The approaching time of year can be one of the most frustrating when it comes to finding somewhere for friend catch ups, work drinks, and all of those Christmas pints you've been promising people you'll definitely do before the year is out. Most people want the option of food on a festive night out, but not always a multi-course, over-priced set menu, so here's where to go when you want somewhere more casual where the focus is on drinks, the food isn't coming out of the freezer and into the deep fat fryer, and where you can order as much or as little as you'd like...
Allta Bar, Grand Canal Dock
Allta's more casual sibling next-door bills itself as a cocktail bar first, but the wine and beer lists are nothing to sniff at either. The bar food menu has everything from oysters and tuna tartare bites to what many are calling the best burger in Dublin, and if you haven't booked ahead you can always wait for a seat at the bar. With cocktails €16 a piece this won't be a cheap night out, but you can have exactly what you want with no festive arm-twisting. Check out our once over of Allta Bar here.
Caribou, Stephen Street Lower
The guys behind Caribou (who also own Kodiak and Bonobo) know how to do a pub for 2024. The drinks menus are in the top 1%, the staff always seem very happy to be there, and there's always an excellent, uncomplicated food menu for when hunger strikes. While their other two sites are pizza focused, Caribou has branched out with fish sandwiches, steak frites and pork schnitzel, and it's the loveliest room to while away a few hours in, with no one hovering over you trying to get you to overspend.
Frank's, Camden Street
Natural wine bar and shop Frank's is where you'll find the ones who really love wine splashing out on some special bottles - tis the season. The short food menu changes regularly but there's always, meat, cheese and a few interesting seasonal small plates. When it comes to drinks, tell them what you like and let them do their magic.
Hidden, Smithfield
New opening Hidden in Smithfield (from the same owner as One Society) is gearing itself up as the casual Christmas option, where Italian tapas meet lovely European wines. You can keep it simple with pizza and antipasti, or if you have a big gang they have options for 15+, with standing and sit down options for €30-€35 a head. Check them out here.
Fallon & Byrne's wine cellar
Another easy place for a seasonal meet up, Fallon & Byrne's wine cellar lets you pull anything off the shelves and drink it for just €10 corkage - we can hear the Champagne corks popping. Pair it with small plates, pizza or pasta, or just enjoy your wine with no food fuss.
Bootleg, Drury Street
Drury Street's "disco lounge" Bootleg adapts to many a night out. Wine bar? Check. Restaurant? Check. Late night Italo-disco tunes? Check. Get in and out early if you're looking for wine, cocktails and tasty small plates like Iberico ham and turkey scotch eggs, and stay late if you're not ready for the night to end.
Lenehan's, Dawson Street
Lenehan's describes itself as a "social hub" for Dublin, and with a sprawling place spanning multiple rooms and floors, in the most central of locations on Dawson Street, there's usually a corner you can slink into with friends, even if you haven't booked. Stay downstairs around the bar areas if you're looking for a laidback night out, and there's a gastropub menu with chowder, salads and burgers for when you get peckish.
Row Wines, Coppinger Row
Wine bar, vinyl lounge, purveyor of some of the most intensely flavoured small plates in Dublin, is there anything Row Wines can't do? While we'd always advise booking, it's definitely worth chancing a walk in, and the laid back vibes makes it easy to customise your night to exactly what you're looking for. Saying that, if you don't eat here you're making a BIG mistake. Read our once over here.
Fidelity Studio / Sister 7, Smithfield
A mecca for music lovers, craft beer lovers, and food lovers, it's no shock that Fidelity Studio has been run off its feet since opening a few months ago. Between the frequently changing beers, ever delicious dishes from the team behind Big Fan, and occasional dancing after hours, it's the kind of place you'll never regret clearing a space in your diary for. Read our once over here.
The Blind Pig, Suffolk Street
You will definitely need to book The Blind Pig (unless you like living on the edge and who knows, you could get lucky), but the dimly-lit, basement room hidden behind a bookshelf is worth planning ahead for. Order drinks from their award-winning bartenders, and pick at antipasti or something a bit heartier, all with an Italian lean. If you're lucky you might catch some live jazz in the corner.
The Legal Eagle, Smithfield
You can settle in for a full three-course affair in The Legal Eagle, but you can also pull up a seat and graze on bar snacks like homemade salt and vinegar crisps, Korean fried chicken wings, and Irish sardines with sourdough. The wine list has always punched well above its weight for a pub, and it has all the cosy, softly-lit winter vibes we're looking for at this time of year.
Cellar 22, St. Stephen's Green
From 4pm until closing time, wine bar Cellar 22 serve a menu of picky bits to compliment their extensive, far-reaching wine list. If you just want a cheese plate go for it. If you want a multi-course tasting menu of beef tartare, tomato salad and duck breast you can do that too. We love an underground room on a dank winter's day, and it's the comfiest, cosiest of places for a catch up.
