Live Music Dublin: 10 Pubs Doing TRAD in 2024 (2024)

If you’re looking for pubs with live music in Dublin tonight, you’ve landed in the right spot.

There areheapsof pubs in Dublin, however, only a small percentage of them host traditional music nights throughout the week.

With that being said, there are someexcellentpubs to catch live music in Dublin, and I’m not talking about the ones in Temple Bar.

In the guide below, you’ll find the best pubs with live music Dublin City and beyond has to offer. Dive on in!

Our favourite pubs with live music in Dublin

Now, a quick disclaimer: if you’re looking for pubs with live music in Dublin tonight, your best bet is to check their Facebook pages (links under each pub below).

The reason for this is that it’s usually on Facebook where you’ll find the most up-to-date events taking place. Right – lets dive on in!

1. The Cobblestone (Smithfield)

First up is one of the more popular pubs with live music in Dublin. Barely a minute’s walk from the Smithfield LUAS stop is The Cobblestone Pub, where trad sessions take place Monday to Sunday.

The Mulligans, owners of The Cobblestone, have been musicians for generations, which gives you a sense of what to expect from a night spent here.

Trad sessions take place on Mondays, from 19:00 – close, on Tuesday to Friday, from 17:00 – close and on Saturday and Sunday, from 14:00 – close.

The music takes place in the nook just inside the door on the left, but be-warned – it gets busy here, so try and arrive early if you want to nab a seat.

2. Darkey Kellys (Fishamble St.)

Darkey Kellys on Fishamble Street is one of the finest traditional pubs with live music in Dublin City Centre, and you’ll find it a stone’s throw from Temple Bar and Christ Church Cathedral.

Darkey Kelly’s has a nice old-school feel to it and, unlike some nearby pubs that tend to attract tourists in Dublin, the service here is top-notch.

There’s live music seven nights a week and the food here is the bees-knees. Hit play above to get an idea of what to expect.

Related read: Check out our guide to 13 pubs pouring the best Guinness in Dublin (well known spots and hidden gems)

3. Johnnie Fox’s (Glencullen)

So, some people from Dublin tend to stick their noses up at Johnnie Fox’s, claiming it’s ‘Just a touristy spot’, which isn’t the case.

Yes, it’s a pub touristslove but, speaking as someone that’s lived in Dublin all his life, I’d happily visit here several times each year.

Johnny Fox’s is the most famous pub with live music in Dublin, and you’ll find it in the Dublin Mountains in Glencullen and their Hooley Show is the stuff of legend.

You can even grab a bus from Dublin City for €10 return that’ll take you to and from the pub. Definitely one worth checking out.

4. The Old Storehouse (Crown Alley)

Located in Temple Bar, behind the old Central Bank building, The Old Storehouse consists of three separate bars.

Spend a rainy afternoon tucked away in the Snug or enjoy the live music in the main bar.

Although I’d describe this as a ‘tourist pub’, I don’t mean it in any kind of negative way – this is a tourist pub in that that’s who they cater to, and they do so brilliantly via top-notch food, service and entertainment.

This is one of several live music pubs in Dublin with music taking place 7 nights a week (Friday – Saturday, from 14:00 – close and Sunday – Thursday, from 15:00 – close)

5. The Brazen Head (Lower Bridge St.)

The oldest pub in Dublin, The Brazen Head, is a series of ancient rooms with lots of beamed ceilings and Irish paraphernalia.

It has a wonderful, old-world feel to it, from the exterior to the many nooks and crannies inside.

This is another pub with live music in Dublin tonight and every night – from 21:00 – close, Monday to Saturday and from 15:00 – 18:00 on Sunday.

Make sure you don’t leave without wandering around to look at the photos and documents on the walls (see our guide to the oldest pubs in Dublin for more places like this).

6. The Merry Ploughboy (Edmondstown Road)

The Merry Ploughboy in Rathfarnham is a beautiful pub, both inside and out, with flowers covering the exterior and a glorious, old-world vibe to the interior.

There’s an award-winning traditional Irish night at the Merry Ploughboy that has racked up rave reviews online over the years.

The fact that the pub is owned and run by a group of traditional Irish musicians clearly helps! As was the case with Johnny Foxes, you can grab a €10 return shuttle from Dublin City.

7. The Celt (Talbot St.)

The Celt is another stunner of a traditional Irish pub. Located on the north side of the city on Talbot St (just off O’Connell St.), it’ll suit those of you staying most central hotels in Dublin.

Arrive here and kick-start your evening with a Beef and Guinness stew and top it off with an evening of traditional music (from 21:30 7 nights a week).

Room after room leads you to a large dining room at the back, and the service is fantastic. It’s got that lovely rustic look about it that makes you fell like you’re in the depths of Cork or Kerry, not Dublin City Centre.

8. Devitts (Camden St.)

Devitts up on Camden Street is one that tends to be missed by tourists visiting Dublin, even though it’s a handy, 10-minute walk from St Stephen’s Green.

This is a peach of a traditional pub, and the Guinness is decent! Devitts boasts live music in Dublin City 7 nights a week along with a cosy interior and great food.

The tunes kick-off from either 18:30 or 19:30, depending on the night (info here) and there’s always a packed schedule to look forward to.

9. Nancy Hands (Parkgate St.)

Next is one of the most unique pubs with live music in Dublin – Nancy Hands. You’ll find it on Parkgate Street, a 5-minute walk from The Phoenix Park.

When you walk inside Nancy’s, you’ll be greeted by an authentic Victorian bar that looks more antique shop than public house.

Arguably the finest feature here is the staircase, which previously called Trinity College ‘home’. Live music sessions take place on Fridays and Saturdays.

10. Temple Bar (various spots)

So, there’s a load of pubs in Temple Bar that run live music sessions 7 days a week. The most popular are The Temple Bar Pub and Oliver St. John Gogarty’s.

However, the Quays and the Vat House are two other popular spots, too. One of the most overlooked pubs with live music in Dublin is the Auld Dub.

You’ll find music here regularly, however, keep in mind that it isn’t always trad (it’s a lot less touristy than many of the other Temple Bar pubs).

Related read: Check out our guide to the finest rooftop bars in Dublin (from swanky restaurants to quirky co*cktail bars in Dublin)

11. The Arlington (Bachelors Walk)

OK, so this isn’t a pub… but the Celtic Nights show at the Arlington is well worth a mention if you’re looking for live music in Dublin.

Running in the Arlington, right next to O’Connell Bridge, this is a choreographed show where you can enjoy dinner, drinks and some mighty Irish music.

Settle in for a night of music from award-winning musicians and entertainment from Wold Championship Irish dancers.

With exceptional reviews online, if you’re after a finely put together show and a clatter of live music in Dublin, it’s worth considering.

Live music Dublin: Where have we missed?

I’ve no doubt that we’ve unintentionally left out some brilliant places to catch live music in Dublin tonight from the guide above.

If you have a place that you’d like to recommend, let me know in the comments below and I’ll check it out!

FAQs about live music pubs in Dublin

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from which bars in Dublin do live music on Sundays to where to listen to trad.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

What are the best pubs in Dublin for live music tonight?

It’s hard to beat The Old Storehouse, The Merry Ploughboy, Darkey Kellys and Johnny Fox’s for live music in Dublin.

Where does live Irish music in Dublin 7 nights a week?

The Celt, Devitts of Camden Street, The Old Storehouse and many of the pubs in Temple Bar has live music 7 nights a week.