Welcome to Dublin’s premier nightlife guide.
On this page, you’ll discover the vibrant and varied nightlife scene in Dublin. You’ll find the perfect venue for you and your preferred night out. Whether you want to go all-out clubbing or if you’d like a more laid back dinner and drinks with a view, we’ve got your covered.
Enjoy!
Dublin is the capital of Ireland and an ideal place to party all night. Whether you want to party with the locals or drink all night long- there are some of the best nightspots that Ireland has to offer in Dublin. This can mainly be attributed to the fact that a lot of youngsters live in this city. Before looking at some of the best places to visit at night in Dublin, let’s get to know more about when the nightlife in Dublin.
Nightlife timings in Dublin
According to Ireland’s rules, the pubs in Dublin can only open at 10.30 am on Mondays to Saturdays. On Sundays, the pubs need to open at noon. Last orders need to be wrapped up before 23:30 on Mondays to Thursdays. On Fridays and Saturdays, final order timings are extended, and they can be placed before 0:30 am. On Sundays, the laster order can be placed at 23:00. The late bars are open till late on weekends. Moreover, the nightclubs are open till 2:30 am.
Dance clubs in Dublin
Most of the dance clubs in Dublin are located in the center of the city. You will never get bored as there are several choices out there with different kinds of vibe and music. Here are some of the best dance clubs in Dublin:
- Krystle
From socialites to rugby players- some of the most famous individuals party at Krystle. If you want to let your hair down at a fashionable place, this is where you should visit. The place is decorated stylishly, and you need to put on your best clothes to match the club’s vibe. Chart and Funky Music is mainly played at Krystle. Apart from that, some of the world-famous musicians tend to perform in this club. If you are already making plans for a night out in Dublin, you can reserve a table or a booth at this place. Moreover, you will not be charged anything extra for early reservations.
- Pygmalion
Pygmalion is a dance club in the basement of the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre. The place functions as a bar during the day and as a club at night. The décor of this club is unique. As soon as you enter this club, you can see stone walls, bronze doors, and a vintage photo booth. Although the dance floor is not huge, you can find world-famous DJs playing at this club. Occasionally, you can see some Irish musicians playing live at Pygmalion as well.
- Copper Face Jack’s
Copper Face Jack’s is a dance club that is visited by the old and the young population of Dublin. The dance floor at this place is vast, and you can easily dance the night away without being pushed by anyone else. You can get a wide array of alcoholic beverages at this place. The energy of this club is maddening and infectious.
- The Village
This fantastic dance club is located at Wexford Street, where you will see a massive queue outside the club during the weekends. The Village has a lot of space. Different floors act as a bar, a live music venue, and a dance club. From Indie to Bollywood music – the DJs at this club have an eclectic choice in music. You can find a lot of variety in the gigs hosted at this place.
- Lost Society
Lost Society is located inside a mansion that was built back in the 18th century. You will be able to find a lot of vintage décor inside the place. The second floor of this building is where you can find the dance floor. The DJs mostly like to play vintage indie music. If you want to get a drink and click pictures on vintage armchairs, you have to visit Lost Society.
- The Button Factory
From regular club hoppers to students – The Button Factory is a favorite for all Dublin residents. It is a dance club that is always crowded. There are different nights allotted to different genres of music. Indie, techno, folk – you will get a wide range of options at this place. If you are a student, there is good news for you—the club hosts’ Student Nights’ to get drinks at a discounted price.
- The Academy
This joint is located on Middle Abbey Street in Dublin and is exceptionally spacious. The reason could be that many performers, as well as dancers, entertain at ‘The Academy’ regularly. The weekends are ‘club nights’ that cater to the ones who prefer alternative music. This place is ideal for those who want to dance in a well-ventilated space where they won’t be shoved or pushed.
Best pubs in Dublin
From classic Irish Pubs to the new upcoming joints – there is never a shortage of options for pubs in Dublin. If dancing is not your thing, you can hop into any one of these pubs and grab a drink or two. Some of the best pubs in Dublin are:
- The Long Hall
The Long Hall has been licensed to serve liquor since 1776. In 1881, it was renovated, and yet, it has a vintage vibe attached to it. You will see the maroon walls, mahogany woodwork, and mirrors with a golden tinge when you enter this place. The Long Hall is filled with décor that has an old-school vibe to it. The staff at this place is extremely friendly and up for a chat at all times. The dim lighting and amazing whiskey make it a hot favorite amongst the Dublin pub-goers. If you want to get a seat at this place on weekends, you might have to head over to this place early as it is a popular joint.
