I am personally a bit dubious about Temple Bar nowadays, as it (like all "arty" areas eventually do) has now become the playground of tourists and yuppies.

Perhaps the Baggot Inn, Larry Murphy's, The Brazen Head or O'Donoghues would do the trick. Admittedly they are a little touristy, but their atmospheres are unbeatable.

My personal favourite is O'Donoghues, not despite, but because you have to fight to get in the door. Get there early though, (5pm or so) so as to ensure that you get a seat! It is a proper spit and sawdust pub - sawdust covers the floor to stop people slipping on spilt beer. It's impossible not to have fun. Prepare to have the mickey taken out of you ruthlessly, but remember that you can give back everything you take (within reason of course) without fear of causing offence.

If you can really play, you will be made to feel like royalty.

Oh yeah, these pubs are all in Dublin.