Cool And Quirky Bars In Dublin

Housed in a Grade A-listed building scattered with original features, The Odeon is a cool Dublin city centre restaurant bar that's definitely worth visiting. Aside from stunning gastro meals, expect live entertainment, events like wine tastings and even more.

Opulent, eccentric and unlike anything else in Dublin, The Bank on College Green is a bar with serious main-character energy.

Built in the 1890s from rare Scottish sandstone, the interior is a riot of merchant-era extravagance: 15-foot marble columns, ornate ceilings, stained glass shining overhead and mosaic floors that practically demand to be photographed.

Shake up your usual night with a trip to The Back Page, where arcade games, foosball, and an electric atmosphere await. From a karaoke room for belting out tunes to a darts room for aiming your best shot, there's no shortage of entertainment here. Plus, their pizzeria serves up tasty bites like the Antonio Cassano (semi-sundried tomato goodness) and the bar whips up mean signature sips like the salted caramel-flavoured Bohs-Tini. Add in Fifa Mondays, chess on Tuesdays, and Thursdays packed with hot wings and ping pong, and you've got a night full of unforgettable fun.

Perched just above the Bull & Castle steak restaurant and overlooking the iconic Christchurch Cathedral, Dausie's Bar is a hidden gem on the edge of Temple Bar. Blending the charm of a classic pub with the polish of a modern cocktail lounge, it boasts over 100 whiskies and a variety of tasting trays for those looking to explore.

The drinks list features everything from rhubarb and rose margaritas to four takes on an old fashioned, while the food menu includes indulgent small plates and a standout Sunday beef dip sandwich with all the trimmings.

One of our favourite watering holes in Dublin, Wigwam is a great shout. From tiki bingo events to drag-drenched brunches, this venue has plenty to offer, as well as karaoke rooms and ping pong tables if you fancy an activity bar.

Hailed as one of the best watering holes for its bootlegger-inspired style and Prohibition cocktails, The Blind Pig is a haunt that promises a true flavour of the 1920s. Head down for concoctions made with flair alongside candlelit tables and plenty of vintage furniture to go around.

The coolest bars in Dublin for young adults? Head here for a memorable night out, playing a range of fun games. Shuffleboard Bar Dublin fronts pool tables, giant Connect Four and so much more, not to mention tasty tipples and food.

The Bernard Shaw is like a treasure chest of fun, mixing a classic pub vibe with a cosy event space and mouthwatering eats. With four floors of entertainment, you'll find karaoke for your inner rockstar, ping pong for some friendly competition, and quizzes and bingo to test your mind.

Hands down one of the most cool bars in Dublin city centre, The Market Bar is a characterful spot that serves up tasty lunches, hearty dinners and fruity cocktails. The former Victorian warehouse has been transformed into an industrial-chic space with plenty of natural light and a vibrant atmosphere.

Located on the South Circular Road, The Circular Bar is a cool spot for sipping craft beer and cocktails. Try out a refreshing gin spritz or their classic margarita, paired with wood-fired pizzas from Coke Lane Pizza - topped with Italian pepperoni, butternut squash, smoked bacon and more.

There are live music performances and DJ sets every single weekend, as well as sports screenings on their huge TVs. Plus, there's a spacious garden that's ideal for the summer months.

Located on Dawson Street, Flight Club is a stunning bar that offers a high-tech version of a classic pub game: darts. The fairground-inspired space promises multiple interactive boards that come equipped with all kinds of fun minigames, and they even add up your scores for you.

The bar itself is slinging out lots of creative cocktails, as well as tasty pizzas and sharing plates. And for something a little bit special, their brunch socials on weekends offer four beers or a bottle of prosecco per person, alongside two hours of endless pizza and an hour at the oche.

La Cave is a haven for date nights, after-work drinking and meeting up with mates. The subterranean spot in Dublin 2 is the city's oldest wine bar, with an ever-changing menu of handpicked bottles and seasonal French dishes to pair with your sipping.  

Named after the year Poitín was banned in Ireland, Bar 1661 is an award-winning cocktail bar. If you're in search of a quirky bar with uniquely Irish tipples and independent spirits, there's no other place that compares to this Green Street haunt.

Very few Mexican spots have the reputation that 777 do. Not only is this quirky bar home to one of the best margaritas in town, but it also fronts eclectic interiors making for the perfect backdrop to dig into their fiery plates of tacos.

Whether you're splashing the cash on a special occasion or fancy heading out on a quirky date night, The Ivy is hands down one of the quirkiest cocktail bars. Expect to find a botanical beauty that's jam-packed with elegant brasserie-style bites and fab blood orange margaritas.

People may know Opium as a late-night clubbing spot, but there's more than meets the eye when it comes to this Wexford Street location. Throwing out more than a few nods to Asian culture, there are quirky cocktails, aromatic dishes and one of the most quirky rooftop bars in Dublin.

Searching for the best places for drinks in Temple Bar? Bab Bobs is definitely up there, thanks to its eclectic menu of signature sips and rebellious attitude. Swing by for live music and bites to eat before heading up to the oh-so cool rooftop terrace.

Bobbys is a pretty in pink wine bar and restaurant. As well as being an achingly cool Insta-haven, it backs up its style with an equally impressive menu of toasties and sumptuous snacks. Head on over to this cool drinking den, and you can sip on organic wine and the bubbliest cocktails.

Boasting a little something for everyone, The Workmans Club plays host to live music nights, comedy shows and DJ events. That's not all, as this spot features a colourful rooftop bar and unique interiors, with an epic Bruce Springsteen dedicated club night on the roster.

One of the most unique places to drink in Dublin, Riot has a punk attitude through and through; think neon lights, graffiti and cult movie artwork strewn across the walls. This bar is keeping its patrons entertained with live music, DJ nights, arcade games and pool. 

With 90s nostalgia at the forefront of this bar, it promises a raucous night of retro bangers, themed soirees and the like. One of the most unusual bars in Dublin, Jackie's is as quirky as they come, with drinks like the Solero pornstar being the stars of the show.

Piglet is a Temple Bar staple serving a, 'carefully selected mess' of biodynamic, natural and organic wines, all with classic European appeal. Championing simplicity in its interiors design and laid-back approach, this is a proper cool haunt for kicking back and trying a few new sips.

Whether it's the brooding interiors, the heated terrace or the world-class cocktails that get you, it comes as no surprise Vintage Cocktail Club made our list. Swing by this secret Temple Bar spot for one of the most unique bars in Dublin.