A YouTuber visited Bray, the scenic seaside town just outside Dublin, and tried a pint of Guinness at the Harbour Bar — once named the world’s best pub by Lonely Planet
Liam McInerney Content Editor
11:23, 24 Apr 2026
Mark Rowan is known as The Northern Ireland Traveller (Image: YouTube/ Northern Ireland Traveller)
A content creator explored a breathtaking coastal town less than 40 minutes from Dublin — before sampling a pint of Guinness in what was previously declared the finest pub globally.
Bray in County Wicklow features a seafront promenade and a scenic coastal cliff path — offering some of the most magnificent views in the nation.
Known as the Gateway to the Garden of Ireland, it was recognised in 2023 as amongst the globe’s “underrated travel destinations” by Time Out.
Content creator Mark Rowan, widely recognised as Stumpy or the Northern Ireland Traveller, chose to experience it firsthand.
Addressing his followers, he stated: “Hello everyone, what’s the craic? So, today I’m in the beautiful little town of Bray in County Wicklow, Ireland. And today I’m here to do a pub crawl and see if I can find myself a good pint of Guinness.”
Bray town in County Wicklow, Ireland, during sunset, showing the seafront promenade(Image: Getty Images)
This popular excursion spot sits merely 20km south of Dublin — and one particular establishment came highly recommended to Stumpy.
He noted: “There’s a bar down there called the Harbour Bar. So I’ll have to try a pint of Guinness in there. It’s actually voted Ireland’s best bar I think. So that’ll be interesting to see how good the Guinness is.”
Nevertheless, prior to that visit, he sampled half-a-dozen alternative establishments in Bray, with his initial destination proving particularly noteworthy.
He visited The Boomerang Bar where a pint of Guinness set him back €6.60 — and Stumpy observed there wasn’t a solitary bubble in the head following the pour. Taking his first sip of the day, he declared: “Really really really off to a good start, a really really nice pint. If every pint is like this today, I am going to be a happy boy, that is nice.”
He loved his first pint of Guinness of the day (Image: YouTube/ Northern Ireland Traveller)
Sandy, who has run the establishment with her husband for nearly three decades, then told Stumpy: “We have the reputation, and I am boasting, and I am saying it now, we have the best pint of Guinness in Bray, and ask any of our customers. That’s why our WiFi code (bestpintinbray) because people say it to us all the time. So I challenge you to find a nicer pint anywhere else.”
Stumpy accepted the challenge but was evidently charmed by the community pub where all the regulars recognised one another.
One such patron was delighted to speak on camera, and the local character said: “My name is Johnny, Johnny Choo Choo they call me. That’s me name because I worked on the train, and everyone’s welcome in Bray because we just do our own thing, we have a drink and we enjoy ourselves.”
Upon departing, Stumpy described it as a “great pub” with exceptionally welcoming patrons, and he said he was thoroughly impressed.
Stumpy was impressed by Bray (Image: YouTube/ Northern Ireland Traveller)
While wandering, he once more noted how the residents of Bray were “super super friendly” and how the entire town was remarkably spotless.
He also admired the “unbelievable scenery” before he ultimately arrived at Harbour Bar.
A sign greeted him that read “Guinness is good for you” and Stumpy revealed how numerous individuals had suggested it to him. In 2010, this distinctive coastal establishment was crowned the world’s finest pub by the Lonely Planet Guide, which read: “This bar has an amazingly diverse crowd and a unique look.
“The bar is littered with original antiques and interesting bric-a-brac, accumulated over 80 years, by three generations of the O’Toole family. The Harbour Bar offers a truly authentic Irish pub experience as an antidote to the sterile atmosphere of some modern pubs.”
The Harbour Bar on Strand Road (Image: YouTube/ Northern Ireland Traveller)
The venue has also welcomed numerous celebrity patrons throughout the years — amongst them Colin Farrell, Brendon Gleeson, Bono and Cillian Murphy.
Within the establishment, Stump was accompanied by content creator colleague Wendall, who shared his verdict on his Guinness, priced at €6.80.
He responded: “Look, in Ireland, Guinness is good in nine out of 10 pubs for an Englishman. Yeah, it’s not the best pint I’ve had in Ireland, but you know, for a seaside town, it’s belting. I would give it a seven out of 10.”
Stumpy acknowledged it wasn’t his finest Guinness of the day, potentially referencing The Boomerang Bar, though he maintained it remained a “great pint”.
Wendall enjoying his Guinness (Image: YouTube/ Northern Ireland Traveller)
Wendall further remarked: “With all due respect to Dublin, I’d rather hang out by the seaside here and have a €6.70 pint than be in Dublin and pay €7.50. It’s nice, clean fresh air, clean streets. No grief.”
Having departed the snug establishment, Stumpy, in the video you can watch in full here, said: “This place was voted by Lonely Planet the best pub in the world. It’s a great pub but it’s definitely not the best pub in the world.”
Wendall concurred but noted: “It’s subjective, every man’s idea of a great pub is different.”