently to entertain a guest visiting us in Dublin and I was pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere of this pub. Coined "Dublin's Oldest Pub" is was definitely on my places to visit before my time here is up, but I'm glad we found this gem sooner than later.

The atmosphere is quite relaxing and super chill. We sat in the "money room" - each of the four rooms of the pub has a different theme. The "money room" had paper bills glued to the wall which was fun to see.

The selection is what you would expect for a typical Irish pub - Guinness, Smithwick's, and Harp - but you shouldn't visit here because of the selection. The history is rich and they usually have a quality Irish band playing some folk music which is always fun.

The food here is top-notch based on my experience with Irish pub grub. I enjoyed the Brazen Bangers & Mash and it was delicious. Highly recommend this for anyone looking for a hearty meal to enjoy a pint or two of Guinness.

01-16-2012 14:07:30 | More by spdyfire83

CuriousMonk

Virginia

3.7/5  rDev -2.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 3 | $$

I stopped by the Brazen Head in Dublin Ireland, "the Oldest Pub in Ireland" during my backpacking excursion in Ireland one summer of 2001.

"History: Standing on the site of the original 12th century tavern, the present Brazen Head is an old coaching inn dating back to about 1688.The Brazen Head can trace its history back to the 12th century well before the country's first Licensing Laws were enacted in 1635. So Dubliners were enjoying drinks on the site of the present pub a few hundred years before Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492. The present building is over 300 years old."

This place was old, charmy, and had a ton of character. Tourist trap too. I cannot tell you what beers they had other than Guinness, delightfully poured and just about every other one on the house. They wheeled out some steam tables, and served a meat and two veg to the locals. The portions were huge, and looked and were delicious. History, good beer and good people. Stop here when you are in Dublin and have a good ol' pint o' Guinness!

02-17-2011 18:13:34 | More by CuriousMonk

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

3.85/5  rDev +1.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4.5 | $$$

On a trip to Dublin with my girlfriend we came here after being told this was the oldest pub in the world and the Guinness Book Of Records plaque on the wall backed up the story. Had a pint of Guinness and an awesome stuffed chicken breast to go with it. I pinned a Canadian 5 to the wall to go along with all the American 1's and random countries bills up there, pretty neat. I think it was pricey but Ireland cost a fortune compared to where I live in Alberta so take that with a grain of salt. worth a stop when in the area

06-18-2010 00:40:20 | More by wordemupg

jgasparine

Maryland

3.19/5  rDev -16.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 3 | $$

This relic is a must-see just for it's history and atmosphere. Certainly not a mecca for beer geeks; maybe one-drink-and-done for most; but as soon as you walk through the portal into the courtyard, you feel like you're being transported back in time. As long as you catch it at a time when it's not packed with tourists, this place has an incredible atmosphere.

The quality and selection of beer here is no more impressive than your average pub in Dublin. Service is about the same you'd get at your average pub as well.

Bottom line- come here to drink the history moreso than the beer.

03-26-2010 16:53:08 | More by jgasparine

MillRat

Illinois

3.23/5  rDev -15%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 3 | food: 3.5 | $$

OK, it's the oldest pub in Dublin and all, but history can only carry you so far. In late March we're a bit off of the tourist season, but that's not really an excuse for not knowing when you'll be open, when the dining room will be open, and for having less than prompt table service. Llike some brewery at St. James Gate, it's a visit to check off your to-go list and then spend your time and money more rewardingly supporting the establishments that really do care about craft beer. Let the tour bus flocks keep this place going.

Beer selection is about average for a Dublin pub, though turnover will keep it a good as it was when it left the brewery. Food is of good quality on an Irish pub-grub scale. Certainly a nice atmosphere about the place, but there's more to being a beer-centric establishment than that. Use beerfly and make up your own mind about the best places to go.

04-12-2009 16:39:48 | More by MillRat

Otterburn

Quebec (Canada)

4/5  rDev +5.3%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3 | $$

Yeah it is not everyday you have the chance to
sit down in the oldest pub in Ireland and sip a Guinness. The vibe is pretty cool.

The beer is fresh, made just on the other side of the town,where they are making a couple of millions of pints a day.

Its nice to see these people work behind the bar,
you see they actually care for serving the precious brevage. It's done in 2 steps. First they filled half the pint. Then wait for five minutes or so..and then filled up the pint. This is how they do the nice head of the Guinness.
In Ireland everything is expensive, except for the beer wich the price is reasonable everywhere you go in the country. One thing is sure, Irish like to go to the pub,and enjoyed a beer.

So it was nice to visit this pub, because of is historical status, where everything begans

This place is a must for the atmosphere of the pub and the fresh Guinness on tap.

A must for any travellers around Dublin.

02-01-2009 20:11:48 | More by Otterburn

DrinkbythePond

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +4.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4 | $$

My wife and I went to the Brazen Head for an early dinner on our 2nd night in Dublin. It was a nice evening so we sat outside in the very busy garden area. All of the tables and seats seem low, but it was quite comfortable. There seemed to be a good blend of locals and those of us visiting. Being so early in our vacation, Guiness was our choice and it was quickly delivered and quite tasty. I didn't see anything on the beer list to warrant not choosing Guiness. I opted for Bangers and Mash and food quality was excellent and the quantity ample. I don;t think my wife was as satisified with her dinner sized salad. The environment and atmosphere of the outdoor garden made this place a 'must' to return.

08-05-2008 18:21:53 | More by DrinkbythePond

HochFliegen

Oregon

3.86/5  rDev +1.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | $$

A stop in the oldest pub in Ireland is a must. To sip a Guinness in the food steps of people such as Yeats, Joyce, Wilde and Shaw and who knows how many others. Very cool. Its a great place with a nice outside sitting area. Didnt get any food. Just sat next to a couple from the UK who locked their keys in the auto and was waiting for help with a pint. I had a Guinness and it was great. It was the 3rd day in Dublin and about 2 weeks into my travels in Ireland. The beer came quick and with a smile. Had a great time. A must go!

05-26-2006 05:56:26 | More by HochFliegen

granger10

Wisconsin

3.59/5  rDev -5.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3 | $$

I was surprised to see this in Beerfly, but with that being said, anybody who is into history should definitely visit the "oldest pub in Ireland". This place has a nice beer garden right out front and three rooms on the lower level. An upstairs has more of a nice dining area to it. Real casual atmosphere with what appeared to be mostly locals sitting and sipping and shooting the craic. Selection is about like every other place in Dublin (Guinness, Carlsberg, Heineken, Bulmer's, Smithwicks, etc) but what would you expect from a historic landmark? A must for a pint of Guinness if you want to drink in some history.

03-15-2006 14:04:34 | More by granger10