Planning a trip to Dublin and want to know about Dublin nightlife? Here’s our ultimate guide to making the most of the bars, clubs and live music venues that you’ll find on your visit to this beautiful city. There’s really something for everyone in Dublin, whether you want to have a few drinks or dance to music all night. From traditional Irish pubs with live music to nightclubs and trendy cocktail bars, Dublin really does have it all. Let’s get looking at the best places to enjoy the nightlife in Dublin:

The best Dublin bars to have a great night

Looking for a great night out? These are all bars where you can enjoy the great bar culture of Dublin. Be sure to check out these great bars on your visit to the Irish capital:

1. The Workmans Club

The Workman’s Club is set in a beautiful Georgian townhouse but inside it’s airy, casual and relaxed with old-school decor and different spaces. You’ll find multiple dance floors, a beer garden, and the Workman’s Club Cellar which has live music on some nights. Plus they have regular theme nights, including Indie & Alternative, House & Disco and more. You’ll find the Workman’s Club at 10 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2. Plus, at around €6 per pint, it’s a pretty reasonable option and is open from 5 pm until late every day.

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2. The Bernard Shaw

The Bernard Shaw has it all. This multi-purpose space houses an art area, a bar and restaurant, outdoor eating areas with street food stalls and even a stage for live music. Whether you want to try a fresh pizza or a cheeseboard in the Eatyard or want to get cosy in the bar with a pint and a burger, you’ll find something for every type of night out. A pint is around €6, while they have a range of €10 cocktails too. Head to The Shaw, Cross Guns Bridge, Dublin 9 where The Bernard Shaw is open from midday till late every day.

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3. Street 66

Looking for somewhere friendly and accepting? Look no further than Street 66. This LGBTQ+ bar has been a finalist in multiple categories for Bar of the Year — and it’s easy to see why. Sink into big comfy armchairs or hit the dance floor to some disco and funk. You can also catch performances by drag queens and live music acts. They also have a great range of gins, whiskeys and wines. Find Street 66 at 33-34 Parliament Street, Dublin 2. Street 66 is open from 3 pm until 11:30 pm on weeknights but open until 2:30 am on Fridays and Saturdays.

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4. Wigwam

With the highlights being rum cocktails and mouth-watering food, Wigwam is a great place for a night out. This bar has a restaurant, terrace and event space, and offers brunch as well as evening meals and drinks. You can expect a drink to cost around €8 upwards and food is around €18 per person. Wigwam is open from 12 pm till late every day and you’ll find it at 54 Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1. Be sure to try their drag brunch!

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5. The Ginger Man

Looking for a more traditional pub atmosphere? The Ginger Man is a charming pub with a great friendly atmosphere. Open from midday till midnight on the weekends and from 4 pm to midnight during the week, you’ll often find The Ginger Man pretty full and abuzz with conversation after work hours. You’ll find drinks starting from €5.50, and plenty of food options.

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The best spots to dance the night away

Love dancing late into the night? Here are our top stops for getting your groove on. Be sure to take a look at our live music section as well for more places where you can dance and enjoy the tunes. Here are our top dancing bars:

6. Pygmalion

During the early evening, this is an elegant bar and restaurant, but later at night, Pygmalion becomes one of the busiest nightclubs in the city. You can enjoy great music, cocktails and plenty of special nights with guest DJs and musicians. Tickets for special events are around €10 to €20 and big nights like St Patrick’s Day tend to book up fast so be sure to snag a ticket early. You’ll find Pygmalion at 59 Williams Street.

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7. Dtwo

With three DJs spread throughout the venue, Dtwo is a buzzing and lively nightclub that plays everything from old-school classics to the newest hits. With chic leather stools and sofas and some impressive wall art, this is also just a great place to enjoy your night out. Dtwo is open from 10 pm till late on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Dtwo is at 60 Harcourt Street.

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8. Cafe en Seine

With beautiful art deco stylings and tall vaulted ceilings, Cafe en Seine is sure to be a hit. As well as being open late, this bar offers a great range of drinks, though it’s pricier than some places, with cocktails being around €14. This is perhaps a calmer atmosphere than the other clubs, but it also offers some of the best-looking food from any of them. Cafe en Seine is on 40 Dawson Street and is open until 11:30 on weeknights and 2:30 on weekends.

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9. Dicey’s

Dicey’s Garden is one of the most popular nightclubs in Dublin. This open-air venue has great music, plenty of drink options, and even a late-night BBQ menu to help you soak up that alcohol. Drinks start from about €7, but you can get food for as little as €2. Just be sure to dress for the weather so you can dance the night away under the open sky. Dicey’s is at 21-25 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2, and is open until 2:30 am every night.

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10. Copper Face Jacks

Copper Face Jacks is a must-visit venue in Dublin. Spread over three floors with multiple DJs, bars and dance floors, you’ll easily find you can spend your whole night here. This legendary club has stunning lighting and offers a wide range of music. Entry is €10 and pints will set you back about €7. Copper Face Jacks is on 29-30 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2, and is open from 10 pm to 2:30 am daily.

