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A pricey but oddly okay pint along the park in Niort. Being France, zero expectation. Gravity glass. Many bubbles and a cranky head, but the right temp. Flavor could be worse. A little stick. Round two.

Mostly a restaurant, the only one by the Ringaskiddy ferry, it’s a decent lunch pint. Too cold. Head a bit off. Decent flavor and finish though.

Maguires is a banging contender, overshadowed by The Dugout down the road in Blacklion. Barman is always good for a chat. Nice couple. The place is dog-friendly. In my top 50, knocked down a bit by its lack of grittiness and iffy lacing.

The Custom House has a fine looking bar that no one seems to sit at. Place is popular for the Sunday carvery. The staff is grand, and the pints are reliable (if lacking in details). It's a decent restaurant pour, though.

You wouldn’t come here for the Guinness, but when the food is lovely, you might give it a go. They have Dicey’s beer, which is a better option. I knew this was coming, but it matched the dish. I have no regrets.

Frank is a surveyor too. Beautiful bar. Drumkeeran has 250 people and four pubs (though Corner is on Sundays only). Properly poured pints that are well-liked. A bit clinical. Great crowd on the weekend and when the music is on.

I’d heard three things about the Railway: it’s a gentleman’s bar (betting across the street), the place is lovely, and the Guinness is class. Old school Bundoran (next door to the legendary, long-closed Brennan’s). Gorgeous flavor.

Oddly, not the cheapest in town as a neighbor bar is still at five euro. A fine afternoon crowd and a stunning pint. Banner outside seems just. The kind of Guinness where you’re a quarter in and already set for round two.

Pat’s is owned by a local hotel but the bar has been there since 1860. Kerri, the manager, poured a lovely one. This is my new category: business pints. Look fine, staff fine, nothing improper. Just lacks that top end.

The Patriot is big, bright, with a handsome bar and food. It’s the opposite of its neighborhood Old Royal Oak. Daytime tourists from the gaol tour. I’ve never had a bad pint here but other reviews all over the map. Pricey. Good but not a killer.

McNeill’s pub is a strange oasis of locals on the chaos that is Capel St. You cannot enter without conversation. You’ll be amongst a spate of Guinness drinkers. A strong pint. Nothing to fault. Beloved.

The Thatch is a gorgeous bar that opens for tourist groups. They schedule session music for groups from the hotel down the road. A Gaelic Disneyland, of sorts. The pint suffers from sitting. Okay pour. Still recommend for the experience.

Busy brunch spot where wine is your best play. Never noticed Guinness on tap before today. My expectations were low so I wasn’t disappointed. No good scores here, sorry. Lovely people and killer food but it’s a hard no the pint.

Out in the middle of nowhere, next to a kindly petrol station and a former pub, this one is a shocker for a country bar. Completely done up a few years ago. I need to grab a pic next time. Classic pours. Not why you’d be by here, but worth a stop.

Love a bar where they wind you up on entry. Also knocked for drinking my pint too early. It was hot and I was suffering. An exquisite pint, that in my defense, refused to settle. Great folks. Visit without hesitation. My favorite Rossie pub.

Just passing by and thirsty. Not our area. My notes being kind say just “pint was fine.” Didn’t eat. Despite reviews, not a tourist in sight. Garden was as lonely as the Guinness.

O’Neill’s used to be Paddy’s back in the day. There’s a story or two behind that, but if we’re only talking about the pints: okay to look at. I’ve given it a fair go over the years, but it’s a weak Guinness and you’re better off waiting.

I was half afraid to stick up this photo as it doesn’t do it justice at all. I was the first of the day and your man had to pour a bit off. Never had such good flavor from a sad glass. Have to come back. Barman class.

The couple that run Max Bar serve a top-notch pint. I dislike photographing the lacing but this one deserved it. A full on coating. Delicious and worthy of three. A solid contender in Ballyshannon elevated by the craic.

I’ve tried the pint here several times and, after today, I still can’t recommend it. Poured well, looks right, but everything else has issues. Food is nice but pair it with a Lough Gill instead.

Molly’s is a nice looking bar but it’s mostly known for its meals. Always friendly. The lads pour generous pints but they’re missing on all counts. A decent restaurant Guinness nonetheless.

