Dublin is world-renowned as a fabulous city for a night out. The nightlife is known to be vibrant and bustling almost any day of the week, with people out and about having a fantastic time in all areas of the city. Whether you’re a local looking for somewhere new to try, or a visitor looking for the best bars and restaurants in Dublin to sample during your trip, you’re sure to find somewhere that will tickle your fancy.
South William Street is home to one of the best music bars in Dublin for a great night out, while South City Centre has the perfect venue for your next date night. Discover a traditional brewery and bar in IFRC, or take in a movie on the big screen while sipping a cocktail and nibbling on delicious bar bites in an old 1920s ballroom in Rathmines.
Book into one of the best bars in Dublin on OpenTable today and start planning your next great night out.
The best bars in Dublin – read on for a guide
For a romantic date night at one of the best bars in Dublin – book at Fallon & Byrne Wine Cellar in South City Centre
The intimate, enchanting candlelit cellar at Fallon & Byrne Wine Cellar is the ideal venue for date night. Cosy up at a table for two in this beautiful heritage building and escape the hustle and bustle. The setting is casual but ultimately romantic – a playground for wine lovers with great food to boot. And you don’t have to be on a date – this venue is equally welcoming to groups of friends who just want to escape the hectic pace of city life for a few hours. The wine is, of course, the main event here, and from Sunday to Tuesday, you can purchase any wine at retail price from the shop and enjoy it in the bar for just €1 corkage. Pair your wine with an Italian-inspired meal, like seafood tagliatelle or la dolce vita pizza.
For a Japanese pub serving sake and sharing plates – head to Yamamori Izakaya Japas and Sake Bar in South City Centre
The cheerful yet laid-back style of a traditional pub combines with the exceptional food and service of the Orient at Yamamori Izakaya Japas and Sake Bar. Located in an old Victorian building in the heart of vibrant George’s Street, this Japanese restaurant and Izakaya and sake bar specialises in small plates for the table. Share some delicious easter favourites in oriental-inspired surroundings and allow the charismatic waitstaff to talk you through the options. Don’t forget to add a glass of warm sake to your order – it’s a real highlight. At weekend lunchtimes you can take advantage of the special for two – five Japas dishes of your choice for €22.50 per person. In the evening, explore the full menu while listening to the funky tunes played in the background – perhaps a sashimi platter or a norimaki chef special with crayfish, cucumber and wasabi mayo.
For one of the best music bars in Dublin for a fun night out – try Row Wines on South William Street
Hip, dynamic and artistic to the core, Row Wines offers a unique music-inspired dining experience. “Wine, food and vinyl” is the key philosophy, with the restaurant and bar centred around a diverse vinyl listening experience. This imaginative setting aims to capture wine aficionados, foodies and those well-travelled, inspired by the easy listening bars of Tokyo. The wine list is all-natural, focusing on sustainable, organic producers and biodynamic systems, supporting small wine producers who take care, not only of the quality of the wines but also of the environment. With a love of seasonal, local Irish produce, the bar also offers an ever-evolving menu featuring eight to 10 dishes such as Kilkee crab flatbread, sea bass ceviche and king oyster mushroom with black garlic mayo. And if wine is not your go-to, there’s also an extensive cocktail menu emphasising Irish liqueurs and seasonal Irish fruits and shrubs.
For one of the best breweries in Dublin – visit Urban Brewing Bar & Restaurant in the International Financial Services Centre
Drop by for a drink at Urban Brewing Bar & Restaurant and experience something a little bit different. With an in-house brewery and a love for craft beers and ales, you can expect no less than 200 international beers on the menu, alongside a rotating list of signature Urban Brews. The cocktail menu is equally special, utilising ingredients such as wasabi and sea rosemary to tantalise your tastebuds, while the extensive wine list has been carefully curated to showcase the very best of international grapes. Add some Irish-inspired tapas and you’re all set. This hotspot is perfect for any occasion – with several rooms intersected with centenary brick, it feels intimate whether you’re a party of two or twenty. The vaulted cellar ceilings give a cosy underground vibe to the whole venue, with beer barrel tables positioned around the place as a nod to the brewery.
For one of the best hidden bars in Dublin – discover Cellar 22 on South William Street
At Cellar 22, wine is not simply a delicious beverage – it’s an art form. The wide-ranging and eclectic list includes both sustainable wines from dynamic new producers and high-end vintages from old-world vintners, plus everything in between. Led by sommelier Victor Nedela, the entire team is knowledgeable about what’s being served, so you can learn about the origin and production of your choice while you sample it. The entire wine menu is designed as an exploration, taking you on a delicious journey around the world. To complement your wine choices, there’s also an open kitchen serving carefully chosen small plates – ask your server for recommended wine pairings to make the most of the experience. Menus change with the seasons, but sample dishes include oysters with jalapenos and kaffir lime mignonette, beef tartare with piquillo peppers, and cheese or charcuterie boards with pickles and preserves.
