A fantastic old pub adorned with stained glass and mirrors, it's famous for its long-running comedy nights, and live jazz and blues sessions on Tuesday. Ardal O'Hanlon, who played Dougal in Father Ted, started his career here doing stand-up comedy, as did TV comics Dara O'Briain and Des Bishop.

A good gig here can be quite magical. The crowd gathers round the elevated central stage and more peer down from the circular balcony - everyone mouthing the words to their favourite songs and ballads. Whelan's has an interesting parade of fine local and international singer-songwriters - well worth a look.

Reputed to be Dublin's oldest pub, the Brazen Head was founded in 1198, but the present building is a young thing, dating from only 1668. It's popular with foreign students, tourists and some grizzly locals - Robert Emmet was a regular, while in Ulysses, James Joyce reckoned 'you get a decent enough do in the Brazen Head'.