If UNESCO were to select a city with the richest drinking culture, Dublin, the capital of Ireland—known as the "City of Drunken Dreams"—would certainly be a top contender. Even so, this is just the tip of the iceberg for Dublin. Beyond its spirits, Dublin is one of the oldest and most culturally profound cities in the world. Immigrate to Ireland and join us as we explore this "City of Drunken Dreams."
Pubs
Dublin has nearly 1000 pubs, and with a population of approximately 1.2 million, that means there is one pub for every 1,000 Dubliners. James Joyce (an Irish writer and poet) once said that it would be hard to find a more curious thing than to cross Dublin without passing a pub.
Dining
Chapter One
Michelin-starred Chapter One is consistently the most highly acclaimed restaurant in Dublin. The food at Chapter One builds upon Irish cuisine by incorporating new elements, but this is not a transformation of Irish cooking; it is an innovation. The restaurant's four-course dinner menu offers dishes that pique the curiosity of diners, such as charcoal-grilled monkfish and razor clams. Additionally, the wine list features truly aged vintages at reasonable prices.
Hugo’s
Although firmly rooted in French and European cuisine, Hugo's chef Didier Rhodes incorporates fresh, artisanal Irish ingredients to ensure menu diversity.
Hugo's focuses on preparing Irish-style meats and a wide variety of seafood; local shellfish and prawns are a perfect match for the expertly prepared vegetables.
Hugo's French bistro-style blue exterior, combined with the soft, flickering lights inside, makes the restaurant as charming as its diverse menu. Furthermore, the shop's selection of over 30 different bottled wines is enough to satisfy any customer's needs.
The Pig’s Ear
The Pig's Ear's chef, Stephen McAllister, became known for his cooking show on Ireland's national television station. The Pig's Ear also brought Dublin into a "fine dining" trend, a trend that later even influenced London.
The Pig's Ear is located in a Georgian building overlooking Trinity College, University of Cambridge. Creaky wooden stairs, high ceilings, and large windows give The Pig's Ear a chic, rustic charm.
Epicurean Food Hall
Although the Epicurean Food Hall is located on the bustling Liffey Street above the Ha'penny Bridge, you might never find it if you haven't heard of it before.
Unlike the food streets people are usually familiar with, the Epicurean Food Hall features vendors from different countries selling all kinds of food, from artisanal Irish sandwiches to Turkish food and Italian pasta—a variety of international cuisines is available.
There is plenty of seating in the center of the food hall, where for a small price, you can not only enjoy lunch but also listen to a philosophical lecture.
Temple Bar Food Market
If you want to shake off a Friday night hangover as quickly as possible, a good way is to visit the Dublin food market on Saturday. It hasn't been long since Dublin was called a "culinary wasteland," but with the passage of time, the city's food scene has developed rapidly, especially in the Temple Bar district, which hosts a food market every Saturday.
Nightlife
John Kavanagh (aka Gravediggers)
John Kavanagh (aka Gravediggers) is named after the family and was founded in 1833, near Glasnevin Cemetery. John Kavanagh is also known as the "Gravediggers" because the shop originally provided lunch to gravediggers through a special window at Glasnevin Cemetery. Today, this old wooden pub only sells the finest Guinness.
Mulligan’s
If you want to find a pub in Dublin that looks like it has 200 years of history, you must go to Mulligan's. Mulligan's was built in 1782 and is located on Poolbeg Street. The wooden floors in the pub are perpetually damp from spilled beer, the seating is not very comfortable, and the ceiling height might not even reach the height of an average person, but all of this just happens to create a great atmosphere for drinking at Mulligan's.
We have mentioned many times that Dublin produces the best Guinness, and if you can only go to one place to taste it, then Mulligan's is your first choice.
Traditional Music Pubs
Traditional Irish music was once a way of life for the Irish, as well as a form of entertainment in the small villages and pubs where Irish social life was concentrated. Although modern people's enthusiasm for traditional Irish music is not what it used to be, Dublin still has a large number of pubs where traditional music survives, and more than at any time in history.
Good traditional music is unplugged; musicians sit by the bar, playing the fiddle or accordion. They often drink while they play, performing with increasing brilliance and drinking with increasing joy.
Shopping
Grafton Street
Dublin's main shopping area is to the right of the city center and to the west of the River Liffey. During rush hour, Grafton Street is restricted to pedestrians only, and the red bricks paved on the street have also become a major feature of Grafton Street.
Although Grafton Street is often crowded, especially on Saturdays, the shops on the street are "one-stop" destinations. The Stephen's Green Shopping Centre at the western end is an exquisite Victorian shopping arcade with more famous brands.
Avoca
Avoca—a favorite among Irish mothers. Avoca's merchandise includes clothing, kitchenware, and various household items; without a doubt, coming here is a wise choice for ladies.
The company was originally just an old textile mill in Wicklow, but today Avoca has long since changed its appearance to attract women with an innate aesthetic sense. In this way, those so-called "housewives" cannot help but buy something to take home after finishing a wonderful lunch at Avoca's aerobic cafe.
Additionally, if you want to buy some souvenirs for your girlfriend or the girls at home, Avoca is also a good choice, as the gifts here are affordable without losing their splendor.
George's Street Arcade
In Dublin, very few Victorian buildings have been preserved, but the George's Street Arcade is an exception.
This long, airy shopping arcade is made of red brick carvings and wrought iron. Now, there is a row of permanent retail stores on both sides of the arcade, and there are many temporary stalls in the middle and lower parts of the arcade selling records, vintage clothing, and some small trinkets.
Whether to admire the beautiful architecture or to hunt for small items, George's Street is worth a visit. At the western end of the street, there is a Simon Cafe, a favorite of the unemployed, who often chat and drink here or comment on The Irish Times.
In addition to the accommodation, dining, nightlife, and shopping in Dublin introduced above, Dublin also has numerous charming attractions and unique culture. Please come and experience it for yourself!