You’ve heard about Dublin’s reputation for nightlife. You’ve heard stories of evenings full of meeting new people, dancing the night away, and (of course) having the craic. But do the nightclubs and best late bars in Dublin really live up to the hype?
Like any good student city in Europe, Dublin has a range of indoor and outdoor venues, with all kinds of set-ups, genres of music, and demographics coming together in celebration of Dublin’s nightlife.
Check out our list of the buzzing beer gardens, legendary late night bars and best nightclubs in Dublin.
Copper Face Jacks
The most (in)famous of the lot, Copper Face Jacks is a staple of the Dublin nightlife scene. At the heart of the raucous Harcourt Street, the nightclub has been serving the students and young professionals of Dublin alike since 1996. Copper Face Jacks provides consistently decent nights, with large friendly crowds and a playlist full of radio-friendly tunes: we’re talking Taylor, 2000s hits and chart-toppers.
The dance floor is always active, drink prices are typical of the best nightclubs in Dublin, and it stays open until after 2:30am. If you’ve only just arrived in Dublin or this is your first time clubbing in Ireland, Copper Face Jacks is a great starting place.
Dicey’s
The undisputed value champion of Dublin’s nightlife – Dicey’s. Expect a price of €2-€4 for a range of beverages. While you will pay an entrance fee at the door, it’s still good value for a night out! Dicey’s boasts a number of dance floors and a giant beer garden, making it one of the bigger nightclubs in Dublin.
It’s also one of the best 18s nightclubs in Dublin, with student nights every Monday. Dicey’s attracts very diverse crowds, with many Spanish, Brazilians, and others from all over the world (as well as locals) coming to the club for an eclectic playlist of reggaeton and Latin music alongside traditional retro hits and current chart-toppers.
The Workman’s Club
While The Workman’s Club doesn’t look like one of the best nightclubs in Dublin, it fully embodies that spirit. Originally a working man’s pubs, this quay-side late night bar has retained its original rustic charm and now attracts a crowd of arty and alternative people in search of a quality night out.
Only two bars and a small dance floor means that Workman’s Club is not the best spot for those who want to dance until they drop. However, the smoking area is unmatched in Dublin’s nightlife scene and is a great spot if you’re more of a chatter than a dancer, but still seek the gregarious vibe of a nightclub.
Flannerys
Flannery’s is a perfect hybrid of a traditional pub with a hopping nightclub, making it one of the best late night bars in Dublin for chatting and dancing in equal measure. The massive beer garden and smoking area, while quieter during the day, truly comes alive as the evening progresses. It is a very popular spot for students across all of Dublin’s universities, particularly those beyond second year and postgraduates.
Prices are good, the music selection is broad, and it’s one of the few places where entry remains free – no matter the night of the week. What’s not to like about Flannery’s?
The Academy
Arguably more well known as a gig venue, The Academy turns into a nightclub on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. It’s a large club with a little something for everyone – a top-level smoking area for somewhere to sit back and have a chat, a large dancefloor below with top-of-the-charts pop music, a basement for hip hop / RnB, and a sub-basement room for retro hits.
The Academy tends to draw a younger crowd, between 18 and 22, so it is a great spot for undergraduate students. It’s the perfect spot to go with a large group of friends as the Academy has music options to suit everyone’s tastes.
The George
As the largest LGBTQ+ venue in the city, The George can also claim to be one of the best nightclubs in Dublin. It certainly boasts some of the most free-spirited and fun vibes!
The George is a cultural cornerstone, with the surrounding bars and nightspots on Lower George Street feeding off the pumping energy.
The nightclub is incredible fun, even for students outside the LGQBT+ community, a delightful amount of disco, dance, and pop music going across the club’s two dance floors to get everyone going! The George is also host to drag nights, karaoke sessions, and bingo across various nights.
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