World’s Largest Irish Pub Opens in Dubai with 148 Beer Taps

The world’s largest Irish pub, McCafferty’s, has officially opened its doors in Dubai, boasting an impressive 32,000 square feet, approximately half the size of a football pitch. This new venue, located in Jumeirah Village Circle, features a staggering 148 beer taps, with a pint of Guinness priced at nearly €15. On its opening day, held on March 4, 2024, the pub earned its place in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest Irish bar globally.

Designed to cater to both expatriates and tourists, McCafferty’s aims to replicate the warmth of a traditional Irish local, albeit on a grand scale. The owners, who operate a chain of McCafferty’s pubs in Ireland and abroad, emphasized their intention to blend Irish culture with Dubai’s penchant for larger-than-life ventures. The pub’s extensive offerings include not only a vast selection of beers but also a whiskey chaser priced at around €13.

A Unique Irish Experience in Dubai

The venue is not merely a bar; it features multiple indoor and outdoor stages for traditional Irish music and live entertainment, alongside a spacious outdoor terrace for events. The interior has been meticulously designed, with hundreds of containers of Irish artifacts and antiques, such as old telephone boxes and vintage tractors, imported from Ireland to create an authentic atmosphere.

Michael McBreaty, the Chief Operating Officer of McCafferty’s, expressed pride in the bar’s achievement, stating, “Being recognized by the Guinness World Records as the biggest Irish bar in the world is indeed very special.” He further noted the significance of establishing a strong Irish presence in the UAE, a nation that has long welcomed Irish culture.

Antoinette Drumm, a spokeswoman for Diageo, the parent company of Guinness, highlighted the communal spirit that the pub embodies. “McCafferty’s in Dubai doesn’t just raise the bar; it reflects the city’s unstoppable spirit, a place that never stops reaching new heights and setting new records,” she stated.

Expansion and Community Focus

The opening of McCafferty’s marks a significant expansion for the chain, which now boasts five locations in the UAE. The venue’s footprint makes it the largest of all 18 McCafferty’s pubs worldwide. The newly opened location has undergone extensive renovations over the past year, effectively doubling its capacity by taking over the entire rooftop at Circle Mall Dubai.

As part of its design, the pub includes state-of-the-art amenities, such as an LED screen for sports viewing and community spaces with pool and table tennis tables. The owners believe that these features, combined with the authentic Irish charm, will make it a popular gathering place for locals and visitors alike.

With the successful launch of McCafferty’s, Dubai has taken a bold step in showcasing its vibrant hospitality scene, appealing to both those seeking an authentic Irish experience and those eager for a lively social atmosphere.