The term “craic” in Ireland means to have a friendly and enjoyable conversation, usually mixed with alcohol and/or music. Dublin is a truly ideal spot to take part in the experience of “good craic.” This great city has one of the most youthful populations and it is well known for its after-hours atmosphere. The music and bar scene in Dublin is legendary and enjoying a good night out in this city is something that will be on any party-lovers bucket list.
If you want to enjoy the social and vibrant nightlife of this great city, here are some of the best places for a night out in Dublin.
The Cobblestone
Located at the top of Smithfield Square, this pub is the hottest place in Dublin to enjoy great traditional and folk music. You can enjoy a pint of Guinness, chat with the locals and see some top acts. There is live entertainment featured here seven nights a week, so there will always be something happening whenever you visit. If you want to learn how to bust a move, there are Irish step dancing classes here every Monday and Tuesday from 7pm to 8pm.
The Cobblestone is located a little bit outside of the city centre, so if you are unfamiliar with the city you might want to take a taxi as the driver will likely know where to take you.
The Porterhouse
Located just at the edge of the famous Temple Bar area, this pub is right in the heart of the main tourist area of Dublin. It’s a busy and happening place where there is always a fun atmosphere. The Porterhouse features live music every night and there are four levels of space, so you will have plenty of room to move around.
The range of music is quite eclectic, with indie rock on one night and Cuban salsa the next night! This pub is also well known for its selection of fine beers, including ales, lagers and stouts. Be sure to try the very popular Barrel-Aged Celebration Stout.
The Palace Bar
Located on Fleet Street, close to the Temple Bar area, this bar is a great place to head for a pint in the daytime before things get too crowded. They have a superb range of local craft beers as well as a nice selection of whiskeys.
The Palace Bar gets really busy when there is a sports game on, so this might be a great opportunity to socialize and chat to people at the bar.
Bruxelles
This is a fun pub, located right in the city centre and close to the Westbury Hotel just off Grafton Street. Bruxelles offers a great selection of live music, not just traditional Irish tunes. If you love rock and heavy metal, this just might be your favorite pub in the city. It is famous for being a “rocker bar” since the 1970s. This pub also has outdoor seating, where you can relax in the evenings while enjoying a few pints and people watching. Keep in mind that Bruxelles doesn’t accept credit cards, so you will need to bring some cash with you.
The Long Hall
This is a beautiful old Victorian gin house, with ornate interior décor, a mirrored bar and plenty of thick and dark mahogany. It has a great warm and welcoming atmosphere and a great collection of colorful regulars. The Long Halls has been an icon within Dublin for years and it is regarded as one of the essential pubs to visit to experience the true social culture of this city.
These are just a few of the best places in Dublin where you can enjoy some “craic” on a night out. Of course, you can also discover your own favorite places to drink by stumbling into any pub you think looks interesting. The locals are friendly and social, so don’t be afraid to start up a conversation, share a few laughs or ask someone to dance. You never know what new friends you might make on a night out in Dublin!
About the Author: Louise Vinciguerra is a fantastic joke teller, has a million and one hobbies, and enjoys matching her fonts with her moods. This Brooklyn native dirties her hands in content on weekdays and as a devout nature lover, dirties them in soil on the weekends. When she’s not on Facebook, WordPress or Twitter, she’s traveling in search of fun food, dabbling in urban farming or planning nature trips from her resident city of Rome. When she’s not doing any of the above, she sleeps.