Pubs
The Barge
An enlightened name for a pub next to a canal. The canal I refer to is the one marking the official border between South Central Dublin and the suburbs. It also seems that this is as far as certain country folk are willing to venture into Dublin. The Barge seemed to be filled with Culchies. Still, great atmosphere, and the bar stays open to 2:30pm. For what to do after this, see 'Taj Mahal' under restaurants.
Dicey Riley's
This pub has one huge thing going for it, especially when the government over here are considering banning smoking in the pubs next year. It's one of the few pubs within walking distance of temple bar with a beer garden. This place has the potential therefore to be the only pub with anyone drinking in it come January. It also sit's on top of a nightclub called the Vatican. Both places can get quite......interesting, as the typical evening in Dublin progresses.
The Q Bar
Famous at the moment mainly due to the habit of the dj stopping his playlist to ask completely bolloxed twenty-something females to cavort on the dance-floor with a hula-hoop for prizes. A good night on Friday night. Eighties heaven! Just don't expect any substance, the place is a shameless cattle-market, and three cheers for the Q bar for that!
Sam Sara
The original (and some say still the best) haunt for the readers of that most profound of philosophical publications, Cosmopolitan magazine. I'm not going to say anything else about the place, suffice to say it comes as no surprise to this blogger that the bar shares it's name with a Guerlain perfume......
Ron Blacks
In between Cafe Insane and Sam Sara on Dawson St. This is the blokes bar of the three. Decked out like somewhere James Bond would sup, this is where all the serial Cosmo readers hunt for males. Equipment to bring with you? Your mate's borrowed BMW keys, a Dunhill lighter, a suit that fits, bad (but new) aftershave. I would also advise watching Wall Street, Rogue Trader and Boiler Room (in that order) before going, so that one may behave in the way that the Cosmonites will respond positively to.....
Cafe Insane
Or Cafe en Seine is the name directly above the door. Simply put, this is Chintzville. It's a gigantic bar, don't get me wrong, and it's the place to go to meet the roving packs of secretaries (anyone have a collective term for them??). But it is most defintely a girly joint. Also the most expensive bar in Dublin. Why do we go there? Still trying ot work that one out myself.
Excise Bar
Hmm. Where do I start? The place sucks penile warts really. It's cold (both in atmosphere and temperature) and tends to fill up in the evenings with dissatisfied, neurotic people that are there solely to be 'seen'. Not deliberately going out of my way to slag the place, but can't really help it. The only good thing about the place is that it's close to the Harbour Master ;-)