We’ve all been there: you’ve got a hot date coming up and some not-so-hot date ideas on where to take them in Dublin (that isn’t the Guinness Storehouse).
The capital city itself is teeming with passion, personality, and ice-breakers in the form of unique drink and foodie hideouts – as well as peaceful green spaces and blissful beach walks – that will shelter you from the go-to tourist traps.
For our brand new Like a Local series, writer Emmie Harrison-West spills all on the hidden gems that will impress even the most seasoned of dates. To get more recommendations for hundreds of the coolest things to do in Dublin, check out Dublin Like a Local.
The capital city itself is teeming with passion, personality, and ice-breakers in the form of unique drink and foodie hideouts – as well as peaceful green spaces and blissful beach walks – that will shelter you from the go-to tourist traps.
For our brand new Like a Local series, writer Emmie Harrison-West spills all on the hidden gems that will impress even the most seasoned of dates. To get more recommendations for hundreds of the coolest things to do in Dublin, check out Dublin Like a Local.
Dublin Like a Local
View BookCall it puppy love at Two Pups Coffee
Breakfast just isn’t a thing in Dublin – most cafes don’t even open until 9:30 – but when it ticks around to 11am for brunch, well, that’s a whole different story. In Dublin, brunch is a weekend highlight, so make sure you do it right in order to impress your date.
If your date is an early riser, head on over to Two Pups Coffee in the Liberties neighborhood for exquisite coffee, brioche breakfast baps and flaky pastries. If you’re any later than noon, prepare to join the (albeit lively) queue where you can swoon over the constant gaggle of pups outside. Snag a seat at the back for something a little more cosy.
74 Francis St, The Liberties, Dublin 8, D08 KA43
https://www.twopupscoffee.com/
If your date is an early riser, head on over to Two Pups Coffee in the Liberties neighborhood for exquisite coffee, brioche breakfast baps and flaky pastries. If you’re any later than noon, prepare to join the (albeit lively) queue where you can swoon over the constant gaggle of pups outside. Snag a seat at the back for something a little more cosy.
74 Francis St, The Liberties, Dublin 8, D08 KA43
https://www.twopupscoffee.com/
Keep on food truckin’ at The Bernard Shaw
Now, this is the ideal date spot for the person who can never make their mind up about what to eat. The Bernard Shaw is a fantastic, unique boozer with food trucks out back from Thursday to Sunday, courtesy of Eatyard.
Browse a hefty, delicious street food selection – from brunch to burgers, with salads and waffle fries thrown in – while nursing a tinnie of wine from The Wine & Cheese Shop. The multi-faceted venue usually boasts live music nights and exciting events all year round, too.
Cross Guns Bridge, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, D09 XW44
https://thebernardshaw.com/
Browse a hefty, delicious street food selection – from brunch to burgers, with salads and waffle fries thrown in – while nursing a tinnie of wine from The Wine & Cheese Shop. The multi-faceted venue usually boasts live music nights and exciting events all year round, too.
Cross Guns Bridge, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, D09 XW44
https://thebernardshaw.com/
Ring my bell at the Vintage Cocktail Club
Okay, so this is the only time we will allow a visit to Temple Bar in Dublin for a date – and a hidden speakeasy is bound to impress even the most sceptical of partners.
Nestled behind a discreet doorway on the bustling street is the Vintage Cocktail Club, with a hidden doorbell. Once discovered, prepare to enter a 1920s-esque time warp, chock with clinking champagne coupes, debauchery and late night rendezvous. The cocktails change with the seasons, so no two visits will ever be the same – but we recommend settling for one of their Signature Serves if you can’t decide.
15 Crown Alley, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 E229
https://vintagecocktailclub.com/
Nestled behind a discreet doorway on the bustling street is the Vintage Cocktail Club, with a hidden doorbell. Once discovered, prepare to enter a 1920s-esque time warp, chock with clinking champagne coupes, debauchery and late night rendezvous. The cocktails change with the seasons, so no two visits will ever be the same – but we recommend settling for one of their Signature Serves if you can’t decide.
15 Crown Alley, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 E229
https://vintagecocktailclub.com/
Win them over at Blackbird
We guarantee that most couples you’ll mingle with at the Rathmines-based Blackbird will be on a first date, as this quality boozer mixes board games with local brews perfectly – making it an ideal spot to impress.
Share a tasty pizza and flirt brazenly over Connect 4 at this uber-coor date venue, or choose to laze around couple-watching for hours on the sun-soaked patio, that twinkles with fairy lights long after the sun sets.
82-84 Rathmines Rd Lower, Rathmines, Dublin 6, D06 Y5Y8
https://www.blackbirdrathmines.com/
Share a tasty pizza and flirt brazenly over Connect 4 at this uber-coor date venue, or choose to laze around couple-watching for hours on the sun-soaked patio, that twinkles with fairy lights long after the sun sets.
82-84 Rathmines Rd Lower, Rathmines, Dublin 6, D06 Y5Y8
https://www.blackbirdrathmines.com/
Beach please me at Bull Island
If you’re a little short on cash, but not short on lovin’, head over to Bull Island for a magical, peaceful beach stroll. Dublin is not just renowned for its quality boozers, but for its exquisite beaches - and dune-peppered Bull Island is no exception.
Before you hit the sands, grab a coffee and cake, or oozing toastie, at the super trendy shipping container coffee stall, Happy Out. It’s one of the windiest places in Dublin though, so hold onto your croissant (or lover’s hand) tight.
Happy Out, Bull Wall, Bull Island, Clontarf, Dublin, Ireland
https://happyout.ie/
Before you hit the sands, grab a coffee and cake, or oozing toastie, at the super trendy shipping container coffee stall, Happy Out. It’s one of the windiest places in Dublin though, so hold onto your croissant (or lover’s hand) tight.
Happy Out, Bull Wall, Bull Island, Clontarf, Dublin, Ireland
https://happyout.ie/
Laugh your heart out at Dolcáin’s Cellar
Save the last Thursday of every month for soaking up some serious culture as poets, troubadours and singer-songwriters stream into the cellar of The Laurel’s Bar, Clondalkin, from 7pm for an open mic night.
It started off as performances from the pub’s regular punters, but has transformed into a word-of-mouth victory with everyone bringing their mate, their date, and their nan. Soak it up, and get involved by cracking a joke or two with the truly talented locals.
The Laurels Clondalkin, Main Street, Clondalkin, Dublin
https://www.poetryireland.ie/writers/opportunities/dolcains-cellar-clondalkin
It started off as performances from the pub’s regular punters, but has transformed into a word-of-mouth victory with everyone bringing their mate, their date, and their nan. Soak it up, and get involved by cracking a joke or two with the truly talented locals.
The Laurels Clondalkin, Main Street, Clondalkin, Dublin
https://www.poetryireland.ie/writers/opportunities/dolcains-cellar-clondalkin
Chase waterfalls in Dublin’s ‘secret garden’
Nestled behind the National Concert Hall is Dublin’s best-kept secret in the form of the bounteous Iveagh Gardens. Grab a classy picnic of sarnies, snacks and wine and join the sun-worshipping gaggle of Dubliners in this relatively unknown green space.
Steal a kiss next to gushing waterfalls, and saunter over to grab a coffee from nearby Green Bench Café to the sound of chirping birds. Bliss.
Clonmel Street, off Harcourt Street in Dublin 2
https://iveaghgardens.ie/
Steal a kiss next to gushing waterfalls, and saunter over to grab a coffee from nearby Green Bench Café to the sound of chirping birds. Bliss.
Clonmel Street, off Harcourt Street in Dublin 2
https://iveaghgardens.ie/