Buswells Hotel

You're stepping into a piece of Dublin's political theatre here, where the mahogany panelling has absorbed more backroom deals than the Dáil chamber itself. The bar at this Georgian institution on Molesworth Street pulls a proper pint and serves up whiskey to everyone from visiting dignitaries to punters who've wandered over from St. Stephen's Green. The atmosphere is properly old-school Dublin – think leather armchairs, heavy curtains, and the kind of quiet confidence that comes from being around since 1882. It's not trying to be cool or contemporary, and that's exactly why it works. The service is solid, the drinks are well-made, and you might catch a TD or two having a quiet word in the corner.