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Ireland Info · Joined: 21 Oct 2006 Posts: 18 Home Country: ireland

NIGHTLIFE IN IRELAND

GENERAL

Irish nightlife revolves around the pub. It's Ireland's most important social meeting place; a place where people meet after work, discuss business, meet friends, make new friends, have a chat, have a laugh, and sometimes get drunk as a skunk.

Up until recently Irish pubs had to be closed by law at 11.30pm. What used to happen was people would end up cramming all their drinking into just a few hours, often with disastrous consequences.

Nowadays, things are much more civilized. Pubs are allowed stay open until 1am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 11.30am during the rest of the week. This has already relaxed the nations drinking habits. Nightclub opening hours have been extended from 2 to 3am in the morning. This has alleviated the problem of hundreds of drunken clubbers all descending on the streets at the same time, which would often resulting in fights.

Dublin in particular, has one of the most happening nightlife cultures in Europe, possibly the world! It has everything from traditional pubs playing Irish music to massive international bars and trendy nightclubs, packed with celebrities.

In Galway and Cork, the nightlife is heavily influenced by the large student populations. The atmosphere is always youthful and vibrant, with some great music events and venues.

DUBLIN

As a city with a large population of young people, both natives and students, not to mention a constant influx of young, up-for-it tourists all keen to party the Irish way, it comes as no surprise that clubbing features high in Dublin social life. The dance scene has been well developed in recent years.

The Temple Bar area is the place to be seen, with a vast concentration of both clubs and trendy pre-club bars to get you in the mood for a night on the dance-floor. As you'd expect in a city that is fast becoming one of the most popular weekend destinations in Europe, the Dublin club scene in constantly in flux, with different nightclubs coming and going at an alarming rate, to the whim of the fickle trend-setters. There's always something new to check out - you'll never get bored in Dublin.

Clubs generally are open from pub closing hours but some earlier. Entry is generally from €6-€12. Please note that in Ireland the legal drinking age is 18 and you must be able to prove this with official identification such as a national identity card, Garda Síochána identity card, drivers licence, or passport. Dress smartly.

Temple Bar
Some of Dublin's best night spots, restaurants and unusual shops line these narrow, cobbled streets running between the Bank of Ireland and Christ Church Cathedral. In the 18th century the area was home to many insalubrious characters-Fownes Street was noted for its brothels. It was also the birthplace of parliamentarian Henry Grattan. Skilled craftsmen and artisans, such as clockmakers and printers, lived and worked around Temple Bar until post-Emergency (post-war) industrialisation led to a decline in the area's fortunes. In the 1970s, the CIE (national transport authority) bought up parcels of land in this area to build a major bus depot. While waiting to acquire the land in this area to buildings needed, the CIE rented out, on cheap leases, some of the old retail and warehouse premises to young artists and to record, clothing and book shops. The area developed an "alternative" identity and a successful lobby by local residents persuaded CIE to drop their plans. As more cynical Dubliners put it, the area became the city's "officially designated arts zone". But while the new investment and planning may have added a slight air of contrivance, it's still an exciting, atmospheric and essentially very young place. Organisations based here include the Irish Film Centre (IFC), the experimental Projects Arts Centre and around a dozen galleries. There are also centres for music, multi-media and photography as well as a Children's Cultural Centre-an arts centre offering theatre, workshops and other entertainment for children.

Interesting Places

James Toner's
With its stone floor and old grocer's shelves and drawers, Toner's feels like a country pub in the heart of the city. The shelves and drawers are reminders that it once doubled as a grocery shop. Though Victorian, it's not elaborately decorated and draws a mainly business crowd. It's not touristy, but many visitors seek out its simple charms.

Dublin 2
139 Baggot St Lwr
tel - 676 3090
Open: Mon-Sat 10:30-00:30, Sun 12:30-23:30

Long Hall
With ornate Victorian woodwork, mirrors and chandeliers, the Long Hall is one of the city's most beautiful and best-loved pubs. From musk-coloured walls to mirrored columns behind the bar, it's all elegantly dingy. The bartenders are experts at their craft, an increasing rarity in Dublin these days.

51 Great George's St South
Southside
tel - 475 1590
Open: Mon-Wed 12:00-23:30, Thu-Fri 12:00-00:30, Sat 10:30-00:30, Sun 14:00-23:00

International Bar
A real old chestnut, this venerable local is famous for its comedy nights, live jazz and blues jams. It has a long bar, stained-glass windows, red velour seating, great pints and a convivial atmosphere. Some of Ireland's most celebrated comedians stuttered through their first set in the Comedy Cellar, which is, of course, upstairs.

