Minors under 18, if accompanied by an adult, are allowed to enter pubs at 10:30 AM and stay until 9:00 PM, or until 10:00 PM from May to September. However, if minors are attending a ceremony that includes dinner, they can remain in the pub after these hours.
The controls at pub entrances are strict, especially when it comes to age verification.
If you look younger than your age, it’s a good idea to bring your ID or passport with you, as pubs and shops will not serve alcohol without proof of age. If there is any doubt about your age, you may be denied entry to a pub or refused alcohol sales at stores, including supermarkets.
For more detailed information on Irish regulations regarding pubs and the sale of alcohol at “off-licence” stores, click here.
Pricing of Pints in Dublin
Keep in mind that the closer you are to the city center, the more expensive your pint will be. For example, in Temple Bar, a pint of Guinness can cost as much as 6.50 euros. However, if you walk a little further out from the center, either to the north or south, you might pay around 4.50 to 4.80 euros.
My advice: take a few extra steps and you’ll save money while enjoying a different atmosphere that you won’t find in the central city pubs.
Alcohol Consumption on the Streets
Another thing to note: don’t be surprised if you’re asked to pour your drink into a plastic cup when you want to drink outside the pub. In Ireland, alcohol can only be consumed a short distance from the pub where it was purchased, and it must be served in plastic cups.
Drinking alcohol on the street is prohibited, and since 2004, smoking in pubs has also been banned. Many pubs have designated smoking areas, but if they don’t, you’ll need to step outside to smoke.