Best Bars In Dublin

A former Victorian warehouse and fish market has been transformed into one of Dublin's buzziest spots. The Market Bar is a popular Fade Street space that's home to two restaurants, six bars and a nightclub, so head over for flavour-filled dishes that include homemade meatballs and crispy fish tacos alongside classic cocktails like margaritas and cosmopolitan to wash it all down. They're open until 1.30am on weekends too, so it's perfect for a few late-night tipples, like negronis and Aperol spritzes, or a glass of white or red from its extensive wine collection. 

You'll find The Lighthouse close to the harbour in Dun Laoghaire, offering everything you could want from a bar. There's a unique blend of nautical and disco influences in the decor, in a two-storey venue that's home to two bars, a stage, a kitchen and a spacious beer garden.

They offer a cracking selection of beers and cocktails, as well as brunch and dinner menus - think Neapolitan pizzas, juicy burgers and spice bags. That's not all though, as they also host live music, DJ sets and even art shows here.

Make like a fed-dodgin' prohibition bootlegger and sniff out this super-secret speakeasy on Clarendon Street. Step inside a candlelit lair for mind-blowing creations which will undoubtedly tantalise the taste buds, imploring you to work your way through the entire list on offer. Their kooky cocktail menu features ingredients like Mexican chilli and chocolate bitters or hemp milk, making for some pretty unique blends in gold and red surrounds, courtesy of award-winning mixologist Paul Lambert.

Flaunting a beautiful outdoor space, shuffleboard and 32 taps of craft beer, BrewDog Outpost Dublin is one of our favourite watering holes. This urban venue can be found inside a 10,000ft red shipping container, with two floors, an outdoor terrace, shuffleboard tables and even a photobooth. And if you get peckish, get stuck into meat or plant-based burgers, spicy chicken wings and wood-fired pizzas - with two for one vegan mains available on Mondays.

The Bernard Shaw is a delightful mashup of a classic pub, a charming event hub, and a foodie haven. With four floors of fun, you'll never be bored at this quirky activity bar. Whether you're belting out karaoke tunes, smashing it at ping pong, or flexing your brain at quizzes and bingo, there's always something happening here.

For a traditional feel to your bar, The Rag Trader is a boozer that has your back with vintage furnishings, fireplaces and wallpapered or wooden panelled walls. But that's not all, as there are over 100 different kinds of whiskey stocked here, as well as craft beer, stout and cocktails in store. Get your lips around a vanilla mimosa, or select your poison for an old-fashioned (well, it would be rude not to in an establishment like this). As well as serving delicious fare like falafel burgers and crispy calamari, they host live trad Irish music every Wednesday and Thursday, with a late bar on weekends thanks to their 2.30am finish.

From the vintage-style paintings through to plush velvet seats and grand chandeliers, Farrier & Draper is one of Dublin's top choices for a tasty tipple. Take some time to explore all the floors of this South William Street venue, which includes an atmospheric basement restaurant and sexy back bar. They've got mojitos and margaritas aplenty on the cocktail menu, as well as signature blends like the raspberry and gin-based Pink Satin and an extensive collection of Irish whiskies.

After the very best bars in Dublin for live music? Disndat is a quirky Temple Bar location hosting musical sessions every single evening from a range of local performers. The wooden interiors and kooky decor create the feel of a traditional Irish pub, with sport on in the day and great tunes by night, promising refreshing pints for €5 between Mondays and Wednesdays, cocktails and tasty pizza from the famous Pi on George's Street. You can also get stuck into a board game or two while sipping on a mandarin vodka-based Sex On Fire, or a Last Kiss made with gin and egg whites.

Cocktail bars don't get much more secretive than 9 Below, a sophisticated basement haunt on St Stephen's Green. Think vaulted ceilings, Art Deco interiors and brass fixtures lining the walls, with a friendly atmosphere despite the opulent interiors. There are four intimate lounge areas here, ideal for a romantic date night, and the well-stocked golden bar promises plenty of premium spirits and creative concoctions. On the menu? Black Pearl, made with Kraken-spiced rum and banana liqueur, Guilliver's Travels, featuring tiki bitters and pistachio orgeat, and the rose-infused Pretty Woman.

On the hunt for one of the best bars in Dublin city centre? With super stylish decor and vintage finishes, The Mint Bar oozes class. Embark on a refined drinking escapade with signature cocktails and aged spirits; The Mistress involves vodka, lemon and raspberries, whereas as the Sweet Thing hits all the right spots thanks to marshmallow syrup. But this sleek spot isn't just adept in the art of alchemy, they also plate up some gorgeous gourmet grub too - think grilled figs with whipped goats curd, Irish lamb shoulder bites and a quirky ice cream sundae made using local ingredients. 

From perfectly executed classics like the old-fashioned to more modern mixes like the Tangle Twister, Pygmalion is more than just a party spot - found inside an 18th century Powerscourt Townhouse. Of course, with some of the biggest international DJs on the bill, you can't go wrong with a night out here. Even better? There's also a spacious terrace area outside that's bustling all day and night.

Craving a pint of Guinness? Go to the mothership and indulge your inner tourist a little, with customised pints with your face on, an inside look at how the beer is made and a sky-high bar overlooking the whole of Dublin. It really is one of the city's quirkiest bar experiences, and you may well learn some interesting facts about our city's favourite drink. It even plays host to an array of live music events throughout the summer, with performances from the likes of Biig Piig and Armand Van Helden. 

One of the best bars in Dublin for young adults, The Sin Bin is re-inventing your idea of the quintessential sports bar by serving expertly crafted cocktails, whiskies and award-winning gin alongside a menu of gastropub dishes like mac 'n' cheese bites, chicken burgers and New York cheesecake to finish. Kick back in one of their plush leather seats and you can catch all the latest fixtures in pure luxury, with a Bailey's Wick (€13.00), vodka-based Hail Mary (€13.00) or tangy The Starry Nights (€13.00), made with egg whites. 

