The best pubs in Dublin to watch the Six Nations

Right. Six Nations 2026 in Dublin is shaping up to be a proper one — Ireland are good again, France look beatable, and the home games at the Aviva are on the dates that suit a long Saturday. If you do not have a ticket — and tickets are gold dust this year — you are watching it in a pub. Here is the ranked list.

I have watched Six Nations rugby in Dublin pubs for fifteen years. Some of these are the obvious ones. Some are the ones the lads from the rugby polos do not know about, and that is precisely the point.

How I picked

Three things. The screens — actually visible from most seats? Sound up at the right moments? The crowd — singing along, knowledgeable, not just there for the day out? The pints — quality, price, queue length at half time?

1. Doheny & Nesbitt

The singalong pub. Baggot Street, walking distance from the Aviva, pints around 7 euro. The crowd is older skewing, knows the words, and will absolutely kick off Fields of Athenry at the right moment without anyone asking.

Why it is number one: the atmosphere is real. Some pubs put the rugby on. Doheny's hosts the rugby. The Guinness is properly poured. The screens are placed so most seats can see one. Booking is essential for Ireland matches — they take phone bookings still, which is grand.

2. The Bath Pub

Bath Avenue, walking distance from the Aviva, big screens, decent food. The Bath has become the matchday default for a reason — they get the format right. Big screens upstairs and downstairs, proper kitchen running through the match, pints around 7 euro.

Book for Ireland home games. Walk-ins fine for other rounds. The pre-match crowd is mixed Aviva-bound and pub-watching, which gives it a proper big-day energy.

3. The Old Spot

Slightly fancier than the Bath, also Bath Avenue, kitchen is genuinly excellent. The Sunday roast crossover with the Saturday rugby is the move — big match, slow lunch, long afternoon. Pints 7.50.

Screens are well-placed and not too many — it does not feel like a sports pub that has accidentally got a kitchen. It feels like a proper pub that is showing the rugby. Which is the right way around.

4. McGowans of Phibsboro

North side. Less touristy. The crowd is local, knowledgeable, and will give you a wide berth untill you say something that proves you actually understand what is happening on screen. Pints 6.50.

Why it is on the list: the craic is real. Phibsboro is its own ecosystem and the pubs there have a different feel to the south side rugby crowd. Less pink trousers, more black jumpers. The Guinness is properly poured.

5. Russell's on Ranelagh

Local pub. Properly local. The first match you watch here you will be ignored. The second match they will nod. The third match they will offer you a pint. That is the deal and it is a good deal.

Pints 6.50. Screens fine, sound up at the right moments, crowd is the kind that has been watching rugby in this pub for thirty years. Walk in, sit down, do not be loud, and you will have a deadly afternoon.

6. P. Mac's

The craft pick. Stephen Street Lower, more candles than rugby polos, but the screens are there and the crowd is engaged. Pints 7.50. The food is decent, the cocktails are actually proper, and the volume is right — loud at the kickoff, loud at the tries, off between phases.

Best for: a date who tolerates rugby rather than loves it. They will not mind being here. You will still be able to watch.

What I left off

I left off the obvious tourist pubs in Temple Bar. They will be showing the match. The pints will be 8.50 and the crowd will be a stag do. You will not enjoy it. There is no need.

Matchday plan

Pre-match pint: walk-in to the Bath or Old Spot from 12pm for a 2:15 kickoff. Lunch is fine, do not go heavy.

Match: settle in. Pints between phases not during. Half time queue at the bar starts at 47 minutes — be ahead of it.

Post-match: if Ireland won, walk into town, anywhere will do, the city is celebrating. If they lost, walk to McGowans or Russell's for a quiet pint and a slow analysis. Both have their place.

One more thing

The Friday night before a Saturday match the city has its own energy — pre-match dinners, pub sing-alongs warming up, the visiting fans arriving. Worth being out for.

I keep a Dublin events list on Rifio that picks up the matchday fan zones, the official watch parties, and the post-match traditional music sessions that always pop up. Saves you texting every group chat.