The oldest standing tavern is widely considered to be Sean's Bar in Athlone, Ireland, established around 900 AD, with archaeological finds supporting its claim as the world's oldest pub, while the White Horse Tavern in Newport, Rhode Island, USA, built in 1673, is noted as America's oldest, and England boasts many historic pubs like The New Inn (1432) and Ye Olde Man & Scythe (13th century).
Ireland's Sean's Bar is recognized as the world's oldest pub, dating back to around 900 AD. Archaeological findings and a detailed list of owners trace its rich history back more than 1,100 years to its 10th-century founding. It's not just a pub, it's a living piece of Irish heritage.
The Hope and Anchor Tavern in Hobart, Tasmania, established in 1807 as The Whale Fishery, claims Australia's oldest continuously licensed pub title, despite some brief closures, with its license never expiring, making it a significant historic venue. Other contenders for historical pubs include the Macquarie Arms Hotel (1815) as Australia's oldest mainland pub and the Fortune of War (1828) as Sydney's oldest, though the Hope & Anchor's 1807 license is generally recognized as the earliest.
Dating back to 1198, The Brazen Head is Ireland's oldest pub. EDIT: While Brazen Head claims to be the oldest pub in Ireland, several people have pointed out that Sean's Bar in Athlone was established in 900AD. Either way, these are old pubs and well worth a visit!
Welcome to The Bingley Arms
Located in the beautiful village of Bardsey, The Bingley Arms is no ordinary pub. It's the original English pub - officially the oldest in Britain - dating back over 1000 years to a time when Vikings were conquering parts of the country and before England had its first King.
Carlton Tavern. The Carlton Tavern is a pub in the Kilburn neighbourhood of London, England, originally completed in 1921. It was illegally demolished in 2015 by Tel Aviv-based developer CLTX, after it failed to obtain the necessary planning permission.
Alehouses, inns and taverns collectively became known as public houses and then simply as pubs around the reign of King Henry VII. A little later, in 1552, an Act was passed that required innkeepers to have a licence in order to run a pub.
The Long Hall Pub Dublin 2 Bruce Springsteen visits the bar whenever he is in Dublin and they keep his own bottle of whiskey behind the bar.
Even with the extra room the pub was absolutely packed with tourists wanting a drink in the oldest Irish pub. Although quaint it was a little too crowded for our liking but at least we got to experience it. If you are in the area Sean's is definitely worth a visit.
The Brazen Head is Ireland's oldest pub. In fact there has been a hostelry here since 1198. The present building was built in 1754 as a coaching inn. However The Brazen Head appears in documents as far back as 1653.
The Birdsville Hotel is quintessentially Australian, and arguably the country's most legendary outback pub. Established in 1884, these sandstone walls have been housing guests bouncing along Queensland's dusty outback tracks for over 130 years.
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The oldest surviving European structure in Australia is the Wiebbe Hayes Stone Fort, built around 1629 by shipwreck survivors on West Wallabi Island, WA, but for intact colonial buildings, Elizabeth Farm (1793) in Sydney's Parramatta is widely considered the oldest house, while Old Government House (1799) in Parramatta is Australia's oldest public building, both offering glimpses into early settlement.
The number one bar in the world for 2025, according to The World's 50 Best Bars, is Bar Leone in Hong Kong, known for its commitment to hospitality and classic Italian-inspired cocktails, topping a list that recognizes global cocktail excellence. It's followed by Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City) at #2 and Sips (Barcelona) at #3, with the awards celebrating diverse cocktail culture worldwide.
Sean's Bar, which dates back to the Middle Ages! Also listed in the Guinness Book of Records for the historicity of the building that houses it, Sean's Bar has been recognised as the oldest bar in the world. It is located in Athlon, a small town on the banks of the Shannon River, in the centre of Ireland.
The World's Oldest Hotel: Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan. With a staggering 1,300 years of history, Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan has been certified as the oldest hotel in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records. It's a gorgeous ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) with a nearly unfathomable legacy.
So, Sean's Bar is the oldest in terms of operation, while The Brazen Head is the oldest in terms of its physical structure ¹ ².
What not to do in Ireland
Gen Z's obsession with Guinness stems from its viral social media presence (like "Splitting the G" challenges), its aesthetic appeal and ritualistic "perfect pour," strong ties to a broader Irish cultural wave, and its perceived authenticity and heritage, transforming it from a traditional pint into a trendy, status-symbol drink for the younger generation.
Bruce Springsteen has publicly discussed his struggles with depression and anxiety, noting he manages them with therapy and medication, and was also treated for peptic ulcer disease in 2023, which temporarily affected his singing due to diaphragm pain. Additionally, he has had issues with vocal cords and neck discs, requiring treatment and impacting his touring schedule in 2024.
Swift partied at the Hacienda Bar on Little Mary Street in the city centre, along with her boyfriend Travis Kelce, her musicians and dancers, support act Paramore, and legendary Fleetwood Mac singer, Stevie Nicks.
A local pub called Finnegan's in the village of Dalkey, around 15km south of Dublin City, which is famous for being the local resident Bono's favourite pub | Where is it?
General rules:
Here's our list of the most unusual pub names in the UK.
Obviously, the history of pubs began in Britain. Interestingly, British pubs appeared thanks to the ancient Romans. About 2000 years ago, in 43 AD, along with Roman roads and towns, Roman wine shops – tabernacles – came to Britain. They were built along the streets so soldiers could rest and drink wine.