The Dublin Night Scene: Good DJs, Music and Partying

Dublin itself is fairly small. The majority of its bars, clubs and restaurants are pretty much located at its heart. When night falls, the town can seem to converge in a central location, creating a massive party. Overall, the music scene and nightlife is intense, exciting and varied. You can find different types of crowds, music, dining and, of course, plenty to imbibe.

Photo by Dave C

If you’re looking to enjoy a little traditional Irish music, well, to say you’re in the right place would be waaaay too obvious. The good ones have a welcoming ambiance and serve a classic pint of Guinness. Be wary of the ones that create the atmosphere for the tourists as these may not be as authentic. Cassidy’s doesn’t just have the name. It’s pure tradition with an old world charm. It’s a popular spot on Camden Street and has seen visits from the likes of former President Bill Clinton. Temple Bar hosts several spots. They’re always busy and good fun although the drinks are expensive. Other great alternatives for a night out are O’Donoghues on Merrion Row and The Brazen Head near Christ Church.

If you’re looking for classic and standard pop and R&B hits slanted with an Irish good time, there are more than enough nightclubs and discos that play a mixture of chart hits, pop music and rhythm and blues. Most will have resident DJs who know the crowd and what they want. The Village has a live DJ every night of the week. Located on Wexford and Camden Streets, the bar and restaurant pulls in a trendy crowd, but it’s still a spontaneous party. Copper Face Jacks on Harcourt St. attracts a young crowd filling up the floors. Many finish off their nights here with lively music. Spy is a transformed 18th Century townhouse. It’s said the new design was inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s dystopian classic A Clockwork Orange. There are two drawing rooms with fireplaces and chandeliers filled with a crowd that’s dressed to impress.

Many Irish appreciate good rock and indie music. There are a number of exceptional bars that support the music throughout Dublin. The most popular is probably The Workman’s Club on Wellington Quay. A number of nightly events are sponsored by legendary local radio station Phantom FM. For the slightly older crowd, there’s Whelan’s located on Wexford Street. They offer live shows featuring the country’s biggest artists. Bruxelles, located off Grafton, features two bars. One plays rock while the other offers indie. If you’re looking for a metal/goth club, head over to Parnell Street. That’s where the famous Fibber Magee’s is located.

Temple Bar is a hub for a lot of activity. It’s a good place to start for straight up dance music. The Kitchen is fast becoming a hot spot. They promise a range of music that includes house and techno. The Playhouse is on the south side of Dublin, in Tallaght on Belgard Road. There are three bars and a huge dance floor with speakers booming everything from dance hits to rap. The D2 is hopping Wednesday through Saturday. It’s always packed with the best DJs pumping hits and classics. It’s situated on Harcourt Street. The Spirit Nightclub, on Abbey Street, is a well-liked and different spot. There’s a holistic treatment centre, but there’s also a club with two levels. You can listen to R&B on the lower and club music on the upper.

Dublin actually has a large population of young people, made up students and natives. It’s also a hot zone for young tourists that want to experience what they’ve heard is the Irish way. Dublin lives up to the reputation!

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Category: Ireland, Travel Tips