A Cracking Guide For Visiting The Guinness Storehouse (Tours, Tips + Visitor Information)
The Guinness Storehouse is one of the most popular experiences in Dublin and also in the whole of Ireland.
Situated in the middle of all of the action at St. James’s Gate in Dublin city centre, the Guinness Storehouse opened its gates in the year 2000 and has been pleasing visitors from all over the world since.
In this post, we’re going to delve deep into the Guinness Factory. From the different types of tours to what you can expect around the factory, by the end of the post, you’ll be well prepared for your visit to one of Dublin’s great attractions.
Who knows, you may even find yourself in Arthur’s Bar.
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Where Is The Guinness Storehouse Located?
The Guinness Storehouse is located at St. James’s Gate in Dublin city centre. It’s in close proximity to the popular Phoenix Park.
To get there, you have a number of options, which include:
- Walk: From O’Connell Street, it would take just over half an hour to walk there. Of course, if you’re closer, that’s a game-changer.
- Bus: The number 123 Dublin Bus brings you to James Street, where the storehouse’s entrance is located. It stops at multiple places in the city, including O’Connell Street.
- Train: Heuston Station is only around the corner from the Guinness Storehouse. Trains stop there throughout the day.
- Luas/Tram: The Luas stops outside of Heuston Station. You need to hop on the red line and get off at St. James’s hospital.
- Drive: Visitors can avail of the Guinness Storehouse car park, which is on Crane Street. Parking is free but get there early to grab yourself a spot.
The Guinness Storehouse address – St. James’s Gate, Dublin 8, D08 VF8H
How Do You Purchase Tickets For The Guinness Storehouse?
Tickets for the Guinness Storehouse Museum Experience Tour can be purchased in multiple places. Here’s how you can get them.
- The Guinness Storehouse’s Website
- Get Your Guide
- Included in the Dublin Pass
- On the door at the Guinness Factory (depending on availability)
What Type Of Tours Can You Take Of The Guinness Factory?
There are a number of different tours that visitors can take of the Guinness Storehouse. From self-guided adventures through the museum to lessons in the Guinness Academy, you’re spoiled for choice. Let’s go through each one individually.
Option 1: Self Guided Experience + Gravity Bar
With the self-guided tour, you’ll have access to the Guinness factory and learn the history of the great Irish stout beer. Go at your own pace and enjoy the modern interactive exhibition.
When you purchase tickets for this Guinness brewery tour, you get –
- Self-guided access to the Guinness Storehouse
- A complimentary pint of Guinness or something else from the menu (18+) (non-alcoholic options available)
- Access to the Guinness Storehouse’s Gravity Bar (amazing views)
Option 2: Self Guided Experience + Gravity Bar + Guinness Academy
Everything that’s in the first option is included with this one, but you also get to learn how to pour your very own pint of plain taught by one of the Guinness Storehouse’s professionals. This is ideal for somebody who has never poured their own pint before and would love to know how to do it properly.
What you get –
- Self-guided access to the Guinness Brewhouse
- A complimentary pint of Guinness or something else from the menu (18+) (non-alcoholic options available)
- Access to the Guinness Factory’s Gravity Bar
- An extra pint that you have to learn how to pour on your own. You’ll have a teacher, don’t worry
- A certificate to say that you’ve been to the Guinness Storehouse
Option 3: Self Guided Experience + Gravity Bar + StoutIE
This is our favourite option. With this package, you get everything the same as the first one, but you also get an extra pint with a selfie of your face printed on top of the head of the pint. It’s a brilliant little idea.
What you get –
- Self-guided access to the Guinness Storehouse
- A complimentary pint of Guinness or something else from the menu (18+) (non-alcoholic options available)
- Access to the Guinness Factory’s Gravity Bar
- Access to the StoutIE ‘bar
- An extra pint with your face printed on the head of it.
Option 4: Self Guided Experience + Gravity Bar + Connoisseur
For the ultimate Guinness Storehouse experience, you need to try the connoisseur add-on, which gives you your very own private tasting with a specialist.
