Overview
The Guinness Storehouse is the flagship visitor experience of the St James’s Gate Brewery, the historic home of Ireland’s most famous stout. Shaped like a giant pint of Guinness, the seven‑storey glass atrium invites you to step inside the story of a brand that has been poured around the world for more than 250 years. A self‑guided journey takes you from the raw ingredients of water, barley, hops and yeast, through the industrial heart of the brewery, to the Gravity Bar on the seventh floor where a complimentary pint is served with sweeping vistas of Dublin, the Wicklow Mountains and the iconic Poolbeg chimneys.
History
The building that now houses the Storehouse was erected between 1902 and 1904 as a fermentation plant for Arthur Guinness’s expanding brewery. Designed in the Chicago School of Architecture, it was Ireland’s first multi‑storey steel‑framed structure. The plant operated continuously until 1988, when a new fermentation facility was built nearby. In 1997 the decision was made to convert the historic shell into a visitor centre, and after a redesign by Imagination and Dublin‑based architects RKD, the Guinness Storehouse opened its doors on 2 December 2000. The attraction has since welcomed over twenty million guests and was crowned World’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2023 by the World Travel Awards.
What to See & Do
- Ground Floor – The Ingredients: Interactive displays introduce the four essential components of Guinness and showcase a replica of the legendary 9,000‑year lease signed by Arthur Guinness in 1759.
- Brewing Journey: Walk through the former fermentation vats, see the massive copper kettles, and learn how barley is roasted at 232 °C.
- Cooperage & Transport: Discover the craft of barrel‑making and the historic railway that once moved barrels around the site.
- Advertising Gallery: Relive the colourful ads that made Guinness a global cultural icon, from the 1920s toucans to the modern “Goodness” campaigns.
- The Perfect Pint Bar: Try your hand at pouring a Guinness; the ritual takes precisely 119.5 seconds for the perfect settle.
- Guinness Academy: A short lesson on the six‑step pour, complete with a certificate of completion.
- Connoisseur Bar: For an extra €95 you can taste four different Guinness variants under the guidance of a brand expert.
- Gravity Bar: The seventh‑floor crown of the experience. Floor‑to‑ceiling windows provide 360° panoramas of Dublin Bay, the Phoenix Park, St Patrick’s Cathedral and the Howth peninsula. A complimentary pint (or soft drink) is included in most ticket types.
- Guinness Archive: Ireland’s only corporate archive open to the public, holding records and artefacts dating back to 1759.
Practical Information
Opening Hours
| Season | Days | Opens | Last entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| All year (except July‑Aug) | Sun‑Thu | 10:00 am | 5:00 pm |
| All year (except July‑Aug) | Fri‑Sat | 10:00 am | 6:00 pm |
| July‑Aug | Sun‑Thu | 9:30 am | 5:00 pm |
| July‑Aug | Fri‑Sat | 9:30 am | 6:00 pm |
The Storehouse is closed on Christmas Day, St Stephen’s Day and Good Friday.
Tickets & Admission
Standard self‑guided tickets include the full seven‑floor tour and a complimentary pint at the Gravity Bar. Add‑ons such as the Stoutie (pint with your selfie printed on the head, €8) or the Connoisseur Experience (€95) can be purchased when you book. Advance online booking is strongly recommended, especially during peak summer months, to guarantee a time‑slot and avoid queueing.
Getting There
- Public transport: Dublin Bus routes 13, 40 and 123 stop nearby. The nearest Luas (Red Line) stop is St James’s Hospital.
- Parking: Free on‑site parking is available on Crane Street, but spaces are limited; paid parking is a short walk away at the Four Courts.
- Accessibility: The building is fully accessible, with lifts serving all seven floors and wheelchair‑friendly pathways throughout.
Nearby Attractions
The Storehouse sits in the historic Liberties district, a short walk from St Patrick’s Cathedral (founded 1191) and Christ Church Cathedral (1030). Whiskey lovers can pop over to the Roe & Co, Pearse Lyons or Teeling distilleries, all within a 5‑minute stroll. The vibrant streets of the Liberties are also dotted with artisan cafés, boutique shops and the Digital Hub.
Visitor Essentials
- Age: Children 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
- Time needed: Allocate at least 1.5 hours for the core experience; the exhibition space, cafés and gift shop invite you to linger longer.
- Food & Drink: Several bars and cafés on different floors serve Irish cuisine cooked with Guinness, from hearty stews to gourmet burgers.
- Souvenirs: The first‑floor retail store offers a wide range of Guinness‑branded merchandise, from glassware to limited‑edition apparel.
Whether you’re a beer aficionado, a history buff or simply looking for a spectacular indoor attraction on a rainy Dublin day, the Guinness Storehouse delivers a multi‑sensory celebration of Ireland’s brewing heritage.