Cosy Pubs With Fireplaces to Toast Your Tootsies
Words: Hannah Lemass
Images: Instagram & Unsplash
You wouldn’t be long getting ‘frostbit’ so you’d best go forth and claim your rightful spot by the hearth.
It’s absolutely baltic out there! When the temperature plummets and your fingers start to feel like long ice cubes, there’s only one solution: a proper pint or, better yet a hot whiskey, by the fire in a cute little pub. Whether it’s the allure of a crackling hearth, inviting decor, hearty grub, or simply that intangible homely vibe, these gems are the perfect sanctuaries for frosty afternoons and nippy nights.
At these spots, you’ll be as snug as a bug… in a snug. With a pint.
28 Thomas St
The heavyweight champion of Dublin’s fireplace scene. Arthur’s boasts a magnificent open hearth that makes you feel like landed gentry lounging in a country manor except here, you’ve got the easy-going charm of a proper local. The Guinness is top-tier, the pub fare hits the spot, and live blues and jazz sessions most evenings ensure your spirit stays as warm as your toes do. You’ll definitely want to settle in and stay awhile.
9 Anne St
Brimming with snugs, nooks and crannies, Kehoe’s manages to feel intimate no matter where you perch. Upstairs, with its fireplace, feels like curling up in someone’s ‘good room’. Every inch of this place is sumptuous and inviting. Even the ladies’ room is cosy, complete with a chaise lounge that’s perfect for reclining like a worn-out Victorian spinster when your social battery drains on a night out.
140 Capel St
If you’re frozen to the bone on the north side, McNeill’s on Capel Street will sort you out. This place oozes charm and warmth, with a fireplace that’s a siren call for anyone in need of a good defrosting. Once a music shop, the pub retains echoes of its past with regular trad sessions that fill the air with life and soul. There’s even a little heated smoking area if you’re keen to stay snug even while outdoors.
14 Fade St
Who says modern bars can’t be cosy? It not just old man pubs in the running here. Idlewild proves it with its lush velvet sofas, ornate furnishings, and a fireplace that practically begs you to grab a cocktail, sink into a chair, and catch up with your pals.
23 Christchurch
A favourite haunt of pint purists, The Lord Edward is a delightful retreat from the chill. Head upstairs to the lounge, to grab a spot by the fire. The window seats are also a prime spot for gazing out at the frosty world below, pint of Guinness or Smithwick’s in one hand, crisps in the other, as the warm contentment of a true fireside boozer envelopes you like a blanket.
Elsewhere on Char: Char’s Ultimate Food Guide: Pints
