Bars & Pubs

The Dublin Castle is square one for aspiring guitar bands. It's dim despite the skylights, and far from salubrious: upholstered couches of the 'economy train seat' ilk; mirrors dotted with fingerprints and dog-eared drinks promotions. Somehow, though, all this only adds to the sense of a place about to rock. Posters above the bar hint at the Castle's musical legacy - mostly nods to Madness, for whom the pub was once a second home, although Supergrass, Travis and Blur also trod the boards of its sweaty rear-room venue. The four-band bills are normally big on hair-flicking Arctic wannabes, but there's no saying when the next legend will be born.

Time Out Bars, Pubs & Clubs Guide 2008/9