- The Lucky Duck
The Lucky Duck is spread over three floors. It is a cocktail bar inside an ancient building. Hence, the motto of this pub is “making old new again.” There is a bar that displays exquisite mahogany woodwork. The wooden bar, along with velvet couches and gallery walls, contributes to the ‘antiquity aesthetic’ of this place. The bar follows a ‘closed loop’ concept when it comes to cocktails. In simple words, they believe in generating a lesser amount of waste and looking into ways to enhance the taste in their cocktails. The place’s menu is quirky and is broken down into several categories depending upon the taste of the beverage. Apart from the drinks, the food is delicious at ‘The Lucky Duck.’ From desserts to mains – you will have a lot of options at this place.
- 9 Below
Although it is a little more pricey than its competitors, nine below is worth the money. The place is decorated in an Art déco style. It is located in the basement of the Hibernian Club and caters to the ones who crave luxury. The walls are whitewashed, and the ceilings have a cave-like appearance with glass displays. You can notice that this place emphasizes extravagance when you look into the suede-bound menu cards. There are plenty of options when it comes to drinks as well as food. The pub can seat about 66 guests and the lavish décor, as well as a five-star service from the staff, makes it’s a good choice for pub-goers in Dublin.
- Grogan’s
Grogan’s was established in 1899. It is not as fancy as the other pubs in Dublin but is still a classic. The focus is on providing good service rather than spending money on extravagant décor. There are art hangings on the wall of this place which anyone can buy. There aren’t as many options when it comes to the food available at Grogan’s. If you want cheap beer and an authentic Irish Pub experience, you can visit this place. Remember that this joint only accepts cash and no other method of payment.
- The Bar with no name
Secret Bar, Snail Bar, No name Bar – these are some of the names of this quirky joint. There are three sitting rooms along with a terrace. A tent covers the latter, and you can have a drink in their outdoor sitting even when it is raining. You must be wondering why this place has such a quirky name. The owners were confused, and hence, they couldn’t find a proper name for this place. Yet, it is one of the famous pubs in Dublin.
- The Cobblestone
The dark walls and the pinewood floors of ‘The Cobblestone’ make the décor look grand and vintage. This establishment has been serving Dublin residents for over five generations. Apart from hard liquor, the beer at this point is noteworthy. The bar is usually busy at all times. Some of the traditional music bands in Dublin perform at this place every night. You can even drop by on Wednesdays if you want to take Balaclava lessons. All in all, it is an affordable place to have a couple of drinks.
- Drop-dead twice
If you want to drink customized booze, this is the place you should be. Instead of making cocktail menus, the bartenders at ‘Drop Dead Twice’ believe in unique potions suited best for your taste. They have a huge list of liquor at their place, and the mixologist can come up with a drink that suits your preferences. The pub follows a BYOB (Bring Your Booze) policy, and hence, you can bring in your liquor as well. On Wednesdays, you can avail of the special offer. All the slots get discounted by at least €5 per person. The place gives out a modern vibe with a digital sheet for signing up. The slots are available based on the number of drinks you want to order. You can get two hours if you want to have four cocktails and three hours for six cocktails.
Best LGBTQ friendly bars in Dublin
Most of the bars and discos are friendly in Dublin, regardless of your sexual orientation. However, if you want to meet anyone specifically from the LGBTQ community, you can head out to any of these places:
- Panti Bar
It is located a few steps away from Temple Bar and is always busy. Panti Bar is an LGBTQIA+ friendly joint, and you can quickly identify it by the large neon sign outside this place. It is an amazing mixture of a wild club and a community bar for gays. The place hosts special events from Thursday to Sunday. Movie nights, karaoke, drag shows – the vibe of Panti Bar is glamorous and extravagant. The staff is extremely friendly, and the cocktails are amazing. If you want a little bit of quiet time, you can head over to their lounge downstairs. You should try out the club’s special ‘Pale Ale’ when you visit this joint.
- The George Bar
The George Bar has been in the business for over 30 years. Since its conception in the 1990s, it has been an active joint where people from the LGBTQIA community can hang around freely. It is a place where you can dress up the way you want to, and no one will question your preferences. The club hosts drag queens, community leaders, and celebrities from the LGBTQIA+ community regularly. Game nights, drag shows, cabarets, bingo, dancing events, and DJ nights are some of the amazing events that take place at ‘The George Bar.’ If you are above 18 years, you can visit this place and have the time of your life.
