Introduction to Dublin’s Cocktail Scene
Dublin’s cocktail scene is a delightful mix of old-world charm and modern creativity, making it a truly special place for cocktail enthusiasts. What sets it apart is how it blends traditional Irish hospitality’s warm, welcoming vibe with mixology. You’ll find an array of bars and cosy speakeasies where talented bartenders craft unique drinks, often featuring locally sourced ingredients and, of course, Irish whiskey.
Top Cocktail Bars in Dublin
Zozimus Bar offers an impressive collection of spirits, an expansive wine list and a repertoire of craft cocktails made using local, fresh ingredients. Zozimus Bar combines traditional Hong Kong-style dim sum with authentic Asian cuisine, proudly resourcing fresh ingredients daily. 
The Bar With No Name is named so, as the bar was never really given a name when it first opened. The Bar With No Name is anything but a secret. At weekends the bar is particularly busy, serving, artists, rock n rollas…and many others. ‘The Bar With No Name’ is famous for its mojitos.
Electric Circus is an eclectic destination bar, full of colour and character that invites you to interact with your surroundings. It’s a place where you can expect to see anything around the next corner, and when you do you’re likely to smile.
The style is a carefully constructed mix-match of items from around the world, and maybe even further afield! You’ll see lots of quirky art on the walls, carefully crafted cocktails, and tasty food on the tables.
Farrier and Draper are composed of two rooms filled with art deco opulence- the Georgian Room and the Gallery. The Georgian Room offers all-day food service and late-night drinks. Enjoy music from the resident DJs every weekend until 2.30 am. There is an extensive cocktail menu for you to choose from including many reinvented classics.
While brand new – J.T. Pim’s is a traditional bar at heart. You’ll find all of the favourites you’d expect behind the bar – spiced up with craft beers, premium wines (by the glass or bottle) and cocktails made with the finest liquor(s) and freshest ingredients.
Their experienced and professional staff are focused on providing a warm welcome for their guests… whether it’s to hide away with the papers, get together with friends or shake it up with their classic cocktails.
Oozing elegance, 9 below, is a contemporary bar located just across from the spectacular Stephen’s Green Park.
This beautifully designed underground space is like stepping back in time into the glamorous Gatsby era, brought to life with a modern twist. If you’re looking to relax and take your mind off the hustle and bustle of life, then drop in and let the amazing team take care of you.
Peruke & Periwig is a unique and memorable drinking and dining experience on Dublin’s thriving Dawson Street.
The ground floor bar offers guests a draught pint, bottle of craft beer or delicious coffee as well as an extensive selection of the finest cocktails, whiskeys, spirits, liqueurs and wines. They also offer tasty bar snacks and sandwiches. The second and third floor lounge areas are for dining options where guests can peruse the expertly mixed ‘Around the World in 80 Cocktails’ menu.
Secretly tucked away in Dublin’s city centre, there is an underground cocktail bar known for the quality and artistry of its cocktails that truly evoke the mood of a 1920s speakeasy — The Blind Pig. The Blind Pig will tantalise the taste buds of cocktail lovers. Experience the forgotten thrill of secret passwords, false storefronts and just a touch of lawlessness. You can choose to visit them for just drinks or both cocktails and dinner.
Situated in Aungier St, Capitol opens Late 7 nights a week and admission is always free! Well known for their drinks, Capitol serves up a cosmopolitan mix of excellent cocktails, great music and sophisticated surroundings.
Serving as a relaxed and cosy cafe and bar during the day, Pygmalion morphs into an intimate nightclub at night. They are famous for their two-for-one “Pygtails” which have been curated by their award-winning mixologist and are available 7 days a week.
Come down to the Gin Palace where the staff are happy to mix a cocktail of your choice and help you unwind after a hard day in the office or a tough day shopping.
Café en Seine continues to deliver top-class dining and beverage experiences to Dublin. The cocktail menu is revised and updated seasonally by the outstanding bar team to utilise the freshest ingredients and the newest worldwide trends in cocktails, to enhance specific moments and experiences within the venue, from the physical surroundings to the music and the service, making each drink memorable.
