Here are a few of my favorite, non-touristy, pubs, roughly categorized by style/patron type. Link below to a custom map on google maps with all the pubs pinned.
https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=z65oanCLJn4w.kLfcqG3-8-Xs
Temple Bar - (yellow pin) - the tourist district, plays up all the stereotypes about Ireland
If you want the tourist experience, go to Temple bar and do your thing. I won't judge you for going, but IMO it's a terrible place full of junkies, hen and stag nights, and bars that are ripping the American, Canadian, and European tourists off for their money. You will likely pay over 5 euro for a pint of Guinness (generally the cheapest beer going) and as much as 7 euro for Heineken or Carlsberg. These prices are at least 25% higher than the local pubs and prices are known to be increased as the night wears on.
If you do find yourself in Temple bar, I can only suggest the Old Storehouse on crown alley, it's decent, considering.
Gameday Pub - (Black pin) - On upper Drumcondra street outside Croke Park there are a few pubs. I plan on headed to Quinn's for the first pint after the game. I don't think they'll be open before the game for more than an hour or so, they normally open at noonish.
There is a selection of pubs down drumcondra street and then on the north circular road.
Pubs near the Jameson and Guinness storehouses - (Purple pins) - These pubs would be good stops to quench your thirst after a bit of light drinking in the very popular attractions. If you're looking for a bite to eat, I'd recommend Arthur's pub on Thomas St, it's usually slow and the food is decent. The other two nice options in the Stoneybatter area are L. Mulligan's Grocer and Cobblestone pub. They are near Jameson, but an easy enough walk from Guinness. These pubs are also near Kilmainham Gaol (jail) and IMO, Kilmainham should be a required stop to get a bit of the history of the uprising. It's a cheap spot (I think €3 if you have a student ID, and 6 for adults) and the tour guides are really fantastic. I'd also recommend doing it early in your trip to get a sense of the history.
City Centre Pubs with mix of tourists and locals - (green pins) - These pubs are more affordable than temple bar, more comfortable, and will generally serve a mixed clientele of locals and tourists. They are all good spots. Oneills is a great place to do carvery (buffet style meat and vegetable plates). It's nice for that, but can get very crowded and I've had a hard time finding a table to eat at before. I had my thanksgiving dinner there this year. You'll be stuffed for €12.
My favorite pubs - (red pins) - These are outside of the city centre core, but they are close enough to walk to (except Kavanagh's at glasnevin, I cab up to this one). The cemetery tour at glasnevin is also fantastic. The Bernard Shaw is hipster central, but (so) it's a great spot with a huge outside beer garden that features a double decker bus/pizza kitchen where you can order a really nice thin crust fancy pizza and eat it upstairs in the bus at little tables. It's brilliant. They also do a 3 for €10 deal at the inside downstairs bar, you can drink for pretty cheap here relative to the rest of the city. Bleeding horse is decent because you can always get a seat, but i've only drank in there, never had food. And Toner's is a cool spot, great pints of Guinness (yes there is a difference), and a great beer garden. Mulligans is a quintessential dublin pub right off the rail line (Tara St station).
Slainte.
https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=z65oanCLJn4w.kLfcqG3-8-Xs
Temple Bar - (yellow pin) - the tourist district, plays up all the stereotypes about Ireland
If you want the tourist experience, go to Temple bar and do your thing. I won't judge you for going, but IMO it's a terrible place full of junkies, hen and stag nights, and bars that are ripping the American, Canadian, and European tourists off for their money. You will likely pay over 5 euro for a pint of Guinness (generally the cheapest beer going) and as much as 7 euro for Heineken or Carlsberg. These prices are at least 25% higher than the local pubs and prices are known to be increased as the night wears on.
If you do find yourself in Temple bar, I can only suggest the Old Storehouse on crown alley, it's decent, considering.
Gameday Pub - (Black pin) - On upper Drumcondra street outside Croke Park there are a few pubs. I plan on headed to Quinn's for the first pint after the game. I don't think they'll be open before the game for more than an hour or so, they normally open at noonish.
There is a selection of pubs down drumcondra street and then on the north circular road.
Pubs near the Jameson and Guinness storehouses - (Purple pins) - These pubs would be good stops to quench your thirst after a bit of light drinking in the very popular attractions. If you're looking for a bite to eat, I'd recommend Arthur's pub on Thomas St, it's usually slow and the food is decent. The other two nice options in the Stoneybatter area are L. Mulligan's Grocer and Cobblestone pub. They are near Jameson, but an easy enough walk from Guinness. These pubs are also near Kilmainham Gaol (jail) and IMO, Kilmainham should be a required stop to get a bit of the history of the uprising. It's a cheap spot (I think €3 if you have a student ID, and 6 for adults) and the tour guides are really fantastic. I'd also recommend doing it early in your trip to get a sense of the history.
City Centre Pubs with mix of tourists and locals - (green pins) - These pubs are more affordable than temple bar, more comfortable, and will generally serve a mixed clientele of locals and tourists. They are all good spots. Oneills is a great place to do carvery (buffet style meat and vegetable plates). It's nice for that, but can get very crowded and I've had a hard time finding a table to eat at before. I had my thanksgiving dinner there this year. You'll be stuffed for €12.
My favorite pubs - (red pins) - These are outside of the city centre core, but they are close enough to walk to (except Kavanagh's at glasnevin, I cab up to this one). The cemetery tour at glasnevin is also fantastic. The Bernard Shaw is hipster central, but (so) it's a great spot with a huge outside beer garden that features a double decker bus/pizza kitchen where you can order a really nice thin crust fancy pizza and eat it upstairs in the bus at little tables. It's brilliant. They also do a 3 for €10 deal at the inside downstairs bar, you can drink for pretty cheap here relative to the rest of the city. Bleeding horse is decent because you can always get a seat, but i've only drank in there, never had food. And Toner's is a cool spot, great pints of Guinness (yes there is a difference), and a great beer garden. Mulligans is a quintessential dublin pub right off the rail line (Tara St station).
Slainte.