- Pennylane Bar
The bar has opened its doors for customers in 2019 and is one of the hottest gay bars in town. In such a small amount of time, it is a hit amongst the LGBTQIA community of Dublin. The food, as well as the cocktails at this place, are well-reviewed. Moreover, the staff is courteous, and you will not have to wait for hours to get your drinks.
Best late bars in Dublin
Most of the pubs close at about 11:30 pm ever-day. But that shouldn’t stop you from drinking. If you want a drink even at the wee hours of the night, there are several late bars in Dublin. Following the Irish Spirit, most of these bars will serve you alcohol almost all night long. The best late bars are:
- Whelan’s
The late bars are open till 3 am every day. Whelan’s is located at Wexford Street and is ideal for grabbing a drink with the locals. Even though the place is always busy, it is hardly ever difficult to get a spot. If you are lucky, you will get to witness ‘comedy nights’ at Whelan’s. Occasionally, a couple of music acts take place at Whelan’s as well.
- Flannery’s
Another well-known late bar in Dublin is Flannery’s. It is a bar as well as a café. The bright red outer walls give it a classic Irish Pub vibe. There is a smoking area, and the drinks are quite cheap here. It is a cross between a nightclub and a bar. If you want to hear 90s music in the middle of the night, this is the ideal place for you.
- The Liquor Rooms
This a trendy late-night joint where you can have a lot of fun with your friends. From locals to celebrities such as Matt Damon have visited this bar. This place is done in dim lighting, and the menu has many options if you want to booze all night long.
- Doyles
There are times when you want to relax after partying a lot. Doyles is ideal for such times. It has a casual and laid-back vibe to it. There are plenty of tables at this place where you can catch a couple of drinks in the wee hours of the night. It is mainly visited by a couple of locals as well as Trinity College students. If you like an affordable place to drink all you want, this is the place for you.
Best live music venues in Dublin
Irish culture promotes good music, and the locals significantly enjoy live music in Dublin. Whether it is traditional music or electronic – there is no dearth of options for finding live music venues in the city. Some of them are:
- J.J. Smyth’s
If you want to hear some blues and jazz, this is the place you need to be. It is a family-run pub that hosts live music events daily. The second floor is dedicated to living music performers. When your throat feels dry, you can always grab a pint of beer from the pub downstairs.
- Grand Social
This place has been voted as the ‘National Venue of the year’ for around four years. Grand Social lives up to the expectations and provides a cozy setting for live music events. You can find musical performances of all genres at this place. Another marvelous feature of this place is the beer garden above. There is a weekly market as well, which is held inside the establishment. You can get a lot of stuff such as vinyl records as this market. From time to time, well-known DJs also perform at Grand Social.
- Vicar Street
One of the oldest live music venues in Dublin is Vicar Street. It opened its doors to the audience in 1998 and is one of Dublin’s most famous live events venues. The seating capacity at Vicar Street is about 1050 people. Apart from that, around 1500 people can stand and enjoy the live performances. Hence, it can be said that this venue is extremely spacious. The staff is extremely courteous, and you can find reasonably priced drinks at this place.
Final words
These are some of the several options available when it comes to nightlife spots in Dublin. The city has a lot to offer in terms of culture and heritage. Dublin is regarded as the ‘birthplace of whiskey,’ and it lives up to that reputation. In every nook and corner of the city, you will be able to find a pub or two. Along with the classics, several contemporary hangout spots might suit your generation’s likings. Next time when you visit Dublin, explore as much as you can and try to visit the spots mentioned above!
Video To Watch To Discover
Can you wear trainers on a night out in Dublin?
Most Dublin clubs and pubs aren’t too strict with their dress code. You can dress casual but look smart. Jeans and a shirt are usually fine and for girls’ jeans, dresses and skirts are also allowed. Trainers are usually a no in most Dublin clubs so ensure you bring shoes with you just to be on the safe side.
What is Dublin nightlife famous for?
Temple Bar, which is famously associated with Dublin’s nightlife, is located right by the river on the south side. Here, you’ll find lots of pubs and restaurants lining the cobbled streets. This area is particularly popular with tourists, so many of them serve the likes of Irish coffee and Guinness stew.
