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Dublin Literary Pub Crawl

Recommended by 95% of travelers
Dublin, Ireland
High interest
Booked 2 times today.
  • 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.8
·
· Richard_K ·
Sep 2026
The experience is a nice blend of historical and biographical narrative, anecdotes about the writers’ lives and play-acting by the guides/actors. Finbarr and Ross had a witty rapport between them and appropriately timed their humor and irreverence. We would highly recommend it. It was an intimate group. And we learned something. And there was drinking involved.
· Rosalinda_V ·
Oct 2026
It was more than I expected. I enjoyed the discussions of the authors and the performers did a fantastic job at reciting the work of the authors discussed. The music in between was welcomed levity as well. I joined the group as a solo and everyone was fantastic!

Overview

Discover Dublin’s rich literary heritage while absorbing the ambience of Ireland's traditional pubs on a pub crawl with a difference. Wander Dublin’s charming streets to visit sites and pubs that inspired some of the country’s most famous writers; enjoy refreshing pints of locally brewed ale and snacks (own expense); and put your newfound knowledge to the test in a fun-filled literary quiz at the end of your tour.
  • Visit historic pubs, share a drink and hear tales from Dublin’s literary folklore
  • Led by entertaining actors who bring the characters to life
  • Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of a small-group tour
  • Learn more about Dublin's literary culture than you cold alone

What's Included

  • Guided walking tour with local actors to four Dublin pubs
  • Literary Quiz with prizes for winners
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks
  • Hotel pickup and drop off

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • The Duke Dublin
    9 Duke St, Dublin 2, D02 NR76, Ireland

    You will find us UPSTAIRS in The Duke Pub, 9 Duke Street. Just off Grafton

End point

  • Davy Byrnes
    21 Duke St, Dublin, D02 K380, Ireland

Start time
.7:15 pm

Itinerary

Depart from the central location of Duke Street and embark upon an animated and entertaining journey to the sights and sounds that inspired revered Irish writers such as Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw and W.B. Yeats. Begin with a refreshing pint at the Duke Pub and listen to hilarious stories of the writers’ artistic antics. 

Revel in the joyous atmosphere created by incredible actors as scenes sourced from canonical novels are recreated; learn about the lives of the talented artists while also gaining fascinating insight into the turbulent history of Ireland’s capital city; and see the influence modern and ancient authors have had on the architecture of the city.    

Conclude your tour with an immersive literary quiz to test your new found knowledge of Ireland’s literary past; seize victory in order to win some fantastic prizes before returning to Duke Street, where the tour concludes.
1

Dublin Literary Pub Crawl

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Minimum age is 16 years
  • Infant seats should be required at time of booking
  • Maximum persons per booking is four
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 4 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.8
based on 1,784 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Review summary

Last 12 months

104 reviews

Select a theme to learn more

Travelers consistently praise the performances for engaging acting, skilled storytelling, and entertaining musical and humorous elements that vividly bring literary works to life. Guides and instructors receive recognition for their deep knowledge of Irish literature and history, combining education with theatrical presentation to create a memorable and informative experience.

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Traveler reviews summarised by AI

Sort by: Most insightful

Fantastic evening

James_O, Oct 2026
Amazing. Very entertaining. Would do it again. Performers were fantastic. Would highly recommend this to anyone

Response from Host, Nov 2026

Thanks James. Really appreciate your comments Colm

It was more than I...

Rosalinda_V, Oct 2026
It was more than I expected. I enjoyed the discussions of the authors and the performers did a fantastic job at reciting the work of the authors discussed. The music in between was welcomed levity as well. I joined the group as a solo and everyone was fantastic!

Response from Host, Nov 2026

Thanks Rosalinda. Its a great way for solo travellers to navigate the city pubs at night and meet other like minds. Great to see you Colm

Skilled actors,...

AnnaKatharina_T, Oct 2026
Skilled actors, musicians, entertainers and lovely hosts all in one. Highly recommended for anyone with even a passing interest in Irish literature. The tour is very likely to take longer than the two hours fifteen listed here, but that's hardly a point of criticism.

Response from Host, Oct 2026

thanks Annaka. We appreciate you taking the time to write in... COLM

Amazing evening to learn about writers and pubs!

Michael_G, Oct 2026
Great experience very informative - the hosts were incredible with their song and storytelling . Thank you!

