9 Things To Do At Night In Dublin: Capturing Its Very Essence

best things to do in dublin at night
Brittany
Brittany 
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A popular European destination for travelers from all across the globe, Dublin is a city with the kind of charm that keeps people falling in love. It features several attractions that draw tourists from far places. It also offers a number of great places to stay, including private-room hostels and affordable Airbnbs. Poetry, art, history, and an active after-hours pub scene are just a few of the amazing qualities that add to the allure of this historic Irish capital. Read on to discover 10 of the best things to do in Dublin at night.

1. Self-guided night stroll (from 26 USD)

Dublin at Night (Ha'penny Bridge)
Source: Photo by user LenDog64 used under CC BY-ND 2.0

If you’re open to a quiet evening of reflection and meditation, a nighttime stroll through the streets of Dublin may be just the thing you need. Wander along the romantic bridges of the River Liffey, passing by the tranquil campus of Trinity College, and cap the night off with an ice cream or decadent dessert. Word to the wise: convenient hop-on, hop-off city tours make it easy to visit popular tourist attractions while saving you time and much-needed energy.

24-Hour Hop-on, Hop-off Tour

Price: from 26 USD

Opening Hours: Open 24/7

Access: Departs from Dublin’s City Centre

Near by Food: Gino’s Gelato, 34B Grafton Street, Dublin 2, Ireland

Website:

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2. Evening devotion

St. Patrick's Cathedral — Dublin
Source: Photo by user Tony Webster used under CC BY 2.0

While it may not be the first idea that comes to mind, attending an evening devotion at one of Dublin’s many churches can be a uniquely enriching experience for many. The Saint Patrick’s Cathedral often accepts visitors as late as 7 or 8pm, with its choral evensong beginning at 5:30pm most nights. It is occasionally accompanied by the lovely musical notes of a reverent and harmonious orchestral chorus. The Christ Church Cathedral also prides itself on its musical scores and even has a choir of all female choristers. Both churches are open for worship and guided tours.

St. Patrick's Cathedral - Dublin

Address: St. Patrick’s Close, Wood Quay, Dublin 8, Ireland

Access: 11 minute walk from Dublin Castle

Contact: +353 14539472; info@stpatrickscathedral.ie

Website: More Info

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3. Kayaking tour (from 31 USD)

Night Kayaking Tour
Source: Pixabay

A splendid kayaking tour of the city’s canals is a spectacular use of a traveler’s curiosity and adventurous spirit. With departures lasting well into the late evening hours, the tour includes a safety jacket and instructional pre-departure briefing. Meanwhile, certified guides are more than happy to recount the histories of important landmarks in the area as you glide comfortably along the River Liffey.

2-Hour Liffey River Kayaking Adventure

Price: from 31 USD

Opening Hours: Hourly departures from 9am - 8pm.

Duration: around 2 hours

Website:

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4. Haunted night tours (from 27 USD)

Kilmainham Gaol
Source: Photo by user fhwrdh used under CC BY 2.0

If you’re a sucker for all things eerie and unsettling then you won’t want to miss the city’s extensive selection of haunted ghost walks, cemetery resurrections, and night tours. Be sure to uncover the dark mystery of Dublin as knowledgeable guides take you back in time through a complex look at its sordid past. Notable destinations include the Bully’s Acre Cemetery, Kilmainham Gaol, and the Dublin Castle.

Dublin Gravedigger Ghost Tour

Price: from 27 USD

Duration: around 3 hours

Access: Departs from College Green

Website:

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Dublin (Region) Tour Guide

Dave Kavanagh

Dave Kavanagh

Hello, My name is Dave and I am a local and national licensed Tour guide in Dublin, I operate walking tours taking you to some of Dublin's most iconic landmarks and buildings while discussing our great heritage and culture, we are known here in Ireland for our storytelling so expect lots of great stories on this tour.

Tours by Dave

Dublin (Region) Tour Guide

Diana M

Diana M

Hi there! I am Diana :) My passion in life (next to my loved ones) is travelling and meeting new people, showing others the beauty of the world, art in various forms. My private guided day tours are experiences that are unique and are a great way to do an interesting activity without being overwhelmed. You get to do something only few other travellers would get to do and a chance to gain a local perspective. As your guide, I want to open you the door to Ireland's untouched beauty, from scenic cliffs to fairytale like forests and would point out many details you wouldn’t uncover on your own. You might also like to do an activity which can be difficult without local knowledge, like hiking or horse riding, - I am here to help and guide you.  I’ll handle all the planning and the driving on the left hand side of the road, so all you have to do is sit back, relax, and soak in the beautiful sights and compelling stories. Ireland won’t leave you untouched and I will be delighted to be your guide and ‘local expert’ here. Hope to see you on one of my trips to the heart and soul of our beautiful country!

