Half of all the beer drunk in Ireland is brewed in the sprawling Guinness Brewery on the Liffey River. Not bad for what started out as a little family brewery in 1759.
The brewery itself isn’t open to the public. But the company’s Guinness Storehouse attraction will tell you all you want to know (and then some) about the brewing process and Ireland’s most famous export.
You’ll have one of the best pints of the “Black Gold” in Dublin with some stunning views to boot.
The storehouse is a fun, interactive experience in a rather theatrical setting.
It’s built around a giant atrium shaped like a pint glass. If it were a real glass, it would hold 14.3 million pints of beer.
Try to hold back the cynicism over all the advertising. The whole place could be considered an over-the-top ad with ubiquitous Guinness branding everywhere you look.
Still, the place is pure fun and a mecca for beer connoisseurs. Some people might even be horrified at Guinness being called a mere “beer.”
This Guiness Storehouse guide tells you what to expect on a visit and what you’ll see and experience.
Quick Tips & Layout
- The Storehouse can get very busy, especially during peak tourist seasons. You likely won’t be able to get in without a timed entry ticket.
- To avoid crowds, visit when it opens at 10:00 am.
- There are 7 floors to explore.
- The Storehouse is packed with interesting exhibits, from the brewing process to Guinness advertising history. I’d budget about 2-3 hours to visit.
- When you enter, you’re given a ticket for a free pint, which you can use at the Guinness Academy or Gravity Bar. Don’t lose your ticket!
Here’s the layout and what you can see:
- 1st Floor: Arthur’s Lease, store
- 2nd Floor: Guiness archive, Tasting Room
- 3rd Floor: exhibits on the brewing process
- 4th Floor: tasting rooms
- 5th Floor: advertising, dining room
- 6th Floor: Guinness Academy
- 7th Floor: Gravity Bar
There are various visiting options.
You can buy a timed entry ticket and explore yourself, which is what my group did.
Alternatively, you can opt for 1.5 hour Connoisseur Experience. This is a popular tour during which you’ll explore every floor, have a private bar experience, and learn to craft your own pint.
You can also book a 2 hour guided tour called the Guinness Experience, where you’ll get a history lesson in the process.
You can also book a combined tour of the Guinness Storehouse and the Jameson Distillery. You’ll learn about how Ireland’s two most famous drinks are made, get a guided tour of the premises, and (of course) get a sampling of Guinness and whiskey.
Guide To The Guinness Storehouse: What To See
Let’s take a tour of the Guinness Storehouse, so you can drink it all in.
First Floor
You enter on the first floor.
This is where you can pick up an audio guide or shop till your drop at the well-stocked store. You’ll find every knick knack imaginable — golf balls, t-shirts, bottle openers, mugs, and cookbooks.
You can also see Arthur’s Lease. This is the famous 9,000 year lease signed by Arthur Guinness in 1759.
It secured the land at St. James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin for an initial annual rent of £45, allowing Arthur Guinness to establish the iconic brewery.
This document has become a symbol of the brand’s deep roots and commitment to Dublin.
Second Floor
On the second floor, you’ll find the Guinness Archive.
It houses a vast collection of historical documents, photographs, and memorabilia that tell the story of Guinness since its founding in 1759.
This archive is a treasure trove of information about the brand’s development, its brewing techniques, advertising campaigns, and its cultural impact over the years.
You can learn about the evolution of the Guinness brand, from its early advertisements to the iconic toucan campaigns.
Third Floor: Brewing
This is where you can dive into the nitty gritty of making Guinness.
See the hops and learn about the specialist strains of yeast used in this unique brewing process.
Guinness is made from four ingredients: barley, hops, yeast, and water. Exhibits explain where each ingredient is sourced and how it contributes to the beer’s flavor.
You’ll learn that rushing waters are a vital part of the brewing process.
Fourth Floor
One the fourth floor, you’ll also find the Tasting Room. It’s filled with futuristic-looking steam pods.
You can learn to identify the aromas in Guinness and sample a very small taste of the beer.
Fifth Floor
The 5th floor is dedicated to the iconic, and a bit surrealistic, Guinness ads that have gone down in advertising history.
You’ll see how Guinness essentially brainwashed people into buying alcohol.
