The 51 Bar

Just what Dublin needed - another pub with aspirations. The 51 Bar sits there on Baggot Street, wearing its modernized traditional pub persona like a carefully distressed leather jacket. You know the type: trying to convince you it's authentically vintage while sporting suspiciously contemporary touches.

I'll admit, I approached The 51 Bar Dublin with the weary resignation of someone who's seen one too many "reinvented" Irish pubs. The kind that thinks installing USB ports somehow preserves the spirit of James Joyce. But somewhere between rolling my eyes at the exposed brick walls and grudgingly ordering my first pint, something unexpected happened.

Maybe it was the way the evening light filtered through those tall windows, casting an admittedly pleasant glow across the wooden floors. Or perhaps it was the surprisingly competent bartender who didn't feel the need to give me a TED talk about the history of Irish whiskey while pouring my drink. The 51 manages to thread that impossibly fine needle between modern convenience and traditional comfort without making me want to flee to the nearest genuine dive bar.

The upstairs lounge, which they'll happily let you book for private events, is where The 51 Bar really shows its cards. It's spacious without feeling cavernous, stylish without triggering your pretension alerts. I've witnessed everything from corporate gatherings to pottery workshops up there, and somehow, the space adapts like a chameleon without losing its essential pub-ness. It's annoyingly versatile that way.

Let's talk about the food because we must. The menu walks that familiar tightrope between pub grub and casual dining, but here's the thing - they actually pull it off. The chicken curry doesn't taste like it came from a food service giant's frozen section, and the platters are generous enough to make you forgive their middle-of-the-road pricing. Yes, you're paying a bit more than you would at a basic boozer, but at least you won't need to apologize to your digestive system afterward.

The cocktail situation deserves mention, if only because finding a decent cocktail in a Dublin pub can sometimes feel like hunting for vegetarian options at a steakhouse. At €10 a pop, they're not trying to bankrupt you, though some drinks are better executed than others. Pro tip: stick to the classics rather than anything involving too many fruits or fancy garnishes.

Sports fans, you're covered. Multiple TVs strategically placed so you can catch the match without feeling like you're in a Best Buy showroom. And unlike some places that treat sports viewers as second-class citizens, The 51 maintains its service standards even during major games. A minor miracle in Dublin's pub landscape.

The real surprise is how The 51 Bar Dublin handles its crowds. Weekend evenings get busy - because of course they do, we're in Dublin - but the space is well-designed enough that you don't feel like you're participating in a human sardine experiment. The outdoor seating area provides a clever escape valve when the weather permits (so, about three days a year in Ireland).

Location-wise, it's actually rather perfect, though it pains me to admit it. Nestled between the Grand Canal and the city center, it's accessible without being tourist-trap central. The paid street parking might annoy some, but let's be honest - if you're driving to a pub in Dublin, you're doing it wrong anyway.

Here's the truly irritating part: I find myself recommending The 51 Bar more often than I'd like. Whether it's for after-work drinks, watching a match, or hosting an event that needs to impress without seeming trying too hard, it just... works. Book ahead for any private functions - the upstairs space is popular for good reason. And if you're just dropping in for a pint, well, you could do far worse in Dublin. Trust me, I've tried.