Page 117 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

ENTER T AINMENT IN DUBLIN  115

in town. The large gastro-pub
and club sits on the north side
of the River Liffey and its links
with Irish rugby players and
glamorous models have made
it the place to be seen.
Occupying two Georgian
town houses on nearby Leeson
Street, House caters for a similar
clientele, but in more relaxed
surroundings. Lounge in front
of a log fire in the front parlour,
among the olive and citrus trees
in the garden, or dance the
night away in the opulent Red
Room, which is open late on
Traditional façade of Doheny & Nesbitt Friday and Saturday.
A Literary Pub Crawl Ri-Ra, Irish for uproar, is one
beginning at a pub. Describing of Dublin’s longest running
Pubs with strong literary itself as a “drinking pub with a nightclubs and has a different
associations abound in Dublin, music problem”, Sweeney’s on theme every night, from
particularly around Grafton Dame Street heaves every hip-hop and house to funk,
Street. McDaid’s, an old pub Thursday to Saturday night with soul and reggae.
with an Art Deco interior, still a mass of bodies moving to an Touted as Dublin’s most
retains some of its bohemian air eclectic mix of hip-hop, prestigious night club, Lillie’s
from the time when writers rockabilly, soul, funk and house, Bordello has a luxurious,
such as Patrick Kavanagh and across three floors. Tucked away deca dent atmosphere and
Brendan Behan were regulars. in the basement of the super- Art Deco decor. The legend ary
Davy Byrne’s has a plusher stylish Powerscourt Centre, VIP room has long been a
decor than it did when Leopold Pygmalion is a café-bar by day favourite of Dublin’s rich and
Bloom dropped in for a and a pumping club by night, famous, and regulars often
gorgonzola and mustard particularly popular with the rub shoulders with the enter-
sandwich in Ulysses, but it is still city’s young hipster folk. The tiny tainment elite.
well worth paying a visit. These dance floor heats up when Howl at the Moon is a
pubs, and others frequented by international DJs come to visit. smart club close to Merrion
Ireland’s most famous authors Copper Face Jacks is the Square. It is spread across
and play wrights, are featured most profitable nightclub of its three floors and has outdoor
on the excellent Dublin Literary size in Europe, notorious for its areas, including a heated,
Pub Crawl. The two-and-a-half- sweaty dance floors, pop music covered smoking area. The
hour tours, which are led by and groups of single men and door policy is smart-casual
actors, start with a beer in The women looking for a good time. and over 23. Entry on Thursday
Duke, and are by far the most If the queues are too long you’ll and Friday nights is free and
entertaining way to get a real find several similar venues there are usually special
feel for the city’s booze-fuelled nearby, mostly located along promotions available on
literary heritage. Tours take Harcourt Street. drinks prices.
place daily in summer, but are Formerly Spirit, The Academy At The Grand Social, on the
usually held only at weekends is a vibrant music mecca with north side of the Liffey, in-house
in winter. weekly gigs. It plays music on and guest DJs spin funky disco,
four floors and is attempting to indie, classic rock and electro
Nightclubs rival Whelans as a live music at the weekends. There’s also
centre with a predilection for a popular jazz club every
Dublin’s clubs are continually rock and pop acts as well as Monday night.
revamping and relaunching, a range of DJs from all over The George is Dublin’s
and variety remains the key in the world. premier gay venue, with club
clubland, with plenty of massive Those looking for good nights, karaoke and nightly
superclubs and more intimate, dance music might prefer drinks specials. Don’t miss the
laid-back venues. The scene is Mother, a popular gay club, infamous transvestite bingo
somewhat curtailed, however, which is known for hosting night on Sundays.
by the city’s licensing laws. A the best parties in the city. The Front Lounge has a
nightclub licence allows a club However the club is open more relaxed, gay-friendly vibe,
to remain open until 2:30am – only on Saturday nights. with comfy chairs and great
early by many major cities’ Krystle, on Harcourt Street, food. It is liveliest on Tuesday
standards. So Dublin clubbers running down St Stephen’s nights, when there is karaoke
start their night early, often Green, is the coolest nightclub from 10pm.

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