For drinks and tunes with a fabulous view – head to Fade Street Social – The Cocktail Bar & Rooftop Terrace in South City Centre
Fade Street Social – The Cocktail Bar & Rooftop Terrace is divided into three distinct areas – the rooftop bar, the main restaurant and the wood-fired restaurant. Ideal if you want to grab dinner and then relax with a drink and great views for the rest of the evening. The rooftop bar looks out over the cityscape and is especially beautiful when lit by the stars at night. Best of all, it’s heated and covered, so you can enjoy it in all weathers. Dylan McGrath is the chef-proprietor and as such, you can guarantee the food will be expertly prepared from only the finest ingredients. The rooftop terrace serves a selection of delicious flatbreads and bar bites alongside a comprehensive cocktail menu. Try the Dolly’s fizz with elderflower, prosecco and lemon juice with cucumber foam, or the bloody negroni with Tanqueray, Campari, triple sec, orange bitters and blood orange syrup.
For movies and cocktails in an art deco setting – book your next night out at Stella Cocktail Club in Rathmines
On the mezzanine level of the Stella cinema in Rathmines is the gorgeous art deco Stella Cocktail Club. The perfect venue for pre- or post-movie drinks and nibbles, or for a night out – the cinema is not essential for booking. Once a 1920s ballroom, the building retains all of its charm and elegance in a modern setting. The expertly made cocktails are based on the classics but with small, innovative twists to bring them up to date. Enjoy a bite to eat in the bar or add bottled cocktails and specially chosen snacks to be eaten while you watch your film. Try a signature frozen cocktail that changes with the seasons and is created in homage to the latest film releases. Order hot food to be delivered to your seat around 45 minutes into the showing – nachos, wings, hummus plates, burgers and more, all designed to be eaten at your seat.
For a one-of-a-kind dining adventure at one of the best wine bars in Dublin – visit Amy Austin in South City Centre
One of the best wine bars in Dublin is Amy Austin, in the heart of South City Centre. With a passion for serving both drinks and food that will make every gathering and night out feel special, this venue provides a unique dining adventure every time. The menu focuses on small plates designed to get everyone at the table on the same page and encourage great conversation. Foodwise, think smoked egg yolk and lumpfish caviar on toast, torched monkfish with green gazpacho and Moroccan lamb with red pepper chutney and mint cream. For signature cocktails, try the Amy’s cherry sgropino with Campari, sparkling wine, cherry bitters and saffron, or a refreshing vesper in reverse with Lillet Blanc, elderflower and lemon. You can also enjoy wine by the bottle or on tap by the glass, all served in a sociable and welcoming environment.
For a perfect pint of Guinness at one of the best bars in Dublin – take a seat at 1837 Bar & Brasserie at Guinness Storehouse in The Liberties
Anyone heading for a night out in Dublin should really factor in at least one pint of Guinness. For the best pint in town, head to 1837 Bar & Brasserie at Guinness Storehouse. As one of the best bars in Dublin for Guinness, you can sample this classic at its very best. Add gourmet bar bites designed to be paired with Guinness or sit down for a three-course meal. The brasserie is named for the year it was declared that oysters made the perfect accompaniment to Guinness – choose from a trio, half-dozen or full dozen Carlingford oysters served with classic tabasco and lemon. For something more filling, try the Guinness and beef stew with root vegetables and creamy mash, or a double Guinness cheeseburger with crispy bacon and pickles. Ask your server to recommend the ideal Guinness pairing for each course.
For the best cocktail bar in Dublin with a quirky retro vibe – check out Vintage Cocktail Club in Temple Bar
Step into a time warp and enter the golden age of the roaring twenties, when flappers, bootleggers and silent movies were the order of the day. Vintage Cocktail Club bows to the elegance and excitement of this era, showcasing award-winning cocktails in an environment that has been designed to be both refined and raucous, just like the jazz bars and speakeasies of the 1920s. Sample an original milk punch with bourbon, milk, vanilla and nutmeg, or something juicier like the Wobbler, featuring grapefruit vodka, port, citrus juice and fresh mint with orange zest. Add an order of pulled pork sliders, fried brie with rosemary jam, or roasted cauliflower hummus with garlic nan bread. Whatever you fancy, you’re guaranteed a buzzing night at one of the best places to eat and drink in Temple Bar.
Dublin is such a vibrant city that the most difficult part of planning any night out is deciding where to go. Some of the best bars in Dublin are right in the city centre, but there are also plenty of hotspots further afield. With an idea of some of the best for different occasions, you can start making plans and having a great time.
Make a booking at one of Dublin’s best bars on OpenTable and start your next night out off with a bang.
If you’re looking for a more substantial meal, some of Dublin’s best restaurants can be found in these guides:
- The 10 best restaurants in Dublin for a memorable meal out
- The 10 best beer gardens in Dublin for pints in the sun
- The 10 best romantic restaurants in Dublin for any kind of date night
- The 10 best rooftop bars in Dublin for great drinks, food and views
- Dublin’s best brunch restaurants to check out now
- Editor’s Choice: 15 must-visit restaurants from a Dublin local
- Dublin’s best bottomless brunch restaurants to check out now
- The 10 best pubs in Dublin for outstanding food and beers
