Quick answer: Bill Aherne’s is a family-run Victorian pub at 22 Aston Quay, right beside O’Connell Bridge, from the Aherne family behind The Palace Bar. Go for the room-temperature stout, whiskey from its own casks, a serious Irish coffee, wood-fired pizza and live trad every night. Walk-ins only.
Dublin doesn’t get many genuinely new old pubs. Bill Aherne’s is one. It took over the former Fitzgerald’s on Aston Quay, a building that has been a pub since the 1880s, and it has been restored rather than reinvented. Think dark wood, a wall of lit stained glass, snugs tucked in behind and a back room built for music.
The story behind Bill Aherne’s
Bill Aherne came to Dublin from Rearcross in Tipperary in the 1930s to learn the pub trade. In 1946 he bought The Palace Bar on Fleet Street, one of Dublin’s great literary pubs. His son Liam took over in 1978, and his grandson Willie runs it today.
Willie Aherne bought Fitzgerald’s around the corner in 2025 and named the new pub after his grandfather. He’s also one of the founders of Changing Times Brewery in Glasnevin, which is why its beers are on tap here.
What to drink
Room-temperature stout
This is the one people come to try. As well as the usual cold pint, Bill Aherne’s pours stout the old way, through a 1950s tap into 1970s glasses, at something closer to room temperature. It’s a taste of how Dubliners drank before cold keg dispense took over. Order one of each and compare.
Whiskey from the cask
The pub has six bespoke whiskey casks, from Bushmills to Redbreast, and says it’s the only pub in Dublin with its own. Ask at the bar and the staff will talk you through all six.
Dublin’s Finest Irish Coffee
The house Irish coffee is built with a house syrup, Bushmills, a clove reduction, PX sherry, vanilla and Kerry chocolate. It was €12.50 on the table card when we visited in November 2026.
Local beer and cocktails
From Changing Times you’ll find Daydreamer, After Hours and Clockwork Velvet, alongside a short list of house cocktails made with Irish ingredients together with Dublin Cocktail Lab.
Food: wood-fired pizza and toasties
Pizzas come from the Dublin Pizza Company, with a 3-day dough and plenty of Irish producers on top. Prices when we visited in November 2026:
- Margherita €15
- Montanara (ham and grilled mushrooms) €17.50
- The Dublin Slice (creamed leek, FX Buckley fennel and chilli sausage, Coolea cheese) €18
- DPC (Dingle whiskey-cured salami) €18
- Lucifero (’nduja, Cashel Blue, serrano chilli) €18
- Bill Aherne’s Hot Whiskey Pizza (Boann whiskey-infused pepperoni, jalapeño, triple chilli hot honey) €19
- Dips €2 each
Toasties are made in-house with FX Buckley baked ham and Cashel mature cheddar, from €7.50 for cheese. The Bill Aherne’s Special (€9) comes with a packet of Tayto. Tea and coffee are €4.
Live music every night
The Back Room hosts live music seven nights a week, with fiddle, banjo and some of Dublin’s best trad players from early evening until late. It’s also available to hire for gigs, talks, launches and private events. For more sessions around town, see our top 10 trad music pubs in Dublin.
Know before you go
- Address: 22 Aston Quay, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 FH28 (map)
- Opening hours: Mon to Thu 10.30am to 11.30pm; Fri and Sat 10.30am to 12.30am; Sun 11am to midnight
- Bookings: walk-ins only, no reservation needed
- Getting there: on the quay just south of O’Connell Bridge; Trinity College and Temple Bar are a few minutes’ walk
- Toilets: in the basement
- Instagram: @billahernesoconnellbridge
Make a night of it
Start at Bill Aherne’s, then walk a few minutes to its sister pub The Palace Bar on Fleet Street. Our top 10 traditional pubs, best pint of Guinness in Dublin and Dublin craft beer crawl guides have plenty more stops nearby. Prices and hours checked in November 2026; confirm with the pub before you go.
Bill Aherne’s FAQs
Where is Bill Aherne’s in Dublin?
Bill Aherne’s is at 22 Aston Quay, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 FH28, on the south bank of the Liffey a few seconds from O’Connell Bridge. It is in the building that was previously Fitzgerald’s bar.
Who owns Bill Aherne’s?
Bill Aherne’s is run by Willie Aherne, the third-generation owner of The Palace Bar on Fleet Street. The pub is named after his grandfather Bill Aherne, who bought The Palace Bar in 1946.
Does Bill Aherne’s serve food?
Yes. Bill Aherne’s serves wood-fired pizzas from the Dublin Pizza Company (€15 to €19) and toasties made in-house (€7.50 to €9), every day.
Can you book a table at Bill Aherne’s?
No. Bill Aherne’s is walk-ins only, so no reservation is needed. The Back Room can be hired for gigs, talks, launches and private events.
Is there live music at Bill Aherne’s?
Yes. Bill Aherne’s has live music seven nights a week in the Back Room, with traditional Irish sessions from early evening until late.
What are Bill Aherne’s opening hours?
Bill Aherne’s opens Monday to Thursday 10.30am to 11.30pm, Friday and Saturday 10.30am to 12.30am, and Sunday 11am to midnight.
Photos: Dublin 360; exterior and stained-glass photos courtesy of Bill Aherne’s.
