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A rooftop venue 54 floors up at Address Sky View, combining a modern Asian restaurant, a sky bar and a club lounge with close-up Burj Khalifa…
The Irish Village
A long-established Irish pub in Al Garhoud with a large tree-shaded garden and duck pond, live music, sports screenings and classic pub food.
At a glance
- Type
- Irish pub and beer garden
- Area
- Al Garhoud, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Opening
- Open daily
- Official site
- theirishvillage.com
Good to know
- Beer garden
- Live music
- Live sport
Why we recommend it
The Irish Village has been a Garhoud institution since the mid-1990s and is one of Dubai's best-known pubs. It was the idea of Colm McLoughlin, the long-time head of Dubai Duty Free, with the support of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, and it still has close ties to the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium next door. Its large garden, shaded by trees and set around a small lake with ducks, is the main draw, and on a cool winter evening it is one of the most relaxed places in the city for a drink.
The pub serves an eclectic choice of drinks, including draught beers and ciders, and a menu of pub classics, with a brunch that is popular with residents. Live music is a regular feature, with resident musicians playing covers and Irish favourites, and big sporting events are shown on screens indoors and out, including Formula 1, the Premier League and the Champions League. Seasonal events, such as its Halloween brunch, draw big crowds.
Opening hours are 11am to 1am from Sunday to Thursday and 11am to 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. The garden is busiest on weekend afternoons and during major matches, when booking a table is wise. Guests must be 21 or over to drink alcohol, and photo ID may be requested. Prices are moderate by Dubai standards, making it a good-value option for a long afternoon.
It suits groups of friends, sports fans and anyone wanting a casual pint in the open air, and it is particularly convenient for travellers staying near the airport or with a long layover. The atmosphere is friendly and unpretentious, with a mix of long-term expatriates and visitors. In the summer months, the indoor pub areas are the comfortable choice, while the garden comes into its own from October to April.
The pub sits beside the Dubai Tennis Stadium on 31A Street in Al Garhoud, right next to GGICO Metro station on the Red Line, just one stop from Dubai International Airport's Terminal 1. A second Irish Village operates at Studio One Hotel in Dubai Studio City. Deira City Centre mall and Dubai Festival City are a short taxi ride away.
The Irish Village FAQs
How do I get there by Metro?
GGICO station on the Red Line is right next door.
What are the opening hours?
11am to 1am Sunday to Thursday, and 11am to 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Does it show live sport?
Yes, including Formula 1, the Premier League and the Champions League.
Is there live music?
Yes, resident musicians play regularly.
Is there outdoor seating?
Yes, a large tree-shaded garden around a small lake.
Is there an age limit?
Guests must be 21 or over to drink alcohol.
Is there another branch?
Yes, at Studio One Hotel in Dubai Studio City.
Who founded it?
It was the idea of Colm McLoughlin of Dubai Duty Free, with the support of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.