The Brazen Head
Stoneybatter, Dublin
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Standing proudly on Parkgate Street since the late 18th century, our pub is named after Nancy, the first female publican in Dublin and Ireland. Living above the premises, Nancy cleverly served pints through a hidden hatch during the Sunday “holy hour” restrictions, with patrons seeing only her hands. And so, the legend of Nancy Hands was born.
As you explore the pub, you’ll discover a remarkable collection of Irish history and memorabilia. From a staircase salvaged from Trinity College, featured in Educating Rita, to early 1900s Odlums bakery clock-in machines, a 1923 maritime code machine, and original bank vault doors from the 1940s, every corner has a story to tell.
Our close connection to St. James’s Gate is reflected in our extensive collection of original Guinness advertising, vintage beer pumps, and unique brewery memorabilia.
If you’d like to learn more about the fascinating history behind our Guinness collection and the stories throughout the pub, our Guinness History Book is available to purchase an ideal keepsake of your visit.
Today, Nancy Hands continues to celebrate the very best of Irish hospitality, serving traditional dishes, carefully crafted drinks, and live local music in a setting unlike any other.
Thank you for joining us. We hope you enjoy your visit, raise a glass, and become part of the story.
Sláinte!
Address
30-32 Parkgate St Dublin Co Dublin
Opening
Sun – Thur: 12pm – 11:30pm
Fri – Sat: 12pm – 00:30am
Interviews, stories, videos and curious facts about this pub.
Videos
Audios
Interviews
Curiosities
1. If these walls could talk, what would be the most unbelievable story they’d tell?
The walls would tell you about the great 19th-century church-hour hustle. Our original landlady, Nancy, would stand inside a dark, hollowed-out section of the front brickwork during mandatory Sunday afternoon closures. To bypass the strict laws, she would silently pass frothing pints out into the Dublin afternoon through a tiny hole in the wall. The walls would describe the bizarre sight of disembodied hands delivering alcohol to a crowded street of locals trying to look inconspicuous! Hence the name, Nancy hands.
2. Who is the most memorable customer who’s ever been here?
The famous staircase linked to Michael Caine and Educating Rita . Originates from Trinity College Dublin and now resides inside the pub. After restructuring and renovations, the staircase – trodden on by Michael Caine during the film’s production—was installed in the pub. So, even though the Academy award winning actor wasn’t physically in the pub, he did walk on our staircase.
3. In your opinion, what makes a pub a true Irish pub, rather than just a bar that serves Guinness?
A true Irish pub is an extension of the community’s living room, whereas a regular bar is just a commercial place to buy a drink. An authentic pub focuses entirely on human connection, cultural heritage, and unhurried hospitality. It features a layout meant for face-to-face interaction, a crackling atmosphere of craic (conversation and fun), and local music traditions that feel entirely unforced. The focus is always on welcoming the person, not just serving the pint.
4. What Irish tradition would you like the rest of the world to adopt?
The world should adopt the tradition of the “Irish Snug.” Historically, snugs were small, private, wood-panelled enclosures inside a pub with their own access doors and service hatches. They allowed people to have deeply private conversations, share secrets, or reflect in quiet comfort right in the middle of a bustling public house. Bringing back small, distraction-free spaces for deep, uninterrupted human connection would do the modern world a lot of good.
5. What sets a good pub conversation apart from a conversation anywhere else?
A great pub conversation is defined by its complete lack of social hierarchy. At the bar counter, a university student, a bricklayer, a corporate lawyer, and a visiting tourist all sit on identical wooden stools. The shared environment strips away outside pretenses. This democratic setup encourages a blend of quick-witted humor, storytelling, and an openness to talking with complete strangers that you rarely find in standard coffee shops or restaurants.
6. In your opinion, what makes a pub feel “timeless,” even after so many years?
Timelessness comes from a pub’s tactile authenticity and layers of history. You can feel it in the uneven, worn wooden floorboards, the antique Victorian decor, and original factory clocking machines that local ancestors used generations ago. When a building retains its physical connection to the past and refuses to chase modern, minimalist design trends, it provides a sense of permanent comfort. It makes you feel like you are stepping into a living museum where the clock has stopped.