Entering Dublin or Cardiff during a match week is like opening a storybook with colourful stories of passionate supporters, clinking glasses and the electricity of rugby crowds pouring out of crowded pubs into the pavements.

The two rugby capitals are easy to put at the top of the European bucket list of any sports lover, between the grotesquely friendly Irish people and the spine-chilling Welsh singing that reverberates in the centre of the cities.

You can be watching an Ireland game at Dublin in the Aviva Stadium or be at Cardiff in the Principality Stadium, and the pub atmosphere is where the magic is really made. It is here that strangers turn into friends, where pre-match jitters are turned into ecstatic celebrations and where the rugby spirit is fully realised.

And as you are making plans to attend the rugby pilgrimage, you may end up scrolling through travel forums at some ungodly hour (you may even check out an online casino in Alberta when planning your trip details), fantasising about what historic pub you will visit first.

We are going to plunge into all the information you need to know about match week in these two amazing cities.

Dublin: Where Craic Meets Rugby at the Aviva

The rugby heartbeat of Dublin beats most vigorously around the Aviva Stadium in the Ballsbridge area, where the feel of the place turns the neighbourhood around the stadium into a giant, happy street party.

The vitality leaks out of Baggot Street via Ballsbridge and forms a green jersey sea, full of ardent chanting and that Irish warmth that makes even a first-time visitor feel like a native.

The Essential Dublin Rugby Pubs

1. The Bath Pub

The Bath Pub is literally in the shadow of the Aviva Stadium, so it is the epicentre of pre-match hype. This favourite hangout has several screens placed in various locations within the building and its famous courtyard, where the scream of the crowd can be almost felt vibrating through your glass of beer.

There will be a warning; however, you will be glad to claim your place early on. This place fills up quicker than you can say Come on, Ireland!

2. Searsons

Searsons has made its own name as a rugby serious pub just down the road on Upper Baggot Street.

It is a beautifully refurbished bar that does not merely display the match on large screens; it provides an experience through its excellent whiskey and beer garden with outdoor screens.

It is the ideal place where people can enjoy their quality drinks and quality rugby at the same time.

3. The Bridge 1859

To have a more high-end matchday experience, go to The Bridge 1859 on Ballsbridge Terrace. This slick gastropub is a joint venture between Irish rugby legends Jamie Heaslip, Seán O'Brien, and brothers Rob and Dave Kearney, and is a blend of award-winning food and a matchday atmosphere that only ex-players can replicate.

The food here ranks a few notches higher than the average pub food, and therefore, it is a perfect fit for those who wish to make their match day a meal to remember.

4. Slattery's D4

Slattery's D4 near Beggar’s Bush by Slattery has provided that authentic Irish pub experience that is laden with rugby history. It is a multi-area venue that is full of both locals and visitors who are all passionate about the game.

Being so close to Aviva Stadium, you will be bumping shoulders with the fanatical fans who have been making this pilgrimage over the decades.

5. Doheny & Nesbitt

In case you are in need of something a little more traditional, Doheny and Nesbitt on Lower Baggot Street is the place that provides the traditional flair.

This is a character-based pub that is ideal to sit and nurse a well-poured Guinness as you savour that old Irish pub ambience. It draws in the local fans and visiting fans seeking a genuine, slightly vintage matchday experience.

Getting Around Dublin on Match Day

The DART commuter rail system is your best friend during match day, and trains pass the stadium at Lansdowne Road station. It is by far the fastest way to get out of the city centre, and it will save you the snarl-ups along the way to Ballsbridge.

The majority of the best rugby pubs are also within easy walking distance of the stadium, and pub-hopping before kick-off is therefore easy.

It is worth remembering that Dublin pubs do not take their Guinness lightly, and you are in the land of the black stuff, so you have time to enjoy a well-poured pint.

When groups decide to take lunch or pre-match meals, it is important to reserve a table early enough otherwise one should be ready to stand and wait in line, possibly long queues at the bar.

Cardiff: Where an Entire City Becomes the Stadium

When the rugby spirit of Dublin is contagious, that of Cardiff is volcanic.

