Dublin doesn’t clock off when the sightseeing ends.
As evening arrives, restaurants fill up, pub doors open, musicians tune up and neighbourhoods across the city take on a completely different personality.
And while Temple Bar may be Dublin’s most famous nightlife district, it’s far from your only option.
For a more local evening, start in Smithfield and Stoneybatter, where you’ll find neighbourhood restaurants, contemporary bars, traditional pubs and live music within easy walking distance. From there, Dublin city centre’s theatres, music venues and late-night spots are close enough when you want to keep the night going.
Staying at The Hendrick Smithfield puts you right in the middle of it.
Here’s our guide to Dublin nightlife, from where to eat and drink to where to find live music after dark.
Dublin Nightlife at a Glance
- Dinner & drinks: Smithfield
- Food & music: Fidelity Bar & Studio
- Traditional Irish music: The Cobblestone
- Neighbourhood pubs: Stoneybatter
- Cocktails: Smithfield & Dublin City Centre
- Live gigs: Dublin City Centre
- Theatre & culture: City Centre
- Tourist nightlife: Temple Bar
- A quieter local night: Smithfield & Stoneybatter
Start Your Evening in Smithfield
A good Dublin night doesn’t need to start in Temple Bar.
Smithfield offers a more neighbourhood-focused alternative while keeping you close to the city centre.
Start with dinner, grab a drink and see where the evening takes you.
Smithfield Square sits at the centre of the neighbourhood, with Jameson Distillery Bow St., Light House Cinema, restaurants, cafés and pubs all nearby.
For guests staying at The Hendrick, there’s another advantage: when the night is finished, you’re already close to your hotel.
Where to Eat Before a Night Out in Dublin
A Dublin night out is always better when it starts with good food.
Fidelity Bar & Studio / Sister 7
For a venue that combines food, drinks and music, Fidelity is one of Smithfield’s standout options.
Located on Queen Street, the venue brings together an audiophile sound system, drinks and food from Sister 7.
It’s particularly good if you don’t want your evening broken into separate dinner, drinks and music stops.
Come for food, stay for a drink and let the soundtrack do the rest.
Best for: Dinner, drinks, music and date nights.
Mi Casa
If sharing food over a few drinks sounds more your style, Mi Casa on Queen Street offers tapas in a relaxed setting.
Order a few dishes for the table and take your time before heading further into Smithfield.
Best for: Tapas, sharing plates and dinner with friends.
Fish Shop
For seafood, Fish Shop is another Dublin 7 favourite.
It’s a great option for visitors looking for something different before exploring Smithfield’s bars and pubs.
Best for: Seafood and casual dinner.
Bonobo
Pizza and drinks are difficult to beat before a night out.
Bonobo offers a laid-back option for anyone who wants casual food, drinks and an easy-going atmosphere.
Best for: Pizza, drinks and groups of friends.
Where to Drink in Smithfield
After dinner, you don’t need to travel far.
Smithfield’s mix of modern bars and traditional pubs means you can create an entire evening within the neighbourhood.
Fidelity Bar & Studio
Fidelity isn’t just somewhere to eat.
Music is central to the experience, making it a good option for visitors looking for something different from a conventional Dublin pub.
It’s contemporary, relaxed and very much part of Smithfield’s newer nightlife identity.
The Hendrick Bar
Sometimes the easiest place to start or finish is your own hotel.
The Hendrick Bar offers a relaxed space for drinks before heading out into Dublin or for a final drink when you return.
Grab a cocktail, beer or glass of wine and decide where the night is taking you.
Hear Traditional Irish Music at The Cobblestone
If traditional Irish music in Dublin is on your list, Smithfield has one of the city’s best-known names.
The Cobblestone is synonymous with traditional music and has long been associated with Dublin’s trad scene.
Rather than a staged tourist performance, its reputation comes from its connection with musicians and traditional Irish music culture.
For visitors looking for a Dublin evening with a strong local character, it’s an obvious addition to the list.
Best for: Traditional Irish music, pints and classic Dublin pub atmosphere.
Continue the Night in Stoneybatter
Walk beyond Smithfield and you’ll quickly find yourself in Stoneybatter.
This Dublin 7 neighbourhood is packed with independent cafés and restaurants during the day, but its pubs and bars give it plenty of personality after dark too.
The atmosphere is generally more neighbourhood-led than Dublin’s main tourist districts.
That makes it ideal if your idea of Dublin nightlife involves finding a good pub, ordering a pint and settling in rather than moving between crowded clubs.
Dublin Nightlife Beyond Temple Bar
Temple Bar deserves a mention. It’s famous for a reason.
The cobbled streets, pubs, live music and busy atmosphere attract visitors from around the world.
