Dublin's cocktail scene has matured fast in the past decade. The Vintage Cocktail Club opened in 2012 and gave Ireland its first serious cocktail bar. The Blind Pig followed underneath. The 10 below show how Irish whiskey and modern cocktailing combine in rooms across the city. Most are within a 15-minute walk of Trinity College.
Part of our 50 Best Cocktail Bars in the World listThis article is one chapter in our larger global guide. See the full pillar with every featured city.
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The 10 best cocktail bars in Dublin
01 · Dublin
Temple Bar
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Speakeasy · 1920s
Through an unmarked black door in Temple Bar. 1920s-themed, reservations only, classics-led.
Order: A French 75
02 · Dublin
Suffolk Street
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Basement · Reservations
Below the Vintage Cocktail Club's restaurant. Ireland's best-stocked spirits collection.
Order: Their old fashioned variant
03 · Dublin
St Stephen's Green
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Hotel · Cocktails
The cocktail-led counterpart to the Horseshoe Bar. Modern Irish cocktails using local botanicals and Irish whiskey.
Order: An Irish whiskey-led signature
04 · Dublin
St Stephen's Green
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Hotel bar · 1824
Inside the Shelbourne Hotel. Horseshoe-shaped marble bar from 1824. The most elegant drink in Dublin.
Order: A martini at the marble bar
05 · Dublin
Camden Street
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Cocktails · Loud
Camden Street neighbourhood favourite. Cocktails punch above the casual format; mid-week DJ programming is genuine.
Order: Whatever's the bartender's seasonal pick
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06 · Dublin
Dawson Street
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Speakeasy · Multi-floor
Multi-floor Dawson Street speakeasy. Three different drinking rooms, Victorian-themed, classics-driven.
Order: A signature with Irish whiskey
07 · Dublin
Merrion Street
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Hotel basement · Vaulted
Below the Merrion Hotel. Vaulted stone ceilings, candlelight, classic cocktails done seriously.
Order: A Manhattan in the vault
08 · Dublin
Clanbrassil Street
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Whiskey + cocktails · Modern
Modern Clanbrassil Street whiskey-and-cocktail bar. Deep Irish whiskey list, classic cocktails done well.
Order: A flight of Irish whiskeys + an Old Fashioned
09 · Dublin
Wellington Quay
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Multiple-room basement
Quayside basement with multiple themed drinking rooms. The most theatrical of Dublin's cocktail bars.
Order: Whatever's the seasonal cocktail in the Boom Room
10 · Dublin
Lord Edward Street
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Speakeasy · Hidden
Hidden cocktail bar through an unmarked entrance. Reservation-only. Modern Dublin technique with classical leans.
Order: Bartender's choice
More Dublin cocktail barsThe full Dublin cocktail-bar index by neighbourhood.
See the full list
Why Dublin's cocktail scene matters
Irish whiskey is the secret of Dublin cocktailing — Redbreast, Powers, Yellow Spot all feature heavily on the city's serious cocktail menus. The 10 above are the rooms doing the most interesting work. The Side Door at the Shelbourne and The Vintage Cocktail Club are the two essentials; build evenings around either.