Response from Host, Oct 2026

Thanks Michael COLM & JOHN

Irish literary pub experience

stephen_D, Oct 2026
Wonderful educational experience of bringing the greatest Irish literary authors to life in Irish pubs and presented by two highly entertaining guides. Very engaging and enjoyable

Response from Host, Oct 2026

Stephen, Thanks for taking the time to review the tour. We really appreciate that COLM

Unexpected and wonderful. The time flew by!

James_O, Oct 2026
It’s fun! The actors are great, tons of detail and obscure facts about the authors, great way to get inside some of the older pub that you might not know about.

Response from Host, Oct 2026

Thanks James. We appreciate that COLM

Informative, entertaining and utterly charming

Patricia_B, Oct 2026
They should know that it’s not to be missed. This was so much fun if you are at all interested in literature and Ireland beyond the shamrocks and St. Patrick’s Day.

Response from Host, Oct 2026

Thanks Patricia. Appreciate the kind review Colm

Well Worth Your Time

Nancy_E, Oct 2026
A rich and enjoyable introduction to the songs and stories of Dublin. Colm and John are talented hosts!

Response from Host, Oct 2026

Thank you Nancy Colm & John

Fantastic

Sonia_G, Oct 2026
Colm and John were the best hosts. With knowledge and humour, such live for their beautiful home, I began to fall in love with Ireland myself. Their harmonies when they sang was beautiful and moving, there was fun and laughter and time to take in the amazing atmosphere of the historical pubs we visited. I am not a drinker so don’t worry about that. So good I’d do it again tomorrow!

Response from Host, Oct 2026

Thanks Sonia. Come back to see us some day. 38 years on the road now..! Colm

The best city tours yet

Steven_M, Oct 2026
Wow….tonights literary pub crawl with Finbar and Frank had to be one of the best city tours we have done…ever! We had one day to enjoy Dublin and this tour has sent us home with everlasting happy memories……the pubs, the beers, the banter, the stories and the theartre of it all were fabulous….do yourself a favour and book it.

Response from Host, Oct 2026

Hi Stephen, Thanks a million for your review COLM

Pub Crawl with a Master Storyteller!

Joni_P, Oct 2026
Ben is so knowledgeable and made the Pub Crawl a highlight of our time in Ireland. He is witty, very personable and a wealth of information. We enjoyed the songs that John (I think that was his name) played the guitar and sang during the Pub Crawl because they really added to the whole experience.

Response from Host, Oct 2026

Thanks Joni We really appreciate your comments

I liked it

Egle_J, Sep 2026
I had a fun experience. The guide was very knowledgeable and there was also a man who sang a few songs. The pubs were also nice

Response from Host, Sep 2026

Thank you for joining us Colm

A wonderful and rewarding evening,

maris_c, Sep 2026
Learned a great deal about Irish writers and their exploits in Dublin. Visited many excellent taverns as well as pertinent locales about Dublin.

Response from Host, Sep 2026

Thank-you Maris Colm

Loved the guys

Constance_P, Sep 2026
The actors were informative and dedicated. We learned quite a bit, had some really good drinks at the pubs, and generally had a great evening. Highly recommend!!

Response from Host, Sep 2026

Thanks Constance. Colm

Highly recommendable,...

Marcel_V, Sep 2026
Highly recommendable, especially the rendering of " Waiting for Godot", not to forget the rest, Slainte !

Response from Host, Sep 2026

Thanks Marcel.

Less oldies

Morgan_R, Sep 2026
The guys were great. Super talented and kept attention. However the tour went over an hour what is was supposed to. I assume because it was filled with old people who cannot drink a beer in 20 minutes for each stop. However I think it should be advertised that the allotted time may go over significantly so we can plan for that. Other than failing to corral the old people on schedule the stories and delivery was spectacular.

Response from Host, Sep 2026

This review is one of the most offensive i have received. Our audience are a huge mix of young and old alike. Plenty of solos who are not with partners, and who join us, do tend to be older. That's life. One of the most cherished photos I have of our customers is the one of a young lady of 20 or so with her arm around an 80+ woman, both of whom won first and second prize in the quiz at the end of the tour. They were thrilled to have met on the Literary Pub Crawl. The generation gap does not exist on this tour. Why refer to it? Colm

Best tour!

Audrey_C, Sep 2026
Callum’s knowledge of the Irish poets, coupled with Jon’s musical accompaniments, made for an enjoyable experience. A great way to visit the pubs of Dublin.

