If summer is all about dining al fresco and drinking cocktails in the sunshine, then autumn is the time when we begin to hibernate. Thoughts turn to pints by the side of a roaring fire, or a hot whiskey in a toasty Snug. 

Snugs are a uniquely Irish quirk – many pubs have one of these little rooms, separated from the main area by a door. Inside, there’s room for a few people to sit and drink in peace – sometimes there’s even a hatch so patrons can order from the bar without having to leave their cocoon. Traditionally, snugs were built to give ladies a place to drink without bother, or where politicians could talk shop away from prying ears. 

Whether you find a pub with a snug or not, we’ve rounded up the best cosy pubs where you can enjoy a drink and a reprieve from the chill of the autumn.

Toner’s

Toner’s is home to the snug voted the best in Ireland, which was the favoured drinking spot of WB Yeats. Inside, the pub hangs on to age-old original features like medicine cabinets, old wooden bars and carved red ceiling tiles. While it can get busy with the after-work crowd in the evening, it’s a great spot for a quiet afternoon drink (and you’re more likely to find the snug empty, too).
http://www.tonerspub.ie
139 Baggot Street Lower

Dame Tavern

It takes a bit of searching, but the Dame Tavern is a welcome hideaway in one of the busiest parts of the city. There’s only one room, but this is the perfect spot if you want to get chatting to a friendly barman about the city (and probably a couple of locals, too).
Dame Court

McDaid’s

Just a few short steps from The Westbury, McDaid’s used to be the City Morgue, and was later converted into a church. Scholars have identified the pub as the starting location for James Joyce’s story Grace, and it was also a popular haunt for Brendan Behan, who reputedly based some of the characters in The Hostage and Borstal Boy on the people he might while in the pub.
3 Harry Street 

The Palace Bar

There aren’t many places in Temple Bar frequented by non-tourists, but the Palace Bar is one of them. Just on the edge of the bustling district, the Palace Bar was established in 1823, and has been a popular pub ever since. It was a favourite haunt of the poet Patrick Kavanagh, too.
http://www.thepalacebardublin.com
21 Fleet Street

Kehoe’s

Another Dublin institution with a famous Snug, Kehoe’s is a familiar, old school pub. You’ll often see patrons spilling out onto the street on sunny days, crowded around the Kehoe’s barrels. But when it’s chilly, the crowd congregates in the comfy main bar.
9 South Anne Street

Sheehan’s

Another option just a few minutes from The Westbury is the popular Sheehan’s. It’s been in the family for three generations, and they also serve solid pub food.
17 Chatham Street