Dublin is known for its fantastic nightlife, so it’s not surprising that there are lots of amazing cocktail bars in the city.
From secret speakeasies to glamorous rooftop bars, there’s something for everyone here.
It’s not just Guinness that the Irish know how to do well!
From old classics to new concoctions, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Dublin if you’re in the mood for a cocktail.
If you’re looking for the best place to enjoy a negroni, cosmopolitan, or an old fashioned, then keep reading.
Here are the 17 best cocktail bars in Dublin!
1. Vintage Cocktail Club (VCC)
Address: 15 Crown Alley, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 D02 E229
Phone number: 01 675 3552
With a speakeasy vibe straight out of 1920s New York, Vintage Cocktail Club (VCC) is hidden away behind an unassuming doorway in Dublin’s famous Temple Bar.
Ring the bell to enter and step into the vintage-inspired interiors for a relaxed cocktail (or two!) with friends.
On a fine evening, head up to the roof terrace, which brings the inside decor outside.
The only issue you might have is choosing which specially-crafted cocktail you’d like from their extensive menu!
The cocktails are divided into eras so you can see what has been a popular tipple throughout history, and they use seasonal ingredients in their recipes.
The staff are on hand to help with their recommendations, and there are VCC signatures to choose too.
If you’re peckish, they have a food menu with modern pub grub, and they do brunch on weekends!
2. Bow Lane Social Club
Address: Aungier Street, Dublin D02 XF38
Phone number: 01 478 9489
Bow Lane Social Club is the perfect spot for a date or drinks with friends.
Inside, it’s dimly lit with cosy booths and snugs.
On the menu, there are craft cocktails, draft beers, and premium spirits alongside modern takes on classic Irish food and a fantastic bar snacks menu.
The venue is well known for its fruity favourites and expert mixologists and it offers an array of vodka, gin, rum, and whisky-based cocktails.
If you’re looking for a late one, then this is the place to be!
They have DJs spinning tunes well into the night and plenty of space for dancing.
It’s also one of the best places to go for bottomless brunch in Dublin, so get your pals together for this.
3. 9 Below
Address: 9 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin D02 C891
Phone number: 01 905 9990
If you like your cocktail bars with a touch of class, then they don’t come much more luxurious than 9 Below.
In the heart of Dublin’s city centre, 9 Below is a beautifully designed speakeasy in a converted basement.
Make your way downstairs to find art deco velvet booths, brass fixtures, and original vaulted ceilings.
Yep, this bar is seriously opulent and chic!
The staff are friendly and welcoming, making you feel right at home, despite its elegance.
As for the cocktails, they’re grouped into seasons and made with creative ingredients.
This is the perfect spot for a pre-dinner aperitif or a special celebration.
4. Peruke and Periwig
Address: 31 Dawson Street, Dublin 2 D02 DR58
Phone number: 01 672 7190
For a unique place to drink, try Peruke and Periwig.
The cocktails here are inspired by all types of music and grouped into genres!
Try a pop cocktail if you’re after something fun, sweet, and easy-going, or opt for jazz if you like erratic bubbles and the like.
Each cocktail comes with a dash of flair – a pretty garnish, a foam topping, etc. – which perfectly complements the bar’s interiors.
There’s plush velvet seating, marble tables, and traditional portraits on the walls in gilt gold frames.
And if you’re peckish, there’s a selection of tasty bar snacks and modern Irish meals for food.
5. Pantibar
Address: 7-8 Capel Street, North City, Dublin 1 D01 EH93
Phone number: 01 874 0710
Named after the bar’s owner, queen of drag Panti Bliss, Pantibar is a thriving, inclusive venue and a staple of Dublin’s LGBTQ+ scene.
On weekdays, this neighbourhood gay bar is a chilled-out spot to enjoy a tipple after work, and on weekends it comes alive with a whole host of different events, including cabaret shows, drag, DJs, and live singers.
If you like a bargain cocktail, then this is the place to be.
And you won’t have to wait long for them to be made!