Prepare for some sensational cocktails when you visit Peruke & Periwig, as the drinks here often come with fire on top, alongside other quirky presentations. The ingredients in these concoctions are equally whacky, from lychee cream cheese to toffee caramel, promising Instagrammable sips every time. You'll find a traditional boozer downstairs with a stylish lounge bar above, with top-notch Irish pub food on the cards as well.

One of the most notorious hybrid destinations to drink and dine, Opium is so much more than just a party bar. Head on down for some seriously delicious Asian cocktails alongside a selection of delicious vegetable gyozas, pork dumplings, chicken satay skewers and more. They've got a gorgeous outdoor terrace here too, covered with a greenhouse-style roof and filled with fairy-light-adorned trees and plants, where you can get your lips around a Forbidden Pleasure, made with tequila and black pepper-infused Tanqueray, or a Campari-based Sunset In Phiphi, all for €13.50 each.

Boasting five floors for eating, drinking and dancing, Bad Bobs is the go-to spot for every type of nightlife escapade in Dublin. Not only one of the biggest venues for a night out in the Irish capital, found inside an old Victorian townhouse, but it's also one of the cheapest cocktail bars around - with all their classic concoctions like margaritas and mojitos coming in at just €12. Look out for a cracking selection of whiskies (Woodford Reserve and Jack Daniels included), plus tasty eats in the form of chicken wings and tenders, Guinness tacos and loaded potato skins. Once you've finished munching, head on up to the roof terrace to continue your tipples in a foliage-adorned oasis until 2.30am on Fridays and Saturdays. 

One of the most iconic gay bars in the city, Pantibar has been an LGBTQ+ institution in Dublin since 2007. Led by the sassy Panti, you can expect live entertainment from drag queens, musicians and DJs here. Tunes range from pop to indie and disco, while frozen cocktails and refreshing spritzes are what's on the menu. 

Hailing itself as the city's oldest wine bar after being established in 1987, La Cave is a quirky hideaway of colourful interiors and even more vibrant wines from across the globe. That's not all though, as this place pairs its 40 bottles of wine with seasonal French-inspired cuisine, giving its guests an all-round experience, with tasting sessions often available as well. There are some cracking deals up for grabs here too, whether you fancy a two-course express lunch for €19.95 or a three-course group feast for €42 per person, featuring plates of duck liver paté, West Coast steamed mussels and more.

With fine cocktails, regal interiors and an air of darling debauchery, the Vintage Cocktail Club is a chic spot. Whether you're here for some late-night tipples with a date or you're looking to snack on spring rolls and arancini with a work client, you'll be sure to impress whoever you've taken along with you. On top of the 1920s-inspired surrounds, they've got an extensive menu of enticing concoctions themed around different time periods, from highballs to vermouth blends. When you're not enrolling in a masterclass, get your hands on a Single Elix Martini, or Cuban Rum Cake, made with walnut bitters and actual rum cake. 

For a rooftop bar that dazzles, look no further than Sophie's. This stylish space offers 360-degree views of the city from its sky-high terrace, located at the top of The Dean. They've got a curated list of gins to sip your way through, alongside plenty of bespoke cocktails, while the fare blends New York, Italian and Irish cuisines to create wood-fired pizzas, pasta dishes and more. You'll soon see why it's the best bar in Dublin once you get your hands on its confit duck croquettes, washed down with a mango and lychee-flavoured Mellow Yellow for €14.50.

Bobbys is a pretty-in-pink wine bar with a chilled-out, modern vibe. Offering an ever-rotating selection of rose, white and red wines from independent producers across the world, it's got both style and substance. There's an impressive menu of Mediterranean plates (meatballs, anyone?) to pair with cocktails like a refreshing Pimm's and lemonade, too. They host live music sessions and late-night DJ sets on a regular basis, and if you swing by on the weekend then you can indulge in a bottomless brunch for just €39.50 per person, promising 90 minutes of unlimited booze. They've even got a pretty outdoor terrace too.

One of the best-loved pubs in the city, Grogan's is a no-nonsense, traditional Irish bar. They're dishing out fresh pints of Guinness and their signature ham and cheese toasties to pair with them, whether you're drinking in the cosy, old-school interiors or on their sunny streetside terrace. The venue is decorated with locally produced artwork that's available to buy, and every evening promises a lively atmosphere and great craic.

Looking for a night of Iberian-inspired inebriation? Head to 777. This award-winning, contemporary Mexican restaurant bar touts top-quality tacos, burritos and some of the best cocktails in the city. Famed for their selection of 100% blue agave tequilas, you better make sure you're ready for some heavy-hitting shooters. As for the interiors, expect quirky yellow tiles and colourful table tops, with candlesticks lining the walls. Tipples range from €14 to €16, and include the Illegal Lobo, with smoked black salt, and the Mamacita, featuring 1800 coconut tequila, lima and egg whites. Hungry? Its tuna sashimi tostadas and BBQ Iberico pork served alongside grilled peach salad should do the trick. 

Adopting a kind of no-frills-attached attitude, Piglet is a wonderful treasure trove of organic wine and rare finds founded by Enrico Fantasia and Thibaud Harang. This quirky wine spot in Temple Bar, Dublin pairs its brilliant bottles with an ever-changing menu of mouthwatering sharing boards, perfect for date nights. It invites you and your friends to sink your teeth into fresh plates of octopus carpaccio, beef tartare and cacio e pepe, washed down with bubbles by the glass, or a hand-picked wine. Often, they store the bottles elsewhere so it pays to liaise in advance if you have one in mind and the lovely staff will do their best to get it sorted for you.