Weirdo Guide to Dublin Pubs: The Glimmer Man
There’s been a pub on this site in Stoneybatter since around 1814, and while the current building dates to the 1880s, The Glimmer Man really came into its own in the 1990s, when the enormous back bar of the pub was constructed. The Victorian lounge bar at the front retains many details of that era (as well as much memorabilia of all sorts), but it’s hard to overstate just how full-on the collection of items in the back is – there is everything from pianos to blow-up dolls, plus a nice fireplace for good measure.
I tend to be a bit suspicious of cash-only pubs, but happily, The Glimmer Man’s welcoming environment doesn’t give off the conspiracy vibes associated with so many businesses of that variety, and it is one of the last few holdouts after others like The Gravediggers also began accepting cards. For the unprepared visitor, there is an ATM inside the pub…though if you are me, it’s been so many years since you’ve actually got cash out, you may not recall your pin – plan ahead! And no, they don’t take Revolut.
But just what is a glimmer man, you might ask? The name comes from the Emergency/WWII-era job title – think a sort of proto-TV license inspector role – tasked with seeking out people using too much gas. It’s been applied to the pub here since at least the 1980s, though a previous proprietor, T. Lyster, is still commemorated in the tiled entrance. The Glimmer Man is very much a community hub for Stoneybatter; there are numerous events and activities that contribute to local causes. Some of this is down to capacity – the glorious, cavernous back bar area can accommodate activities of all sorts.
There’s an excellent beer selection on offer, too – plenty of Guinness, but also Beamish and a strong lineup of independent options from the likes of Larkin, Kinnegar, Wicklow Wolf, Trouble and more; it’s worth looking at both the front and back bars to get the full set of offerings.
It may be the only reason you ever need to carry cash again.
Where: 14 Stoneybatter, Dublin, D07 RK37
Access from the city centre: Buses 37, 39, 39A, 70, 83, 83A; Luas Red Line, 30ish minute walk
Food: Food truck at times, but you are welcome to bring in food from elsewhere
Sport: All the usual big events are shown
TVs: Lots of screens about the place – it’s big!
Music: All sorts – there’s a jukebox
Family-friendliness: More of a grownup scene
Pub-crawl-ability: Medium-High: L. Mulligan. Grocer is next door, Hynes’ Bar is up the road, The Cobblestone, The Belfry, The Barber's Bar & Bonobo are quite close; Fidelity and isn’t too much further away
Local sites of note: The Lighthouse Cinema, Arbour Hill Cemetery, TUD Grangegorman, Collins Barracks
Haunted: Seems an ideal spot for a haunted object or two in the back
Other notes: The cash-only policy also applies to the jukebox – bring coins
Socials: Instagram
This place looks cozy and awesome!