Just to be clear, Temple Bar (the general area, not just the pub) is fine if a bit touristy. If you need an American touch, there's a TGIFridays and a Hard Rock Cafe in addition to the pubs. You can just imagine how the pubs are affected by the American influence as you won't find the purest examples of the pub scene in Temple Bar.

But everything that can make it a fun place to hang out--big crowds with the attendant noise, makes it a terrible place to stay in a hotel or rooms.