As Ireland’s national drink, Guinness is a staple in every Irish pub. And Limerick has some of the best pubs that serve a perfect pint of the local stout.
For the full experience though, you need to drink properly and in the Irish way—in four large sips! Sláinte!
How Much a Pint of Guinness Costs in Ireland
This is a comparison of how much a pint of Guinness costs in some of Ireland’s cities. Most of them offer Guinness in less than €6.00 except for Dublin.
Also note that the price per pint varies depending on the pub, but this table cites the average range, which might change any time.
Top Places to Find Guinness in Limerick
We found the best pubs in Limerick that offers Guinness based on the following:
1. JJ Bowles (Limerick’s Oldest Pub)
| Location and ambience | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Accessibility | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Atmosphere | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Local recommendation | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Freshness and quality | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Presentation | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Customer service | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Attentiveness | ★★★★☆ (45) |
| Speed | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
As Limerick’s oldest pub, JJ Bowles has quite the reputation around the area, which caught our attention. It means the pub has been serving Guinness for a long time hence the locals claim it serves the best pint of the stout in the city!
Not to add that it might also have the best view—it faces a stunning river and a castle! In fact, according to locals who frequent the area, drinking Guinness at JJ Bowles is always the highlight of their week—they get to relax and just have fun conversations.
We love that JJ Bowles has outdoor seating, which is a nice addition to the pub. It can get a little crowded inside most especially during peak hours, and having other places to sit is convenient for its customers.
Interior-wise, we love that it has that old-style pub look. For us this kind of adds to the experience if you appreciate traditions and culture.
Speaking of the interior, we appreciate the lively and friendly atmosphere inside the pub. If you’re a tourist, this is a good Irish experience—locals singing Irish songs and even asking you to sing with them!
Another thing worth praising is the accommodating staff. They welcome you warmly and take your orders with smiles, even telling you stories about Limerick if you ask them.
Lastly, the service is fast during non-busy hours—you’ll get your Guinness a few seconds after your order. However, during peak hours, it might take a few minutes, which can be a bit irksome.
Pros
- Stunning views of the castle and river
- Outdoor seating
- Lively and fun atmosphere
- Accommodating staff
- Can cater to a big crowd
- Old-style pub with a cosy local flair
- Local customers singing Irish songs
- Affordable drinks
Cons
- Small place so it can get crowded inside
- Slow service during peak hours
Customer Reviews
Lovely and cosy bar with a great view
Found Limerick’s Oldest Pub on the day of a Six Nations match. Lovely cosy bar and nice outdoor area out the back with a great view of the castle. The Guinness in JJ Bowles is one of the best. We will be back! — Mags, Trip Advisor
Perfect spot for a drink with a large group of friends
A nice little bar near Thomond Bridge that sits in the river Shannon. The place is known for its Guinness and atmosphere. The bar staff are very friendly and it can cater for a big crowd. A real old style pub with great views of the river Shannon in the back terrace. A place for smokers and non smokers alike. Enjoyed my visit here and will go back soon.— Rhino, Trip Advisor
2. Flannerys Bar Limerick
| Location and ambience | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Accessibility | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Atmosphere | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Local recommendation | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Freshness and quality | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Presentation | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Customer service | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Attentiveness | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Speed | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
When we asked the locals what they loved most about Flannerys Bar Limerick other than the Guinness, they told us it’s the good old Irish hospitality. The pub is full of the warmest staff and the local crowd who greet everyone warmly as they enter!
This gives Flannerys a warm and lively atmosphere. We love that the moment you enter the up, you’ll immediately feel welcomed, as if you’re one of the locals!
Another thing we love is the great food as well! Pairing Guinness with savoury local food is always the best experience—aside from the hearty conversations of course.
And they serve breakfast and lunch! We love that it’s not just a place for a good drink but also for good food as well.
We also love that there’s music as well that serves as a cosy backdrop to the buzzing talks going on around. It’s quite a large venue, by the way, so there’s plenty of seating for customers.
We think you’ll also love the good view. It has an outdoor deck where you can see scenic areas while nursing your beer.
The thing though is that it’s in a very prime location—around a shopping area strip so it can get a little crowded at times. However, weekdays aren’t as busy, so if you want to relax, before the weekend is the perfect time to visit!
