25 Years of the Guinness Storehouse – Where History and Culture Take Flight

Few visitor attractions have embedded themselves so indelibly into the cultural landscape of their city quite like the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin. Global leaders, era-defining popstars, local legends and innovative Irish artists are among the 25 million (and counting) people to have stepped through the gates of the iconic landmark since its grand opening 25 years ago – each forging unique connections with the space, which have in turn shaped how they view and interact with the city around them.

In addition to its phenomenal popularity among visitors from overseas, the Guinness Storehouse also continues to be embraced enthusiastically by the people of Dublin, as a brilliant celebration not only of a local business that became a global powerhouse, but also of the close-knit community from which the iconic brand emerged.

It’s little wonder that Guinness Storehouse is now hailed as one of the finest attractions on the planet – winning World’s Leading Visitor Attraction at the 2023 World Travel Awards. From the interactive exhibitions spread across seven floors, to the unparalleled panoramic views of Dublin that await in the famous Gravity Bar, the attraction continues to win hearts and minds, particularly as it evolves and grows, with an ongoing focus on heritage, innovation and community.

Over the course of 2025, the Guinness Storehouse has been harnessing that vibrant spirit as part of ‘Alive In 25’ – a major, year-long 25th birthday celebration, featuring special cultural events, community initiatives, concerts, exhibitions and more.

Fontaines D.C. at Lovely Days Live at the Home of Guinness

But before we get too caught up in the excitement of 2025 and beyond, we’re taking a step back in time – to explore the remarkable story of Guinness, the special area of Dublin known as the Liberties, and of course, The Guinness Storehouse…

THE DUBLIN 8 COMMUNITY

The Guinness Storehouse may be 25 years old, but it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the history of the black stuff stretches far beyond that. Way back in 1759, Arthur Guinness altered the course of Dublin history forever, by signing his famous 9,000-year lease for a then-disused brewery at St, James’s Gate, in the heart of the Liberties. The community was soon flooded with jobs and opportunities, bringing a serious boost not just to the local economy but to the country at large.

Less than 75 years later, the St. James’s Gate Brewery had grown to become the largest brewery in Ireland. Within another 50 years or so, it would be the largest in the world.

Over the subsequent decades, the famous harp logo, as well as the iconic advertising campaigns, transformed Guinness into the brand known and loved right across the planet today – sold in over 150 countries, as the world’s most popular stout.

Deciding that a little celebration and commemoration was in order, Guinness opened its original Brewery Museum in 1966, followed by a new, even more popular visitor centre in 1988.

However, the space was simply too small to keep up with the demand from visitors – and so, it was decided that a former fermentation plant on Market Street, originally built around 1902, would be dramatically renovated, and transformed into a world-class visitor attraction. The resulting spectacle was The Guinness Storehouse – which threw open its doors to the public in the millennial year of 2000, with the stunning Gravity Bar, situated on the seventh floor, as its crowning jewel. 20 years later, The Guinness Storehouse responded to the phenomenal popularity of the iconic bar by doubling its capacity, as part of a major expansion.

The Gravity Bar

Of course, as the view from the Gravity Bar reminds each and every visitor, there would be no Guinness without Dublin – and Dublin would look very different indeed without Guinness. The Guinness Storehouse is a big part of the Dublin 8 community and plays a key role in highlighting and celebrating the area’s rich cultural and historical heritage.

For locals and international visitors alike, a trip to The Guinness Storehouse provides the perfect excuse to explore the Liberties – and take in the fascinating attractions, world-renowned pubs, boundary-pushing restaurants, and bustling local businesses in what is an increasingly well-loved and welcoming part of the city.

But, as anyone who has spent time in the neighbourhood will tell you, it’s the local people that make the area truly special – something Guinness recognised early on. As well as employing countless residents of the area over the years, and leading the way in Ireland in terms of employee welfare, a history of philanthropy has also been a crucial part of the Guinness story. From donating St Stephen’s Green to the City, so the previously private park could be enjoyed by all, to supporting families through the construction of exceptionally well-built flats, Guinness’s contributions to Dublin have been immense, with the impact continuing to be felt to this day.

More recently, the inaugural Guinness Dublin 8 Community Fund was launched – with a commitment to investing €1 million over five years to support and platform local charities, non-profits and community groups across Dublin 8.

MUSIC AND CREATIVITY

Over the years, Guinness has also proudly embraced its ties to music and creativity, on these shores and far beyond. In recognition of that – and as a unique way of welcoming people inside the Home of Guinness – the Guinness Storehouse has played host to a thrilling array of acts over the years.

