Fun and entertainment Dublin

The Royal Dublin Society (RDS), founded on June 25, 1731 to promote the arts, owns this huge auditorium (the Main Hall) which hosts many cultural events. These events are always very varied: the programme includes classical music concerts, rock concerts, opera, but also painting or photography exhibitions... Don't forget to consult the rich programme before taking your plane to Dublin.

A large clock inlaid in a wooden panel separates the two parts of this charming pub: wide benches on one side and a long marble corridor with mahogany benches on the other. It's a pleasant decor for this comfortable local pub, which comes alive at weekends (younger clientele, DJs...), offering live music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A place as typical as it is friendly, for a meal break (soup of the day, gaelic chicken, shepherd's pie, etc.) or just a drink.

Not far from St. Stephen's Green and the Grand Canal, this traditional, popular and friendly bar attracts a clientele of local regulars as well as students after classes. Soccer matches are shown on a big screen in the large wooden room surrounded by stone walls. A good place to start afterwork. Pint prices are fair. Serves Irish cuisine and the famous Irish Stew. Live music on Thursdays, DJ sessions on Fridays and Saturdays and open mic on Sundays. Atmosphere guaranteed!

In the heart of the mythical Trinity College building, the Samuel Beckett Theatre was founded in 1992 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the famous university. The theatre's programme includes performances by national and international companies (Ireland, Europe, Japan, USA). It also participates in the Dublin Fringe Festival, Dublin Dance Festival and Dublin Theatre Festival. Drama students from the Trinity College campus also perform on this stage throughout the academic year.

The Flowing Tide is one of the most famous pubs in the Irish capital. For good reason, it's one of the oldest in Dublin. And it's the pub where you'll come to stop after a show at the Abbey Theatre, one of the country's most important venues. You can chat with Dubliners, most of whom are regulars. The ground floor is very authentic and full of charm. And when the weather is good, you can also sit in the courtyard around a barrel. The pub also broadcasts major sporting events.

The large windows overlooking George's Street make Hogan's a somewhatpretentious place at first glance, although the clientele, mostly in their thirties, is rather relaxed and smiling. Live music sessions are organised in the spacious room of Hogan's and the more the night goes on, the more it happens in the basement to sway to the rhythm of the DJs on the dance floor. In short, a fun night out among the Dubliners is guaranteed. Dubliners generally have a real affection for this place.

Leopardstown Racecourse is one of the capital's famous racecourses, located 8km south of Dublin city centre. At this racecourse, horse racing takes pride of place with mainly flat races and steeplechase. With about twenty meetings per year, the Hennessy Gold Cup is held here in February, as well as the Christmas Festival which takes place every year from 26 to 30 December. Numerous catering outlets.

On Dame Street, at the entrance to the medieval quarter, this Victorian-style music hall, well known to Dubliners, was built in the early 19th century. Today, although it gave in to the temptation of naming in September 2021, it still offers light comedy, variety and comedy shows. There are also concerts on the program, usually on Friday and Saturday nights. The complete program can be found on the website.

Founded in 1928 by Michael MacLiammoir and Hilton Edwards, this superb North Shore theater offers a contemporary repertoire of the highest quality. The famous Orson Welles and James Mason made their debuts here, and it is not uncommon to see big names from the film industry treading the stage of this theater, which is the pride of Dubliners. If the audience is generally rather erudite, and if the language is not a problem, you should not hesitate to look at the program before going to the Irish capital. The theater also offers very good Christmas shows.

Opened in 1823, the Palace Bar is one of the oldest pubs in Dublin. In the 19th century, it was even the haunt of famous writers from the city or just passing through. Its unique atmosphere and old-fashioned charm, with its beautiful woodwork, barrels and glass dome, give it a unique look that makes it a favourite with regulars. In addition to the beers, there are many whiskeys to try, including a hot whiskey. Very famous Irish music sessions are often held here on Thursdays. Beware, the establishment is often crowded.

The Foggy Dew was established in Dublin in the early 20th century and this historic bar will seduce you for a quiet aperitif. A chance to chat with your neighbours, locals perhaps, before heading out into Temple Bar or Grafton Street. The average age of its clientele is around 25-30 years old. The pints are very affordable for the neighbourhood; the Sunday live sessions are of quality, rather ska-reggae. Many artists from the 1950s have left their prints on the wall, take a look. Great atmosphere!

The doors of the Bailey are adorned with evocative names: Synge, Beckett, Kavanagh... which remind us of the literary past of the place, which is now long gone. There is no shortage of space during the day, thanks to the restaurant on the^first floor, in this vast space dressed in blue, from the carpet to the benches. You can taste great Irish classics, very well done. In the evening, on the other hand, you will generally find a big crowd at the counter. The regulars crowd this city institution as soon as the night falls.