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The best Dublin live music venues

Looking to experience some live music on your visit to the Emerald Isle? Ireland has a rich history of music so it’s no wonder that there are some great venues for live music in Dublin. Try these great spots:

11. Whelan’s

Whelan’s is a music venue with a lot of pedigree. As well as live Irish music every Sunday, there are plenty of great gigs you can see here and Whelan’s has even hosted big names such as Christy Moore and Ed Sheeran. The pub is open from 5 pm till late every night. Prices for gigs vary from around €5 to €30, but the Sunday night music is free. Find Whelan’s at 25 Wexford Street, Dublin 2.

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12. The Button Factory

The Button Factory is a great venue for intimate music gigs, as well as DJ sets later at night. The best thing about The Button Factory is the close atmosphere and the huge range of local artists you can listen to. Drinks range from €4 up. The venue opens at 7 pm, but act start times vary. Find The Button Factory on Curved Street, Temple Bar.

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13. The Grand Social

From traditional Irish music to indie and rock, you’ll find plenty to listen to at The Grand Social. They also have a rooftop beer garden for DJ sets later in the night. Plus, with their two for €15 cocktail deals, it doesn’t have to be an expensive night out. The Grand Social is open till 2:30 am on weekends and 12:30 on weekdays. You’ll find it at 35 Liffey Street Lower.

14. The Porterhouse Temple Bar

The Porterhouse Temple Bar started as Dublin’s first pub brewery and it doesn’t move too far from its roots. That means you’ll find a great range of their own beers to enjoy while you listen to live traditional Irish music sessions. If you want a proper taste of Ireland, this is it. You’ll find drinks for around €7, but there’s no cost to enjoy the music. Porterhouse Temple Bar is open from 2 pm till late every night at 16-18 Parliament Street.

15. Vicar Street

Vicar Street has been awarded the Irish Music Venue of the Year five times over, so you know it’s going to be a great place to listen to trendy artists. You’ll be able to find everything here, from relatively unknown artists to big-name bands, as well as other acts and performances. Check out their website to find their current shows. Vicar Street can be found (somewhat confusingly) at 58 Thomas Street, Dublin 8.

The best comedy clubs in Dublin

If you prefer a night of comedy, don’t worry, Dublin has plenty of laughs to offer. Here’s our list of top comedy venues to set you up for a side-splitting night of fun while you’re in Dublin:

16. The Stag’s Head

Looking for some local comedians as well as the possibility of seeing some big names? Try The Comedy Crunch at The Stag’s Head. You can enjoy free live comedy every Sunday and Monday in the atmospheric surroundings of a traditional Irish pub. Plus on other nights, The Stag’s Head has live traditional music and Irish folklore evenings. Find this great venue at 1 Dame Ct, Dublin 2.

17. The Laughter Lounge

The Laughter Lounge is Ireland’s biggest comedy club, meaning you’re guaranteed plenty of laughs on a night out here. Each show has three or four acts, so you’re setting yourself up for a whole night of entertainment. A double ticket is €62 and comes with a free drink when the doors open at 7 pm. Find the venue at 8 Eden Quay and the ticket office at 16 Lower Liffey Street.

18. The Duke

The weekly Laughter Lines night is a full night of fast-fire feel-good improv comedy at the beautiful and traditional pub, The Duke. Entry to Laughter Lines is €5 and it opens at 8:30 pm on Wednesdays. You can find The Duke at 8-9 Duke Street, Dublin 2.

19. The Craic Den Comedy Club

The Craic Den Comedy Club has regular performances at two great venues in Dublin; The Workmans Club and Mulligan & Haines. With an ever-changing lineup of great local comedians, you’ll be sure to find acts that will make you laugh. Tickets are around €12. The Workman’s Club is at 10 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2 while Mulligan & Haines is at 32 Dame Street, Dublin 2.

20. The International Bar

Set in the stunning Victorian building of The International Bar, the International Comedy Club is a must-see act. The International Bar has comedy acts every night, giving you plenty of chances to see these great shows. You’ll find The International Bar at 23 Wicklow Street.

Frequently Asked Questions about Dublin’s Nightlife

Got questions about nightlife in Dublin?

• Does Dublin have good nightlife? – Yes – Dublin is a major city and you’ll find everything from pubs to clubs to bars and more.
• Is Dublin a party place? – If you’re looking for a party in Dublin, look no further than the list of nightclubs above where you can dance until the small hours of the morning.
• What is Dublin nightlife famous for? – Dublin is most famous for its pub culture and its traditional Irish music, and there are plenty of great music venues in the city.
• What are the best places for nightlife in Dublin? – Our top places for Dublin nightlife are The Bernard Shaw bar, Copper Face Jacks nightclub, The Porter House Temple Bar for live music, and The Stag’s Head Comedy Crunch.
• Which experiences are best for nightlife in Dublin? – For the best nightlife experiences in Dublin, enjoy an open-air nightclub at Dicey’s, catch the next up-and-coming musician at Whelan’s, catch a show by The Craic Den Comedy Club, or have a house cocktail at Street 66.

On a final note

Dublin is a vibrant city with plenty to do once the sun goes down. Whether you’re looking for a quiet pub, a buzzing nightclub, live music or hilarious comedy, you’ll find it in Dublin, as well as plenty of great drinks and food to make sure your night goes well.

Looking for daytime activities? Here’s our pick of the best things to do in Dublin!

If you’re looking for cheap and friendly accommodation for your trip to Dublin, try Clink Hostel. Check out our cheap group accommodations in Dublin for big group holidays.