American tourist Ryan Stephens visited 46 different pubs throughout Ireland before ranking the top 10 pints of Guinness – with only one Dublin pub making the final cut
His first pub stop on his Irish holiday came in Dublin (Image: Getty Images)
An American visitor sampled pints at 46 different pubs across Ireland before compiling his top 10 Guinness rankings – with only Dublin boozer making the final cut.
Ryan Stephens posted the video on TikTok, where it has since attracted over half a million views. He explained he’d been planning to create the list since getting back from his trip, noting his “qualifications” include having been “drinking the black stuff for years regardless of the season”.
Just one Dublin pub featured in the top ten – Harkin’s Bar in The Old Harbour.
Located nearest to the Guinness Brewery, Ryan recalled: “Stopped in here waiting for the Guinness Storehouse to open. Right down the street.
“Maybe a little high because it was the first of the trip, but it really set the tone (and preferred it to the Storehouse).”
Harkin’s Bar has been run by the Harkin family since 1992 (Image: Google Maps)
Galway claimed four spots in the top ten, including M.P. Walsh on Dominick St Lower – a traditional establishment situated in the city’s Westend.
Placing it at number seven, he explained: “Seriously could be higher. This was at the end of the night and came back for seconds still. It was that good. Champions League matches going is always a plus.”
Scraping into the top ten was Moran’s Oyster Cottage in Kilcolgan, with him commenting: “Came here for the seafood to be fair but ended up being a tremendous creamer. Worth a trip if you’re coming/going from Galway.”
At number five came The Crane Bar on Sea Road, amongst Galway’s most renowned traditional music venues.
Describing his visit, Ryan noted: “Recommended to me and not only did we get a bunch of college kids jamming upstairs, but we put in a serious shift here. The creamers were outstanding.”
The last Galway venue to feature in the top ten was O’Dowd’s Seafood Bar and Restaurant. Ryan placed it at number four, and it’s situated in Roundstone village, boasting sweeping views across the bay.
O’Dowd’s Seafood Bar and Restaurant is on the Main Street in Roundstone, Galway (Image: Google Maps)
Explaining why he ranked it above 42 other Irish pubs, he commented: “Stopped for lunch on a long bus trip and was shocked. Just missed the top three. This point was no joke. Almost didn’t order a Guinness here which would have been a massive mistake.”
His top three consisted of Dick Mack’s Pub in Dingle, The Garrick in Belfast and Lily Finnegans in Carlingford.
Regarding why The Garrick in Belfast city centre received such high praise, Ryan noted: “I don’t know what they’re doing here but it should be illegal how good this pint is. I could put in a serious day of football here with great pub food to boast. Well played.”
The Garrick has been welcoming punters since 1870 (Image: Google Maps)
Following the publication of his list, which can be viewed here on TikTok, one commenter responded: “No shade to the places you mentioned but I wish more people would go up the west coast of Ireland, best pint I’ve ever had was a country pub somewhere east of Sligo.”
Another individual commented: “Every single pub in Dublin tops all of those. Why? Because Guinness does not travel. The best thing about Dublin is Guinness and only reason I ever like going up there.”
A third person shared: “The Garrick is what got me onto Guinness. Keeping the standards high.”
Yet another added: “The perfect pint of Guinness is a rare thing. You could spend your entire life looking for one, and it would not be a wasted life.”
Ryan’s top 10 Irish pubs for GuinnessLily Finnegan’s (Louth)The Garrick (Antrim)Dick Mack’s (Kerry)O’Dowd’s Seafood Bar and RestaurantThe Crane Bar (Galway)Taaffes Castle (Louth)M.P. Walsh (Galway)Harkin’s Bar (Dublin)O’Sullivans (Kerry)Moran’s Oyster Cottage (Galway)