With its cobbled lanes and location on the bank of the River Liffey, Temple Bar is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Boasting a lively atmosphere, plenty of eating and drinking options, and a number of great entertainment venues, there’s lots to do in Temple Bar during your holiday in Dublin.
Best bars in Temple Bar
Temple Bar is perhaps most likely known for its vibrant and varied nightlife. With loads of pubs and bars in the area to choose from, finding amazing food and drink in this area of Dublin is easy! For delicious traditional food and a warm Irish welcome, look no further than The Old Storehouse. Set in a building boasting lovely Victorian architecture, you can select one of 3 bars: the cosy snug, the entertaining main bar, and the venue bar. The Old Storehouse is home to live music from 3pm every day, and it’s a great place to meet locals and get some advice about what else you should do during your stay.
The most famous place to go for a drink in Temple Bar is, unsurprisingly, The Temple Bar. Instantly recognisable thanks to its red paintwork, this pub has been welcoming visitors since 1840. With over 450 whiskeys and bourbons on offer, it’s quite obvious why this pub is such a hit with both locals and tourists, and they offer over 100 different sandwiches as part of their packed menu too! Like The Old Storehouse, The Temple Bar has a fantastic music offering, with 20 different acts performing throughout each week. Head here to see bands playing traditional Irish music, using instruments such as fiddles, bodhrans, and tin whistles.
For something a bit different in Temple Bar, you might like to try the Vintage Cocktail Club (or VCC). Hidden behind a non-descript door, distinguishable only by the letters ‘VCC’ which are written upon it, the Vintage Cocktail Club offers a speakeasy experience that will transport you back to the 1920s. Step inside for a selection of small plates, main meals, tasty desserts, and too many cocktails to try in one sitting. With drinks inspired by the 1400s to signature concoctions that you may not have had before, you’re guaranteed to have fun deciding what to try from the Vintage Cocktail Club’s menu. This bar has three floors to explore, including a rooftop terrace, so there’s a number of seating options to choose from too.
Art in Temple Bar
As part of Dublin’s Creative Quarter, Temple Bar has plenty to see for those interested in art. The Temple Bar Gallery + Studios should be top of your list, as this fascinating building has a wonderful history as well as free exhibitions for all. Originally a disused shirt factory, the building was taken over in 1983 and the Temple Bar Gallery + Studios was founded. The space was not particularly suitable for working in, but an exhibition area, studios, a café, a sculptor’s annexe, and a print studio were created for artists to use all the same.
In 1991, a rejuvenation of the area included renovating the Temple Bar Gallery + Studios building. This involved making the gallery space twice as big, the creation of 30 brand new studios, and a design that maximises natural light due to the addition of floor to ceiling windows. Since then, the studios have welcomed a number of famous artists, both from Ireland and further afield, who have also exhibited work in the gallery. With a focus on contemporary art, you’re sure to enjoy seeing what the Temple Bar Gallery + Studios has on show during your visit.
Street art fans will also love wandering around Temple Bar, as it’s home to some amazing pieces. One of the most famous examples is a mural by James Earley, which he painted on the side of the Blooms Hotel. Inspired by James Joyce’s Ulysses, this mural is the largest public artwork in Ireland and took a year to complete, so it’s definitely worth heading to Anglesea Street to have a look. Love Lane, which connects Temple Bar to Dame Street, is also home to some great street art. As part of a council initiative to make certain lanes and alleys more welcoming, this particular lane has been brightened up by artist Anne Doran using love letters to Dublin, words from famous writers, and witty ceramic tiles.
The Irish Film Institute and the Olympia Theatre
One of the top entertainment options in Temple Bar is offered by the Irish Film Institute. By showing independent films, both from Ireland and around the world, the Irish Film Institute aims to bring films, documentaries, and other pieces to audiences of all ages. They also pride themselves on protecting Irish film heritage so that it can be accessed by generations to come.
Set in a historic building, the institute boasts 3 screens, a film shop, and a café bar, providing the perfect opportunity to escape from the hustle and bustle of this lively area of Dublin. With a programme including new releases, curated seasons, festivals, and other events, you’re sure to find something that you’d like to watch. The Irish Film Institute has free screenings of selected films from its archives at lunchtimes, so you can have a cultural experience even if you’re on a budget.
For some live entertainment in Temple Bar, look no further than the Olympia Theatre. Hosting everything from music and theatre to stand-up comedy, their programme is packed full of great entertainment options. From its decorative exterior to its red, velvet seats, you’re guaranteed a charmingly vintage experience when you visit here, and you’ll find a range of local acts and world-famous performers on the bill.
With so many great things to do in Temple Bar to choose from, book your Liverpool to Dublin ferry crossing today and start planning what you’d like to do when you get there.
