26 Things to Do in Dublin at Night

Editorial credit: Alexey Fedorenko / Shutterstock.com

The best things to do in Dublin at night are a trad session in one of the city’s oldest pubs, a Thursday late opening at the National Gallery, a ghost tour, a whiskey tasting, cocktails in a hidden speakeasy and a club night that runs until 2.30am.

From 12 November 2026 to early January 2027, you can add Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo and the TwinkleTown Christmas market in Smithfield to that list.

I challenge anyone to visit Dublin and not enjoy the vibrant eclecticism of Ireland’s capital city. 

When the sun sets, parts of Dublin come to life, giving locals and visitors a taste of its famous culture and hospitality. 

After dark, you can soak up the atmosphere of one of Ireland’s oldest pubs, visit a museum, tap your feet to some traditional Irish tunes, or showcase your talents at a karaoke night. 

Dublin’s nightlife is as diverse as everything else in the city, so swap your pajamas for dancing shoes and explore!

Quick answer: Dublin at night in six facts

• Latest culture: the National Gallery of Ireland stays open until 8.30pm on Thursdays, and entry to the gallery is free.
• Latest drinks: late bars and clubs can trade until 2.30am on Fridays and Saturdays, 1.30am Monday to Thursday and 1am on Sundays.
• Live music: trad sessions are a staple at pubs like The Cobblestone and The Brazen Head, and Whelan’s holds around 450 people for gigs.
• Where to go: Temple Bar for the classic pub crawl, and the streets around Grafton Street and South William Street for cocktail bars and clubs.
• Christmas 2026: Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo runs from 12 November 2026 to 5 January 2027 (5pm to 9pm), and TwinkleTown in Smithfield Square runs from 20 November to 31 December, free to enter.
• Getting home: the last Luas leaves the city around midnight to 12.30am, 15 Dublin Bus routes run 24 hours a day, and 12 Nitelink routes run on Friday and Saturday nights.

Opening hours, event dates and details checked against venue websites, Dublin Zoo, Dublin City Council and Transport for Ireland in November 2026.

Is Dublin Dangerous at night?

I never felt unsafe in Dublin, despite being there alone. People were friendly and helpful, especially when I was struggling to find my hotel during a typical Dublin downpour! 

It can be a bit nerve-wracking heading out after dark in a strange city, especially if you’re alone, but Dublin is a safe and welcoming city where you can stroll around quite freely. 

As in any city, there are potential dangers, so you need to keep your wits about you and steer clear of poorly lit streets. 

Stick to popular areas like Grafton Street, St Stephen’s Green, Temple Bar, and Trinity College,  and avoid those with higher crime rates, like Ballymun, Pearse Street, and Dublin West. 

Travelling on your own? Our guide to staying safe as a solo traveller in Ireland has more practical tips, and it’s worth knowing how you’ll get home before you head out (see the transport section below).

What is the Main Nightlife Street in Dublin?

During the day, visitors and tourists flock to Grafton Street for the shops and street entertainment, but at night things are a bit more dispersed. 

Many tourists head to the Temple Bar area, but the area between Grafton Street and George Street is gradually becoming more popular, thanks to its bohemian-style cocktail bars and cozy chill-out zones. 

Want to get your bearings in daylight first? Our Day 1 walking route for Dublin without a car takes you from Trinity College along Grafton Street to St Stephen’s Green, so you’ll know your way around before dark.

What is There To Do in Dublin at Night?

There’s no better way to experience the heart of Dublin than to sip a pint of Guinness while listening to live music in a traditional Irish pub, and that’s how many visitors spend their evenings. 

If that sounds too laidback, you could try one of its upmarket cocktail bars or glitzy nightclubs, which will keep you dancing until dawn. 

More cultural activities include late-night openings at some of the city’s museums and art galleries and candlelit concerts at St Patrick’s Cathedral. 

Dublin also has family-friendly activities like escape rooms, ghost tours, live music and comedy, and quirky late-night eateries.

Timing matters, because a museum and a club keep very different hours. Here’s how late some of the places in this guide stay open, so you can plan your evening in the right order:

1. The Brazen Head

During the day, The Brazen Head is popular amongst tourists and history lovers who want to enjoy a Guinness at the oldest pub in Dublin. 

When night falls, however, the vibe starts to change, and by 9 pm, live musicians have the whole pub tapping their feet and swaying to their traditional Irish tunes. 

2. The Temple Bar Pub

I couldn’t resist a visit to the Temple Bar pub, despite its reputation for being overly touristy, and I loved every minute of it. 

