Drag in Ireland: where to see a drag show in Dublin and Cork
Drag shows, drag brunches and queer nights in Ireland: Pantibar, The George and Wigwam in Dublin, Wilde in Cork, plus Dublin's men-only sauna.
Drag has a special place in Irish queer culture, and Dublin in particular has a lively scene of drag nights, contests and brunches. Our guide lists 5 adult and LGBTQ+ venues in Ireland: four with drag on the programme, in Dublin and Cork, and one men-only sauna in Dublin. Here they all are, with tips for your first night out.
What to expect at an Irish drag night
Drag in Ireland is as much about comedy and storytelling as about lip-sync. A typical night mixes a host queen, a few numbers, audience banter and often a game: bingo, a quiz or a contest for new acts. Drag brunches at weekends add food and cocktails to the show. Crowds are mostly LGBTQ+ with friends and allies, and the atmosphere is warm and chatty.
Drag in Dublin
On Capel Street in Dublin 1, just across the Liffey from Temple Bar, Pantibar is owned by Panti Bliss, a drag performer and activist known across Ireland. Most nights there is a show on the small stage at the back of the bar, from drag and cabaret to karaoke and bingo, with a quieter lounge downstairs.
On South Great George's Street in Dublin 2, The George has been open since the mid-1980s and is a landmark of Ireland's LGBTQ+ scene. Its weekly programme mixes drag queens, contests, live music and DJs, including the Monday night Win, Lose or Drag, and several nationally known drag acts started there.
On Middle Abbey Street, Wigwam is a bar and restaurant pairing rum cocktails, pizza and brunch with club nights. Resident queens host a drag brunch every Saturday and a themed drag brunch every Sunday, and the week also brings trivia, bingo and karaoke. All addresses in the capital are on the page Dublin.
Drag in Cork
On Oliver Plunkett Street in central Cork, Wilde is the city's LGBTQ+ nightclub, reopened under this name in the former Vibe venue. Open at weekends, it hosts drag performances, karaoke, live singers and DJs playing queer hits, with a zero-tolerance policy on homophobia. See also Cork.
A men-only sauna in Temple Bar
Tucked into a lane in Temple Bar, The Boilerhouse is Dublin's men-only gay sauna. Over several floors it has a dry sauna, steam rooms, a jacuzzi, play areas, private rooms and a coffee bar, and it stays open around the clock at weekends. Rapid HIV testing sessions run there on Saturdays with MPower.
Tips for a night out
- Book brunches. Drag brunches fill up quickly, especially on Saturdays.
- Front row means joining in. Queens love to involve the audience. Sit further back if you just want to watch.
- Respect the space. These are LGBTQ+ venues first. Groups and hen parties are welcome as guests.
- Check the programme. Nights change through the year, so look at the venue's page before you go.
- In the sauna. Towel on, phone away, and remember that no means no.
Find a venue near you
All drag venues are on the page drag cabarets, with a map and the Near me filter. Each listing gives the address, the programme and a link to the venue's website.