Pros
- Large venue
- Live atmosphere
- Outdoor deck
- Serves breakfast and lunch
- Located near a shopping area
- Has live music
- Great food
- Friendly local customers
- Wide range of cocktails
Cons
- Nights can get extremely crowded
- Some staff don’t know how to talk to customers
Customer Reviews
The best local Irish pub experience
You can rent this whole place out for a night. Roast pig, Guiness on tap, good music, fun atmosphere– sort of an ideal way to unwind after a long day of meetings and work. Did I mention it’s a pub?! Nuff said. It’s worth a visit and you can’t miss the red store front. — Charles Tam, Google Reviews
Friendly local customers
Real Irish pub! As we entered, everyone turned to look at who we were, emphasising the familiarity of the people who gathered there as if it were a second home. At the table to the left of the entrance, an impromptu quartet was busy playing folk pieces in an exceptional way. Obviously go in, order a Guinness and wait for it to settle. — Claudio Carot, Google Reviews
3. The Glen Tavern
| Location and ambience | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Accessibility | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Atmosphere | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Local recommendation | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Freshness and quality | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Presentation | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Customer service | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Attentiveness | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Speed | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
What we love about The Glen Tavern is that it’s a family-run pub. This might not be a good deal to most, but it makes all the difference in terms of food and atmosphere—the pub has the best traditional food and the warmest atmosphere in Limerick!
Some of the customers we talked to told us that they had a hard time looking for a pub that also served food, and not just Guinness. Asking the locals led them to The Glen Tavern, and it had been a favourite spot every time they’re in Limerick!
What we love about the tavern is that other than the fact that it has several food options, it also caters to the dietary needs of customers. Oh yes—there are vegan-friendly foods as well as gluten-free options!
The Guinness tastes amazing—it’s poured really well by the barmen at The Glen Tavern. We all know that the pouring makes a difference in serving the local stout, hence, it determines the freshness of the Guinness!
We think the atmosphere is great too! There’s live music five times a week, and traditional Irish music every Wednesday for the total Irish pub experience.
The crowd is a mix of foreigners and locals, so there’s always an interesting combination. We love that instead of making things awkward though, the mixed crowd just adds to the fun vibe of the pub.
We also appreciate the fast service. Despite a regular large crowd, the staff can handle all orders and deliver them on time—may the orders be food or a pint of Guinness.
Just a little warning though—sometimes the crowd can get too large and the tavern runs out of food. It’s also not PWD-friendly, so people on wheelchairs might not be able to roam around with ease and comfort.
Pros
- Family-run tavern
- Has a mixed crowd
- Warm and welcoming atmosphere
- Caters to customers’ dietary needs
- Children’s food portions are available
- Live music
- Traditional Irish music on Wednesday night
- Fast service despite the crowd
- Friendly locals
- Wide variety of food choices
- Accommodating staff
- Plenty of TVs for sports watching
Cons
- Might run out of food on a busy day
- Not PWD-friendly
Customer Reviews
Offers fantastic traditional Irish food and Guinness
Very good selection of more traditional pub food that was very reasonably priced. The food was very tasty. We were looked after very well from start to finish. The Guinness was very good. — Mrsdc2021, Trip Advisor
Excellent food, drinks, and service
Exactly what you see on television. Your traditional Irish pub with rugby on TV and everyone with a pint. The food and our server were excellent. We ordered fish and chips, cottage pie, seafood shower, and lamb stew. We LOVED the traditional Irish lamb stew and the seafood chowder. Order a Guinness with black current syrup! — Jennie Chu, Google Reviews
4. Mother Macs
| Location and ambience | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Accessibility | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Atmosphere | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Local recommendation | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Freshness and quality | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Presentation | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Customer service | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Attentiveness | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Speed | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
What makes Mother Macs stand out to us is that it supports locally brewed craft beers, hence it has a large selection of them. Nothing’s better than having an advocacy while serving people good beer, right?
Speaking of advocacy, when you’re campaigning for something, it means you know a lot about it. We appreciate the staff at Mother Macs because they know their local Irish beer—ask them anything and they’ll be able to answer you!
In addition to this, we also like how warm and polite said staff are. They’re very attentive to the customers and always have the next pint of Guinness ready for them!