Barry Can't Swim at Lovely Days Live at the Home of Guinness

From homegrown heroes like Dermot Kennedy, BICEP, Lyra and Biig Piig, to international artists such as Kelis, Disclosure, Armand Van Helden and Joy Anonymous – as well as Culture Night and Other Voices events with the likes of The Mary Wallopers, Annie Mac and The Streets – the Guinness Storehouse has consistently hosted some of the world’s most vital talent through these special shows.

That emphasis has only continued to grow stronger this year, with the ‘Alive In 25’ celebrations. After ringing in 2025 with a high-octane performance from The Scratch on New Year’s Eve, the star-studded Lovely Days Live at the Home of Guinness was the talk of the town at the start of the Summer – with music from some of the biggest names on the Irish and international scene, including Fontaines D.C., Lankum, CMAT, Barry Can’t Swim, BIIRD, Morgana, Jyoty, Tara Kumar and Chalk across the fantastic three-day event that elicited rave reviews. The surrounding area was once again platformed and celebrated through Lovely Days Live at the Home of Guinness, with all proceeds from ticket sales and Fontaines D.C. merchandise going towards the Guinness Dublin 8 Community Fund.

Lankum at Lovely Days Live at the Home of Guinness

Throughout the summer, Guinness also brought Lovely Days to some of the country’s most popular festivals and events – while the Guinness Storehouse once again hosted its Brewing Talent series, showcasing some of the country’s most promising up-and-coming acts every Friday.

The good news is that there’s always something musical brewing at the Guinness Storehouse – so keep your eyes peeled…

THESE WALLS

Of course, it’s not only musicians who have been platformed in this iconic space. As part of its 25th anniversary celebrations this year, the Guinness Storehouse founded and funded These Walls, a brand new public art initiative, with a specific focus on honouring Dublin 8, and its creative legacy.

Initially launched on Culture Night 2025 as an immersive, artistic spectacle at the Guinness Storehouse, These Walls is a multi-phase initiative, presented in collaboration with Dublin City Council, the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) and The Digital Hub.

These Walls - Rita Fagan, Thaís Muniz, Liz O'Connor

The latest chapter in that project, These Walls: Landmarks, was launched during the recent Dublin Gallery Weekend, featuring newly commissioned works by acclaimed artists Hazel O’Sullivan and Niall de Buitléar. Together, these two celebrated artists revisited a pivotal chapter in Irish art history: the ROSC exhibitions of 1984 and 1988, held at the Guinness Hopstore, which introduced ambitious Irish and international art to the city.

From a special breakfast event in the Gravity Bar, to a fascinating walking tour, the events surrounding These Walls: Landmarks during Dublin Gallery Weekend once again highlighted the Guinness Storehouse’s importance within Ireland’s wider cultural landscape, as well as demonstrating its ongoing commitment to commissioning boundary-pushing contemporary art.

If you missed out on the Dublin Gallery Weekend, don’t panic! The These Walls: Landmarks exhibition is running throughout the winter season, for visitors interested in soaking in some wonderful art in the utterly unique surroundings of the Guinness Storehouse.

This festive season will also see the Guinness Storehouse transform into the city’s ultimate Christmas destination – with ‘My Goodness! It’s Christmas’, underway now. By day, you can look forward to seven floors of festive magic, with a special Guinness twist – including Snug N0.0llaig, a cozy Guinness 0.0 vinyl lounge.

Then, as night falls, you can enjoy the glow of the city lights up in the Gravity Bar, at ‘Christmas Nights At Gravity’, one of Dublin’s most unique nights-out this winter. The bookable experience – presented in collaboration with the Guinness Storehouse’s Dublin 8 neighbour Love Tempo, as well as the award-winning Chinese restaurant BIGFAN – features an incredible line-up of DJs, a mouth-watering cocktail menu, and exclusive festive dishes…

With a whole new generation of creatives and trend-setters connecting with Guinness, there’s never been a better time to plan a visit to the Guinness Storehouse – whether it’s your first time, or you’re ready to relive the magic all over again. Consider this your prompt to discover what goes into making each pint; delve into the incredible, centuries-spanning history of the brand; and embark on a tasting experience that’s truly out of this world.

Clearly, since opening in 2000, the Guinness Storehouse has grown and developed into something more than just a brewery tour. It is a national treasure that Irish people can enjoy any time of the year. Whether you’re sipping a beautiful pint while overlooking the city in the Gravity Bar, or immersing yourself in the vibrant exhibits, you’ll find yourself not only gaining new insights into the story of Guinness, but into the remarkable history and culture of Ireland – where tradition and innovation have always come hand-in-hand.

•To plan your visit, head to guinness-storehouse.com

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