If it’s your first time in Dublin, it’s certainly worth walking through and experiencing it for yourself.
But don’t assume Temple Bar is Dublin nightlife.
It is only one part of it.
Smithfield, Stoneybatter and other neighbourhoods give you the chance to experience Dublin evenings from a more local perspective.
Our recommendation?
See Temple Bar. Then explore beyond it.
Where to Hear Live Music in Dublin
Music is one of the best reasons to experience Dublin after dark.
Depending on the night, you’ll find everything from traditional Irish sessions and acoustic performances to rock, indie, electronic music and major touring artists.
Around Smithfield, start with The Cobblestone for traditional music and check what’s happening at Fidelity.
Heading towards central Dublin opens up even more options, including dedicated music venues, theatres and pubs hosting regular performances.
Because programmes change constantly, it’s always worth checking individual venue listings during your stay rather than planning solely around permanent schedules.
Try a Dublin Whiskey Experience Before Dinner
Nightlife doesn’t necessarily have to mean pubs and clubs.
You can start your evening with one of Dublin’s most famous drinks experiences instead.
Jameson Distillery Bow St. is right in Smithfield, making it easy to add a whiskey experience before dinner.
From there, you’re already surrounded by places to eat and drink.
For guests at The Hendrick, Jameson is practically part of the neighbourhood.
Catch a Film at Light House Cinema
Not every night out has to be a big one.
For something more relaxed, Light House Cinema sits directly on Smithfield Square.
Catch a film, head for dinner afterwards and finish with a drink somewhere nearby.
It’s particularly good for couples looking for an easy Dublin date-night idea.
Dinner, Drinks & Live Music: A Smithfield Night Out
If you’re staying at The Hendrick and want a simple evening itinerary, try this:
6:00pm – Start at The Hendrick
Have a drink at the bar before heading out.
7:00pm – Dinner in Smithfield
Try Fidelity/Sister 7, Mi Casa, Fish Shop or another local favourite.
9:00pm – Find Some Music
Head to The Cobblestone for traditional Irish music or check what’s happening at Fidelity.
Later – One More?
Explore Stoneybatter, continue towards Dublin city centre or head back to The Hendrick for the night.
No taxis across Dublin required just to get your evening started.
Is Smithfield Good for Nightlife?
Yes particularly if you’re looking for food, pubs, drinks and music without staying in Dublin’s busiest tourist district.
Smithfield’s nightlife is more relaxed than areas associated with clubs and late-night partying.
That’s part of its appeal.
You can have dinner, listen to music, find a neighbourhood pub or have a few drinks, while Dublin city centre remains within easy reach if you want something livelier.
Where Should You Stay for Dublin Nightlife?
If nightlife is part of your Dublin city break, location matters.
You want to be close enough to walk or use public transport without necessarily sleeping directly above the busiest nightlife streets.
The Hendrick Smithfield gives you that balance.
You’re surrounded by Smithfield and Stoneybatter’s food, drinks and culture while still having convenient access to central Dublin.
The Smithfield LUAS Red Line stop is nearby, making it easy to explore more of the city.
And when you’re ready to call it a night, return to one of our newly refreshed bedrooms featuring:
- King Koil mattresses
- Blackout blinds
- Individually controlled air conditioning
- High-speed Wi-Fi
- Chromecast-enabled TVs
- GROHE Power & Soul showers
- Rituals toiletries
- Tea and coffee facilities
- Under-bed storage
Because a good night’s sleep is pretty important after a good Dublin night out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best area for nightlife in Dublin?
It depends on the type of evening you want. Temple Bar is famous for busy pubs and visitor-focused nightlife, while Smithfield and Stoneybatter offer a more neighbourhood-style experience with restaurants, pubs, bars and music. Central Dublin also has numerous dedicated music venues and late-night options.
Is Smithfield good at night?
Smithfield offers restaurants, pubs, bars, cinema and music within a compact neighbourhood, making it a good choice for a relaxed Dublin evening.
Where can I hear traditional Irish music in Dublin?
The Cobblestone in Smithfield is particularly well known for its connection with traditional Irish music.
Is there nightlife outside Temple Bar?
Absolutely. Dublin nightlife extends far beyond Temple Bar. Smithfield, Stoneybatter and other neighbourhoods offer pubs, restaurants, bars and live music with a more local atmosphere.
What can couples do in Dublin at night?
Dinner in Smithfield, a film at Light House Cinema, cocktails, a whiskey experience, live music or a neighbourhood pub can all work well for a Dublin date night.
Is The Hendrick close to Dublin nightlife?
The Hendrick is located in Smithfield, Dublin 7, surrounded by restaurants, bars, pubs and cultural venues. Central Dublin and other nightlife areas are also easily accessible.