When the Sun Goes Down - Things to Do in Dublin at Night

The Irish capital comes to life once the sun sets! Find out things to do in Dublin at night with our comprehensive guide!

As any night-owl knows - once the sun goes down is when a city really heats up and Dublin is no different! From cultural evenings and delicious local produce to toe-tapping Irish tunes, pub crawls and more, we've got the low-down on the best after-dark activities with our favourite things to do in Dublin at night.

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Suspend your disbelief and believe in magic for a little bit at Dublin's oldest pub, The Brazen Head. Run daily, these evening sessions are run by Irish storytellers that take you through the history of Ireland and how its mythology is intertwined with its culture. Enjoy dinner over candlelight and live traditional Irish music Dublin Pass holders receive 10% off.

The Abbey Theatre

See the best that Dublin's theatre scene has to offer at the country's national theatre, where some of the greatest stories by Irish playwrights such as JM Synge and Brian Friel have been performed. Discover what's on in their events calendar hereDublin Pass holders receive 10% off.

James Joyce Reading Groups

If you're a massive literature buff, this reading group held in Sweny's Pharmacy is your chance to flex your creative smarts. Dedicated to uncovering the mysteries of Irish poet James Joyce's masterworks who popularised the space in his epic Ulysses, they have multiple evening classes on Thursday (Ulysses), Saturday (Ulysses in French) and Sundays (Finnegans Wake).

Ghostbus Tour

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Discover the terrifying history behind some of Dublin's most haunted landmarks on a Ghostbus, which will take you to the city's scariest sites. Running for two hours, this guided tour is full of creepy folklore including the Lady in White, violent Dr. Clossey's bloody history and a visit to St Kevin's Graveyard, which used to be a haven for graverobbers.

Slam! Sunday

Ireland has been home to some of the world's most prolific storytellers and that tradition continues to this day in modern Dublin. Slam! Sunday is a monthly slam poetry competition in which twelve poets face off against one another in a creative battle, after which audience judges choose who wins a cash prize. Poets can sign up at the door and twelve names are randomly selected to compete on the night.

Temple Bar Pub Crawl

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Round up your mates and head out to the bustling Temple Bar district, where the lights are on all night and the beer flows a little too freely. With a number of fantastic bars and pubs to discover, must-visits include the eponymous Temple Bar and Bad Bobs - a mix between a bar and a nightclub perfect for wrapping up the night.

Temple Bar Night Market

If you happen to be around in the summer, the streets of Temple Bar are transformed into a vibrant market full of gorgeous handicrafts and art. Held every Wednesday evening starting from late April to August, it's the perfect place to pick up a unique Irish souvenir made by some of the city's creative talent.

Patrick Guilbaud

As Ireland's only two Michelin starred restaurant, Patrick Guilbaud is representative of the best of Dublin fine dining. Perfect for an extra special date night, the most discerning diners in the capital have been eating here since 1981 and it continues to amaze with dishes such as lobster ravioli and a wine list to die for.

Dawn2Dusk Guided Photography Tours

 

Practice your photography skills with some of the city's local photographers, who cater to hobbyists and professionals looking for their perfect shots. With a special night tour that spans the most beautiful sites along the River Liffey, it's a great way to spend a few hours enjoying the city.

Bernard Shaw

Ready to dance your heart out? One of Dublin's biggest nightlife teams Bodytonic continues to run fantastic events at their sweetheart club, The Bernard Shaw. With both international DJs and local musicians tearing up the decks, there's always something on to help you while the dark hours away.

Hopefully that gives you a few good ideas on things to do in Dublin at night.

Save on Admission to Popular Attractions

Regular admission to a number of historical Dublin attractions is available on our Dublin Go City products. Choose as you go from 20+ Dublin activities and save on combined admission vs paying at the gate. See all available passes and Dublin-based attractions here. So grab a Dublin attraction pass and go explore!

Megan Hills
Go City Travel Expert

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The Temple Bar - A Local's Guide

The Temple Bar: a local's guide Temple Bar is almost synonymous with sightseeing in Dublin as it’s one of the city’s most vibrant areas, bursting with culture, music and tradition. On the south bank of the River Liffey, it’s tucked away but full of life, no matter the hour. From iconic pubs, to street buskers, bold graffiti and picturesque cobbled streets, Temple Bar is not to be missed. Here’s a local’s guide to exploring the area: Dance to an Irish Jig Dublin is famous for its live music, and you can really enjoy it in Temple Bar. Most pubs will have a resident band who play traditional Irish music, but one of the best is Gogarty’s which prides itself on live music five days a week and over 12 hours a day. Whether you pop in for lunch or dinner, or even a nightcap, rest assured you’ll be up on your feet and dancing along to popular folk songs and even persuaded onto the dancefloor by one of the many talented Irish dancers... Find the perfect pub If you prefer something more sedate, don’t worry, there are plenty of other options where you can unwind after a busy day of sightseeing in Dublin with a pint of Guinness. With over 20 pubs to choose from in the area, not to mention a handful of pub crawls you can join, you won’t be left dry mouthed. Whether you prefer a quiet wine bar or traditional pub, you’ll find what you’re looking for in Temple Bar. See some art Visit the Temple Bar Gallery + Studios for some artistic inspiration. A former clothing factory, this contemporary art gallery is nestled in the Temple Bar cultural quarter. Showing a number of contemporary visual art exhibitions, you can enjoy a wide range of media, from photography to print and video. It’ll certainly get you thinking, and open your eyes to the talents of Dublin’s art scene. Go on a graffiti trail From contemporary art to street art, two things you can’t miss about Temple Bar are the vibrant colours and bold graffiti that jump out at you on every street. The area is given a real Banksy feel with caricatures, comical speech marks and witty words so make sure you don’t forget your camera. If you want to learn more about who’s responsible for this street art, why not take part in the Dublin Street Art Walking Tour and Graffiti Workshop? Get your vintage fix You might not associate Temple Bar with shopping, but the area has one of the most popular vintage clothing markets in the city. Dubliners are without doubt quirky, metropolitan and well dressed, and Cow’s Lane Designer Market is largely responsible. Open during the summer months of June to September, this daily market offers over 60 stalls of the best clothing, accessories, arts and crafts in the city. If you’re visiting in the winter, don’t worry, you can still catch the market indoors in St Michael’s and St John’s Banquet Hall.
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