The Porterhouse Central
The Porterhouse Central occupies a multi-level building at 45-47 Nassau Street, just east of the Temple Bar district proper. It's the flagship location of Ireland's first brewpub chain, which has been brewing its own beers since 1996. The building spans four floors, each with a different character. The ground level houses the main bar with live music most evenings. Upper floors offer quieter seating and views over Nassau Street. The brewery produces a core range including Plain Porter, An Brain Blasta stout, Hersbrucker Pilsner, and Temple Brau wheat beer, all available on tap. The beer list extends to over 20 rotating taps including guest craft beers from Irish and international breweries. Total capacity across all floors runs to roughly 400.
What to Expect
A large, well-lit ground floor bar with music stage to one side. The tap wall behind the bar is the centerpiece, showing what's pouring. Stairs lead up to additional floors with different atmospheres, from lively to almost library-quiet at the top.
Relaxed beer hall energy on the ground floor, progressively quieter as you go up. Less frantic than the pubs on Temple Bar Street itself.
Live bands on the ground floor most nights, ranging from trad sessions to blues and rock covers
Casual. Beer-focused crowd, no pretension about appearance.
Craft beer enthusiasts, people who want the Temple Bar area atmosphere without the highest prices
Cards and contactless widely accepted. Cash also taken.
Price Range
Pint of house brew EUR 6-7, guest craft beers EUR 7-9, cocktails EUR 12-15, food EUR 13-20
House pint ~$6.50/~6 EUR, craft pints ~$8/~7.50 EUR
Hours
11:30-23:30 Mon-Thu, 11:30-00:30 Fri-Sat, 12:00-23:00 Sun
Insider Tip
The house-brewed beers are EUR 1-2 cheaper than comparable drinks at surrounding pubs. Try the oyster stout if it's on tap, it's a Porterhouse original. Upper floors are quieter for conversation.
Full Review
The Porterhouse stands out on Nassau Street because it's doing something different from the surrounding pubs. While most Dublin bars pour the same Diageo and Heineken products, The Porterhouse brews its own and supplements with a rotating guest list that rewards return visits.
The ground floor is where the action concentrates. A long bar stretches along one wall with the tap handles arrayed behind it. The beer board lists what's pouring, and the staff can talk you through the options without the condescension you sometimes get at craft beer bars. Live music occupies a corner stage most evenings, and the quality varies from excellent trad sessions to adequate cover bands.
Upper floors offer escape from the ground-level noise. The second floor has its own bar and seating with a slightly more relaxed pace. Higher up, you find corners quiet enough for actual conversation, which makes this a rare commodity in the Temple Bar area on a weekend night.
Pricing is the other advantage. Because they brew in-house, the Porterhouse can sell a pint of their Plain Porter for EUR 6-7, which undercuts the EUR 8-9 being charged at pubs 200 meters away. The food menu is standard pub fare but competently executed and reasonably priced for the area.
The Neighborhood
Technically on Nassau Street rather than in Temple Bar itself, The Porterhouse sits at the eastern edge of the district. Trinity College is across the road, and Grafton Street is a minute's walk south. The Temple Bar pub district starts just to the north and west.
Getting There
The pub faces Nassau Street directly opposite Trinity College's east entrance. From the Luas green line, the nearest stop is Dawson (under construction) or St Stephen's Green, about 5 minutes' walk. Multiple bus routes serve Nassau Street.
Address
45-47 Nassau Street
Other Venues in Temple Bar
The Temple Bar Pub
Dublin's most photographed pub with its iconic red facade. Two floors of live traditional and rock music every night, a huge whiskey collection, and standing-room-only crowds on weekends.
The Auld Dubliner
Traditional pub with a large upstairs venue hosting live bands and DJs. The ground floor keeps a classic pub feel, while the upper level gets louder and more energetic after 10 PM.
Button Factory
Mid-sized music venue and nightclub hosting live acts, DJ nights, and club events. Capacity of around 800 across two levels, with a reputation for booking quality indie and electronic acts.
Vintage Cocktail Club
Speakeasy-style cocktail bar hidden behind an unmarked door on Crown Alley. Dim lighting, creative cocktails, and a dress code that keeps the atmosphere more refined than the surrounding pub chaos.
The Foggy Dew
Late-night pub with a rock and alternative music focus. Screens showing sports during the day give way to DJ sets and a young, energetic crowd after dark. One of the few Temple Bar spots that feels less touristy.