These include the Guinness toucan, which became one of the most beloved mascots from the 1930s.
You’ll also see the “Guinness is Good for You” campaign, which was used to promote the beer’s supposed health benefits in the mid-20th century.
You can watch a selection of classic Guinness TV commercials, including the famous “Surfer” ad from 1999, which is considered one of the greatest TV ads ever made.
It’s all super interesting and you can’t help but feel nostalgic. Some of them are interactive and you can star in your own ad.
If you’re hungry, you can grab some grub at Arthur’s Bar and 1837 Bar & Brasserie.
Arthur’s Bar is a more casual pub-style dining space. The menu features lighter fare, such as sandwiches and bar bites.
1837 Bar & Brasserie, on the other hand, offers a more elevated dining experience with a focus on Irish cuisine. The name 1837 refers to the year when the famous pairing of Guinness and oysters was first recorded.
The menu consisted of of hearty dishes, many of which are laced with Guinness. The Guinness burger is rather famous. You can also take down some oysters and smoked salmon.
You should probably make a reservation in advance if you opt for the brasserie.
Sixth Floor: Guinness Academy
When you’ve finished poking around, you’re in for a treat: a beer tasting.
With your ticket to the Guinness Storehouse, you’ll get a free pint, and there are a few spots to claim it.
One of the most fun options is the Guinness Academy, where a Guinness “ambassador” will show you how to pour the perfect pint of Guinness.
If you’re lucky enough to avoid the queues (which can get long during peak hours), you’ll head straight into the Academy.
The first lesson? It takes exactly 119 seconds to pour the ideal pint.
You’ll start by filling the glass almost to the top – aim for the harp logo as your guide.
The bartender will give a quick demo, then it’s your turn. After the initial pour, let the beer settle before topping it off.
Once you’ve mastered the pour, you can proudly enter your name into a nearby computer and print out an official Guinness certificate to stick on your mantle place.
Seventh Floor: Gravity Bar
Last, but not least, you arrive at the Gravity Bar.
There are no exhibits here, but it’s easily the high point of the visit (haha). This is where you can enjoy your complimentary pint (or buy more if you’d like), all while soaking up panoramic views of Dublin.
The bar offers a unique vantage point over the city’s landmarks. Helpful information on the glass panels identifies the different areas you’re looking at, making it easy to explore Dublin from above.
You can also pose for a snap at the “Wish You Were Here” photo experience. It’s a fun feature that allows visitors to create personalized postcards.
You can pose in front of a digital backdrop showing Dublin landmarks or Guinness-related images.
Once the photo is taken, you can send it as a virtual postcard to friends and family.
Practical Guide & Tips For The Guinness Storehouse
Address: St. James’s Gate, Saint Catherine’s, Dublin 8, D08 VF8H
The Guinness factory is located slightly off Dublin’s south quays at St. Jame’s Gate.
You can get there by Uber, taxi, the 123 bus from Dame Street or O’Connell Street, or the Hop on Hop off tourist bus.
When you leave, there are plenty of taxis sitting outside or you can hire a horse drawn carriage.
Hours:
The storehouse is open every day of the week, with the following schedule:
- Monday to Thursday: 10:00 am to 7:45 am (last entry at 5:00 pm)
- Friday and Saturday: 9:30 am to 8:45 pm (last entry at 6:00 pm)
- Sunday: 9:30 am to 7:45 pm (last entry at 5:00 pm)
Tickets:
You must pre-book a timed entry ticket to avoid being turned away. The storehouse ins an incredibly popular attractions. And you can’t just walk in to have a beer either.
Entry is included in the Dublin Pass, which you can purchase for 1-5 days.
Pro Tip:
The storehouse is only a 15 minute walk from Kilmainham Gaol in west Dublin. This was my favorite thing to do in Dublin.
You’ll also need a timed entry to visit there. So you can plan one for the morning and one for the afternoon.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to the Guinness Storehouse. You may find these other Ireland and Uk guides useful:
- Dublin bucket list
- 2 days in Dublin itinerary
- 3 days in Dublin itinerary
- beautiful places to visit in Ireland
- what not to do in Ireland
- 1 day in Belfast itinerary
- 3 days in Northern Ireland itinerary
- guide to St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- 3 days in London itinerary
- 5 days in London itinerary
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