Tours by Diana

Dublin (Region) Tour Guide

Anne Browne

Anne Browne

Hi - I’m Anne - a native Dubliner. I love this ancient city and am passionate about sharing the history and hidden gems. We have cathedrals, Georgian architecture, castles, distilleries, museums, libraries. Let me show you where the Vikings arrived and founded Dublin 1000 years ago. I also like to visit Wicklow and Newgrange - prehistoric sites an hour from Dublin. I always ensure visitors have a fun day out - and when you have earned it - shopping is option or a pint of Guinness. Contact me for any questions or requests.

Tours by Anne

Dublin (Region) Tour Guide

john ducie

John Ducie

Dublin (Region) Tour Guide

Katherine McCartney

Katherine Mc Cartney

5. Irish Film Institute

Irish Film Institute, Dublin
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user DubhEire used under CC0

Incredibly moving documentaries, international works, and independent movies help fuel the artistic underbelly of Ireland’s national film institute. Located in Dublin’s hip Temple Bar area, IFI aims to educate and engage its viewers by showcasing some of the finest cinematic talent of the past and present. In addition to guided discussions and other events, it also features an on-site cafe and gift shop.

Irish Film Institute

Address: 6 Eustace St., Temple Bar, Dublin 2, Ireland

Contact: +353 16795744; info@irishfilm.ie

Website: Learn More

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6. Theatre

Grand Canal Theatre Dublin
Source: Photo by user Greg Clarke used under CC BY-ND 2.0

The theatre holds a very special place in the heart of Dubliners as one of many places in the city where literature, poetry, and visual performance all come together in a spectacular display of artistic creativity. The Bord Gais Energy Theatre of Grand Canal is one of the city’s most popular performing arts theaters, exhibiting award-winning plays, shows, concerts, and musicals. Other notable performance venues include the nearby Abbey Theatre and National Concert Hall.

Bord Gais Energy Theatre

Address: Grand Canal Quay, Grand Canal Dock, Dublin 2, Co. Dublin, Ireland

Contact: +353 16777999

Website: Explore Shows

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7. Visit a distillery

The Old Jameson Distillery
Source: Photo by user Neil Turner used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Ever notice how a lot of Ireland’s tourism and nightlife centers around the common theme of alcohol? There’s a reason for that. Head over to the nearest distillery to get a better understanding of the origins of its long-held drinking culture as well as an in-depth explanation of how to make such potent night elixirs such as Irish whiskey. Both the Guinness Storehouse and the Old Jameson Bow Street Distillery are located in the heart of the city.

Old Jameson Distillery

Address: Bow St., Smithfield Village, Dublin 7, Ireland

Opening Hours: 9am - 7pm, Monday - Saturday; 10am - 7pm, Sunday

Contact: +353 18072355; bowst@amesonwhiskey.com

Website: Old Jameson Distillery

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8. Local pub crawl

Temple Bar
Source: Photo by user Miquel Ràmia used under CC BY-SA 2.0

No trip to Dublin is complete without a tour of the city’s finest pubs. Start your journey on the rooftop bar of the Guinness Storehouse, where you are met with a breathtaking view of the Dublin City skyline wherever you turn. Next, the Temple Bar is the Irish pub excellence. Pop over for a sample of delicious craft beers and authentic selections of the local scotch and bourbons. As an added bonus, live Irish music is played daily around 8pm.

Temple Bar Pub

Access: 6 min walk to Trinity College

Contact: +353 16725286/7; thetemplebar18@gmail.com

Website: Temple Bar Pub

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9. Get the VIP treatment

Johnnie Fox's Pub, Glencullen
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Joe King used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Widely known as the highest pub in all of Ireland, Johnnie Fox’s is a traditional Irish pub set on top of the Dublin Mountains. Although live music plays daily here, Fox’s infamous Hooley Night is the star of the show. A splendid 4-course meal precedes delicious evening performances of Irish folk ballads, a traditional dance show, and live bands. Plus, not only do independent shuttles offer nightly services, but children as young as 6 are also welcome to join in on the excitement!

Johnnie Fox's Pub

Address: Glencullen, Co. Dublin, Ireland

Opening Hours: 11am - 11:30pm, Monday - Thursday; 11am - 12:30am, Friday - Saturday; 12 - 11pm, Sunday

Access: Bus Route 44B; Private Shuttle Service

Contact: +353 12955647

Website: Reservations

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From 0 to 100 in Dublin

Do you enjoy laid-back, moonlit explorations of the city or sophisticated encounters of the artsy, bohemian nature? How about a stiff drink followed by a late-night of wild, drunken debauchery? No matter what your preferred travel persona is, Dublin has a multitude of great nighttime things to do for your pleasure. Start filling your bucket list today!

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Brittany, a travel enthusiast passionate about foreign languages, explores the world fueled by insatiable curiosity. She is also a freelance writer, an avid language learner, an occasional TV...Read more

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