Dublin after dark: an adult nightlife guide from Temple Bar to Capel Street

Dublin's nightlife is known for its pubs, but the city also has a lively adult and LGBTQ+ scene within walking distance of the Liffey. Our directory lists five adult addresses in Dublin: drag bars, a drag brunch, a men-only sauna and a lap dancing club. Here is how to plan a night out, south and north of the river.

South of the Liffey: George's Street and Temple Bar

Start on South Great George's Street, in Dublin 2. Open since the mid-1980s, The George is one of the landmark venues of Ireland's LGBTQ+ scene. Its weekly programme mixes drag queens, contests, live music and DJs, so there is something on most nights of the week.

A few minutes away, tucked into Crane Lane in Temple Bar, The Boilerhouse is a men-only gay sauna spread over several floors. It has a dry sauna, steam rooms, a jacuzzi, play areas, private rooms and a coffee bar, and keeps long opening hours.

Also on the south side, on Dame Street a short walk from Temple Bar, Club Lapello is a lap dancing club over two floors, with a central stage, a full bar and private areas. It mostly hosts stag parties and group nights out.

North of the Liffey: Capel Street and Abbey Street

Cross the river to Capel Street in Dublin 1, where Pantibar is owned by the drag queen and activist Panti Bliss. Open every night, it offers cabaret, karaoke, bingo and drag shows, including Panti's own Saturday night show.

On Middle Abbey Street, Wigwam is a bar and restaurant pairing rum cocktails, pizza and brunch with club nights. Its resident queens host a drag brunch every Saturday and a themed drag brunch every Sunday: a good way to start the weekend before heading out again.

A suggested night out

1. Late afternoon: drag brunch at Wigwam if it is the weekend.
2. Evening: drinks and a show at The George or Pantibar, depending on the night's programme.
3. Late: for men, The Boilerhouse is within walking distance of both.

Check each venue's listings before you go, as themes and show times change from week to week. All addresses are on our Dublin page, with a map.

Tips for a night out in Dublin

• Bring ID. Many venues check age at the door, and the sauna is 18+.
• Book brunch. Drag brunches fill up fast at weekends.
• Respect the performers. Cheer, laugh and tip if you enjoyed the show, but ask before filming.
• Consent always. In the sauna as in the bars, no means no, straight away.
• Getting around. The city centre is compact: these five addresses are all within walking distance of the Liffey.

Getting home

Public transport thins out late at night and options vary by route and day. Plan your way back before the night starts, agree on a meeting point with friends and keep your phone charged.

More addresses on the map

For the rest of Ireland, our drag cabarets page lists drag venues in Dublin and Cork, with a map. On the move, the Around me feature shows the nearest addresses, and the gay saunas page covers saunas across Europe.