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From the first sip of Guinness there’s energy in the crowded room. Toes tap as fiddle and guitar skip through a musical dance. Soon the singer comes around to a chorus and everyone joins in. This is the Dublin Musical Pub Crawl!
One of the coolest experiences when visiting Ireland is seeing Irish traditional music. Toe-tapping rhythms and infectious melodies make it a joy to listen to (unless it’s a sad song, of course). But if you’re visiting a city like Dublin, how do you find it?
Enter the Musical Pub Crawl, a perfect introduction to Irish traditional music. I went on their melodious tour when I visited Dublin, and it’s still one of my favorite musical experiences of all time. This post is partly a review of the Musical Pub Crawl and partly a primer on enjoying Irish traditional music on your trip!
What is Irish traditional music?
First of all, let’s talk about Irish traditional music. Do you remember that scene in Titanic where Jack and Rose are dancing? What about the tavern fight scene in Pirates of the Caribbean? That’s traditional Irish music! Also, yes, some of the songs you hear on St. Patrick’s Day are also traditional music.
Irish music has origins long ago, but much of the most iconic music came about during the 18th and 19th centuries. It was during this time that many tunes were collected and song lyrics were written that are still sung today. Later on, Irish music also got a big boost in the 1960s as part of the wider folk music movement, lead by artists like the Chieftains, the Clancy Brothers, and the Dubliners.
Speaking of which, here’s a Spotify playlist to get the party started!
Besides singing, Irish music comes with a typical set of musical instruments. You’ll usually hear melody instruments like the fiddle, flute, and tin whistle alongside a small rhythm section of guitar and possibly frame drum called a bodhran. Another important instrument of Irish music is the harp, a national symbol of Ireland featured on the reverse side of their euro coins. Harps are a bit subtle for a lively pub, so they’re more common as solo instruments.
Dance is also a key part of Irish traditional music. Most instrumental tunes are known by name and by an overall rhythm that corresponds to a certain dance, like the reel, the jig, and the slip jig.
You’ll hear Irish traditional music referred to as “traditional music,” “trad,” or sometimes “folk music.” There’s a lot more to it, but let’s get on to the pub crawl!
My Experience with the Musical Pub Crawl
To me, the Dublin Musical Pub Crawl is the perfect introduction to traditional music. (Disclaimer- this was a few years ago, so some details may have changed, but the current version of the experience still looks great!) I planned the musical pub crawl for my first night in town. It was easy to find the first pub in the Temple Bar area and meet in an upstairs room with some fellow travelers.
One of the musician/tour guides kicked things off with a song, accompanying himself on the guitar. He talked to us a bit about Irish music and taught us the chorus to “Wild Mountain Thyme” so we could all sing along. It’s a beautiful song, and there’s something about singing together that really connects you with everyone in the room. Another musician/guide also joined in on the fiddle to bring the music up to a festive tempo.
After a few more songs, it was time to finish our pints and head to another pub. We got some great background info about Dublin along the way as we walked. The second pub was a nice change of scenery and an opportunity to hear a few more Irish songs in a cozy upstairs room.
After the tour, I talked to our guide to get some tips on where else to see traditional music in Dublin. Soon I had a plan for the rest of my time in the city! And more importantly, I had the confidence to go out looking for traditional music in the wild.
How to go on the Musical Pub Crawl in Dublin
Enjoying Dublin’s Musical Pub Crawl is easy! Just book it online, preferably through this affiliate link where I may get a small commission. The normal pub crawl runs Sunday through Thursday at 7:00 pm, and I highly recommend it. They also have a dinner show version of the experience that runs on Fridays and Saturdays at 6:30 pm. Either way, you’ll be in private reserved spaces. The tour is about $24 USD and the dinner show is about $64 including dinner.
It’s a popular experience, so be sure to check a couple weeks in advance if you have a specific date in mind.
Tips for Seeing Irish Traditional Music
- Finding traditional music – The best way to find a good spot is to ask tour guides, hotel operators, or really anyone willing to give out local intel. Pubs that feature traditional music often advertise it with a sign in front. It’s also common to feature traditional music on a certain night of the week, e.g. Thursdays.
- What is a “session?” – Sometimes pubs feature a soloist or group, but other times there’s a semi-organized gathering called a “session.” A true Irish trad session is when a group of musicians meet up and play whatever tunes they feel like. The instruments are…whatever the musicians bring with them that night.
- Buying drinks – If you’re stopping by a pub with traditional music, head to the bar first. Buying a pint is your admission to hang out and enjoy music! It’s also no problem to order a non-alcoholic drink.
- Tipping – Tipping at the bar is never expected. If you’ve enjoyed a long stint at a particular pub, it’s fine to give your bartender a few euros. If you’re getting dinner with table service, tipping 10-15% is customary.
- Finding a seat – On busy night, seating can be hard to find. If you see an open space, be polite and ask the folks sitting beside if you can sit there. When there are no seats, just hang out near the bar or wherever others are gathering. Drawing a big crowd is good for the musicians and the pub!
