Is Toners the best place for Guinness in Dublin?

The number one spot for Guinness in Dublin?

In recent years, Guinness has become the tipple of choice for many Irish drinkers, due to its historic and cultural significance in the country, as well as its unmatchable flavour. The age-old debate of which pub serves the best Guinness in Ireland has transcended into a new generation of stout lovers, with the likes of The Guinness Guru, Pints of Plain, and Stout Watch all taking Instagram by storm in order to seek out the best pint of Guinness. Toners Pub on Baggot Street in Dublin City has a genuine hat in the ring, with Rory Guinness, of the original Guinness family, claiming Toners pulls the best pint in the land. In this Dish Cult article, we’re going to examine the history of Toners Pub and talk about some of its best features, as well as understand why they arguably serve Ireland’s best Guinness.

A slice of history on Baggot Street

Toners sits on the corner of Rodgers Lane and Baggot Street Lower, a historic part of Dublin City, between St Stephens Green and Merrion Square Park and only a stone’s throw away from Ireland’s government buildings. The public house opened as Toners in1818, but has been a pub since 1734 and is one of Dublin’s only remaining Victorian style pubs. Toners has flagged floors and wooden high stools, with the original stock drawers sitting behind the bar. You’ll feel as if you’ve been transported back in time when stepping past the black and burgundy doors.

Toners also hosts a magnificent beer garden, which is a phenomenal sun trap for the summer pints, ensuring the ice-cold pints they serve are enjoyed to the maximum. The garden has previously hosted a Mumford & Sons gig, so there’s ample opportunity for a pint and a singsong.

The Baggot Street pub is rumoured to be the watering hole of choice for some of Ireland’s most celebrated writers too, with Patrick Kavanagh and W.B Yeats frequenting Toners. The history and the maintenance of the Victorian décor certainly contribute to a lively and friendly experience.

A modern menu

Toners has never been a gastropub and enjoys keeping tradition alive. However, in 2016 one of Dublin’s most under-celebrated pizza parlours opened next door. Cirillo’s and Toners teamed up so the authentic Neapolitan pizza could be delivered into the pub, providing an outstanding accompanying meal for Toners’ guests. All of Cirillo’s pizza is made to the traditional Vera Pizza Napoletana standards, with 15 options ranging from €13-€16.

We’d highly recommend settling into Toners with a pint of plain and a Diavola pizza. In a way, an Italian pizza joint and a traditional Irish pub isn’t your average food and drinks combo. However, both establishments take great pride in their respective traditions, so it’s a match made in heaven!

The world’s best whiskey

As mentioned, Toners comes highly recommended as a spot for the best Guinness in Ireland, so for those of you on the hunt for the best pint of plain, make sure that Toners is on your hit list. The pub is just 10 minutes from St James Gate, the home of the Guinness Brewery, so every barrel is as fresh as they come!

Not only do Toners stand proud of their Guinness, but also host some of the best whiskey in Ireland. Their house whiskey, James Toner Whiskey, is double distilled, created in one of the country’s most reputable distilleries in Midleton, County Cork. Toners was subsequently voted the best whiskey pub in the world in 2019! With an extensive whiskey list, Toners employ highly knowledgeable staff who can guide you through a fantastic tasting experience.