Cabaret & Strip Shows

Dublin’s strip scene is a relatively new phenomenon with 10 clubs in the city centre. The clubs tend to be small and open seven days a week from 20:00 to 03:00. Entry costs anywhere between €10 and €30, and dances cost €30 and upwards. Club Lapello (01 679 0514, www.lapello.com) on Dame Street is Dublin’s…

Cinemas

James Joyce opened Dublin’s first cinema on Mary Street in 1909 - the enterprise failed and Joyce left Ireland, never to return. One hundred years on, the cinema scene in Dublin is dominated by multiplexes showing Hollywood movies. In the City Centre, The Savoy on O’Connell St is Dublin’s best known cinema and boasts Ireland’s…

Comedy

Dubliners are renowned for their wit and Dublin’s vibrant comedy scene is testament to this. Dublin has produced some comedy geniuses over the years, such as the late, great Dermot Morgan of Father Ted fame. Venues vary from tiny bars to purpose-built clubs. Get to a couple of open mic nights and when that nervous…

Concerts & Live Music

Dublin has a lively music scene with great local talent. Dublin’s largest venue is the Point Depot (01 836 6777, www.livenation.ie) with a capacity of 8,500 people. The Point is located on North Wall Quay just beyond the IFSC and be warned it is a bit of a trek down and back! Another venue, which…

DVD & Video Rental

With the rising cost of night time entertainment, many Dubliners have embraced the concept of a quiet night in. DVD rentals flourish across the city, though few video rentals can still be found. Most DVD rentals are offered by chains such as Xtra-vision (www.xtravision.ie) and Chartbusters (www.chartbusters.ie), though Laser (01 671 1466, 23 South Great…

Fashion Shows

Dublin Fashion Week (01 643 2801; www.dublinfashionweek.com) is the brainchild of former model Sonia Reynolds and has been going strong since 2005. Dublin Fashion Week showcases both emerging and established Irish designers. The concept attracted some criticism at its inception but has proved a great success with Brown Thomas now stocking a line from new…

Theatre

As with any self-respecting metropolis, Dublin has a strong theatre scene - and then some, thanks to Ireland’s esteemed literary heritage: playwrights Samuel Beckett, Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, John Millington Synge, Sean O’Casey and Brendan Brehan. And that is just the tip of the cultural iceberg, what with contemporary movers and shakers such as…

Caterers

For dedicated foodies, how about hiring a professional chef to come and show you how to prepare a mouth-watering menu, which you can then devour? Alix Gardener (01 668 1553, www.dublincookery.com) is one of Ireland's top cookery teachers and offers a private dining service from €360. For a stylish dinner party, get in touch with…