Dublin Nightlife
Dublin boasts one of the most exciting and energetic atmospheres anywhere in Europe when the sun goes down. This is a city that really knows how to party and enjoy itself, with more pubs and bars per square mile than you could care to count.
As Ireland brought in a no-smoking policy in its public places a few years ago, it might have been expected that there could have been a slight downturn in trade in the pubs and bars of Dublin. But this does not appear to have happened in the slightest, with all bars being smoke-free yet still benefiting from huge numbers of people descending on the Temple Bar area and O'Connell Street every weekend.
With the traditional pint of Guinness a perennial favourite with both the locals and visitors, the warm welcoming attitude of Dublin by day is magnified into an relaxed, friendly atmosphere at night.
The Temple Bar area is where most people tend to head, which on weekends is packed to the rafters with revellers enjoying more than just a taste of the black stuff, as well as other Irish treats such as Baileys and Jameson's. There is always a lively atmosphere in the various clubs and bars in this area and a visit to the famous Temple Bar itself, which has given its name to the area, is almost obligatory.
For those wanting to enjoy Dublin at its most raucous, a visit during the rugby Six Nations season can be a particularly memorable event, especially if the Irish are celebrating a victory at Lansdowne Road in the city!
Dublin's pubs are generally open late into the night, meaning that there is often little distinction between what constitutes a pub and what is a club.
However, the city does have some very special night spots which are unmistakably clubs. Perhaps top of the list for those looking to spend a long night (and a fair amount of cash) enjoying the craic, a trip to The Kitchen is in order. Owned by Irish rock gods U2, the club lives up to their high standards. It has won three Smirnoff Dance Awards, including best venue, and almost guarantees a good night out.
The gay and lesbian scene in Dublin is now fit to rival almost anywhere else in Europe, as the number of new places popping up appears to be increasing at a rate of knots. Once a little slow in cottoning on to the gay and lesbian culture, the city has now caught on fast and many clubs are also getting in on the act by hosting special evenings once a fortnight or so.
For those who want to enjoy a quieter time in Dublin, Grafton Street can offer a popular alternative to the busy O'Connell Street and Temple Bar areas. The side streets around Grafton Street all have a variety of pubs and clubs, but while not losing that important Irish charm, these tend to be more sedate and laid back than the crowds who converge on Temple Bar.
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Nightlife