The Sidecar is a stylish, elegant and modern take on a 30’s cocktail bar.
Sip a cocktail in style at The Sidecar: choose from the timeless classics or signature creations while enjoying the Art Deco surroundings or try a hand-crafted martini tableside with our unique bespoke Martini Trolley. Transporting you to one hundred years ago, during an era when members of high society on both sides of the Atlantic were renowned for their indulgent, exuberant, and decadent style of living, a new appreciation for ‘The Good Times’ emerged, and what many saw as a freedom from the austere constrictions and sensibilities of the Victorian age.
The sophistication of Japanese-inspired bespoke cocktails and exquisite, gourmet bar bites, as well as the evocative ambience, gives Bonsai Bar an edge for glamour-tinged, evening-time socialising.
If you are looking for a bar with great food, great service and relaxing music or a late night filled with cocktails and dancing – Lemon & Duke is your new local.
Lemon & Duke is located just off Grafton Street and a stone’s throw from the iconic Stephens Green. With the style and class of a Manhattan cocktail bar and the comfort and craic of an Irish pub, Lemon & Duke is a glimpse of New York City in the heart of Dublin.
Signature Cocktails to Try
Pink & Fluffy – Zozimus
If you have a sweet tooth this one is for you! The Pink and Fluffy Cocktail at Zozimus is one of their signature cocktails. Made from Tanqueray Gin, Frangelico, White Chocolate Liqueur, Apple Juice, Citrus, Whites, Caramel & Strawberry Syrup and topped with toasted marshmallows!
9below Signature Cocktails
A must-visit cocktail spot in Dublin is 9 Below, where each of their signature movies is inspired by, and named after a movie. Some names range from Zombieland Rules, Pretty Woman, Hot Fuzz and White Chicks
The Pacific – Capitol Lounge
Capitol Lounge has many signature cocktails to try. We recommend The Pacific which includes peach liqueur, blue curacao, malibu, lemon & pineapple juice, a perfect summer drink.
Tequila – Little Pyg Terrace
Serving authentic Italian sharing plates, speciality Pygtails, award-winning Michelin guide pizzas and one of the largest selections of tequila in Ireland.
Designed for sound, it will feature a custom-built Void sound system and will be the perfect environment to listen to and play vinyl. Live music and some of Ireland’s best DJs every weekend
The Chelsea Drugstore is a cool cocktail bar and basement club located on George’s Street, Dublin. Bohemian-styled bar. A decadent basement dive bar with an essence of Illegality hence its charm. The building where the Chelsea Drugstore resides was originally a pharmacy at the turn of the 1900s.
Go check out the great variety of cocktails they offer, like the fresh, light, and intriguing Mid Morning Fizz! Made with Beefeater Gin, mixed with Green Chartreuse, a few dashes of Dandelion and Burdock bitters, shaken with egg whites, and topped with soda.
Cocktail-Making Techniques and Trends in Dublin
- Low-Alcohol and Non-Alcoholic Cocktails: With a growing focus on health and wellness, there’s a rise in sophisticated low-ABV and non-alcoholic options. These drinks offer complex flavours and are crafted with the same care as traditional cocktails.
- Seasonal and Local Ingredients: Bars are prioritizing the use of seasonal and locally sourced ingredients to create fresh and flavourful cocktails. This trend supports local farmers and producers and ensures that the drinks are in harmony with the current season.
- Revival of Classic Cocktails: There’s a renewed interest in classic cocktails, with bartenders reimagining traditional recipes using modern techniques and ingredients. Drinks like the Old Fashioned, Negroni, and Martini are being given contemporary twists.
- Spirit-Focused Menus: Many bars are developing menus that highlight specific spirits, offering a range of cocktails that showcase the versatility and characteristics of a particular type of liquor. For instance, menus dedicated entirely to gin, rum, or whiskey are becoming more popular.
Closing Thoughts and Local Insights
The cocktail scene in Dublin has been evolving rapidly, and future trends indicate even more innovation and diversity in offerings.
