The Six Nations—rugby’s most sacred annual pilgrimage. Five weeks of spine-tingling scrums, questionable refereeing decisions, and pints spilled accross tables in excitement. With the 2025 tournament kicking off This Friday January 31st, it’s time to scout the best spots in Dublin to soak up the action.
Maybe you’re looking for a screen the size of a small house. Or a crowd that knows their rucks from their mauls. Either way we’ve got you covered.
Located in Phibsboro
Looking for an extra incentive to cheer for Ireland? McGowan’s of Phibsboro is offering free pints every time Ireland scores a try during the Six Nations. With 16 screens and 3 projectors, you won’t miss a second of the action in this lively Northside venue. Bookings are essential, and you can claim up to four free pints per game—just be sure to pace yourself! This buzzing spot guarantees an electric match-day atmosphere, plus great food and drinks to keep you going between tries. If you want to celebrate every score in style, McGowan’s is the place to be.
Located in Curragha
A family owned and run traditional pub. It has been owned by the Swan family for over fifty years. Swans Bar in Curragha offers a rustic and lively atmosphere perfect for watching the Six Nations. With a roaring fire, fantastic Guinness, and screens in all the right places, it’s the ultimate spot for a relaxed yet passionate rugby experience. If you don't wanna haul ass into the city but still crave a bit of match-day buzz, Swans Bar is the place to be.
Located on Dawson Street
For those who want more than just a standard pub experience, PITCH Ireland is the ultimate Six Nations destination. Situated in the heart of Dublin, PITCH offers top-tier food, drinks, and an atmosphere unmatched in the city. They’re kicking off the season with a Six Nations Championship Preview Panel on February 1st. They'll be featuring Irish rugby legends sharing their insights and predictions. With 10 massive screens showcasing every match PITCH ensures you won’t miss a second of the action. Tickets for the preview event are available on Eventbrite for €15, which includes a free pint at half-time.
Located in central Maynooth
If you’re venturing out of Dublin, the Arkle Sports Bar in Maynooth is an absolute gem. With massive screens, a well-stocked bar, and an enthusiastic crowd, it’s the perfect spot to soak up the Six Nations atmosphere. Whether you're a seasoned rugby fanatic or just here for the pints and passion, Arkle delivers an unforgettable match-day experience.
Located on the Navan Road on the border between D15, and D7
A northside gem that’s perfect for those who don’t want to venture too far into town, The Halfway House is a cracking spot for Six Nations action. It’s got all the essentials: big screens, a lively but not-too-chaotic crowd, and some of the best-poured pints of Guinness this side of the Liffey. The atmosphere is electric on match days, with everyone cheering for every decent pass, tackle, and try.
Located in Bray
Okay, so it’s technically just outside Dublin, but The Harbour Bar is worth the DART journey. Nestled along the seafront in Bray, this legendary spot combines top-notch pints, a cosy yet raucous atmosphere, and screens showing every crucial moment of the Six Nations. Expect a mix of locals and rugby die-hards, all fuelled by great beer and the occasional sea breeze wafting through the doors. If you fancy celebrating a win with a bracing dip in the Irish Sea after, well—you’re already halfway there.
Located on Baggot Street, keep up with them via Instagram.
The holy mecca of rugby-watching in Dublin, with delish cocktails and pub grub for anyone looking to make a day of it. Those used to the rush of match day will know you'll want to be down at Searsons nice and early to secure your spot, whether you're looking for indoors or out back in their leafy beer garden.
Located on Baggot Street, keep up with them via Instagram.
Continuing along the Baggot Mile we have Toners, another go-to spot for rugby with plenty of screens and a roomy heated outdoor space. Known for pouring one of the best pints in town and having plenty of nooks and crannies to settle into, you can also book a table at Toners for peace of mind before heading out.
Located in Ranelagh, keep up with them via Instagram.
This Ranelagh haunt is always a popular spot for match day, and perfect if you don't want to be smack bang in the middle of town. The pints are great, the staff are friendly and there's sport on every telly in the place.
Located on Bath Avenue, keep up with them via Instagram.
Situated just a stones throw from the Aviva, The Bath always tends to be right at the heart of the action. And although the first round of the Six Nations is taking place a bit further afield, you won't feel too hard done by at this stalwart rugby pub with tasty food and great atmosphere.
Located in Ranelagh - keep up with them via Instagram.
It probably won't surprise anyone that a good bulk of the rugby pubs are in Ranelagh but there you go, The Hill will be playing the Six Nations on their screens with plenty of walk-in space available. This landmark Ranelagh pub underwent major refurbishment and reopened under new owners back in 2021. It's now a lot snazzier inside, while still maintaining a lot of its original character and charm.
Rathmines
Great food, tasty pints and plenty of screens to catch every second. Rody Bolands is widely regarded as one of the best pubs in Rathmines and the skilled bar staff always manage to work through orders and dole out drinks in a timely manner even when they're up against it. You can book yourself a table right here if you want to ensure there's a seat waiting for you when you arrive.
Located in Ballsbridge - keep up with them via Instagram.
Don't let the name fool you, this spot has a lot more on the go than Cheltenham - Horse Show House is a consistently great southside spot for enjoying sports of all kinds, and they also boldly claim to have the best beer garden in Dublin. Head down for yourself to see how you reckon it measures up.
Located in Ballsbridge, keep up with them via Instagram.
Run by former Leinster Rugby players Seán O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip, and Rob and Dave Kearney, as you'd imagine the Bridge is a great place to watch a match and chow down on some pub grub while you're at it. Their food menu is a departure from what you'd usually expect - think steaming bowls of mussels laced with 'Nduja, fragrant vegan curries and a drool-worthy chicken parm.
Located on Parnell Street - keep up with The Woolshed right here.
Always a great spot to watch matches of any description - the Woolshed is known for its mammoth-sized screens and great atmosphere on match day, whatever the sport is. If you're looking for soakage, their bar menu has all the classics - burgers oozing with American cheese, saucy chicken wings, the scent of which wafts temptingly throughout the venue urging you to order a portion for yourself and of course, icy beers, Aussie style.
Located on Camden Street, keep up with The Bleeding Horse via Instagram.
With its central location and ample seating around its central hexagonal bar, The Bleeding Horse is an ideal spot to watch the match with a group or on your own, tucked in at the bar with a pint of plain and plenty of tellies in plain sight. The Bleeding Horse also have a bar menu brimming with all your pub grub faves, and is ideally placed if you're planning on celebrating well into the night.
Located on Camden Street, keep up with them via Instagram.
The Camden have one of the biggest screens for sports in the city - a 4k machine that's been used to show everything from the All Ireland Final to Ryan Tubridy's Oireachtas appearance. This weekend though, it'll be wall to wall rugby at one of Dublin's most impressive sports bars.
Sinnotts is located on King Street South, just off Grafton Street. Keep up with them via Instagram.
You don't need to head out to the leafy 'burbs to catch the action - Sinnotts is slap bang in the middle of town with massive screens, a great buzz and even a telly outside so you can keep one eye on the match and another on the comings and goings of King Street South.
Did we miss out your favourite place to watch the rugby? Let us know and in the meantime, go sports, etc.
Header image via Getty & Instagram/bathpubdub
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