The bar also has its own locally produced craft beer called Panti’s Pale Ale which is well worth trying out.
6. The Lucky Duck
Address: 43 Aungier Street, Dublin 2 D02 KP08
Phone number: 083 002 3890
A modern twist on a classic Irish pub, The Lucky Duck is housed in a beautifully restored Victorian red brick building.
The ground level has a distinct neighbourhood pub feel with herringbone flooring and panelled walls, and pints are served from an antique bar.
However, if it’s a more decadent vibe that you’re after, you can head upstairs to the three levels above for The Lucky Duck’s cocktail lounges.
Here, you’ll find elegant, cosy rooms where you can relax and enjoy some of the unique cocktails on offer.
For food, there’s an Indian tapas menu with small plates like samosas and kebabs, which are perfect for sharing with friends and pairing with drinks!
Speaking of drinks, the cocktails here are classics with a Dublin twist, like Your Wan – an espresso martini with a drop of Irish whisky.
7. Farrier & Draper
Address: Unit 1, 24, 24a, Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, 59 William St S, Dublin 2
Phone number: 01 677 1220
One of the best cocktail bars in Dublin, Farrier & Draper offers exciting and eclectic concoctions made by their in-house mixologist.
Spread across three floors, each space has its own unique style with bold decor, dusky glamour, and art deco opulence.
The cocktail menu is full of reinvented classics like lemon mojito and spice bag margarita, which have been stirred and shaken to perfection by the highly experienced staff.
There’s also a bar snacks and tapas menu if you need something to nibble on.
If you want to learn to make your own cocktails, they also offer cocktail masterclasses, perfect for a hen do or an activity with friends.
Visit on the weekend for performances from their resident DJs and to dance the night away.
8. Bar 1661
Address: 1-5 Green Street, Rotunda, Dublin D07 YT6H
Phone number: 01 878 8706
Have you ever heard of poitín?
Well, it’s a potent moonshine that was illegal in Ireland up until 1997.
Now it’s making a comeback on the Irish cocktail scene thanks to places like Bar 1661, which has built an extensive cocktail menu around it.
Try the Belfast Coffee, one of their award-winning cocktails, which includes poitín, cold brew, cream, demerara, and nutmeg.
Inside, the bar is sleek and cool, with dark navy tones, leather booths, and battered bar stools.
And if the weather’s fine, you can head to the terrace to enjoy your poitín in the sunshine.
9. Sophie’s
Address: 33 Harcourt Street, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin 2
Phone number: 01 607 8100
If you like your drinks with a view, then Sophie’s is perfect for you.
This rooftop bar at the top of the Dean Hotel has large windows to let in plenty of light and make the most of the panoramic views of Dublin.
And there’s also a terrace where you can sit in good weather!
Instagrammable cocktails are on the menu here, such as the Mad Ting, a blend of fruit and rum served inside a Ting grapefruit soda can, or the Lovestruck, a vodka-based potion with a flower garnish.
If you’re after some food, then you can stop here for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, as well as brunch on weekends.
The menu has wood-fired pizzas, succulent steaks, and fish dishes.
One of the best rooftop bars in Dublin?
I think so!
10. Riot Dive Bar
Address: 4 Aston Quay, Temple Bar, Dublin D02 VP93
Phone number: 083 010 0776
Step out of Dublin’s Temple Bar and into an edgy Berlin dive bar.
Inside Riot are neon signs, urban plant life, dim lighting, and a whole host of retro arcade games!
They offer signature serves and a range of retro cocktails with music-inspired names like Dirty Diana and Raspberry Beret.
There’s also an in-house pizza place serving slices to grab on the go or 20″ Brooklyn-style pizzas to share with your pals.
11. Anantara The Marker
Address: Grand Canal Quay, Docklands, Dublin D02 CK38
Phone number: 01 687 5100
Take in the sights of the city while you indulge in a freshly made cocktail at the roof terrace of the Anantara The Marker hotel.
Perfect for a daytime tipple on a summer’s day, Anantara offers cocktails served up by their in-house mixologists.