The Principality Stadium (which is still known by many locals as the Millennium Stadium) is located right in the very heart of the city centre, and during the match days, the whole city is turned into a single giant, jubilant party as whole streets are pedestrianised.

The sheer concentration of pubs around the stadium makes the atmosphere there one that is electric.

The Must-Visit Cardiff Rugby Pubs

1. The City Arms

The City Arms is a traditional Welsh pub that is a legend with a convenient location just near the Principality Stadium and Cardiff Castle.

This favourite pub has gained its status because of a wonderful choice of real ales and craft beers, especially the local Brains beers that represent the finest of Welsh brewing tradition.

The real matchday atmosphere here is unique; it is where the locals and the visitors come together to experience the Welsh rugby passion.

2. The Old Arcade

The Old Arcade is a spectacular delivery of pure rugby history and atmosphere.

Enter and you will see that the walls are entirely covered with rugby memorabilia and rare jerseys that have been gathered over decades.

It is the classic committed rugby pub, with every surface recounting Welsh rugby greatness.

3. Elevens Bar & Grill

Elevens Bar & Grill is a more modernised, upscale sports bar that will add to the match-day scene.

This city centre business, which is co-owned by Welsh football superstar Gareth Bale, has high-quality screens all over, modern decor and a menu based on quality burgers and steaks.

It is ideal for those fans who would prefer a slightly more refined watching experience without losing the electric match day experience.

4. Brewhouse

Brewhouse has established its reputation on the establishment of a party-like atmosphere through its unique arched tunnels and high ceilings.

This pub is a famous place to have live music before and after the games, and it becomes a lively party that reflects the Welsh rugby culture and its spirit of happiness and enthusiasm perfectly.

5. Tiny Rebel

Lastly, Tiny Rebel in Westgate Street is practically across the street from the stadium, so it is a popular meeting place among craft beer lovers.

This bar features a wide array of Welsh beers and transforms into a match day with several projector screens and a full, excited crowd who are willing to celebrate.

Navigating Cardiff on Match Day

The location of the Principality Stadium is central, and this implies that you just get out of the stadium and you are right in the middle of the action; there is no complex journey to undertake.

But, to escape the masses of people around the Cardiff Central Station, you can take the relaxing water taxi between Cardiff Bay and the city centre, which is a calmer route and creates the anticipation of the match to come.

A single tip that cannot be overtaken is to be on time. Central Cardiff pubs will be standing at noon, and long queues will be anticipated at the bar. But such a wonderful atmosphere is worth every moment. The audiences are welcoming, the mood is electric, and the experience is memorable.

You will be surprised not to be swept away by passionate Welsh singing; it is one of the most unusual and emotional experiences of a match day in Cardiff.

You can learn a couple of bars of Bread of Heaven or Calon Lan before you get there, and you can join in the spine-chilling choruses which render Welsh rugby crowds known the world over.

And as you sample the pints all day long, be sure to sample Brains SA or Brains Dark, the local brewery is the sponsor of the Welsh team, and these beers are an essential element of the Cardiff match day experience.

Making the Most of Your Rugby Pilgrimage

Dublin may have its small-town neighbourhood pubs, or Cardiff may have its city-centre party, but each of the cities has something that goes beyond just watching sports.

This is where rugby is more of a cultural experience, where the locals are as welcoming to visiting supporters and where the love of the game forms friendships between strangers which endure long after the final whistle.

From the perfectly poured Guinness in Dublin to the Welsh singing in the hymns in Cardiff, from the rugby legends owning gastropubs with their partners to the old ones with the memorabilia on the walls, these cities not only host the rugby matches, they celebrate them as a community event which brings people together in the most joyful and memorable ways ever.

Book your tickets, pack your team jersey, and get ready to have the experience of a lifetime, which is a combination of world-class rugby and authentic hospitality, amazing atmosphere, and pub-hopping that is enough to make any sports fan sing.

You can be either sitting in Ireland as they pursue glory at the Aviva, or you can be sitting in Wales as they protect their home at the Principality, and you are in for a very special experience that goes well beyond the eighty minutes on the field.

Rugby & Pubs: A Traveller's Guide to Dublin and Cardiff on Match Week