In this large and obscure bar located on the banks of the River Liffey on Ormond Quay, a little away from the ultra-touristic pubs of the Temple Bar area, the atmosphere is always guaranteed. Rather quiet during the day, Sin é inevitably wakes up every evening to the sound of the live sessions (jazz, reggae, rock...) which take place at the beginning of the week, or thanks to the rhythms and fiery sets of the DJs on Friday and Saturday. You can meet a heterogeneous clientele who appreciate the underground atmosphere of the place. Good (and long) evening in perspective.

I really like this small and cosy Irish pub, with its old-fashioned decoration. From time to time, music can be heard in the background, but usually it's the conversations at the counter that are heard in the background. All generations meet here for a beer, watching the game on a small screen (muted) and replaying the latest rugby and Gaelic football matches. And, to make matters worse, everyone is greeted with a big smile!

Here you are in the smallest pub in Dublin... and maybe in the world, as the little sign at the entrance proudly announces! This confined place, installed in the basement of this Dawson Street door, has been fitted out in a very seventies style, and can welcome about twenty people around the bar or on one of the... three tables of the tiny room. The pints are cheap and the staff is adorable and always smiling. An unusual address that stands out among the trendy bars in the area. Worth a try during your stay

The Market Bar is an old warehouse converted into a bar, which has kept all its character. In a huge room, with high ceilings and brick walls, you can sit around a wooden table to enjoy some pretty good tapas or have a drink. Many beers of course, but also excellent cocktails await you here. You will also notice the wall filled with wooden shoes. It's worth a visit for the place alone. A very good brunch is also served at the weekend.

From the outside, this pub looks quite small, but it's not. Many Dubliners gather here after their day's work to drink a quality Guinness in a typical setting. It serves competitively priced pints and attracts journalists, politicians and the working classes who mingle in a cheerful hubbub. The Nesbitt, as they call it, is a simple, rather old school place and one of the oldest pubs in the Irish capital, since it has been serving beer and whiskey since... 1867 !

Shelbourne Park is a real institution in Ireland! Five minutes by car from the centre of Dublin, in the south in the Ringsend district, this stadium allows you to attend greyhound races, usually three nights a week. Facing the track, the stands offer a capacity of 400 seats and no less than seven restaurants to welcome its visitors. An original outing to consider if you have enough time. Guaranteed spectacle!

This bar-club located on the banks of the Liffey promises a successful evening with friends in a former apartment transformed into a nightclub. A truly original setting! In the late afternoon and early evening, you come to drink a beer and eat a good burger in the patio-terrace on the first floor. Then, it fills up slowly and the DJs take the orders in the two rooms adjoining the patio, including one with a view on the Liffey. Be warned, on Wednesdays the population is very young for the weekly student night.

In the redeveloped Docklands district, this is one of Dublin's newest theatres. Since its inauguration on March 18, 2010, with Swan Lake performed by the Bolshoi Ballet, the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre has been one of the hottest venues for theatre, music and dance. Mary Poppins, Romeo & Juliet: you can see the great classics here. With its modern architecture and cutting-edge programming, it would be a shame not to check out the program before boarding the plane.

What could be better than sipping a beer on the seventh and top floor of the Storehouse, with an impressive view of the Dublin skyline, in the heart of the spiritual home of Guinness? That's what the Gravity Bar offers in the Liberties district and the first pint will be free after visiting the Guinness Storehouse. Even Prince William and Kate Middleton have tasted the famous dark beer at Gravity. And they could enjoy the good big soft armchairs to admire the Phoenix Park and the mountains in the distance.

A bar with a rather young clientele, really a must in the neighbourhood, and which invites you to taste a lot of local craft beers and draught beers. Even the decoration of the establishment honours the famous beverage. At the back of the room, there are large tables with a very friendly atmosphere and board games are also available to customers. In short, an excellent address where you are always welcomed with a smile. Billiard lovers will also find a table on the bar floor.

The Cock Tavern is the oldest pub in Howth (the building itself dates back to the end of the th century) and is the most pleasant, according to its habitués. The pint is at about 4 €, and the place has a garden garden, billiards, a game of darts, a jukeboxes box and a fireplace in the winter. Rock concerts are given on Friday and Saturday evening and place on Sunday evening traditional Irish music. It is also the Cock Tavern that is organized by boat fishing to the island north of Howth (10 to 15 €).

Behind a discreet door on low-key Dame Lane, this trendy bar and disco spans two floors and attracts partygoers from all walks of life. The cocktails are delicious, the music invites you to sway. The DJs have a huge musical culture and mix the latest rock hit with a good old Smiths or Pulp... and are always ready to listen to your request. In the bar room, you can sit at a table, the decoration is retro-chic: soft light, brick walls and posters offer a lounge and trendy atmosphere.

This Camden Street pub has been a favourite of Dublin's youth for decades. The bar is always packed at weekends, but there's a huge room at the back and very efficient staff who will never leave you dying of thirst. The music it plays, often live with bands or DJs, makes you want to dance furiously and, as the regulars say with a smile, "you haven't really been to Dublin if you haven't set foot in Flannery's". An institution in the capital.

