"Came here Sunday miday as they are one of the few Dublin pubs who have live traditional Irish music all day - statted at around 12:30pm. It was such a good atmosphere, performed in the alley between two parts of the pub. Even though it was raining it was a good vibe and they have space heaters to keep you warm. Would really recommend getting there as they open, finding a table and settling in for a few hours. The staff were also really friendly and let us store luggage in the back as we were waiting to go back to the airport later in the day. We didn't get food but lots of others were getting toasties and soup which looked lovely."

Josie Hough

"O’Donoghues Bar became my favorite pub in Dublin and a clear highlight of my “Dublin Pub Crawl” list. We almost skipped it after wandering into the other O’Donoghues on Suffolk Street, but a friend we met on the trip pointed us to the Merrion Row location, and that changed everything.

The atmosphere here is exactly what you hope to find when you picture a traditional Irish pub. Shoulder to shoulder at times, but never in a bad way. It is that classic controlled chaos that only the great pubs seem to pull off.

The trad music was some of the best we saw anywhere in Ireland. Not just background noise, but real musicians playing with energy and skill. You could stand there with a pint and listen for hours without ever getting bored. It is everything you want from a Dublin music session.

Despite how busy this place gets, the bartenders are absolute professionals. Nonstop movement, perfect pints, and somehow they always keep track of who is next. The service was excellent every time, and they set the tone for the entire place. I could tell this is a pub that takes pride in what it does.

The layout is tight, loud, and full of life. We squeezed our way to the bar, settled in with a pint and I immediately felt genuinely happy, like this is exactly what I expected Ireland to be. It is that classic Irish pub energy that tourists go looking for and locals appreciate because it has never turned into a gimmick. It feels genuine from top to bottom.

I spent most of my time in the bar where the musicians were playing, but O’Donoghues has several different rooms and areas to explore. Each space has its own feel, whether you want to stay close to the music or step into a quieter spot. It all works together to create the full O’Donoghues experience.

Overall, O’Donoghues on Merrion Row is a must visit. Not just a stop on a pub crawl, but a place you could spend an entire night and be completely satisfied. Between the music, the atmosphere and the top tier service, this was the pub that set the standard for every other stop on the list. If you want the real Dublin pub experience, this is the one."

Nic Cravillion

"We had an amazing time at O'Donoghue's, with an amazing feel, look and energy to the place. The pints were definitely on the more expensive side it has to be admitted, but the bartenders were warm and welcoming and the drinks were well served. You simply must go for a trad night here, well worth the visit it has to be said."

D Sharpe