The service was great, the atmosphere laid back, and the music toe-tappingly good. It’s also worth visiting the beer garden, where the bronze busts representing Ireland’s six river gods offer a curious insight into Ireland’s cultural past.  

3. John Kavanagh’s (The Gravediggers)

This quiet little pub dates back to 1833 and has lots of old-world charm. This isn’t the place to go if you want to dance your socks off, but if you aim to find the best Guinness in town, John Kavanagh’s should definitely be on your bucket list!

Best Late Night Tourist Attractions

1. The National Gallery of Ireland

Head over to the National Gallery on a Thursday night, and you can wander around the exhibitions until 8.30 pm. It costs nothing to enter the gallery, which is home to an extensive collection of Irish and European art dating back to the 1300s. 

Credit to Sailko via CC Attribution 3.0

If you’re putting together a whole day of culture, our pick of free museums in Dublin will fill the hours before the gallery’s late opening.

2. Ghost Tours 

Ghosts, gods, faeries, and supernatural beings all play a part in Irish mythology and these tours will introduce you to some of the best-known stories and characters that populate Dublin’s cultural history. 

A walking tour will take you along dark cobblestoned streets where the likes of The Dolocher once preyed on its innocent victims.  

The Dublin After Dark ghost tour runs every evening from Barnardo Square, beside City Hall, and takes about an hour and a half. Winter is the best time for it, since it’s properly dark by 5pm.

3. The Temple Bar Night Market

In summer, the Temple Bar area celebrates the warmer weather and long evenings with the Revival Night Market, and every Thursday from 2 pm to 8 pm, traders take to Temple Bar Square to meet the visitors and sell their wares. 

You’ll find a wide assortment of goods at the Temple Bar Night Market, from handmade soaps to wooden toys, jewelry to sculptures. 

Chat with the stall holders, soak up the atmosphere, and show the locals your support by picking out a souvenir to take back home.  

Its most recent run was from late June to the end of August, so check the Revival Night Market listing for next summer’s dates before you plan around it.

Dublin Christmas Lights and Markets 2026

Between mid-November and early January, Dublin’s evenings get a lot more festive, and plenty of it is free. The city centre Christmas lights usually go on in mid-November (the Dublin Christmas lights switch-on in 2025 was on 13 November, and the 2026 date hadn’t been announced when we checked).

Dublin City Council’s Christmas lighting and projections run through December, then the Dublin Winter Lights festival moves to January for 2027, running from mid-January to the St Brigid’s Day weekend.

1. Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo

Wild Lights runs every night from Thursday 12 November 2026 to Tuesday 5 January 2027, except 24, 25 and 26 December. This year’s theme is Passport to Wonder, with nine themed zones from around the world.

It’s open from 5pm to 9pm, but last entry is 7.30pm, so treat it as the first stop of the night rather than the last. Check prices on the Wild Lights booking page and book ahead for December weekends.

2. TwinkleTown in Smithfield and St Patrick’s Park

TwinkleTown is free to enter and runs in Smithfield Square from 20 November to 31 December 2026, with a covered ice rink (from €8.75), a big wheel, a vintage funfair, live music, the TwinkleTavern and a market of Irish makers.

New this year, a second TwinkleTown opens in St Patrick’s Park beside the cathedral from 27 November to 23 December, with carousels, festive food and choirs. The Smithfield one is a short walk from The Cobblestone, which makes for a handy night: skate first, trad session after.

3. Everwinter at the RDS

Everwinter takes over the RDS in Ballsbridge from 25 November to 23 December 2026, with a Christmas market of Irish makers, a vintage fairground, a circus big top, food and live entertainment. The covered ice rink reopens from 26 December 2026 to 3 January 2027.

It’s a short bus or DART ride from the city centre, so check the last services before you settle in. Wrap up for all of it, too, because weather in Ireland in December is more damp than snowy. Fair warning: the National Gallery closes on 24, 25 and 26 December.

1. The Cobblestone 

The Cobblestone is a traditional bar with dark paneled walls and stools to perch on at the busy bar. It may not look like much, but it’s here that some internationally acclaimed artists began their careers. 

Credit to William Murphy via CC Attribution-Share Alike 3.0

The Irish folk band, The Chieftains, started here in the Sixties, and it remains the best place to see the latest talent in Ireland. 

Whether you want to sway to traditional ballads or tap your feet to some high-tempo reels, the Cobblestone is the place to go. 

2. Whelan’s 

Whelan’s may not be very big, with room for just 450 people, but its performers pack a serious punch! It’s a great place to catch the latest YouTube stars or to see more experienced performers try their hand at something new. 

