Going out

Going out in Dublin differs from what we are used to in continental Europe.

Prepping up at 9, pre-drinks, leaving the house at 11pm? Yeah, that's not how it works in Ireland and Great Britain.

Pubs close at 2. Just two weeks ago there has been a debate of expanding the opening hours of pubs, initiated by Taoiseach Leo Vradkar (Ireland's Prime Minister). No one really backed up what seems to be reasonable for most Europeans.

You start drinking at 6 or 7 and are totally hammered by 10 if you do it like the Irish. Alcohol is expensive in Ireland and pre-drinks save you a bunch of money. Some people enjoy pre-drinks, others don't. Just make sure to meet halfway.

When to go?

I've always enjoyed going out during the week, since the weekend is a pain in the ass. It's crowded, utterly packed, especially if you live nearby the city center and do not wish to go to a pub that is off the track (and even those will be super packed!).

Temple Bar is always full with tourists, but it is even worse on Friday and Saturday night. Friday and Saturday nights, for me, have never been appealing to go out in Dublin tbh. If you do go out, cause we are all normal people who do go out simply due to the fact that it is the weekend, make sure to not listen to your international friends of leaving the house late. Frankly, just don't. Go out at 5 or 6, have some dinner. It's hard to find some empty spot in a pub after 8.

Where to go?

You're either a pub person or a club person. Club persons will go to Diceys (loads of internationals and especially people from South America), O'Reillleys just beneath Tara Station, the Academy or venues that are close to Diceys, such as Coppers.

Pub people have more of a choice as there are so many pubs around Dublin. There are so many pubs that I haven't gotten the chance to go to (simply because there are so so many, like, seriously). One of my faves is BadBob's. Its location is convenient since it's in Temple Bar but it is not as touristy and the prices are way lower than those in, e.g., the Dubliner (which is another pub). You will find that people who did not know Dublin before they got here, live on the North Side (the cool kids live in the South, so make sure to pick an accommodation within even numbers (D2,4,6,8 etc). Temple Bar is sort of the middle for everyone which makes Bad Bob's a good choice anytime!

How to go?

This one refers to dressing code. Go as you would like to. Continental Europeans tend to be way more casual when going out than Brits and Irish people. The Irish will wear high heels, be dismissal of jackets and scarfs even on an icy December night. Tights? Too warm. Skirts? Couldn't get short enough. Looking for a nice top that shows off a bit of your decollete? Unlikely. The Irish (and the stores) love short skirts but they are chaste when it comes to your cleavage. As for the guys, they are much more casual. However, have I ever mentioned the boys' horrible haircut? Google "typical Irish haircut guys" or whatever and you will see they cut the sides of their hair short, just the way they did back in the 1930s and 1940s.

As for the girls: in case you haven't heard of the Geordie Girls, make sure to watch a clip on Youtube. It, certainly, is not as wild as they are. Still, it might prepare you a bit.

One last tip...

...just an implication: there is a huge mumps issue in Dublin that even unis send out warnings per email. Whereas you should be vaccinated anyways, an inoculation does not protect you from getting it.