Another thing we love about Mother Macs is the quirky atmosphere. Perhaps it’s the mixed crowd, but everyone’s just casual and friendly, which adds to the cosy vibe of the place.
We think you’ll love the special deals as well. There are nights wherein you can get a combination of chicken wings and a pint of beer for only €10.
Location-wise, Mother Macs has gotten a prime location—accessible and near an entertainment centre. However, this is also the reason why the place gets too busy at times, which can be pretty inconvenient.
Speaking of busy nights—it’s worth noting that during busy hours, staff can be a little inattentive. Also, the staff tend to mix up orders of a large group, which is pretty understandable but still inconvenient.
Pros
- Warm and polite staff
- Quirky and fun atmosphere
- Very casual vibe
- Large selection of craft beers
- Near an entertainment centre
- Has a mixed crowd
- Fast service
- Special deals
Cons
- Bartender can get a little inattentive
- Mixes up drink orders for a large group
Customer Reviews
Good ambience and fast service
Great atmosphere! Staff are really friendly and welcoming, the barman Vinny pulls a great pint of Guinness and is always quick to have the next one on! — Gary R, Trip Advisor
Wide selection of craft beers, whiskey, and regular beers
What a fantastic pub. Great selection of beers. The Guinness was amazing. The bar men were a delight. The locals were lovely. All in all, one of the finest pubs known to man. — Chris Guilder, Google Reviews
5. Katie Daly’s Heritage Pub And Kitchen
| Location and ambience | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Accessibility | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Atmosphere | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Local recommendation | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Freshness and quality | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Presentation | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Customer service | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Attentiveness | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Speed | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
When we talk about Katie Daly’s Heritage Pub And Kitchen, we don’t only talk about its food and drinks but also the ambience. It’s located near King John’s Castle, turning it into a picturesque little pub where one can relax and enjoy a good pint of Guinness.
In addition to this, the pub has outdoor seating. It’s the perfect place for those who love to enjoy their beers with a majestic view.
Another thing we love about Katie Daly’s is that it has an extensive food menu. Some pubs in Limerick only offer drinks, so this is really a plus to us.
Speaking of the extensive menu, we’re a little surprised that the pub has very reasonable prices for both food and drinks. Since it’s located near a major tourist spot, we expected the cost to be touristy, but no—definitely affordable for everyone!
We’re also amazed about the wide range of local craft beers and whiskey, so there’s plenty of choices for various preferences. The Guinness tastes amazing, which some of the customers we talked to attribute to the fact that the bartenders knew how to pour it!
The atmosphere is quite nice as well because of the warm staff and the friendly local customers who always have a story or two for the tourists. They make you feel the Irish hospitality at its best!
The only thing we think might turn you away is how small the place is. This causes a long wait for a table, which can last from twenty minutes to an hour on a busy day.
Pros
- Has outdoor seating
- Has a wide range of local craft beers and whiskey
- Has an extensive food menu
- Cosy and warm atmosphere
- Nice view of King John’s Castle and the river
- Reasonable pricing for food and drinks
- Has the best Irish coffee
- Decent customer service
- Friendly local customers
- Has vegan options for food
Cons
- Small pub
- Long wait for a table
Customer Reviews
Top-class Guinness and good food
We called in here while waiting to do our Treaty City Brewery tour. Really great pub with a terrific atmosphere. Staff were super polite and had a good laugh and the pints of Guinness were top class. We had a good laugh with Brigid and plenty of banter over the best whiskey to drink which I really enjoyed. Didn’t have food but it did look top quality. Call in for a relaxing pint if you’re in the area! — John C, Trip Advisor
Cosy pub right next to a stunning castle
Right next to St. John’s Castle I was worried it might be touristy. No need. I immediately got into a conversation with the patrons next to me and ordered a Guinness, which by the way, tastes a lot better in Ireland than the states. The patrons tell me it is the water. My son says that the bartenders know how to pour it. Either way I had a pint and enjoyed both it and the conversation. I saw other orders of fish and had to try. It was so crispy on the outside and succulent on the inside. It melted in my mouth. I’m still dreaming about it. — Racquel Dowd, Trip Advisor
FAQs About the Best Guinness in Limerick
To experience Limerick is to experience Guinness! Don’t forget to check out the Best Pubs in Ireland where you can enjoy Ireland’s national drink—wherever part of the country you are.