About The Black Lion
Perched on Redmond's Hill overlooking the Portobello neighbourhood, The Black Lion is a spirited pub pulsing with live traditional Irish music on weekends. This unassuming spot belies its reputation as a trad hotspot, where the narrow room packs in punters shoulder-to-shoulder for rip-roaring sessions. The vibe is pure neighbourhood: friendly banter, frothy pints, and melodies that echo off the walls long after closing.
In the roster of live music Portobello Dublin offers, The Black Lion excels in raw authenticity. Fiddles wail and banjos strum from 10pm Fridays and Saturdays, often spilling into impromptu sing-alongs. Their menu of comfort classics like fish and chips or shepherd's pie keeps hunger at bay, all sourced locally. It's the ideal pitstop after a Portobello canal ramble, bridging the gap between quiet residential streets and Dublin's lively core.
What to Expect
Compact venue for 60-70, cosy and chaotic during music. Weekend sessions only, free entry. Kitchen closes 9pm; focus shifts to drinks. Mixed local-tourist crowd, rowdy but welcoming.
Insider Tips
Arrive by 9pm for seats; stand if needed for immersion. Sample the house stout, smooth as silk. Five-minute walk from Portobello Bridge. Quiet Sundays suit solo pints. Ask for session playlists; musicians oblige. Essential for live music Portobello fans seeking off-the-beaten-path craic.