Dublin happy hours have always been something of a contradiction in terms. Whereas other Irish and British cities would tempt students and alcoholics into daytime boozing with practical giveaways (of the 80p a pint variety), Dublin publicans have never really felt obliged to pack’em in in the dead hours of the late afternoon, probably because they don’t see it as a financial necessary. It’s a quirk of economics that in the alcohol trade, supply and demand has nothing to do with pricing. In Dublin, the more money people have to spend on booze, the more expensive it becomes. And when the recession comes and no one can afford to while away entire days in the darkened corner of a city-centre bar, hardcore happy hours will once more make a return.
But even now, Dublin city offers a few rare opportunities for feeling as though you’re getting sweet revenge on the Vintner’s Association, even if it is all fitting in with some overall scheme to take even more of your cash.
To that end, here is my guide to where to go for that happy sixty minutes.


THE CHOCOLATE BAR – Harcourt Street, Dublin 2.

Details: Cocktails £2.50 (1/2 price) Pints £1.80.
Mon/Tue 5-11pm. Wed/Thurs/Fri 5.30-8.30pm. Sat/Sun 8.30-10.30pm.

Atmosphere: Part of the POD complex, The Chocolate Bar retains a whiff of very laid back cool. Plush, comfy seats, potted plants and a good music policy all help to make you feel very relaxed indeed, and ensure that you remain guilt-free about pissing the day away when everyone else is at work.

Crowd: A young, trendy crowd mixing it with office workers getting in a cheap scoop before they head home. In general, a more upmarket clientele that most of the other happy hours attract.

Overall: Good Music, good prices. Highly Recommended.



DANGER DOYLES – Eustace Street, Dublin 2.

Details: Mon-Thurs 5pm-7pm. All pints £1.95

Atmosphere: Looks
like an Irish bar in New York – big, red and vacuous. However, one mans trash is another man’s treasure and many Dubliners seem to love the vibe of the place. Chart sounds relentlessly pump from the speakers and give the place a very clubby feel.

Crowd: A young crowd can normally be found in residence, made up mainly of students from the city-centre colleges, along with a smattering of Temple Bar tourists who have wandered in.

Overall: A sub two quid pint is always worth a look, and if you get one of the corner tables you’ll be perfectly happy for a couple of cheap hours.



THE ALL SPORTS CAFÉ / HOUSE OF ROCK – Fleet Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

Details: £2 for all bottles and pints

Atmosphere: Big, bright, brash, bloody loud. Lots of interesting memorabilia on the walls to distract you from the very attractive waitresses. A whole heap of TV screens. Like getting pissed in Cleary’s audio-visual department.

Crowd: A more diverse bunch of people that you might imagine, obviously drawn to what is one of the earliest happy hours in Dublin.

Overall: A very long Happy Hour – and if you happen to be there the day of a big sporting event your luck is in. Otherwise, it’s a decent enough venue in which to start off a monumental piss-session, if you’re feeling like immediately jumping in at the deep end.



MONO – 22 Wexford Street, Dublin 2.

Details: Mon to Fri 5pm-8pm. Two cocktails for the price of one. Cocktails £3.95 - £5.45

Atmosphere: Big, comfy, low-rise seating, sexy dim lighting and funky décor. If it wasn’t for the mainstream dance sounds throbbing interminably from the speakers you could almost have a nice doze.

Crowd: This happy hour has a reputation, and regulars. The crowd here tends to be very young and – come 8pm – very pissed. You have been warned.

Overall: The cockt
ails are the real deal, packing quite a punch, and with two for the price of one, there is plenty of potential for you and a pal to get very drunk, very fast.



CAPTAIN AMERICA’S COOKHOUSE AND BAR – 44 Grafton Street, Dublin 2.

Details: 12pm-8pm everyday. £1 off all cocktails and frozen drinks.

Atmosphere: Busy, buzzing and very, very yank. You’ll also be highly visible sitting at the central bar (you can only sit in a booth if you’re eating) and on weekends it will be extremely crowded.

Crowd: For some reason, the bar always plays host to gangs of good-looking people. Why? Who cares? In the background, you can watch young families try to feed troublesome toddlers and reprimand errant children, as the parents look at you with embittered envy.

Overall: With 8 happy hours in the day (!) and on of Dublin’s most extensive cocktail menus, Captains is still definitely worth a look.



I accept no responsibility for any hangovers which may be suffered as a result of this op.