Dublin city break - nightlife
Holiday travel guide to nightlife in Dublin
While for many on a Dublin city break 'nightlife' will mean a Dublin pub, some visitors will want a little more than endless pints of Guinness.
Despite its popularity with stag parties, Dublin is not a city packed with seedy joints. It really is the 'craic' that makes Dublin such a great city at night.
Nightclubs in Dublin have thinned out lately as 'Super Pubs' with multiple bars and dance floors have cashed in on new licensing laws. There are good Dublin nightclubs around though. Nightclubs in Dublin usually open at 10pm, close at 3am. Drink prices are higher than in bars and it's sensible to carry some ID. Don't turn up in a big group - entry is often refused.
Lillie's Bordello calls itself "the most prestigious club" in Ireland. It's all dark wood bookcases, chandeliers but with top-class dance floor, The drinks are pricey. Check it out at lilliesbordello.ie
Club M Nightclub at Bloom's Hotel in Temple Bar is one of Dublin's longest established night clubs. Enjoy chart, dance and Rn'B music played by some of Dublin's top DJ's.
The Leeson Street area has some good clubs, notably Annabels. In Temple Bar, try- Club M. Rock Garden; Bad Bob's Backstage Bar; and Henry's at Henry Grattan lounge
Theatregoers have lots to see in Dublin. Theatrical productions are not just revivals of Irish playwrights like Yeats and O' Casey but also pride themselves on modern work. The most famous venues are The Abbey, considered to be Ireland's national theatre, and The Gate.
Abbey Theatre: It lost its original 1904 building to a fire in 1951 and The Abbey was the first state-subsidized theatre in the English-speaking world. Currently in Lower Abbey Street, north of the river, a home for the Abbey will be on George’s Dock, hopefully by 2012.
Gate Theatre: This respected theatre launched the careers of Orson Wells, James Mason and Michael Gambon - quite a pedigree. It has featured all of Samuel Beckett's plays and is in a fine building at 1 Cavendish Row.
Gaiety Theatre: It's been home to the Eurovision Song Contest (in 1971) but somebody had to when the show came to Ireland. It's had a panto every year since the 1850s and is a nightclub on Friday and Saturday, with live bands on different floors.
Grand Canal Theatre: A new addition to the Dublin cultural scene, designed by Daniel Libeskind, in the renovated dockland district. It's at Grand Canal Basin, east of the city centre.
The Lambert Puppet Theatre: Based at nearby Monkstown and with seating for 250 this is the only purpose-built puppet theatre in Ireland and productions vary from fairy tales for children to Oscar Wilde for adults.
Bewley's Cafe Theatre: In Grafton Street opens at 12:50 daily for soup and sandwiches followed by performances that range from classic one-acts of Shaw, Wilde and O'Casey to the best of new Irish writing.
Traditional Irish music is what most visitors want to hear on a Dublin city break. There is no shortage in Dublin, mostly in the pubs. Traditional Irish music is both played with great passion and most pub music sessions are impromptu, but there are other music venues too.
Olympia: Packed with history, the Olympia stages musicals, comedy, theatre and concerts. Leading performers - The Coors, INXS, Johnny Cash, Kraftwerk, Paul Weller, Morrissey have performed there. It also features an acclaimed panto.
National Concert Hall: Near St Stephen's Green, The NCH is home to classical music with the RTE National Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera and Festival Productions which specialises in musicals.
RDS Arena: Hosts rock concerts a well as the Dublin Horse Show at Ballsbridge. Bruce Springsteen has been a frequent performer and up to 80,000 fans have rocked at this venue which also hosts rugby, football, and exhibitions.
O'Connell Bridge is the only traffic bridge in Europe which is wider than it is long
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