Can anyone recommend a pub in Dublin that my 18 year old son might enjoy? He really wants to check out the club scene but he's traveling with his mother, aunt and 14 year old sister so I think a pub with a younger crowd might be the closest he can get. His Mom won't allow him to go out alone. Thanks!

He's 18 years old. He can drive a car, vote, get married and enlist in the army, go to Iraq and get killed. BUT HIS MOM WON'T LET HIM GO OUT ALONE! To a pub? In an English-speaking country? Will he be stolen by gypsies? Abducted by little green men? Fall into the clutches of an evil woman and be corrupted? Is this a joke?

Head to Temple Bar and follow your nose. It's one pub after another. The Auld Dubliner has several levels; you and your daughter can eat in the restaurant while your son hangs out alone in the pub. Remember, your daughter will be kicked out of the pub part after a certain hour (I think 8:30). Further down the street, there's a place also at the corner, where you can go in the side entrance to an outdoor patio -- it does get packed, but has music and a younger crowd.

And unless there's something we don't know, like your son caused you in the past to not trust him, I agree with every single thing nytraveler said. Plus, he has the legal right and capacity to enter into contracts, to marry, and leave home.

Yes. Loved the Oliver St. John Gogarty Pub in Temple Bar area of Dublin. They have traditional Irish music and upstairs, we had a great meal in their restaurant, with our kids! Try the beef stew marinated in Guiness.

See:
www.olivergogarty.com

Children are not allowed in pubs after 7pm and some places have signs stating this.

The Oliver St. John Gogerty has traditional music upstairs and a bar. You all could take the musical Pub crawl that starts at 7:30 most nights at the St. John Gogherty and your daughter would probably be allowed as well.

Another less Irishy place would be the Porter House at the corner of Essex street and Parliament street. Its a micro Brewery and serves beer from around the world. They also have food.It has a good crowd.

Another Idea is the Quays Pub in Temple Bar. There is a restaurant upstairs that you can eat with your daughter and leave him to enjoy the pub downstairs.

Where are you staying that might help me pick a few places. Its difficult as the 14 year old won't be allowed in many places in the evening unless you are eating.

S

I really don't mean to jump on you, but at 18, he's old enough to go to college and be on his own, and where, most likely, he'd be able to get alcohol anyway (in the US), and it's perfectly legal to drink in Ireland.

So instead of forcing him to follow your plan, why not just let him go? It will probably be an easier trip for all involved. Most 18 year old boys really, really hate hanging out with their Mom and baby sister. At least all the normal ones seem to.

(I totally recognize that you may have perfectly valid reasons for not wanting him to go out alone. I just didn't see one posted, so I'm putting up an alternate point of view).

OK, OK. Maybe I'm a worrying mom and I should let him go. He's told me himself that he's an adult now and if he decides to go out in Dublin I can't stop him. If he wasn't alone it wouldn't be so bad. Plus he would be walking and people have posted here before about walking at night in Dublin might not be safe in some areas and we don't know what areas. I really have no reason not to trust him and he does have a good head on his shoulders. We will be staying at the Jurys Custom House. I've read some pretty wild stuff about some of the clubs(not pubs) in Dublin. Also stuff which leads me to believe he might not get in anyway. That's why I thought a pub with a younger crowd might be better. There is a difference between clubs and pubs right? Thanks.

Dublin has to be one of the safest cities in the world. And if a mugger is going to attack someone you are a much more likely target than he is. (I remember my mother doing this to my little brother - she couldn't believe a mom - a middle aged woman - is a much easier target then a 6'2" strapping young man.)

And I can;t imagine that the clubs are any wilder there than they are here - in fact I would suggest that they are probably considerably cleaner than they are here. And yes a club - for music/danicng - is not the same as a pub - for drinking/conversation - and sometimes a little music.

Just for the record, my concern was mostly with the idea of him walking around alone after 11 (when the clubs open). His interest was in the clubs in Dublin as I guess he figured he'd see plenty of pubs on the rest of our trip. The places where we can go upstairs and eat and he can go to the pub and socialize without us sound like the answer to me. And also, I did put a smiley face after the comment about his mom not letting him go out alone, so yes, it was partly a joke. As I mentioned, we're staying at the Jurys Inn Custom House. Are there any fun pubs within walking distance or should we find a way to someplace not as convenient? Thanks, everyone, for your comments and suggestions so far!

Here is a suggestion for a younger crowd. The Turk's Head on Parliament street is at the quieter end of Temple Bar. It is a bar/disco (Club) and has a young crowd. He will enjoy this place and there is music and dancing. He may not be that keen to stay all night as its hard to talk to people when you are on your own in places like this. He MUST take a taxi home to Jurys Custom House as is not great for a young man at night (Not the worst but better to be safe). He can easily get a taxi outside the turks head.

Another place is O'Reilly's beneath the Tara Street Dart station across the water to the right from the hotel. It's a bar and placs music for dancing as well. Its decorated all gothic and with church ornaments. Have him avoid the O'Connell Street Area.

Also try the Vaults closer to the hotel and below the Connelly Dart Station. Its the old cellar vaults below the train station.

I would advise against huge clubs on his own like Club M etc. They are full of hens and stag parties and can be a bit crazy.

You may find he comes home because he may be bored on his own

Thanks Siobhan! You've been a big help. We're leaving for Dublin tomorrow night and I'm so excited!