23 Wicklow St
Southside
tel - 677 9250
Open: Mon-thu 10:30-23:30, Fri-Sat 10:30-24:30, Sun 12:00-23:00

Whelan's
Whelan's is such an institution with Irish singer-songwriters and other lo-fi performers that the press often refer to them as the 'Whelan's clique'. This includes the likes of Glen Hansard and the Frames, Paddy Casey, Mark Geary, Damien Dempsey and Mundy.

26 Wexford St
Southside
tel - 478 0766
Website: www.whelanslive.com

O'Neill's
A labyrinthine old pub near Trinity College, O'Neill's dates from the late 19th century, though a tavern has stood on this site for more than 300 years. The odd combination of students and stockbrokers lends a chaotic air. Good pub grub is also on offer.

Dublin 2
2 Suffolk St
tel - 679 3671
Open: Mon-Wed 10:30-23:30, Thu-Sat 10:30-00:30, Sun 12:30-23:00

Hogan's
Once a traditional pub, Hogan's is now a gigantic boozer spread across two floors. A popular hang-out for young professionals, it gets busy at weekends with folks eager to take advantage of its late licence. Rev up for a night on the razzle!

Dublin 2
35 South Great George's St
tel - 677 5904
Open: Mon-Wed 13:00-23:30, Thu 13:00-01:00, Fri-Sat 13:00-02:30, Sun 15:00-23:30

Kehoe's
This is one of the most atmospheric pubs in the city, with a beautiful Victorian bar, a comfy snug and plenty of other little nooks and crannies. Upstairs, drinks are served in what was very obviously once the publican's living room. Grab a comfy couch and lap up the Guinness and Dublin charm.

9 St South Anne
east of Grafton St
Southside
tel - 677 8312
Open: Mon-Wed 10:30-23:30, Thur-Sat 10:30-0:30, Sun 10:30-23:00

Brazen Head
This is reputedly Dublin's oldest pub, opening in 1198 as a Norman tavern. The sunken entrance courtyard shows how much street levels have altered since its construction. It's popular with foreign students, tourists and some grizzly locals - Robert Emmet was a regular, while in Ulysses, James Joyce reckoned 'you get a decent enough do in the Brazen Head'.

20 Lower Bridge St
Southside
tel - 679 5186

Vicar Street
Smaller performances take place at this intimate venue located near Christ Church Cathedral. It has a capacity of 1000 between its table-serviced group seating downstairs and theatre-style balcony. Vicar Street offers a varied programme of performers, with a strong emphasis on soul, folk, jazz and ethnic music.

58-59 Vicar St
The Liberties
tel - 454 5533
Website: www.vicarstreet.com

Ron Blacks
Ron Black's is packed with affluent young players who believe leisure time is cutting a deal with a drink in their hand. It's the Celtic Tiger love story with designer drama: budding business impresario spots commercial property agent across the dark wood bar, takes a seat next to her on the couch…and it's love and planning permission for eternity.

Dublin 2
37 Dawson St
tel - 672 8231
Open: Mon-Wed 11:00-23:30, Thu-Sat 11:00-02:00, Sun 12:00-23:00

GALWAY

Because of its small size and concentration of pubs and restaurants, Galway can seem even livelier at 11 PM than it does at 11 AM. On weekends, when there are lots of students and other revelers in town, Eyre Square and environs can be rowdy after pub-closing time. On the plus side, if you've been staying out in the country and you're ready for a little nightlife, you're certain to find plenty of it here.

Interesting Places

The Quays
Quay Street
Galway City
Co Galway
Phone: +353 (0)91 568-347
Fax: +353 (0)91 567-405

Garvey's
Eyre Square
Galway City
Co. Galway
Phone: +353 (0)91 562-224
Fax: +353 (0)91 562-526
Email: Email Garvey's
Website: http://www.garveysinn.com

Flanagan's Corner Bar
William Street West
Galway City
Co Galway
Phone: +353 (0)91 583-220

Crane Bar
2 Sea Road
Galway City
Co Galway
Phone: +353 (0)91 587-419

Lisheen
Bridge Street
Galway City
Co Galway
Phone: +353 (0)91 563-804

An Tobar
11 Mainguard Street
Galway City
Co Galway
Phone: +353 (0)91 563-394

O'Malleys
Prospect Hill
Galway City
Co Galway
Phone: +353 (0)91 564-595

Pucan
11 Forster Street
Galway City
Co Galway
Phone: +353 (0)91 561-528

Taaffes Pub
19 Shop Street
Galway City
Co Galway
Phone: +353 (0)91 564-066