The Irish national team pulled off a remarkable turnaround to reach the 2026 World Cup playoffs, beating both Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal and Dominik Szoboszlai's Hungary on their way to March's qualification mini-tournament.
Should Ireland make it past the Czech Republic, then they will play either Denmark or North Macedonia in Dublin for a place at the World Cup, a game that would draw huge crowds.
Another reason for footballing excitement in the city – albeit on a smaller scale – is Shamrock Rovers' ongoing UEFA Conference League campaign that will see visitors from around Europe make the trip to Tallaght Stadium.
As excitement and anticipation builds, fans will be wondering: Where are the best places to enjoy a drink? Here, Football Ground Guide covers some of the best pubs in Dublin to watch football.
Best pubs in Dublin to watch football
The 51 Bar
This venue is located near the Aviva Stadium, where both the Ireland rugby and football teams play their home matches. Inside, there are 11 screens showing a range of live sport, including the biggest football matches of the day.
According to ‘The Irish Pub Guide’, “One of the big draws here is the big screen outside for big sporting occasions, which makes it an ideal place to go watch a match on a sunny afternoon.”
There are a range of draught and craft beers on offer at The 51 Bar, with an award-winning carvery that is served on Monday-Friday and on Sunday.
#HappyFathersDay to all who celebrate.
We've pints, carvery, #EURo2024 and the final day of the #USOpen#perfectday pic.twitter.com/HRuVgyendA— The 51 Bar ?? (@the51bar) June 16, 2024
The Living Room
The Living Room is especially busy during major sporting events as it has a 40ft outdoor screen showing live matches, as well as over 50 screens across the venue, making this a great place to catch the bug game.
The food menu ranges from burgers, loaded fries, and pizzas, along with popular beers, stouts, and cocktails.
On their website, it is described as ‘Ireland’s number 1 sports bar and party venue amidst the hustle and bustle of Dublin City'.
The Camden
This venue is located in Dublin city centre and is a sports fan's dream. With over a dozen TVs, including “Europe’s largest indoor 4K screen,” The Camden is the perfect place to go when multiple games are going on at the same time.
The food and drink selection is also worth noting. Seven days a week, delicious pizzas are available, as are beers, stouts, and cocktails.
Sinnott’s
Sinnott’s has 14 screens and is undoubtedly one of the best sporting pubs in Ireland. It is a traditional Irish pub dating back to the 18th century. Like The Camden, multiple sports and games are shown on different screens simultaneously.
The high-quality food menu is always popular and includes traditional fish and chips and the ‘Sinnott’s Bar Pie of the Day’. For someone looking to take in the best of Irish culture and watch live sport in a premier venue, this is the place to visit.
The Back Page
The Back Page is a pub that has something for everyone. There are large screens, board games, quizzes, a wide range of beers, and a delicious food menu that includes handmade pizzas.
It is worth trying out one of the pizzas, which are named after sporting heroes from Ireland and abroad. The ‘Katie Taylor’ and ‘Ayrton Senna’ are often popular.
It is worth enquiring about booking, especially if you’re visiting the venue for a high-profile sporting event.
