This McCafferty’s In Dubai Sets A Guinness World Record As The Largest Irish Pub

Dubai doesn’t exactly shy away from records. Tallest building? Check. Biggest shopping mall? Of course. And now, add to the list: the world’s largest Irish pub. Yes, you heard that right, McCafferty’s in Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) has officially been certified by Guinness World Records as the largest Irish pub on the planet.

McCafferty’s In Dubai Crowned The World’s Largest Irish Pub

 

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McCafferty’s has always been popular with Dubai’s expat crowd, but after a year-long transformation, the place is now unmissable. We’re talking 32,000 square feet of pure Irish-Dubai energy. To put it in perspective, that’s about half a football pitch dedicated entirely to ceoil agus craic (that’s music and fun, for the uninitiated).

The extension sits proudly atop Circle Mall, and it’s not just about size for size’s sake. McCafferty’s has gone all-in on details that make you stop and look twice. There are bar signs flown in from Ireland, old phone boxes straight out of Dublin streets, even antique Massey Ferguson tractors for that proper rustic touch. It’s part nostalgia, part theatre, and all very on-brand.

More Than Just Pints

Now, let’s face it, size doesn’t mean much if there’s nothing to do. But McCafferty’s didn’t get this title by being boring. The new design includes indoor and outdoor music stages, a sprawling terrace built for big events, and one of the largest LED screens you’ll find in Dubai. Perfect if you’re the kind who plans weekends around Premier League fixtures.

Then there are the games. Pool tables, table tennis setups, and enough bar space to handle 148 beer taps, yes, 148. Truth be told, that alone might justify the Guinness title. After all, if you’re going to call yourself the world’s biggest Irish pub, you’d better be ready to pour more than your fair share of pints.

A Bit Of Ireland In The Middle East

McCafferty’s operates 18 pubs worldwide, with five now in the UAE, but this JVC branch clearly takes centre stage. The owners like to describe it as a marriage between Irish warmth and Dubai’s obsession with “bigger, bolder, better.” And to be fair, they’re not wrong. The mix works.

You’ll find live music, rowdy sports nights, and that easy, sociable vibe Irish pubs are famous for. But here it’s dialled up, Dubai-style, more lights, more space, more spectacle. It’s the kind of place where you can watch a Six Nations game with a roaring crowd in the afternoon and come back later for live music under the stars.

Also Read: 9 Best Sports Bars in Dubai For Match Day Hangouts

Why It Matters

Sure, some might shrug and say, “It’s just a bar.” But McCafferty’s isn’t just serving Guinness and shepherd’s pie, it’s carving a cultural niche in a city that thrives on superlatives. In practice, it’s giving Irish expats a little slice of home, while also giving everyone else a larger-than-life taste of what an Irish pub can be when it’s transplanted to Dubai.

So, whether you’re after live music, a cold pint, or simply curious to step inside the world’s largest Irish pub, McCafferty’s JVC now has bragging rights no other bar can match. And knowing Dubai, you won’t be surprised if it becomes the place you end up spending more than “just one drink” on a night out.

Cover Image Courtesy: McCafferty JVC/Instagram