What you get –
- Self-guided access tickets to the Guinness Storehouse’s museum
- A complimentary pint of Guinness or something else from the menu (18+) (non-alcoholic options available)
- Access to the Guinness Brewery’s Gravity Bar
- A Guinness tasting with a connoisseur in a hidden bar away from the crowds.
- A lesson on how to pour a perfect pint.
Highlights Of The Guinness Storehouse
Once you walk through the most famous gates in Dublin, you’ll know you’re about to encounter something very special. Your adventure awaits.
The Brewing Procedure
Walk through the area where the magic happens. Take a look at the waterfall that contains the pure Wicklow water that comes from the mountains to make the special stout. You’ll see the different hops and learn about how important yeast is to making each pint of Guinness.
The Guinness Barrels
The pyramid of barrels is named the cooperage. It’s a display devoted to the craft of a craftsman called a cooper. This was somebody who made the barrels by hand to store Guinness inside of them so they could be moved across the world for distribution.
In this exhibit, you’ll be given a great insight into how the operation worked.
Past Guinness Advertisements
Another brilliant part of the Guinness Storehouse factory is the old advertisement section. Seeing how creative their marketing techniques were this long ago explains how they’ve been able to keep the momentum going these days.
Ramble through the dedicated floor of advertisements and understand the method behind their madness. Whether it’s a fish on a bicycle or a catchy newspaper article, the owners of Guinness really did know how to lure the people they wanted in.
Enjoy A Pint In The Gravity Bar
Along with the self-guided tour, everybody gets access to the Gravity Bar to enjoy a complimentary pint. The views from this pub are incredible. You can see the whole of Dublin whilst enjoying your beverage. It’s nicknamed the “Sky Bar” for a reason.
Be sure to ask your waiter if you can have a shneaky seat beside the window to get a proper view.
What’s Our Opinion Of The Guinness Storehouse?
After reviewing the Guinness Storehouse and taking part in the full experience, the team at Where In Dublin was super impressed with our visit. We’d honestly say that it’s one of the best things you can do in Dublin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Guinness Storehouse’s Opening Hours?
The Guinness Storehouse’s opening hours vary from day to day. It’s important to note that when you book your tickets online, you must choose the tour time you want.
Below are the times you can make a reservation.
- Sunday – Friday: 10:00 am to 19:00 pm (last entry 17:00 pm)
- Saturday: 10:00 am to 20:00 pm (last entry 18:00 pm)
How Long Does The Guinness Storehouse Tour Take?
Expect the tour of the Guinness Storehouse to take at least an hour and a half, but it can last much longer depending on how interested you are in certain parts of the display. That’s not including the time you spend sipping a drink in the Gravity Bar.
How Much Is The Entry Fee To The Guinness Storehouse?
Entry to the Guinness Storehouse costs 26 euros depending on where you purchase your tour ticket. If you’re thinking about one of the add-on experiences, it will be more. Prices vary for each tour package.
Discount ticket offers depend on the time of the year and availability, so keep an eye out for them.
Is There A Shop To Buy Souvenirs In The Guinness Storehouse?
Those looking to take home a souvenir can visit the retail store. From Guinness Logo’d pint glasses with your own name engraved into them to stylish hoodies, there are tons of pieces of merchandise that you can purchase in the gift shop for a decent price.
Already been to the store and forgotten to get something? You can check out the Guinness online shop here.
Is It Possible To Get An Audio Guide?
Audio Guides are available at the audio guide desk on the ground floor. Be sure to head there as soon as you enter the building to contact them for more information.
Can You Enter The Actual Guinness Brewery?
Usually, it’s possible to enter the brewery with a certain booking, but for the moment, it’s unfortunately closed, as stated on the Guinness factory’s website. Keep an eye out to see if it opens up in the future.
Does The Guinness Storehouse Sell Gift Vouchers?
Sadly, you can’t buy any gift vouchers, but you can purchase a ticket for somebody and put their name and email address on the ticket.