The Landmark

Just what Dublin needs - another pub claiming to be a "landmark." The Landmark in Dublin sits there on the corner, practically begging for attention like a puppy in a pet shop window, complete with the requisite promise of live music and perfectly pulled pints. I rolled my eyes so hard they nearly got stuck when my editor assigned me this review. But here I am, reluctantly admitting that sometimes the obvious choice isn't the worst one.

Let's address the elephant in the room - The Landmark isn't reinventing the wheel here. It's a Dublin pub that serves Guinness and has live music. Stop the presses. But there's something undeniably charming about how it refuses to try too hard, which is precisely what makes it work. Unlike its try-hard cousins in Temple Bar who seem to have attended a masterclass in tourist-fleecing, this place maintains a dignified restraint that's almost... refreshing.

The two-floor setup actually makes sense, unlike some Dublin establishments where the second floor feels like an architectural afterthought designed by someone who once heard about stairs in a dream. Each level has its own bar, which means you're never more than 10 steps away from ordering another round - a design choice I begrudgingly appreciate during busy evenings.

I've had the fish and chips. Several times, actually, though I'm loath to admit it. They're irritatingly good - crispy batter that actually stays crispy (a miracle in our damp climate), and fish that tastes like it might have seen the sea this century. The beef stew, which I ordered purely for journalistic thoroughness, made me temporarily forget my professional cynicism. It's the kind of hearty, rich dish that makes you understand why Irish cuisine isn't completely hopeless.

The prices won't make you weep into your wallet, though they're not exactly giving it away either. You're paying standard Dublin mid-range prices, which means your bank account won't need immediate trauma counseling, but you might want to warn it gently before checking the balance the next morning.

Live music seven nights a week could be a disaster - we've all suffered through enough painful pub sessions to last several lifetimes. But The Landmark somehow manages to book musicians who actually know which end of the instrument makes the noise. I found myself tapping my foot more than once, much to my professional dismay.

The staff have mastered that elusive art of being present without hovering - though on busy nights, you might need to channel your inner air traffic controller to flag them down. It's not perfect service, but it's several notches above the "sure, whenever I feel like it" approach that plagues many Dublin establishments.

They take reservations, which in theory means you can plan ahead. In practice, even when it's "fully booked," there's usually room somewhere. It's like they've mastered the art of Irish space-time manipulation, where "no room" actually means "ah, we'll squeeze you in somewhere."

The outdoor seating area exists in that grey area between "actual terrace" and "we've put some tables on the footpath," but it works for those brave souls willing to risk Dublin's perpetually indecisive weather. They're even child-friendly, with an actual children's menu that consists of more than just smaller portions of adult meals at adult prices.

For groups, The Landmark in Dublin handles the chaos with surprising grace. Whether it's after-work drinks or your cousin's birthday that the whole family's invited to (God help us), they manage to accommodate without making anyone feel like they're being stored in the broom cupboard.

Look, I didn't want to like The Landmark. I really didn't. Dublin has enough perfectly decent pubs that serve perfectly decent pints and perfectly decent food. But there's something about this place that's wormed its way past my professional skepticism. Maybe it's the consistently good food, or the way they've balanced traditional pub atmosphere with modern expectations, or perhaps they've just worn me down with their reliable competence.

If you must go out in Dublin (and let's face it, you must), you could do far worse than The Landmark. Book ahead if you're organized enough, or chance your arm as a walk-in - either way, you'll probably end up having a better time than you're willing to admit. Just don't tell them I sent you. I have a reputation to maintain.