Response from Host, Sep 2026

Thanks Audrey, Colm & John

Great experience!!!

Bev_K, Sep 2026
If you are on the fence on whether to go, book it. It was fantastic. Finnbaur and another gentlemen hosted us. We both loved it and my husband isn't a reader.

Response from Host, Sep 2026

Bev Thanks a mill for joining us Fin & Colm

A nice blend of humor, history, wit and drink

Richard_K, Sep 2026
The experience is a nice blend of historical and biographical narrative, anecdotes about the writers’ lives and play-acting by the guides/actors. Finbarr and Ross had a witty rapport between them and appropriately timed their humor and irreverence. We would highly recommend it. It was an intimate group. And we learned something. And there was drinking involved.

Response from Host, Sep 2026

Thank you Richard...not too much drinking on the tour. A couple of scoops along the way. That's it. Not a boozy night at all COLM

Great fun

Judith_A, Aug 2026
Great actors. It was a delight to experience Dublin pubs at night. The acting was fun and informative

Response from Host, Aug 2026

Thanks Judith COLM

A lively immersion into the world of Irish writers.

Birgit_H, Aug 2026
A fantastic experience. The amazing and charming actors really transported us into the world of Oscar Wilde, James Joyce and others. Their acting brought each era vividly to life, with a perfect choice of historical pubs.

Response from Host, Aug 2026

Thank you Birgit Colm & John

Amazing tour

Arielle_D, Aug 2026
This was a wonderful tour. Both tour guides/actors were amazing! The tour was well paced and I learned a lot

Craig on another level

Jacqui_H, Aug 2026
Highly entertaining Professional inclusive. These guys have a great knowledge of their subject. It was a great night out on the town.

Response from Host, Aug 2026

Thanks Jacqui. We appreciate your comments COLM / FRANK / FINBARR

A great blend of culture...

Gina_C, Aug 2026
A great blend of culture and fun!! Great history on some of the best pubs and people who visited them. Entertaining!! Note, entertainment is provided but drinks are not—plenty of opportunity to buy your own as you go.

Response from Host, Aug 2026

Thanks Gina. Yes you buy your own. It's against the law to provide 'free' drinks Colm

Not your average night out in Dublin!

Sarah_P, Aug 2026
Our guides, Frank and Finbar, were first-rate! They are talented actors and welcoming, knowledgeable tour guides. The experience was super fun, and we learned a lot while enjoying a few pubs.

Response from Host, Aug 2026

Thanks Sarah Colm/Frank/Finbarr

Must do in Dublin!

Robert_G, Aug 2026
Absolutely amazing time. Literary enthusiast or not the team made the tour captivating! The history behind Irelands literary greats was fascinating to learn about and knowing the history behind the pubs as well really pulled it all together.

Response from Host, Aug 2026

Thanks Robert. Appreciate your comments COLM /FRANK /FINBARR

Wonderful tour!

Frances_H, Aug 2026
The tour was great they were both so talented and knowledgeable. The tour was the highlight of my trip!!

Response from Host, Aug 2026

Thanks Frances Frank, Finn

Fun way to see Dublin and...

Tara_C, Aug 2026
Fun way to see Dublin and be exposed to some of Ireland’s greatest treasures, her authors. Well organized

Response from Host, Aug 2026

Thanks Tara Fin, Frank. Ross

Excellent tour. A good...

Anita_P, Aug 2026
Excellent tour. A good balance between entertainment and information. Also a splendid guide to the literary drinking spots of the city. Great fun!

Response from Host, Aug 2026

Thanks Anita We appreciate your review Colm

Highlight of Dublin

Rick_S, Aug 2026
The Literary Pub Crawl was the highlight of our four days in the Dublin area. Frank and Ross were fantastic guides and performers. They say the crawl lasts a little over two hours, but at the final bar, the party just kept going and our hosts continued to answer questions and sing traditional Irish songs. And even though we did a tour of Trinity College already, when they took us to the college we learned so many new things. Highly entertaining. If I had any knocks it would be that I think there were a few too many people on the tour and they've got to get a better logo for their prize t-shirt. That's one area where I think A.I. can help. :) Thanks for a wonderful experience guys!

Response from Host, Aug 2026

Thanks a mill Rick Colm, Frank, Ross
Member Pricing
From

$24.63

per person
Was $25.93(-5%)

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 31 days in advance.

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