The Pavillion Bar – Drinking in the sunshine

The “Pav”, as its usually referred to, is a bar situated at the back of the sports grounds in Trinity College.

If you are over a certain age, sitting outside a cricket pavillion surrounded by students knocking back cans of cheap lager may not be your idea of fun. Bear with me on this one, however.

There are remarkably few good places in Dublin to sit outside and enjoy an alcoholic drink on a sunny day (and we do get the odd one). Our authorities love banning, regulating and controlling public behaviour, so having a drink in the park or any other public space is a complete no-no. The few bars that have good outside seating areas fill up quickly, and are usually in the shade anyway.

This is what makes the Pav a real Dublin institution, even for people like me who didn’t go to Trinity. There is simply nowhere else to stretch out on the grass on a sunny day and enjoy a cool beer without incurring the wrath of the Nanny State.

Even the Pav experience itself has been spoilt somewhat in recent years by a heavier security presence at times. Given the lack of alternatives, however, its still a great spot on a sunny day. As an added bonus, the cans of beer and cider are cheap by Dublin standards, and you do get to feel like you are nineteen again. Almost.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
The Pavillion Bar | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks | 4 cans of beer € 8.00
Trinity College
Various, check website