About The Oarsman
If you're hunting the best pubs in Docklands Dublin for a flawless pint of Guinness, The Oarsman is your port of call. Nestled on Clanwilliam Place in the heart of Grand Canal Dock, this gem overlooks the bustling docklands marina where swans glide lazily and Google Docks hums across the water. A proper traditional Irish pub with a contemporary twist, it's famed for its award-winning stout , creamy, nutty, with that perfect Dublin pour. The interior blends dark wood panelling, cosy firesides, and nautical nods to its rowing heritage (spot the oars on the walls), while the beer garden out back is a suntrap in summer, packed with after-workers from nearby tech HQs.
What to Expect
Slide onto a stool at the curved bar for banter with the bartenders who know their stuff, or settle into leather booths for grub like hearty fish and chips, succulent lamb shank, or veggie shepherd's pie. Live trad music sessions kick off most weekends, filling the air with fiddles and bodhráns, drawing a mix of locals, expats, and tourists. Portions are massive, flavours punchy with local Irish produce , think seafood chowder rich with Dublin Bay prawns. It's family-friendly by day, rowdy by night, always welcoming.
Insider Tips
Pro tip from a Dubliner: arrive early for the 6pm happy hour (pints €4.50) and snag a canal-view seat. Order the 'Oarsman Ploughman's' off-menu for cheese, ham, and pickle perfection. Post-pint, stroll to the nearby Epic Ireland museum or cross to Chiswick for more eats. Avoid peak rugby match times unless you're a fan , screens galore! For romance, the garden's fairy lights at night are magic. Undeniably one of the top pubs in Docklands Dublin for authentic craic and top-notch pours.