The more the merrier, but also the harder it is to find a venue for your party, specially this time of the year: September is the month with the most birthdays and right after that, there’s Halloween and Christmas. Planning ahead and booking early is crucial, but so is choosing a place that is used and well-equipped to successfully handle medium and large groups.
The list below gathers 20 great bars in Dublin for groups and parties. They are spacious, responsive and well acquainted with bookings for parties and special occasions.
THE WELL
This recently opened venue features a cafe-bar area on the ground floor and a dedicated space for private events in the basement.
The Well partnered with the Dublin Pizza Company to offer wood fired pizzas, along with a wide selection of cocktails, craft beers, and wines.
Where: 130 – 133 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2.
More info: thewelldublin.ie
URBAN BREWING
With over 200 beers from around the world and its own in-house microbrewery, this venue is a craft beer lover’s must visit. Located within a restored 200-year-old vaulted building on Custom House Quay, it also is a striking setting for a celebration.
While beer is their forte, they have a good selection of wines and spirits and their tapas and small plates are seriously good.
Where: Vault C, CHQ Building, Custom House Quay.
More info: urbanbrewing.ie
HYDE
A stylish bar in the heart of the city just off Grafton Street, Hyde offers a contemporary Asian cuisine, carefully crafted by Karl Whelan. Unique signature cocktails are on the menu, plus an extensive wine list, so there’s something for everyone. With delicious canapés on offer, you’ll certainly be impressed.
Where: 9 Lemon Street, Dublin 2
More info: hyde-dublin.com
57 THE HEADLINE
This gastropub will please beer enthusiasts as well as lovers of Irish gin and spirits. For groups of up to 10, you can book an area on their ground floor, but if you have a larger party, they can also accomodate you upstairs where you’ll find an appealing G&T station.
Where: 56-57 Clanbrassil Street Lower, Merchants Quay, Dublin 8.
More info: 57theheadline.com
THE JAR
Pizza and a pint? Yes, please. This casual bar has a DJ in on Fridays and Saturdays to help you get the party started, and it features several areas that work well for medium-sized groups, and they can also take bigger bookings for up to 200 people. Great for birthday parties or work nights out.
Where: 31 Wexford St, Portobello, Dublin 2.
More info: thejar.ie
NOLITA
This venue has become a staple of Dublin’s nightlife. Their mix of NYC and Italian influences and their spacious, glamorous surroundings are just ideal for any stage of your night out: arrive early for dinner and a glass of wine, or come later and stay for dancing. You know what? You can even have your party here start to finish, all in one place.
Where: 64 South Great George’s Street
More info: nolita.ie
FARRIER & DRAPER
This elegant venue has a variety of beautiful spaces to choose from depending on your event’s requirements and size. They offer different packages for private or corporate celebrations and some of their areas have fully private bars to wow your guests.
Where: Unit 1, 24, 24a, Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, 59 William St.
More info: farrieranddraper.ie
CAFE EN SEINE
This Dawson Street favourite made a great comeback last year and it’s looking better than ever after a €4 million investment (I mean, who wouldn’t?). Embrace its Francophile vibes and try some of their beautiful cocktails, or arrive for dinner and indulge in their tempting dishes of continental inspiration.
Where: 40 Dawson Street.
More info: cafeenseine.ie
ZOZIMUS
Keeping with the art deco charms, this stylish and award-wining cocktail bar offers both great service and fine cocktails. Thanks to their partnership with chef Jules Mak, they also offer an exciting food menu of Asian inspiration. If booking forgroups, you’ll be delighted to know they have a dedicated and experienced reservation team to handle all queries.
Where: Centenary House, Anne’s Ln, Anne St S, Dublin.
More info: zozimusbar.ie
FADE STREET SOCIAL
Fade Street Social Restaurant by Dylan McGrath is a one stop shop for your night out. You’ll find delicious tapas and an appealing food menu, as well as a carefully designed cocktail menu. While their interior is wide and comfortable, they also have a lovely heated terrace, ideal for the autumn and winter seasons.
More info: fadestreetsocial.com
THE MARKET BAR
This laid back and lively venue has plenty of space, and several different connected areas to help you choose the ideal place for your evening. At the large, open Market Bar restaurant, you’ll find delicious tapas and great atmosphere. Expect a consice but well-thought-out selection of wines, beers and cocktails.