This trendy club, self-proclaimed the number one club in the country, is really huge, so don't be afraid of the queue at the entrance: it moves pretty fast and is a guarantee of success! Housed in a Georgian-style building, the discotheque extends over three levels. And the atmosphere is excellent every night of the week. The clientele is young (between 20 and 35), relatively well-to-do, but relaxed. A must in the capital. Occasional concerts are held at Copper Face Jacks. Find out more on the establishment's social networks.

Designed by Charles J. Phipps, the architecturally stunning Gaiety Theatre has a seating capacity of approximately 2,000. It opened to the public in 1871. Since the late 19th century, it has been a theatre for the general public, with a programme of mainly dramatic plays, musicals and operas. The theatre also hosted the famous Eurovision Song Contest in 1971. It was the Monegasque singer Séverine who won. France, represented by Serge Lama, finished in 10th place.

This excellent wine bar tucked away behind St Stephen's Green has some classic, but organic or organic snacks to nibble on. More importantly, you can choose from over 500 top quality wines, which explains the rather high prices. And the sommeliers' advice is always very sound. Impeccable service. The setting is both intimate and luxurious, the atmosphere quite posh. It is possible to dine there (from 15 € to 25 € per dish), but only by reservation. You can also take part in tasting workshops.

While some may be disappointed with the restaurant's food, the bar is unanimously acclaimed. The atmosphere is relaxed, although the place is modern and trendy. For, as its name suggests, the restaurant occupies a church! A setting which, it must be said, is both unusual and impressive, especially when you see the organs behind the bar. The local population rubs shoulders with visiting tourists, and everyone gets into the spirit of the Irish music. The venue can also be privatized for private or business events.

The black and white tiled floor and the rough wooden furniture set the tone when you enter this pub, which deserves its name as it has been established for more than 300 years. Yet it doesn't cultivate a traditional pub style, but rather a trendy gastro-pub look that can be confusing at first glance. The atmosphere is smart enough to meditate while sipping a drink in the afternoon. Offers Irish cuisine, such as beef and guiness casserole or traditional irish stew and some good seafood.

Halfway between trendy and medieval Dublin, here is a superb pub where you will not fail to admire the clock on the very long counter, as well as the dark room decorated with old engravings, or the blue ceiling surrounded by chandeliers and decorated with colourful mouldings. In this place full of character and tradition, the prices are very reasonable and you can sit down to chat quietly. You will understand why the Long Hall attracts so many regulars. And why it is a popular destination for tourists passing through Dublin. We like it!

No deafening music in this classy and traditional pub where an enormous stuffed deer head, which gave its name to the establishment, is enthroned. The Victorian tavern at Stag's Head is the perfect place for a quiet chat or to meet Dubliners who have come to relax over a Guinness (the pub has been featured in Guinness advertisements!). The clientele is rather middle age. Possibility to order a soup of the day, a burger, fish & chips and other typical dishes. The establishment also offers trays to share.

Here again, this is a very good place to spend a nice evening away from the touristy areas of the Irish capital. But be careful, stay discreet because Mc Sorley's pub is a favourite haunt of regulars and Ranelagh inhabitants who don't want to make this place too well known. At the end of the week, the place is packed as soon as the sun goes down. Sports events are shown on flat screens. Good selection of beers. The only downside is that the price-quality ratio of the menu needs to be reviewed.

Located in the grounds of Dublin City University, this multi-purpose cultural venue founded in 1996 by President Mary McAleese does not fail to live up to its reputation and always offers quality theater. There is an eclectic program of plays, musicals, concerts, exhibitions, conferences and even ice shows... With themes for all audiences and/or avant-garde and performances by artists in residence. There is also the possibility to have a drink in the campus café.

This pleasant address adds to the long list of the oldest pubs in the Irish capital. It's not the oldest, but it still has its original Victorian layout - with its famous wooden partitioned nooks and crannies - and mahogany doors with stained glass windows, which gives it a certain charm. The carpeted staircase leads up to a warm room that has felt like home since its inception in 1803. And you suddenly understand how the pub can be so much a part of Irish life.

This cinema was built as part of the redevelopment of the Smithfield district. It screens mainstream films, but also devotes its programming to Irish and international independent cinema. Short films are also shown. An ideal place to spend a few hours in comfortable armchairs, eating salted popcorn, leaning against the bar while watching a new film that has just been released in cinemas, whether blockbuster or art house. Lovers of architecture will appreciate the building as a whole.

It's a unique venue that's sure to satisfy all your evening needs. This sports bar, renowned for its giant screens, is where you'll be able to watch your favorite matches in the best possible conditions, as it houses Europe's largest indoor 4K screen! Speaking of screens, the venue also houses a private cinema. Last but not least, The Camden is also home to two bars, a restaurant, an open-air café, a brasserie and a huge dancefloor that comes alive every Friday and Saturday night to the sounds of live DJs. Atmosphere guaranteed!

The Bankers Bar is an Irish pub offering an authentic experience. The friendly staff and warm atmosphere make it a popular venue with locals and tourists alike. However, please note that The Bankers Bar does not offer takeaway or delivery.