First dates are fun.
Or they’re awful, depending on who you go with.
Regardless though, if you’re going on a first date, chances are you’re going to go somewhere to do it.
While some opt for coffee dates, dinner dates, or even sports-based dates (how?), the most common first date tends to be the casual drinks date.
And what better place to go than somewhere in Dublin? You probably can’t walk around a corner without there being a pub or a bar on the end of it, but sometimes all of this choice can be a tad overwhelming.
So in order to make the first date planning process a little less daunting, here’s a nice little list of lovely bars around the city centre that are perfect for meeting up over a few for the first time.
1. No Name Bar, Fade St
No Name Bar, The Bar With No Name, The Snail Bar – whatever you want to call it, this place is perfect for a first date.
It’s small, it’s got a load of different areas, the smoking area is massive and also always packed.
It’s essentially one of the best spots going if you’re worried you’ll run out of things to talk about and need to fill the empty silences with people watching.
Here’s where you can do it, no bother.
2. Cassidy’s, Westmoreland St
If you’ve never been to Cassidy’s for a date before, what have you been doing with your time?
The bar has got pretty much everything you’d want to make a first date decent too – candles, low lighting, a load of craft beers, and graffiti all over the walls.
Plus, everybody’s been there at least once, so you won’t have to do the awkward ‘oh I heard this place is nice’ and then find out it’s actually crap, because it’s not – Cassidy’s is great.
3. The Rag Trader, Drury St
The Rag Trader is probably the king of intimate dating spots – it’s tiny, it’s got a load of crevices, and you’re sure to see approximately five other people on awkward first dates just like you.
The bar is extremely cosy and sure to fill up early enough into the evening, but if you find yourself fancying somewhere a bit more open, you can walk straight into Dakota through the back door.
Handy enough.
4. 4 Dame Lane, Dame Lane
If you’re on the hunt for a spot that’s super quiet during the week, 4 Dame Lane is your place. And if you’re on the hunt for a spot that’ll be hopping on the weekend, 4 Dame Lane is your place.
Upstairs would probably be your best bet for a decent dating spot, but the entire bar is big enough itself anyway so won’t be stuck for space.
Their drinks are also incredibly reasonably priced too, which is always a plus.
5. Fade Street Social, Fade St
When people think of Fade Street Social, they don’t tend to think of casual first date drinks – but they should, because it’s perfect for that.
Their cocktail menu is extensive and, speaking from personal experience, intensely delicious.
If you’re looking for a bit of a slightly quieter area though, you’d be best heading to their rooftop smoking area. It’s heated, it’s got a lot of alcoves – all you need for a successful date, to be honest.
6. Dice Bar, Arran Quay
If the middle of town for a date isn’t your scene, Dice Bar is where it’s at.
Just next to Smithfield Luas stop, the bar is small, it’s cosy, and it’s got just enough of a chilled vibe to make your date think you didn’t put a lot of thought into where you want to go even though you absolutely did.
7. The Chelsea Drugstore, George’s St
The Chelsea Drugstore is relatively new when it comes to Dublin bars, but it’s a spot you’d be a fool to not hit up at least once.
Ever-so-slightly on the pricier side, you could possibly be expected to shell out 13 quid for a cocktail (been there), but the place is stunning enough on the inside that by the end of your first drink, you probably won’t mind.
The bar itself is tiny too, making for a very cosy first date experience.
8. The Grand Social, Liffey St Lower
Grand Social’s great because you could literally start and end your night there, while hanging out in the smoking area for about two hours in between.
Start things off downstairs with a few casuals and then, if you’re feeling up to it, stall upstairs and out the back where, if you’re lucky, there might even be a gig on.
Ideal.
9. The Church, Mary St
The Church is a restaurant, it’s a bar, it’s a nightclub – it’s pretty much everything, really.
And seeing as it used to be an actual church (shocking), it looks fairly glorious on the inside too.
Their cocktails are also intensely delicious as well so you won’t have that awkward panic of not knowing what to order when you get there.
Just get them all, really.
