OTP’s Guide to Partying Your Ass Off in Dublin

Daily Blend, Europe, Lifestyles, Culture & Inspiration, lisette, Partying, Sex & Booze | D. Pitt | December 29, 2010 at 8:22 am

Dublin’s parties aren’t hiding in pots of gold behind rainbows—they’re everywhere and easy to find. The 59th most populated city in Europe, Dublin parties like it’s the biggest, baddest city on the continent. Small problem: Blue-collar, potato-loving Ireland is, ironically, one of the most expensive countries to drink in Europe. As such, you must do some serious budget planning to party Dublin-style. Lucky for you, OTP already counted your pennies. Stick with us and you will be drunk enough to piss on the Blarney Stone and maybe catch a leprechaun (or at least think that you did) without your wallet puking green too.

Rise and Shiny Shine

One thing about Dublin is that it’s never too early to drink. People down Guinness at 9am before work and bosses polish off pints over lunch. Don’t be shy; after a quick breakfast, head straight to the Guinness Factory. Most Americans turn up their noses at the milkshake-esque beer, which is bloody nonsense. You’ll get free sample tastings and don’t hesitate to request seconds (or thirds). Once you’ve got a buzz, put on an attentive expression and learn how to pour the perfect pint. Take your free pint up to the Skybar. With any luck, you’ll be feeling pretty good by noon.

Beer Does Not Equal Food (Even Guinness)

Before you’re too drunk to remember, now’s the time you should probably eat. Most pubs serve food, and although it can be a bit expensive, it’s worth treating your body right since you’re asking it to drink like a Dubliner. Throw some potatoes and a banger in your stomach sack to soak up the liquid beer storm. Dublin’s cuisine is simple and filling. Don’t spend too much time eating as pubs close for the night at 2am and you’ll want your night to start relatively early.

The Beginning of the End

Once it’s dark and you’ve been drinking for a solid eight hours, it’s time to head back to the streets for a good old-fashioned Irish pub crawl. We recommend the Temple Bar area; there are tons of places to choose from (like Temple Bar Pub) and some have rocking live music. For a more authentic experience, your best bet is The Celt. The Irish fiddles, dancing, Guinness, cider, Jameson and food create real deal Irish craic (loosely translated as “fun” in Gaelic) at the Celt. Combine just about every social stratum represented on the barstools with a large dose of traditional Irish music and you’ll be dancing up on a stranger like you mean business.

Celt yourself silly then move on to the great pubs on Grafton or Camden Streets. Grafton Street has some high end establishments to complement the Gaeity Theatre and shopping district, but is far from a tourist trap. The Hairy Lemon is a cozy spot to meet and greet the locals. Once you’ve got whiskers on your rind, head over to Camden Street and pop in to any number of the pubs and lounges there; or go straight to Flannery’s, a packed rugby bar, which offers the same friendly atmosphere. If you’re not looking to lose teeth, keep your foreign mouth shut about the national team, drink up the whiskey and watch patrons transform from sedentary barstool denizens to on-top-of-the-bar dance maniacs. By midnight, the crowd drifts over to Dublin’s meat market, Copperface Jacks on Harcourt Street. It’s one of the few late night clubs in Dublin and their playlist is upside down. Unlike most clubs that start with feel-good music and work toward hip-hop and house, Copperface gets the party started with hip-hop and house, and ends the night with Irish chants and Neil Diamond.

After Party to the Hostel Lobby

Other late-night clubs can be found in the Temple Bar Area. Although places like Fitzsimons have multiple floors and are pretty much a guaranteed good time, they are often overrun by tourists. The Twisted Pepper, the Button Factory and the Academy, however, boast sweet lineups of local DJs and some of Europe’s finest headliners. You’ll want to ask around or check their websites before going—depending on the nightly promoter, parties can vary from underground dubstep to Indie rock.

Hold your composure for just a bit longer and stumble down to the Dublin streets, which can feel like a warzone by 2 am without all that blood—what with the screams of the smashed, bodies passed out in the street and riots of drunk people looking to soak up the liquor in line at the Supermacs. Don’t get scared, even if you’re a girl.

Check out all the fine Irish lasses, channel the Irish craic and do it up like a Dubliner. Just don’t think you can take that leprechaun in your pocket home with you; we’re pretty sure he’s contraband.

D. Pitt

This Philadelphia native has made it a habit of traveling to Europe at least once a year, and rarely takes vacations shorter than a month. When he travels, he focuses on nightlife and mingling with the locals, and always finds a way to the parties. Dennis returned to his corporate job after his first backpacking trek to find out it wasn't there. This led to him becoming the general manager of one of the US's top rated hostels. So, even when is not traveling, he is contributing to the stories and experiences of those who are.