When the sun is out in Dublin, these rooftop bars are a must!
With the Irish ‘summer’ making one hell of a return this year, we all have legitimate reasons to bring out the garden chairs, light up the barbeques and drink some beers and cocktails.
But what if you want to go out to Dublin City Centre and have a drink in the hot weather? A small indoors pub might not be the best option.
Not to worry, we’ve got you covered. Here is a lowdown of our favourite rooftop bars in the city.
4. Opium Botanical Gardens
Talk a walk up George’s Street. Keep walking… keep walking yet again until you meet the intersection connecting George’s Street and Wexford Street. Welcome to Opium’s Botanical Gardens. Yep. You heard that right.
Opium is a part of the Mercantile Group of restaurants and venues such as The George, Cafe en Seine and Whelan’s.
If I’m honest, this gem of a place looks more like a greenhouse-in-progress than an actual bar. And deliberately so.
With a glass roof and an incredibly green, yet contemporary theme that is predominant throughout the top floor, Opium’S BG provides an exclusive atmosphere that is unlike anything we’ve ever experienced in Dublin.
If you’re hungry, treat yourself to a nice selection of affordable Pan-Asian dishes. If you have a spare liver, then you need to get some of their house cocktails. We won’t spoil the rest.
Just see it for yourself. The only reason why this is fourth on the list is that it isn’t really an open roof joint, and a limitless view to the sky like the rest on this list isn’t guaranteed.
3. Fitzsimons Hotel Temple Bar
Located in the heart of the Temple Bar Area and fondly called Fitzsimons by almost everyone here in Dublin, this place is home to many live music shows and Brazilian-themed parties.
You may not be a fan of stairs, but brave the four flights and you’ll be rewarded with a space that boats Dublin’s only heated open-air rooftop Garden bar, as claimed on their website.
A heated rooftop terrace may not be useful information for summer periods but what that means is that you are guaranteed rooftop turnups even during the winter periods.
But the icing on the cake? A permanent selection of 5 euro cocktails all year round.
2. Sophie’s
Now now, we’re getting to the good stuff. Located in the Dean’s Hotel on Harcourt Street, Sophie’s restaurant is very well known for its incredible food and service.
Well-known for its near 360-degree view of the city. Each time I set foot in this place always feels like it’s the first time.
The terrace is smashing but I’d recommend getting there early if you ever want to have a seat this summer.
If the restaurant’s panoramic view of the city is still your cup of tea, then we’d recommend going there at around 8 pm. Simply because you’d be in line to enjoy a killer view of the sunset by the time it’s 9 pm – 10 pm.
Despite all the awesomeness that is Sophie’s, let it not distract you from the fact that they also have swings in this restaurant. That is all.
1. The Marker Hotel’s Rooftop Terrace
Now. This rooftop bar is not for those looking for a cheap escape. Because this is a place that clearly takes itself seriously. Here, you either go hard or go home. Here’s why.
Firstly, it is located in the Docklands (home to some of the most affluent financial services firms in the city). And secondly, it is in a 5-star hotel.
The rooftop bar is accessible on a priority basis. That means hotel guests and private functions will be given first-come treatment over regular entrants. We’ll only advise visiting if you have some private function or are staying at the hotel. Anything less than that may only get you a date with security.
So if you have the time and the moolah to stay there while in Dublin, then go ahead and spoil yourself rotten!