Ed Sheeran, Hozier and Arctic Monkeys have all played there over the years. A convivial atmosphere and friendly crowd make the music sound even better!

3. 3Arena

It may not have the atmosphere of Whelan’s or the reputation of The Cobblestone, but it’s the best place to see big-budget acts perform live. 

This impressive venue can host up to 13,000 people, and its upcoming line-up includes Scorpions, Texas, André Rieu and Kings of Leon. 

1. Dublin Whiskey Experience 

This historical whiskey tour takes you into an area once known as the ‘Golden Triangle’ because the city’s three main distilleries were situated there. 

From there, you’ll head onto some of Dublin’s oldest pubs to sample five different whiskeys and learn about the whiskey-making process.  

Dublin Whiskey Experience runs these two-hour tours in the late afternoon on selected days, so check the booking page for this winter’s start times.

2. The Irish Whiskey Museum 

The Irish Whiskey Museum’s daily tours explore the history of Irish whiskey and the critical role it played in Ireland’s history. 

At the end of the tour, you get to sample three or four different whiskeys before heading up to the bar to try a few more! 

The museum offers three different tours during the day, and the last tour starts at 6 pm. On the 90-minute blending tour, you’ll not only sample various whiskeys, but you’ll also get the chance to blend your own unique whiskey blend. 

Want to stay later? According to Visit Dublin, the museum also hosts live music, storytelling and other events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings until 10.30 pm.

1. The Workman’s Club

This historic nightclub is situated in an old Georgian building that once served as the City of Dublin Working Men’s Club. These days, it’s more famous for its live music, alternative DJ sets, and open karaoke nights. 

The multi-floor building has six different areas, including a main room, a stage, a couple of bars, and a rooftop terrace.  

The Workman’s Club is open seven nights a week, with music from 7 pm until late and free entry to its regular club nights.

2. Pygmalion

This lively club is in the heart of Dublin’s Creative Quarter, and just five minutes from some of the best bars and cocktail lounges. 

The club is packed with plants, which makes you feel as if you’re partying in a rainforest, and the music varies from disco to house and techno. There’s also a restaurant and cocktail bar on the premises.

Pygmalion is open from 12 pm until late daily, with DJ club nights on Fridays and Saturdays, and you can book a table or a ticket for the club online. 

3. Copper Face Jack’s 

This is one of Dublin’s most famous nightclubs and for good reason. Since opening in 1995, it’s established itself as one of the best clubs in Ireland and features various different spaces where you can dance, relax, or chat with friends. 

Sadly, this club has slightly shorter opening hours than most, and the evening only kicks off at 9 or 10 pm and ends at 2.30 am, except on Sundays when the doors close at 1 am.

1. Vintage Cocktail Club 

Hidden behind a discreet doorway, this cozy, intimate cocktail bar is reminiscent of the illegal 1920s speakeasies. 

Snuggle by the roaring fire, or enjoy the views from the rooftop bar while sipping on an expertly shaken cocktail. 

The extensive menu features a range of cocktails, from classics to more obscure blends. From what little I can recall from my last visit, the martinis and manhattans are works of art! 

2. Peruke & Periwig    

Peruke & Periwig specializes in producing classic cocktails with a modern twist, so you should expect the unexpected. 

After a couple of cocktails, you won’t want to leave the snug atmosphere, and nor do you have to –  the Peruke & Periwig has an elegant restaurant where you can enjoy a unique dining experience. 

3. The Blind Pig Speakeasy 

This underground prohibition bar started out as a pop-up but proved so popular it became a permanent fixture. 

Access is via a secret entrance that befits a prohibition bar, and once inside, you’ll feel like you’ve escaped into an underground world complete with stone walls and 1920s chic. 

The extensive cocktail menu includes some quirky blends like the seaweed-infused whiskey of the Dillisk Old Fashioned and the lemon curd and whiskey combination of the Breakfast of Champions. 

The Blind Pig is table service only, so a prior booking is highly recommended. Once you’ve secured a seat, you’ll be treated to exceptional service and live entertainment reminiscent of the jazz age. 

It opens from 4 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (5 pm the rest of the week) and stays open until 1.30 am on Friday and Saturday nights.

1. The Rooftop Lounge at the Anantara Marker Hotel

This rooftop lounge enjoys some of the most spectacular views over the city, stretching out across the docklands to the sea beyond. 

Recline on one of the stylish yet comfortable sofas and treat yourself to a carefully constructed cocktail or perfectly chilled glass of wine. 

You may not want to get too comfortable, though, as the prices are pretty steep.

