Places to eat nearby · Dublin
Where to eat and drink near Croke Park before a concert
By The MyCritik editorial team · information checked on 15 October 2026 · 2 min read
Coming up at Croke Park
On a concert day, every pub near Croke Park fills hours before the gates open, with people who swear they will just have the one. Pick your spot by how you arrive: Drumcondra Road if you come by train to Drumcondra, Dorset Street if you walk up from town.
Inside, there is plenty of food and drink, mostly cashless, but you can't bring any in and alcohol is for over-18s with photo ID.
Places to eat around Croke Park
Walking routes calculated with OpenStreetMap, for guidance only.
Right by the stadium
- Phil Ryan's Hogan Stand: six minutes' walk, the classic first pint and the easiest place to meet the group. Known for its Guinness rather than its food.
- Clonliffe House: about 12 minutes away, with a purpose-built beer garden and a loud pre-match crowd.
- Cusack's: live music and trad sessions, around 15 minutes away. It serves no food but lets you bring your own in.
Drumcondra Road Lower
The best food near the ground is on the main road north of the stadium, which is also on the way from Drumcondra station.
- Fagan's, 146 Drumcondra Road Lower: a Victorian pub with an à la carte menu, steak sandwiches, fish and chips and a roast of the day. It fills up from early evening, so go early.
- Shouk, 40 Drumcondra Road Lower: chef Alon Salman's Middle Eastern restaurant, open since 2017, with shawarma, mezze and chargrilled veg, and a heated garden with a retractable roof. Book on its own website. The Middle East feast has been around 35 euros a head.
On the walk from town
Coming up from O'Connell Street via Dorset Street:
- Kavanaghs The Temple, Dorset Street Upper: a proper pub that serves food with your pint, about 15 minutes from the stadium. Its off-licence stays open till 10pm.
- The Auld Triangle, Dorset Street Lower: old-Dublin bar, no airs, 12 minutes from the ground.
Timing
Gates usually open around 5pm, and you need to be inside about 45 minutes before the headliner. A late lunch at 3pm and a pint at 4pm works better than trying to eat at 6. After the show, the pubs near the ground are hard to get into and the cordon slows everything, so the walk back to town is the moment to stop for food. Then decide where you'll sit next time with the best seats at Croke Park, and after the show, write a review.
Frequently asked questions
What is the closest pub to Croke Park?
Phil Ryan's Hogan Stand, about six minutes' walk, is the usual first stop. Clonliffe House is around 12 minutes away.
Where can I eat before a concert at Croke Park?
Fagan's and Shouk on Drumcondra Road Lower are the best sit-down options close to the stadium. Book ahead on a show day.
Can you bring food into Croke Park for a concert?
No. Outside food is not allowed, but food and drink are sold inside, mostly by card.
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