Bars...., Dublin

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Visited during the day, but it's a popular night time spot

Well I doubt that I'll ever be able to afford to stay at The Clarence Hotel, nor am I sure that I'd want to, but I could afford a drink here in The Octogon Bar.
I'd wanted to visit here, as it has a place in Dublins Rock and Roll history.

When members of U2 finished a day of recording or performing, they'd often retire to this bar to relax over a drink or two. Bono and The Edge used to say that "if they ever made it" they'd buy the hotel.

Well in 1992, they had made it, and were able to buy the hotel (along with other investors) and make it into the type of hotel that they would like to stay in now that they were rich enough. A team of local and international designers and other professionals were employed to restore the hotel to its former glory.

The Octagon Bar, so named for its Octogon shaped domed roof was a pleasant place to enjoy a small beer.

The central bar was well stocked with draught beers and lager as well as spirits and soft drinks. Apparently it's a popular place for those who appreciate a good cocktail.

The bar man was friendly and helpful and suggested I tried a glass of Smithwick's: (Which is pronounced "Smid-icks"), This is brewed by the Guinness brewery and is classed as an Irish Red Ale! Normally I enjoy a glass of 'The Black Stuff' but wanted something a bit lighter. This was quite an acceptable drink. I can't remember how much it was, but I don't remember being too shocked.

Well, the Octagon bar was quiet - a place to relax with a newspaper (provided). Not quite 'Rock and Roll'!!!!

No twee 'Oirish' artefacts here - More like a gentele drawing room, with its leather couches and rooms off the bar. If anything it felt a bit devoid of atmosphere.

Dress Code: Didn't appear to be a dress code in the day time

I guess it will be a mix at night with Dublins Fashionable young professionals and maybe the odd U2 t-shirted tourist.

Modern bar with great location. This is quite a sleek bar situated on Camden Street, it is actually part of the Camden Court Hotel. Me and two of friends(all female) were all meeting up for a night out but wanted a quick bite to eat before we started. The bar menu, didn't have a massive selection, but nonetheless everything that was listed looked very appetizing. I myself had the steak sandwich with Chunky chips, although they had also given me an option of skinny but I personally am a sucker for a good portion of chunky chips. Food was lovely, couldn't complain, got a very generous portion.

Although we hadn't planned to do so we ended up staying for quite a few drinks, a lot more than expected as we had planned to hit the Bleeding Horse pub before heading on to D2s, but in the end up had to go straight on to d2s as we lost track of time in the C Central.

Overall I would definitely recommend, as maybe somewhere to head for a few pre-drinks before hitting the nightclubs. It is perfectly located to then make your way through all the clubs on Harcourt street afterwards.

Dress Code: As this bar is located in a hotel I think dress code isn't that strict.

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The Dawson lounge is Dublin's smallest pub. Can comfortably seat 35 and the barman told me that as many as 100 people can fit it, but that's sitting on the stairs and standing. The pub is always packed at night. During the day is probably a better time to vist where you can have a chat with the barman and a quiet pint. If you're really tall this is not the place to go. It's dark inside and tiny of course.

Dress Code: Anything goes but it's not a glamours place for showing off your clothes.

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Another interesting pub.. Bruxelles is located across the street from McDaids.. bet you don't know where that is either... Head up Grafton Street towards St Stephen's Green before you reach HMV turn right and the pub is on your right hand side. . if the sun is out they have tables and chairs to people watch... a lot of motor bike types drink in this pub. On the ground level you have tourists and locals with loud music and usually a band late Sunday afternoon. Downstairs you will find the bikers and all sorts of interesting people, definately not the norm. The pub has a great atmosphere and you will always find someone to chat to. I have to say it's one of my favourites. Late night music most nights. Great pub food.

Dress Code: Security men on the door. Won't allow you in with sneakers. Very casual.

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The Mezz is a nice pub with frequent live music events in the heart of Temple Bar. It is perhaps not among the most traditional pubs, but with its blend of pub and music club well visited. As I stayed in the River House Hotel (which is connected to the Mezz and has the same owners), it was my first choice for some evening entertainment. Live music is almost always playing with bands of different kind. If you are in urgent need for some Molly Malone or Fields of Athenry, there will surely be some band who plays it. Especially at St. Patrick’s day you will hear all the typical Irish songs. However, the repertoire of bands is not limited to this. You will hear a variety from self-written songs to some pub or Grunge classics. Prices are affordable (3,50 EUR being the standard price for most drinks), atmosphere nice – so there is no reason why not to consider it.

The Village on Wicklow St is a nice laidback bar which has live music on a regular basis and does pretty good food, especially during the day. Its not a place I'd make a destination but if you happen to be passing . . . .

That said they have had some good bands play there and the venue can hold 650. Heres a list from their website!

Scissor Sisters, Franz Ferdinand, Public Enemy, Interpol, Ray LaMontagne, Nightmares On Wax, Jose Gonzalez, Sufjan Stevens, The Magic Numbers, Badly Drawn Boy, Babyshambles, The Rapture,The Kooks, legends such as Jimmy Cliff, New York Dolls, and the late Arthur Lee, and also has attracted visits from Tony Bennett, Kiefer Sutherland, Mary Wilson, Morrissey to name but a few.

Dress Code: Casual

The Porter House bar is at the west end of Temple Bar. It is unique, not only in the design of the bar on five staggered floors, but also with home brewed stouts including their Oyster Stout, brewed with real oysters and not suitable for vegetarians!

This pub/restaurant is located in the Central Bank of Ireland's old building. The old bank used to store Ireland's gold in its vaults, but now the vaults provide private rooms for drinkers and party-goers. This was one of our favorite spots in the city for late-night drinking and gallivanting!

This pub located off Grafton street, very casual. Known as a country pub since you won't find many Dubliners in there but l doubt that. l am told the pint of guinness is good. The pub is over 200 years old and the front entrance used to be a grocery store selling bread and local groceries, upstairs was the living rooms and bedrooms. The bar still has that feel of a house and most of the original furniture remains there. There are several snugs in the bar which were used for women. In Ireland years ago, women were not allowed to drink in the main bar.
South Anne Street, off Grafton Street.

Dress Code: Anything goes.. but mostly casual.

This is a pretty typical brewpub to anyone who has been to one in the US. Has plenty of types of beers tilting not surprisingly since this is Ireland and the name to Porters and Stouts. All the beers are good and service was nice as they provide free wifi if you ask a bartender for a card. The bands they have are week cover bands but after a few good beers who cares. They do not play that loud and the place is spacious so can easily sit down and chat with people near you. I even ran into someone who I never met who happened to work for same company nine stories below me. There are a couple locations in the city and the one I went to is on Parliament Street on North edge of temple bar near the Liffey.

Dress Code: Jeans and shirt.