The Bridge Inn has one of the best restaurant pints in Ireland. It’s not surprising given that it’s a busy lounge. A big place with rooms to stay in, I always find the pours well done. A slight pepper finish. Temp A+. Great staff and food.

Unassuming place on Main Street, with an off-license to the left. Place is snaky and fun to explore. Raymond the bartender is a friendly guy. Superb pints of Guinness. Bulky head but no bother. All the details are there. Temp, taste, glass.

Biddy’s is a popular spot with drivers on the weekdays and families on the weekends. The old bar when a fire is on is grand. Pint is cheap. Bit much of a tonic finish, a bishop’s, and a clean glass. Top folk. Food is nice.

Have to add the pint photo, as this is Ballyshannon’s elusive pub (natch The Thatch). Only open on a rare Saturday night, or when the festivals are on. It’s cared for by the son, who works in Dublin. Beautiful inside. Good pint when flowing.

I had three drinks here: the chaos that is Irn Bru, a Galloway Black, and maybe, three Guinness? Cracking bar lady and guests. I haven’t been back since 2022 but wanted to share it in case anyone is close. Go in. Well done pint. Total craic.

I’ve added the outside photo for now. This is one of many pubs where it’s too awkward to take a pic. I’ll update soon. Francis, the publican—latest of a long family tradition—is absolute class. Open nights Fri-Mon. A must have pint if you’re here.

A pint with lunch. The Guru liked it (not the town winner) but it’s too cold, lacks finesse, and finishes too clean. To me, this is an okay restaurant pour but the collar is a tell. They have 0.0 on tap, so there’s that.

Owen Roe O'Neill passed away in 2025. It’s now run by his family. His father, Frank, opened O'Neill's Bar in 1929. Regulars just call it O'Neill‘s. A handsome, classic lounge. “No one talking over each other.” The pint is fitting: utter class.

They do a bang up business with food and events. The Guinness is solid, especially for a restaurant. It’s well-liked by many. Glasses might have rinse aid (could be dishwasher related). Doesn’t affect taste much. Great owner.

An expansive bar that is all things: music venue, sports events, and weekend local. Open late on weekends, it’s a solid choice in Ballyshannon for Guinness. Very bankable. Love the staff and pour.

The Rendezvous was a recommendation by a regular. Not a tourist bar but bumping on a match day. Guinness was popular enough. A nice setup and a saintly pour. If you like ‘em scruffy, this is the place. Sligo’s underdog gem.

Easky has only one pub. Luckily, it’s a delight. Spent a month in the area and it’s always fun to come back. Cash only but ATM in front. Pints have the caramel. Temp is perfect. Little lacing but no harm. Superb in all ways, including owners.

Gary runs a class pub and I’ve only ever had his pours. The Guinness is very good. Zero issues but not top tier. Big place that changes depending on the day and time.

I’d heard good things about the Guinness but it wasn’t as deadly as the fish and chips. Dishwashing issue perhaps. Nothing on the glass. Flavor was off. An IPA would have been a better choice.

Shoots is a Sligo institution. If I complained about the pint, I’d get roughed up by friends. Sligo punches above its weight and this is one of the reasons. Fantastic owner.

The Hydro was The Beaver, which was The Bullfrog. It goes farther back to Josie’s. It’s a fun weekend music venue that serves a fine pint. Great owner and bartenders. Pours are excellent.

Fleet serves fantastic food and drink. I’d move here just for the coziness of this place (my wife finds the decor perfect). The Guinness can vary. Pretty good and never bad. Lot of TVs. Lovely staff.

Dicey’s has an extensive off license. The pub side has pizza out back on the weekends. The Guinness sets up well but lacks in the second half. It’s a good looking pint failed only by the gritty competition in town. Lovely place with fun staff.

Food is good. Pizza is good. Staff is happy. Dog friendly. But way too bright. The opposite of Frank Ryan’s. A sad pint in Dublin. Everything wrong. Fun place for everything but Guinness.

Elegant bar with food and whiskey, but also Guinness. A decent pour and flavor was fine. Flat head and the lacing was struggling. Tulip glass. For restaurant Guinness in Scotland, you could do a lot worse.

Run by his journalist son Billy Keane, this place is a bit of a legend. The pints are excellent but the authenticity and TV-less atmosphere are the draw. You cannot sit in this pub for more than a minute without chatting. Guinness is beyond reproach.