Try their best-selling cucumber and elderflower martini for a crisp, fresh drink.
Head up late afternoon, grab a sharing platter and some drinks, and watch the sunset over Dublin – bliss!
12. The Gin Palace
Address: 42 Middle Abbey Street, North City, Dublin D01 R260
Phone number: 01 874 8881
With a name like The Gin Palace, it’s no wonder this bar has the largest gin selection in Ireland.
Gins are available from all corners of the globe, with some fantastic botanical cocktails mixed using them as a base.
Inside, the bar has Victorian-style decor with a brass back counter where you order drinks.
It’s a great place to pop into for post-work drinks or as a stop-off during a shopping trip.
A Mediterranean-style menu is also on offer seven days a week.
13. The Ivy
Address: 13-17 Dawson Street, Dublin D02 TF98
Phone number: 01 695 0744
For Instagrammable interiors and bougie cocktails, The Ivy is one of the best cocktail bars in Dublin.
The surroundings are simply stunning, with art deco interiors, polished marble floors, and pops of bright colour everywhere.
The cocktail menu features the Ivy signature cocktails and a selection inspired by Ireland’s finest flavours like Guinness and whisky.
They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with brunch on weekends.
14. The Little Pig Speakeasy
Address: Glendenning Lane, Wicklow Street, 6, Dublin D02 NP97
Phone number: 01 565 4398
Tucked away in the heart of the city, The Little Pig Speakeasy is shrouded in secrecy.
Taking inspiration from the speakeasies of Prohibition, you need to make a reservation, and only then will you get instructions on how to enter.
With red velvet walls, a copper ceiling, and tasselled lampshades, the bar oozes old-school glamour, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped right back in time to the 1920s.
Blues and jazz music provide the soundtrack for your drinks, and cocktails are mixed using ingredients like lavender bitters, small-batch spirits, and salted lemon.
Heavenly!
15. The Sitting Room at Delahunt
Address: 39 Camden Street Lower, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin D02 K277
Phone number: 01 598 4880
The Sitting Room at Delahunt is aptly named as it feels like going into a 1950s front room.
There’s a bay window overlooking Camden Street, vaulted ceilings, wood panelling, original fireplaces, and retro furniture.
And as you can imagine, it’s a great place to enjoy a drink!
The craft cocktails here have a classic vibe, with favourites like the negroni, old Cuban, and whiskey sour making it onto the menu.
This is one of my favourite cocktail bars in Dublin and after one visit here, you’ll soon see why!
16. Zozimus Bar
Address: Centenary House, Anne’s Lane, Anne Street S, Dublin D02 AK30
Phone number: 01 536 9640
Stylish, sophisticated, and with a great atmosphere, Zozimus Bar is the place to be for drinks with friends.
Situated on Anne’s Lane, Dublin’s famous art installation, The Umbrellas are just outside, so be sure to take a snap with these before you go in (or after!).
The bar is named after an Irish street rhymer from the 19th century who performed all over Dublin.
At the heart of the venue is a 360-degree bar where they mix all their cocktails.
Choose from Zozimus signature cocktails like the Pink & Fluffy, or go for a classic like an Aperol spritz.
17. NoLIta
Address: 64 South Great George’s Street, Dublin
Phone number: 01 478 1590
NoLIta is a great mix of New York bar and Italian eatery with dark wood panelled walls, red leather booths, and floral installations.
Here they serve a great range of cocktails alongside delicious pizza, and really, what better combination is there?
Choose from their NYC-inspired signature cocktails like the Gangs of New York, a blend of whisky, cold brew coffee, hazelnut, and coffee liqueur, or Harlem Sunset, which contains gin, berries, and apples.
So that concludes my complete roundup of all the best cocktail bars in Dublin.
If you’re looking for a cocktail (or five) in Dublin, you’re truly spoilt for choice!
Whether it’s an Irish twist on a classic or a completely unique concoction, you’re sure to find a cocktail here with your name on it.
Round up all your favourite cocktail bars in Dublin and get ready to head out on the bar crawl of dreams!