The 51 Bar

You'll find this spot tucked behind Haddington Road, and it's the kind of place that makes you wonder why you ever bother with the tourist traps closer to town. The 51 has that rare ability to feel properly local without being unwelcoming to outsiders – though fair warning, the regulars definitely know each other's business. The food here is a cut above your typical pub grub, with proper attention paid to ingredients and execution. They're open from half ten in the morning most days, which means you can actually get a decent breakfast pint and bite if that's your thing. The crowd tends to be a mix of Ballsbridge locals, office workers from the surrounding area, and the occasional rugby fan when Lansdowne Road is buzzing.