The 2015 Rugby World Cup is hours away from kicking off - in this world of fractured media consumption - live sports are one of the few TV events which still bring everyone together.
Here's our guide to the best spots to get a gang together to catch the action:
The Bridge 1859 / Dublin / The Insiders
Get out and support 'the lads' financially, by stopping by Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien, Rob Kearney and Dave Kearney's new(ish) spot in Ballsbridge.
All the co-owners are in the starting 15 for tomorrow's game. Their reworking of the the old Bellamy's bar has a nice balance of the old and the new.
Banter / The Bridge 1859, Facebook
It boasts Dublin's freshest Czech pilsner and is cosy - if a bit dark for day-time matches. It's sure to pull a big crowd tomorrow.
Watch out for the 'Bridge 1859′ branded Heineken bottles - and their custom weighty Krugs.
The Square Ball / Dublin / The New Kid
The team behind Bernard Shaw and formerly of The Twisted Pepper have been turning their attention towards the sporting world.
Their first sport-focused bar, The Back Page in Phibsborough, has already developed a cult following - the team are back south of the river and launching The Square Ball over the weekend - located between Merrion Square and Grand Canal Dock.
Screens dominate the main seating area, and the floor has fresh astro-turf - think cosy Dublin bar, meets sports bar, meets FlyeFit, meets a charity shop full of sports memorabilia and board games.
It also has video game tournaments and lots of other events going on over the weekend to celebrate the opening.
The Living Room / Dublin / One for the Crowd
This has become the go-to spot to catch big sporting events in Dublin 1 - it's a massive premise with a sprawling outdoor seating area.
Expect a big, colourful, energetic crowd here for all of the tournament's marquee fixtures.
It's recently been renovated - and claims to have the biggest screens in town.
See Dicey's and D2 for south side alternatives.
Alfie Byrnes / Dublin / Beer lovers
Galway Bay's pubs have worked hard to carve out their own niche in Ireland's crowded bar-scene. If you fancy trying something a little different while catching a big game, or a quieter minnow clash - its hard to look past them.
The group has nine bars - two in Galway (The Oslo Bar and The Salt House - both great spots to check out if you are out-west) and Alfie Byrnes, Against the Grain, The Beer Market, The Black Sheep, The Dark Horse (in Blackrock, not on the quays), The Brew Dock and The 108 in the capital.
We're going with Alfie Byrnes because it has the most screens - meaning that you won't be caught stretching to see what's happening.
It also has a special 'Brute' double-burger and pint deal for €18.50 during the World Cup.
Slatterys / Dublin / Near the Ground
The team might not be playing there, but if you still want to mill around in the shadow of Landsdowne, there's plenty of options.
From my experience, Slatterys runs the smoothest operation when it's packaged for a big match, with fast moving bar queues and even table service when it's at capacity.
Honourable mentions for the Old Spot around the corner - and The 51 Bar back up towards Baggot street.
An Púcan / Galway / The one in the West
An Púcan has become the pub of choice for rugby fans in Galway - drawing big crowds on match days.
It looks set to consolidate its number one position in the coming weeks.
Again - screens are key - and they have you covered with five plasmas, and two big screens.
They've even gone to the hassle of putting a World Cup promo video together on their Facebook page - I'm sure Schmidt would appreciate the commitment.
Come for the rugby - stay for the black pudding pizza. Get in early to find a good spot in this Cork institution.
It also claims to be one of the oldest public houses in Ireland.
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