Dublin nightlife is renowned for being some of the best in the world. When you combine all the variety of a European capital with the uniquely Irish craic, you get the most wonderful of events – a Dublin night out.
Looking a Dublin night out? Dublin nightlife is always great fun, but it can be challenging to know where to start as a visitor – with so many options, how do you choose a watering hole that’s guaranteed to deliver?
Never fear, we’ve got your back on this one – here’s a quick whistle-stop tour of some of our personal highlights of Dublin nightlife.
Traditional pubs
If you’re after the type of Irish pub you’ve seen in the movies, Dublin has plenty of options. Here are a few of our favourite places to go drinking in Dublin.
The Confession Box, Marlborough Street
This pub is within comfortable walking distance from central O’Connell Street but feels as if you’ve stepped back in time. Perfect for people-watching and even better for watching a Dublin GAA match.
Fallon’s, The Coombe
Just around the corner from St. Patrick’s Cathedral is one of the finest pints of Guinness you’ll ever sup – and a Dublin night out that you’ll never forget.
The Merry Ploughboy, Rathfarnham
It’s a bit of a venture out of the city centre for this pub and music venue, but boy is it worth it. Be careful – you may find yourself being persuaded into taking to the stage!
Craft beer pubs
Beer snob? Don’t worry, you won’t have to leave your pickiness at the door when you set down on Irish soil – in fact, there are plenty of places where you can sample the highlights of the Irish craft beer scene. This is the perfect spot if you’re looking to go drinking in Dublin?
Against the Grain, Wexford Street
A central and buzzing craft beer pub, with more locally brewed options than even the beeriest bunny could consume in a single night. Be warned – this one gets busy.
The Black Sheep, Capel Street
A proud member of the famous Galway Bay Brewery family, this is a cosy haunt where you can lounge in what feels like a large and friendly living room, while discovering your new favourite beer.
Cassidy’s, Westmoreland Street
Craft beer, pizza, board games, and the friendliest staff in Dublin. You won’t want to leave, but eventually, you will have to – trust us, we’ve tried.
Cocktail bars
If it’s the fancier side of Dublin nightlife you’re hankering after, never fear – we can be very Sex and the City when the mood takes us. Here are just a smattering of the cocktail bars to be seen drinking in Dublin.
Vintage Cocktail Club, Temple Bar.
Affectionately known as the VCC, this isn’t a place you just stumble into – it has a discreetly hidden doorbell where you must ring to be approved entrance. Once you make it up the narrow staircase, your biggest problem for the evening is choosing which creative delight to order from the extensive cocktail menu, and not straining your neck watching the impressive cocktail mixers do their thing.
Drop Dead Twice, Francis Street.
Drop Dead Twice charges per head rather than per drink – the catch? You bring a bottle of your own spirits. Your server will listen to your taste preferences and mix you up as many custom drinks as they can squeeze from your offering.
Sam’s Bar, Dawson Street
This central spot feels like a vintage speakeasy and offers an excellent cocktail before staggering along to nearby Harcourt Street to dance the night away in one of the city’s many nightclubs.
Nightclubs
Dubliners love a good boogie, so a visit to a nightclub is a must for any Dublin night out.
Mother, Grafton Street
This gay club has played host to numerous international acts. Still, their best offering remains the in-house DJ sets on Saturdays after eleven. If you love electro, you’ll be in heaven.
The Workman’s Club, Wellington Quay
This painfully cool late-night club is hipster paradise – Jake Gyllenhaal was even rumoured to be spotted amongst the crowds on one of his trips to the capital. You’ll love this place – but try not to show it. Very unbecoming in The Workman’s Club.
Copper Face Jacks, Harcourt Street
This is the nightclub that rolls off every Dubliner’s tongue when you ask them where to go. It’s renowned for being a great place to get the shift, especially if you have a penchant for nurses or members of the police force. Love it or loath it, Copper’s is a true Dublin nightlife institution.
So there you have it – some stops to get you started on your drinking in Dublin adventure. Wherever you choose, you need to promise us you’ll stop off for a chipper fix on your way home – but that’s a whole other article.