A A wee bar that’s mostly about the horses. It’s incredibly friendly and on my top 20 list. His pints have no right to be that good. If you’re passing through Blacklion, and the door’s open, you need to go in.

Affordable and run by an affable landlady. Always locals there, even during the day. A solid, country Guinness if you’re passing through. Always poured well. Keep forgetting to snap the pint.

We’ve spent many a night in the world’s darkest bar. Closing it down once (they go full lights at the end). Many here for the pizza, but the pints are delicious. Not Walsh’s, but damn, it’s an unsung Guinness. So much character.

Sadly, the year-round Christmas decorations are gone. It's a storied pub, along Phoenix Park, that always draws a good crowd. The Guinness is a straight 4.1 but I’ve had so many family drinks here that I can give them props for consistency.

O'Donnell's is tucked away by Sean Og's. On a sunny day, everyone is out front. The pints are picture perfect and taste sublime. This is a masterclass kind of Guinness. It's bumping up against legendary. I need a few dozen more. For research.

Along the river, we were the only folks there. The kindly owner pulled a lovely pint and we sat outside in the garden. Guinness in a Murphy's glass, alright. A bunch of character possibly swayed by the sunlight. Ended up on my top 50 list.

All over the map depending on who is pouring, the season, and I imagine the gods. No one goes to Nice for this, so you can take what you can. Its only competition is probably Ma Nolan’s. Luckily, doesn’t bill itself as an Irish pub. Lovely spot.

Lyon isn't known for its Guinness but there are a few nice spots. This one is the best. Generally served properly (in new glasses). Prices are fair. Temp is good. Somewhat lacking in all categories, like most pints in FR, but I was happily suprised.

The piazza is tourist central but the pub is an outlier with an owner that tries. The only halfway decent pint in Florence. Day 1: got over the glasses, ordered another. 2nd time: upped my count to three. Underwhelming but did the trick. Quite cold.

Probably the best in Lisbon. St Patrick's Day was mental but other visits saw a fine crowd. Fine owner. The pints are inconsistent and pours based upon the staff. Some set up nicely. Finish can be decent. New glasses.

Ian is a class publican. Always just him, always good for a chat. His Guinness has never left my top 30. . Still at five euro. Little to no presence on the web. Opens everyday around 5-6PM. Worth a drive, like I did today.

Farren’s is one of the best. I’ve only been twice, and both times they were serving food. As a pub, it pours an exceptional pint—truly without fault. As a restaurant, it’s outstanding. There’s always a fun crowd, and the place never seems to close.

Had many here. They'll do in a pinch in the winter. A bit unpleasant and often settles oddly. It's a weird one. Usually foamy and temp varies. Staff try but it's not helping. Plus, the glasses.

On my top 20 list. Dessie is the local undertaker and a standup guy. Always wonderful. Hours vary but late afternoon is your best bet. Thatch is closed so go around the left, to the last door.

Sprawling indoor and outdoor venue. Lunch is fine. Given the Co. Cork location, had a Guinness and then a Murphy's (scored for the Guinness). Their pours were fine and the sun was out, so I'll forgive them both. No photo of the Guinness, in protest.

Yeah, it’s a Beamish. Sometimes you need a break and when in Cork… Cracking pub with a friendly staff. Impossible to be one and done here. Their Guinness is very nice. Proper. If you’re up the hill, this is the place to go for either.

Despite the name, I kept going back here. Given the location, they serve a passable pint. Too much head and inconsistent pours. If you’re desperate, this will do.

Le Requin Chagrin serves Guinness. That’s about all I have to say about that. Zero finish. Nice staff but you’re better off going Belgian.

Old Royal Oak is a proper local. Few tourists and often packed. Friends swear by the Guinness. I love the place itself. It’s not a legendary pint but beautiful flavor. Pours are consistent enough.

It’s not surprising that Austie’s is a bar for most of the week, as it’s one of the best restaurant pints you’ll find. Laura is class. Sit in the old bar (which is also dog friendly). It’s a good looking and likable Guinness. Food is killer.

Only had one here so take this one with a grain of salt. The lacing was a bit odd so maybe dishwashing at fault. Baking soda. Everything a bit off but good temp. To me, a below average pint.

