If you’re planning a trip to Dublin, chances are the Guinness Storehouse is already on your list. It’s Dublin's most famous tourist attraction. But is it actually worth your time (and money)… or is it just a tourist trap? View the video above to get a sneak peak into everything you'll experience at the storehouse and keep reading below for more behind-the-scenes information on this divisive site.

What Is the Guinness Storehouse?

The Guinness Storehouse is a seven story interactive museum dedicated to Ireland’s most famous beer: Guinness. It’s located at the historic St. James’s Gate Brewery, where Guinness has been made since the 18th century. The entire building is designed around a giant glass atrium shaped like a pint of Guinness.

Inside, you’ll find:

• Exhibits on how Guinness is made (with extra attention to the four ingredients: water, barley, hops, yeast)

• The history of founder Arthur Guinness

• Rooms dedicated to advertising, branding, and culture

• A “pour your own pint” and selfie-beer foam experience (this costs extra)

• The famous Gravity Bar

This is not your typical brewery tour. There are interactive exhibits, sensory rooms (you literally smell the ingredients), Instagram-worthy visuals everywhere and a steady flow of tourists moving floor by floor. It ends with a complimentary pint at the 360° Gravity Bar, which gives you panoramic views over Dublin.

Experiences and Prices

There are so many levels of experiences you can have at the Guinness Storehouse. The regular self-guided tour is what most people purchase, but the experiences can go up in price and get very advanced. Read up on what the venue has to offer below:

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The Pros

1. It’s a piece of Irish culture: Guinness isn’t just a drink, it’s part of Ireland’s identity. Visiting helps you understand that cultural impact.

2. The museum and gravity bar are cool: Even if you’re not a beer person, the production quality is high. The storytelling, branding, and design are all really well done. Plus the Gravity Bar gives you 360° views over Dublin, similar to the Seattle Space Needle.

3. It’s easy and tourist-friendly: Buy your tickets online, choose your add ons and arrive during your scheduled slot. The museum flows in a self-explanatory way. No stress!

4. There are non-alcoholic options: If you are pregnant or sober then you can still enjoy this place with their yummy non-alcoholic Guinness 0.0 beer!

5. There are vegan foods at the cafe: If you are vegetarian or vegan there are non-meat options to fill your stomach up to prepare for more beer!

6. The self-guided tour (cheapest ticket) incudes one full pint and a pint tasting: They host tastings every ten minutes for tiny tastes. This is a great addition to the tour. You'll also get a full Guinness beer pint and access to the Gravity Bar at the end of the tour.

The Cons

1. It can feel… touristy: Because it is the most visited attraction in Ireland, it gets crowded. Over 20 million people have visited since it opened.

2. The regular ticket is not a real brewery tour: If you’re expecting behind-the-scenes brewing action, you might be disappointed with just the self-guided tour of the museum. If you are truly interested in the brewing action then you can buy a more immersive and educational experience for a higher price.

3. It’s not cheap: Tickets can feel pricey. Just entering the museum and touring yourself is $26 USD a person or $52 USD for a couple, and it's just walking around a museum.

4. The "Stoutie" isn't perfect: This is a mixture of "Selfie" and " Stout", this term refers to their beer-foam selfie drink which is an additional cost. When both of ours were printed they immediately got a beer foam bubble right on our cheeks! So be prepared to edit this out with photoshop! Since it happened to both of our drinks, I imagine it happens to everyone. I recommend only getting one "Stoutie" ticket and posing for your selfie picture with your partner together so you get the cute image of the photo-foam beer and save money!

So… Is It Worth It?

YES - If:

• It’s your first time in Dublin

• You enjoy interactive museums

• You love Guinness Beer

• You don't mind tourist attractions

• You really are interested in the process and get a more immersive ticket

MAYBE NOT - If:

• You’re short on time (there's better things to see in Dublin)

• You prefer authentic local experiences over attractions (this is not a true reflection of Dublin)

• You’re not interested in beer at all (the only activities are learning about beer and drinking it!)

My Final Verdict

It’s not the most authentic experience in Dublin… but it is fun, well-designed, and uniquely Irish. Think of it less as a brewery tour and more as a cultural experience wrapped in really good marketing. If you have time go, but don’t let it be your only Dublin experience. Pair it with a cozy local pub afterward, or get an elevated ticket with more of an experience, that’s when you’ll really get the magic.

Also I advise not overspending at the gift shop! Just remember the only time you'll really wear a Guinness sweater is on Saint Patrick's Day. We chose to purchase one souvenir: an engraved pint glass. We use glassware everyday for iced coffee so we'd knew it'd be a useful piece. This can be purchased when you buy your entry ticket for 15 Euros or $18 USD. Finally, if you don't care about photos or social posts, I would skip the Stoutie.

Wherever you enjoy your Guinness (regular or 0.0) in Dublin, it will be delicious! Just make sure you shout "Sláinte" when you cheers your glass! That's the Irish toast towards good health and a must-know phrase to add to your repertoire if you are visiting Ireland.

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