Old Town Wine Bar Dublin: Tapas Menu, Reviews and Prices

There’s a quiet revolution happening in Dublin’s dining scene—one that trades pints for pinot noir and tourist bustle for a hidden courtyard. Tucked into Le Pole Square off Chancery Lane, Old Town Wine Bar brings a modern, wine-first approach to a city known for its historic pubs.

Wines curated: 70+ · Opening hours: 4pm Wed–Sat · Location: Le Pole Square, Dublin 8 · Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired small plates & tapas · Price range: Moderate (approx. €14 for charcuterie board)

The table below summarises verified operational details for visitors planning a trip.

What is the oldest wine bar in the world?

The crown for oldest continuous wine bar is claimed by Antica Enoteca Al Brindisi in Ferrara, Italy. Its recorded history stretches back to the 14th century, making it a benchmark for wine establishments worldwide (Wikipedia online encyclopedia). In contrast, Old Town Wine Bar is a contemporary addition to Dublin’s scene—a modern wine bar focused on accessibility and curation rather than centuries of tradition.

History of Antica Enoteca Al Brindisi

• Founded in the 14th century in Ferrara, Italy (Wikipedia online encyclopedia)
• Recognised as one of the oldest wine bars still operating
• Contains a historical wine cellar that attracts oenophiles

Oldest wine bars in Europe

• Antica Enoteca Al Brindisi (Italy, 14th century) – reputed oldest (Wikipedia online encyclopedia)
• Weinstube am Markt (Germany, c. 1480) – historic wine tavern
• La Tour d’Argent (France, 1582) – restaurant with storied wine list
• Old Town Wine Bar (Dublin, opening date unclear) – modern entry, not a historic contender

The implication: antiquity matters for heritage tourism; Old Town Wine Bar competes on curation and atmosphere, not centuries of history.

Is Temple Bar Dublin worth it?

Temple Bar is the heart of Dublin’s nightlife—bright, loud, and always packed. For first-time visitors, it’s an essential stop, but the experience comes with trade-offs.

What to expect in Temple Bar

• Crowded streets, live music, and a party atmosphere (Tourism Ireland national tourism authority)
• Drink prices are among the highest in Dublin: a pint of Guinness can cost €7-8 (Lonely Planet travel guide publisher)
• Known for stag and hen parties, especially on weekends

Cost of drinks and food

• Average pint of lager: ~€7.50 (Numbeo cost-of-living database)
• Wine by the glass: typically €10-15
• Simple pub meal: €15-20
• Old Town Wine Bar by comparison: wines by glass €8-14, small plates €10-16 (OpenTable restaurant booking platform)

Alternative: Old Town Wine Bar

A 15-minute walk from Temple Bar, Old Town Wine Bar offers a quieter setting with a focus on wine quality over volume. It’s a solid pick for travellers who want a conversation-friendly evening without the Temple Bar chaos.

What this means: Temple Bar delivers spectacle at a premium; Old Town Wine Bar trades volume for value and a curated wine experience.

What is the 1000 year old pub in Dublin?

The Brazen Head, dating back to 1198, is widely cited as Dublin’s oldest surviving pub (Wikipedia online encyclopedia). That’s roughly 800+ years, not quite 1000, but it’s the closest Dublin gets.

The Brazen Head: Ireland’s oldest pub

• Licensed since 1198, though the current building dates from 1754 (Wikipedia online encyclopedia)
• Traditional pub serving Irish stew, Guinness, and live music
• Located on Lower Bridge Street, near Temple Bar

Other historic pubs in Dublin

• The Stag’s Head (1895) – iconic Victorian bar (Wikipedia online encyclopedia)
• The Palace Bar (1821) – literary pub in Temple Bar
• The Long Hall (1860s) – ornate Victorian interior
• Old Town Wine Bar – no historic pub credentials, but a different category entirely: a wine bar

The catch: while Dublin’s pub tradition is beer-centric, Old Town Wine Bar is carving a wine-focused niche that appeals to a different audience entirely.

Why is Temple Bar so expensive?

The short answer: rent and demand. Temple Bar sits on some of Dublin’s priciest commercial real estate, and every night brings thousands of tourists ready to spend.

Tourist pricing in Temple Bar

• Commercial rents in Temple Bar can reach €100 per square foot annually (Irish Independent national newspaper)
• Pubs charge premiums because customers accept them
• Live music venues add overhead passed to drink prices

Comparison with Old Town Wine Bar pricing

Old Town Wine Bar’s location in Dublin 8 (off the main tourist trail) means lower overheads. A glass of wine costs roughly the same as a pint in Temple Bar, but the food menu offers better value—a charcuterie board at €14 vs. a Temple Bar burger at €18.

The pattern: location dictates pricing; Dublin 8’s lower rent allows Old Town Wine Bar to undercut Temple Bar on food while matching it on drinks.

What pub does Ed Sheeran go to in Dublin?

Ed Sheeran has been spotted at several Dublin pubs over the years, most notably The Stag’s Head and The Brazen Head (Dublin Live local news). But his visits are usually tied to concert tours or personal trips.

Celebrity-frequented pubs in Dublin

• The Stag’s Head – Ed Sheeran, Bruce Springsteen, Hozier (Irish Post Irish diaspora publication)
• The Brazen Head – many musicians, including Ed Sheeran
• Neary’s – traditional spot near Grafton Street
• Old Town Wine Bar – no celebrity sightings confirmed, but its low-key vibe would appeal to those dodging crowds

Old Town Wine Bar: a celebrity’s wine bar alternative

Old Town Wine Bar hasn’t been named in celeb sighting reports, but its secluded location and terrace make it a plausible hideaway. For now, it’s more a locals’ secret than a paparazzi hotspot.

Upsides and downsides

The trade-off: Old Town Wine Bar sacrifices breadth of hours for focus; limited availability is the price of a curated, peaceful experience.

What’s confirmed and what’s not

• Confirmed facts: Address at Le Pole Square, Dublin 8; dinner Wed–Sat 5–10pm; 70+ wines; menu includes charcuterie and tapas (Tripadvisor travel review platform), (OpenTable restaurant booking platform)
• Unclear: Exact opening date, ownership details, terrace dog policy, wheelchair accessibility confirmation

What reviewers say

“Secreted away between Chancery Lane and Great Ship Street, Old Town Wine Bar feels like a hidden gem. The wine list is thoughtfully curated and the staff actually know what they’re talking about.”

— Joanne Cronin, food writer (Ocras Substack personal food blog)

“Old Town Wine Bar & Restaurant in Dublin 8 offers over 70 wines from around the world, paired with Mediterranean-inspired small plates and tapas.”

— Radisson Hotels (Radisson Hotels official hotel listing)

For Dubliners tired of overpriced pints and sticky-floored pubs, Old Town Wine Bar offers a grown-up alternative—a place where the wine list gets the same attention as the food. For visitors, it’s a chance to experience a side of Dublin that doesn’t feature on the postcards. The implication: if you want a quiet glass of wine without the Temple Bar headache, this is the spot. For those in Dublin 8, the choice is clear: book ahead on OpenTable, or risk missing out.

Visitors looking for insider tips on the dress code and menu will find the detailed guide with insider tips particularly helpful.

Frequently asked questions

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