Taylor’s is in the Westend so it’s a little less touristy. A loud and expansive place with a fine beer garden out back. Always a great place to meet friends. Excellent pints and my favorite in Galway. I’ve had way too many here to critique them.

Sat outside with a pint and didn’t eat. The food has a good reputation, as does the pint. It was a quality pour but lacking in substance. Hardly any finish. It’d be a 4.8 on the restaurant Guinness scale though.

Whereas Teague’s is Ardara’s quiet pub, this place lives up to its name. Always busy, especially when the music is on. A fine looking pint that tends to be slightly cold. A bit too clean for me but still very, very good.

Had lunch here a few times and despite what Scotland offers, I kept choosing the Guinness. This was after seeing others order it. Good for a restaurant pint. Tiny bit flatter than usual and cold.

Popular tourist destination near Slieve League. Not a fan of the foam decoration. Never had a terrible Guinness here but they’ve always been lacking. It’s in my restaurant Guinness grouping.

If you go in, go to the wee bar on the right. Snug-like feel. Kind, family run place with textbook Guinness and mostly locals. One of my favorite pours anywhere. It stays in my top twenty. Tried to confirm Aug 2025 but they were closed.

Nancy’s is very popular for food. It was mobbed for lunch. Very good restaurant Guinness. Somewhat featureless overall, though. I preferred the pints at The Beehive and especially Teague’s Bar.

Big place for the town. Spot for sports and music. A beautiful pint that’s always well-poured and typically excellent. Wonderful owner. Ballyshannon’s place for day drinking.

Yes, the photo is for a bottle of cava but it’s a better choice here. Super nice people but the Guinness isn’t worth it. The whole pint is wrong. One of two “Irish pubs” in town, neither of which is. Drink what the locals do.

I met a publican in Earley’s once who said that whenever his friends are in town, he brings them to Marian’s. One of the best. Otherworldly. So many stories from this place.

It’s almost not worth reviewing, given the legendary status of this place. One of the top pints anywhere and, after eight or so, it keeps on giving.

I love Jobim in Bairro Alto Lisbon for many things but Guinness isn’t one of them. Don’t be too harsh, though. I knew this was coming and was in on the joke. Order something else and be happy. Great people.

Daragh’s mother Bernie is a Guinness surgeon and always a delight to chat with. The pints are often gorgeous but not consistent. A visually beautiful pub that is only open late on weekends.

Manor’s greatest pint. It’s another short tap line wonder. Spent a lot of time enjoying this cracking place. Owned by a farmer. Laura, the bartender, is a delight. Always happy to go back.

Stephen is a new generation publican. I have friends who only drink here because of the vibe. A good selection of local beers and current music draw a diverse crowd. The Guinness is solid.

Ellens Pub is the oldest pub in Sligo county. The thatched bar is a fine experience, but you’ll need a car. It is dog friendly ”when no kids are around.” The pints were gorgeous. No critiques. Just sitting out of the top 30.

The Hut is a hidden delight that Dublin tourists rarely haunt. My wife’s family’s generational local. Always an astounding pint (approaching Gravedigger’s). Had way too many here and they’ve never failed. Joe is absolute class.

There are three bars that claim to be Irish in Lecce. Ruben’s is the only one that serves a solid pint. Well-poured by a team that, with little English, evokes the spirit of the Irish pub. Wonderful spot.

Ballyshannon’s smallest pub. No TVs. Friendly crowd. The pint can vary but it’s often spot on. Smooth, at the right temperature, with a delicate flavor. Balanced bitterness. Superb pours.

Not a “take photos of your pint” place but I did. Quintessentially local. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Cash only. Short tap lines, meticulous pours. The best in Ballyshannon…and most places. Phenomenal.

Moran’s serves food on the weekend. You’re better off to stop in during the week, when Mary, the kind matriarch, is working. Quiet pub with mystical quality pints. Faultless.

One of Donegal’s best pints. Always swept into instant conversation. Can get busy but the owner Tom and staff handle it well. Never had anything less than a textbook Guinness. Fun even when it’s quiet. In winter, a warm coal fire on the back bar.

Beautiful historic bar with a split mentality depending on which side you sit. À tourist draw being next to the bus. Locally owned. Great staff. Pints always professional. Also, Dublin’s Changing Times on tap, if you want to experiment.