2. The Gravity Bar at the Guinness Storehouse 

From the top of the Guinness Storehouse, you can see every inch of the city, from the Wicklow Mountains to Dublin Bay, and the building’s design makes you feel as though you’re in a spaceship floating high above the city. 

The bar had a challenging start, opening just as the COVID pandemic closed down much of the world, but now it’s ready to thrive. What better place to enjoy a pint of the black stuff than in the very place it’s brewed to perfection? 

This one is for early evening rather than late night: the Storehouse closes at 7 pm (8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays), with last entry two hours earlier, so it pairs well with a first-time Dublin itinerary before you move on to the pubs.

3. Sophie’s Rooftop Restaurant at The Dean

This glasshouse restaurant gives you a 360° view of the city without exposing you to the elements. It stays open late, so you can enjoy the starlit skies when the weather’s clear and soak up the relaxed vibe until 10 pm. 

1. The Irish Dance Party 

At the Irish Dance Party, you can put yourself to the test with an Irish dancing class or sit back and watch the professionals perform. 

You can book tickets online either for dinner and a show or for lessons from professional dancers who’ll teach you some simple Irish dances while talented musicians provide the accompaniment.  

The evening show runs Sunday to Wednesday at The Merchant’s Arch in Temple Bar, with a three-course dinner from 7 pm and music and dancing from about 7.30 pm to 9 pm.

2. Escape Boats 

You’ve heard of Escape Rooms, right? Well, in Dublin, these rooms are located on boats moored at the Grand Canal Dock. 

The aim is to escape onto dry land by solving puzzles, cracking codes, and finding your way out before it’s too late. This immersive experience is available for groups of between 2 and 10 players, so check the booking page for the latest evening start times.

3. Bingo at the George

The George is one of Dublin’s top LGBT pubs, and on Sunday night, it comes alive with cries of “Two little ducks” and “Knock at the Door.” 

That’s right, Sunday night is bingo night at The George, and it’s hosted by none other than The George’s very own Shirley Temple Bar! 

It kicks off at 8.30 pm and runs for a couple of hours, with drag performances and spot prizes, after which you can dance the rest of the night away until 1.30 am.

How to Get Home After a Night Out in Dublin

The last Luas trams leave the city between midnight and 12.30 am (an hour earlier on Sundays and bank holidays), but you’re not stranded after that. According to Transport for Ireland, 15 Dublin Bus routes now run 24 hours a day, every day, and 12 Nitelink routes run on Friday and Saturday nights, mostly from D’Olier Street and Westmoreland Street.

Heading out to the coast or the suburbs on the DART? The last trains are earlier than you might think, so check the times at Dublin Connolly Station before you settle in for another round.

Before You Go

Although the pub culture tends to dominate Dublin’s nightlife, if you step away from the Temple Bar neighborhood and think outside the box, you’ll find all manner of things to keep you entertained. 

Dublin’s a safe and friendly city, which makes exploring it at night a pleasurable experience. There’s so much to do after the sun sets that you might want to keep a day or two free to recover from your nighttime excursions!

If you’re building the rest of your trip around these evenings, our 3-day Dublin itinerary shows what to see by day and what to book first.

FAQs About Things to Do in Dublin at Night

What time do pubs close in Dublin?

Standard pub hours end at 11.30 pm Monday to Thursday, 12.30 am on Friday and Saturday nights, and 11 pm on Sundays. Venues with a late licence can stay open until 1.30 am Monday to Thursday, 2.30 am on Fridays and Saturdays, and 1 am on Sundays.

Can Dublin nightclubs stay open until 6am?

Not yet. The Sale of Alcohol Bill that would allow later opening has not been passed, and in September 2026 the Department of Justice said its timing will be decided by the Government in due course.

What is there to do in Dublin at night that isn’t drinking?

Try the National Gallery’s Thursday late opening until 8.30 pm, a ghost tour, the Irish Dance Party show, an escape room on the Escape Boats at Grand Canal Dock, or a gig at Whelan’s or 3Arena. From 12 November 2026 to 5 January 2027, Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo is another good one.

Is Temple Bar worth it at night?

Yes, for the atmosphere and live trad music, though it’s busy and pricier than other areas. For a more local feel, head to the streets between Grafton Street and George Street, or to The Cobblestone in Smithfield.

How do you get home in Dublin after midnight?

Use one of the 15 Dublin Bus routes that run 24 hours, a Nitelink bus on Friday or Saturday night, or a taxi. The last Luas leaves the city between midnight and 12.30 am, an hour earlier on Sundays.