Jameson Distillery or Guinness Storehouse: Which is Better?

Undecided between Jameson Distillery and Guinness Storehouse? Whether you prefer whiskey or beer—or even both—this guide helps you choose the best Dublin drink tour to fit your taste and schedule while stressing on each tour’s highlights, costs, and unique experiences.

A visit to Dublin is incomplete without savoring Jameson’s whiskey and Guinness’ velvety beer.

The distillery and storehouse are just 1.2 miles (2 km) apart from each other, and they have been in business for more than two centuries.

Naturally, they bring in loads of fun, information, and experiences—not to forget the free Jamesons and Guinesses you get to consume at the end of your tours!  

If time and money—think budget and travel timelines—are of the essence, you might want to know which of the two makes for the ultimate drinks touring experience.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Jameson Distillery and Guinness Storehouse and which one makes for a better visit.

Jameson Distillery or Guinness Storehouse? What We Recommend

AttractionJameson DistilleryGuinness Storehouse
LocationBow Street, Smithfield Square, DublinSt. James’s Gate Brewery, Dublin
Cost€31 to €89€30 to €95
Duration45 min to 3.5 hours1 hour to 1.5 hours
Timings10 am to 6 pm9.30 am to 5 pm
Tour TypeGuidedSelf-guided
Drink IncludedComparative whiskey tasting + complimentary drinkComplimentary pint of Guinness at Gravity Bar
Ticket PurchaseBuy This TicketBuy This Ticket

As shown above, the attraction—be it Jameson or Guinness—that works best in your favor depends on your choice of drink, duration of your visit, location, and budget.

For instance, If you love whiskey, we recommend choosing Jameson Distillery; if it’s beer you prefer, then the Guinness Storehouse makes for an ideal choice.

For those interested in both Irish whiskey and Guinness beer or stout, there’s even a combo tour that offers a more comprehensive Dublin experience.

A few things definitely stand out: Jameson is a guided tour, while Guinness is a self-guided tour.

Free entry

You don’t need a ticket to enter Jameson’s JJ Bar. You can just walk in and enjoy a signature Irish whiskey neat or on the rocks.

The same can’t be said about the Guinness Gravity Bar on the attraction’s 7th floor; you need a ticket to enter the attraction’s 7th-story bar. But it’s worth the price as it gives you pristine 360° views of Dublin—stout or dark beer in hand.

Location-wise, both these Irish tipple icons are closely located to each other and other major traverse points in Dublin, making through-and-fro convenience between them a breeze.

Jameson Distillery Tickets

 Bottles lined up for a whiskey-tasting experience at the Jameson Bow St. Distillery.Pin
Image: Dublincitypass.com

The Bow Street Experience is the distillery’s flagship whiskey experience, with more than 90% of the visitors opting for this guided tour. 

It is, after all, the very place where John Jameson distilled Ireland’s first whiskey. And while it today functions as a Visitor Experience Center, there’s still a lot more to explore and learn.

The 45-minute tour starts with a visit to the live maturation warehouse, where you get to learn about the whiskey-making process. 

Next, you get to taste some Jameson straight from the barrel. The tour ends at the John Jameson (JJ) Bar, where you get to savor a signature Jameson cocktail. 

Ticket Price 

Adult (18 years and above): €31

Buy This Ticket

Note: You can buy reduced tickets for children aged 17 years and under on site

Looking for something more premium and memorable? Book the Jameson’s Black Barrel Whiskey Blending Class experience. 

Guinness Storehouse Ticket

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Image: Diageobaracademy.com

This self-guided tour of Dublin’s Guinness Storehouse is basically a 7-story experience that’s set in a historic, once-active fermentation plant.

The storehouse is huge, and each floor takes you through the history of Guinness—also known as the Black Stuff, as you get to learn about its ingredients and fermentation process. 

As you climb through its seven floors, admire the brand’s different award-winning advertising campaigns and slogans used to market Guinness.

The tour ends at Guinness’ 360-degree Gravity Bar, where you can savor a complimentary pint of Guinness while enjoying panoramic views of Dublin as long as you like.

Ticket Price
Adult (18 years and above): €30
Child (5 years to 17 years): €10

Buy This Ticket

Note: Infants aged 4 years and below can enter the storehouse for free

Eager to become a true aficionado of the ‘black stuff’? We recommend the Guinness Connoisseur Experience to taste, savor, and enjoy various Guinnesses at a luxurious private bar in Dublin’s Guinness Storehouse.

We’ve Got a Combo if You Like Both Whiskey and Stout!

Undecided on what to choose—the Jameson Whiskey Experience or the Guinness Dark Stuff tour? Do you like both Whiskey and Stout? 

It’s hard to miss out on Jameson’s Irish Whiskey, which has been triple-distilled for extra smoothness. The same goes for the Guinness stout, which offers a malty sweetness and a hoppy bitterness with notes of coffee and chocolate.

Here’s the best way to taste them both for free when you book a combo tour involving two iconic Irish institutions.

Jameson Distillery & Guinness Brewery Guided Tour

 A group of ladies enjoyed Guinness stout in Guinness’ Gravity BarPin
Image: Getyourguide.com

The ultimate Dublin drink heritage experience, this 3.5-hour tour offers you tastings at both Jameson Distillery and the Guinness Storehouse.

What’s included is transportation in Dublin’s modern Luas tram between sites and a chance to enjoy 360° views of Dublin from Guinness’ Gravity Bar.

The first 45 minutes of the tour involves you and your group immersing yourselves in Jameson’s unique ‘Grain to Glass’ process with a comparative tasting of three distinct whiskeys.

The next leg of the tour is at the Guinness Storehouse, often regarded as the heart of Ireland’s most famous beer. 

Learn about Arthur Guinness’s vision, glance around the seven-floor former fermentation plant, and end your tour with 360° views of Dublin from Guinness’ Gravity Bar.

Ticket cost: €89 (18 years and above)

Buy This Ticket

The Guinness Storehouse is housed in a former fermentation plant at St. James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin 8. Guinness is about 4 km (2.4 miles) from Dublin’s main town.

Meanwhile, the Old Jameson Distillery is on Bow Street, near Smithfield Square in Dublin. The distance between Dublin and Jameson Distillery Bow St. is about 3 km (1.8 miles).

The two attractions are about 2 km (roughly 1.2 miles) apart, making it a 20-minute walk between them. This puts them in closer vicinity than most attractions, implying you can visit both institutions in a day.

Jameson and Guinness Timings

Here’s a breakdown of when both these attractions open and close.

Jameson Distillery Dublin

The Jameson Distillery Dublin has different hours depending on the season, with the last entry an hour before closing. 

From March to October, it is open from 10 am to 6 pm on Sunday through Thursday and from 10 am to 7 pm on Friday and Saturday. 

From November to February, it operates from 10 am to 5:30 pm Sunday through Thursday and 10 am to 6.30 pm on Friday and Saturday.

Guinness Storehouse

The Guinness Storehouse is open from 9 am to 5 pm on Mondays through Thursdays.

On Fridays and Saturdays, it extends its hours from 9.30 am to 6 pm, and on Sundays, it is open from 9.30 am to 5 pm.

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Researched & written by
Mark thrives on the serenity of mountains, the comfort of coffee, and the depth of poetry. As a traveler with a strong passion for history, he delves deep into the cultures and cuisines of the places he visits, often making friends with local cats and dogs along the way. His extensive travels provide a rich foundation for his writing, filled with authenticity and insightful tips for everyone. Mark’s articles capture the unique spirit of each destination, serving as an invaluable guide for explorers. Favorite travel movie: Spotlight. Next destination: Italy

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