Where: 14A Fade St, Dublin
More info: marketbar.ie
4 DAME LANE
This late night bar is great for parties. Whether you take over an area downstairs at the bar with your crowd or book a part of their newly renovated loft upstairs (or the whole loft, which has a capacity of up to 250 people), you’ll find a vibrant venue with great music to dance until the wee hours (DJs every Friday and Saturday).
More info: http://4damelane.ie/
THE LIQUOR ROOMS
This multi award-winning cocktail bar is both elegant and relaxed. Intimate yes spacious, it offers a charming setting to a celebration. Their conservatory room a.k.a. The Mayflower is great for private events, but they also have cosy corners and semi private hideouts in their main areas.
Where: 6-8 Wellington Quay, Temple Bar.
More info: theliquorrooms.com
THE BEER MARKET
This spot in Dublin 8 is great for medium sized groups (they can accomodate bookings of up to 60 people), specially if there is a shared love for craft beers. There are a few board games scattered to help you break the ice, and they do a nice selection of finger food for parties, including a vegan platter so everyone can enjoy.
Where: 13 High St, The Liberties, Dublin 8.
More info: galwaybaybrewery.com/beermarket
LEMON & DUKE
Conveniently located, this versatile spot it is a great for lunch, brunch, dinner or drinks. They’re well used to taking group bookings and making crowds feel welcome and have several areas that suit different party sizes, as well as packages to make your life easy and delight your guests.
Where: 1 Royal Hibernian Way, Duke Lane Upper.
More info: lemonandduke.ie
BOWLANE
Come for the food, stay for the cocktails… Stay even later for the music and the great craic. This is another great example of a place that can sort your whole night from start to finish, as the evening evolves from dinner time to party mode. They offer a set three course dinner menu for groups, and for late birds, you can also just book a space for late night drinks between 5pm and close on a Wednesday or Thursday and from 11:30pm to 12:30am on a Friday & Saturday.
Where: 17 Aungier St, Dublin.
More info: https://bowlane.ie/social
TOKEN
If you fancy something a little different, this arcade pub is one to put on your radar. Indulge in a night of video games and drinks, and treat yourself to some of their very tasty street food. For bookings between 4 to 10 people you can just do it online, but for larger parties (they have capacity for up to 300), you can contact them via a form.
Where: 72-74 Queen Street, Smithfield, Dublin 7.
More info: tokendublin.ie
JW SWEETMAN
A winning location for a crowd. Located withinn a 19th century building, it houses a restaurant, pub and microbrewery. They featured event areas across four floors for groups between 10 to 200 people. For those looking for privacy, there’s the Blu Room, which fits up to 150 guests and has its own bar.
Where: 1-2 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2.
More info: jwsweetman.ie.
VINTAGE COCKTAIL CLUB
This is one of the most atmospheric bars in Dublin, inspired in the golden age of speakeasies, its Great Gatsby vibes are just the beginning: it features a delectable sharing and finger food menu and an extensive cocktail menu with classics from different eras and some original creations. It is ideal for medium sized groups, strictly over 23s.
Where: 15 Crown Alley, Temple Bar, Dublin 2.
More info: vintagecocktailclub.com.
THE BRIDGE 1859
This pub is both comfortable and friendly. Their party food selection is mouth-watering and they do a great pint. Let your guests try their unique tank beer Tankovna or try some of the cocktails from their appetising drinks menu. They have two private rooms which hold up to 70 people each, as well as plenty of smaller areas for parties downstairs.
Where: 13 Ballsbridge Terrace, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.
More info: thebridge1859.ie
TAPPED DUBLIN
Formerly Judge Roy Beans & Porterhouse Central, Tapped are the only bar with a Grafton Street entrance. The new bar will have one of the highest number of taps on site in Ireland, boasting over 50 and aims to wow patrons with its standout new design. Alongside quirky additions like your favourite cocktails on tap, the new bar has also partnered with Dublin Pizza Company to conquer the food offering and will regularly host some of Dublin’s best DJ’s. This newcomer is surely one of the newest great bars for groups in Dublin.
Where: Grafton Street, Dublin. 2
More info: www.tappeddublin.com