While San Francisco might reasonably be considered the gay capital of the world, Ireland’s foremost city remains one of the best and friendliest cities for LGBTQ travelers to visit. Most people who are gay in Dublin will head over to the famous Temple Bar district, known for its excellent nightlife catering to all kinds of people. Visit during summer to experience some of the city’s best LGBTQ events, including film festivals and, of course, the unmissable Dublin Pride. (A trip to Ireland’s best beaches wouldn’t go amiss either). If it’s your first time visiting the city, be sure to check out our general guide to Dublin to get a sense of the best attractions in the area.
Is Dublin gay-friendly?
Dublin is a very gay-friendly city. Homosexuality was legalized in Ireland in 1993 and gay marriage was legalized in 2015. The legalization of same-sex marriage was confirmed by a nationwide, public vote. This made Ireland the first country to legalize same-sex marriage by a popular vote. In Ireland, LGBTQ people have been elected to high levels of government, including Leo Varadkar, who was the Taoiseach (head of government) between 2017 and 2022. In most parts of the city, you shouldn’t encounter any problems but, of course, it is important to be constantly aware of your surroundings, particularly late at night. If you do run into any issues, you can reach out to LGBT Ireland and they should be able to point you in the right direction and offer assistance.
Is there a gay area in Dublin?
Unlike many other European capitals, Dublin doesn’t have an easily identifiable gay neighborhood. You’ll find a variety of LGBTQ establishments scattered throughout the city, often mixed into general areas where there are lots of bars and restaurants. The Temple Bar area is where much of Dublin’s nightlife is concentrated, including the city’s most popular gay bars. You’ll also find that a lot of the venues in this area are very inclusive. During the day, this is a great place for food markets, and you can pop into one of the neighborhood’s lovely art galleries or clothing boutiques.
The best Dublin gay bars and clubs
Dublin is one of Ireland’s best cities for nightlife and has plenty of excellent gay bars and inclusive establishments. Most of these places are lively and frequented by many members of the LGBTQ community. You can opt for exciting clubs or laid-back pubs. There are also lots of clubs and restaurants that are popular with Dublin’s LGBTQ community.
The George
While other clubs have gay-themed nights or parties, The George is the only fully LGBTQ nightclub in Dublin, and it is one of the most visited gay venues in the city. It opens at 12:30 pm and closes between 1:00 am and 2:30 am, making it a great option for those enjoying their nights out. It hosts drag shows, including bingo nights every Sunday, karaoke on Saturdays, and Glitter Bomb Parties on Fridays. When the weather is nice and warm, it opens up the outside terrace where you can party in the sun or under the stars. The George has been a haven for LGBTQ locals and visitors since the 1990s and this is your chance to experience it (entry is free Monday through Thursday).
Street 66
Street 66 is a wonderful gay bar on Parliament Street with a lively interior and bold decor. It plays lots of funk, reggaeton, and jazz and hosts numerous events. Drag performances, DJs, and drag DJs are all common, particularly during events. The cocktails are exquisite with a focus on giving classic recipes a unique Street 66 twist. Gin and tonic lovers will want to return to this bar again because of its wide selection of gins from all around the world. The bar opens at 12:30 pm, and in the afternoon it’s a great hangout spot to grab a coffee. Things get rowdier as the evening wears on until it’s a full-blown party atmosphere. Street 66 is also happy to welcome dogs into the bar. If you’ll be visiting later at night, remember that it will be quite loud and often crowded.
PantiBar
PantiBar is one of Dublin’s most iconic LGBTQ institutions, opened in 2007 by Panti Bliss, one of Ireland’s best-known drag queens. It hosts all kinds of events throughout the week. Cabarets, drag shows, karaoke, and movie nights will keep you coming back again during your trip. The main floor has a boisterous, party atmosphere, with pop, electronica, and disco pumping through the speakers. Downstairs, there’s a lounge that has an intimate vibe, which is perfect for having conversations (it can be too loud for it upstairs). The staff is always welcoming and the patrons are friendly and happy to meet new customers.
Pennylane Bar
Pennylane stands directly across the road from PantiBar and is also owned by Panti Bliss. It’s a stylish cocktail bar, and it’s probably the most sophisticated option on this list. This is a great place if you’re looking for a quieter night or if you want somewhere to ease into a night out coming from the more energetic pubs and clubs in the Temple Bar area.
Mother
Mother is one of the best gay clubs in Dublin, with club nights held every Saturday from 11:00 pm to 3:00 am. It bills itself as an “old-school night club” playing plenty of disco music to keep you on the dancefloor all night long. In the past, it also hosted LGBTQ music festivals, with performances from local and international queer artists. If you’re planning on visiting during Pride, get your tickets to Mother early. It hosts one of the best and most popular parties of Pride Week.
Jack Nealon’s
Jack Nealon’s is somewhat an unofficial gay bar, located on Capel Street in the North City district. It doesn’t bill itself as a gay bar, but it is definitely very popular with Dublin’s gay community, particularly men. Warm, dim lighting, cozy booths, and rock music create a casual, inviting atmosphere where you can kick back with a pint on your own or with some friends. Jack Nealon’s is one of the best options further away from the Temple Bar neighborhood.
Oscar’s Cafe
Oscar’s Cafe is a wonderful gay-friendly cafe in the Smithfield neighborhood, close to the Temple Bar district. Its most popular offering is its bottomless brunches, served every weekend from 10:30 am. The food is a fun blend of classic and modern cuisine from around Europe, and the indoor dining area is warmly lit with cushioned armchairs, couches, and barstools. The outdoor terrace area is perfect for a warm-weather afternoon cocktail, and its location in Smithfield Square is suitable for people-watching. Oscar’s Cafe often hosts events during important LGBTQ occasions, such as the Dublin Pride and National Coming Out Day.
Gay saunas: The Boilerhouse and The Dock
There are two gay saunas in Dublin. The Dock is a smaller sauna near the River Liffey, while The Boilerhouse, in the Temple Bar area, is the more popular. When you arrive at The Boilerhouse, you’ll get a wristband that will open a locker where you can store your belongings (you can also leave valuables at the reception desk if that is more convenient for you). It has a hot tub, steam room, and private cabins. There’s also a cafe where you can get coffee and snacks.
Gay events in Dublin
There are a number of gay events in Dublin held throughout the year. Along with the annual Pride Festival, you’ll find cultural activities celebrating queer film and theatre made by local and international artists.
Dublin Pride
The first demonstration for gay rights in Dublin happened in 1974, the first Gay Pride Week was held in 1979, and the first Pride March was held in March 1980. Today, Dublin Pride is a ten-day annual event, run by volunteers, that celebrates LGBTQ life in Ireland. Each year has a theme. In 2007, the theme was “Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Bride” to highlight the fight for same-sex marriage, and in 2019, it was “Rainbow Revolution” to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. The Pride March is held on the last Saturday in June and closes the festival.
International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival
The International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival is held during the first two weeks of May each year. The first festival, in 2004, commemorated the 150th anniversary of Oscar Wilde’s birthday, which explains the image of Oscar Wilde as the festival logo. The festival aims to encourage and celebrate up-and-coming LGBTQ theatre creators and performers. You’ll find the performances at venues throughout the city, including the Player’s Theatre, Pearse Street, and The Ireland Institute. It accepts submissions from Irish and international artists with connections to gay characters, themes, and culture.
Gaze Film Festival
The Gaze International Film Festival usually takes place over a bank holiday weekend in late July or early August. It is also sometimes held later in summer, in September. It is the largest LGBTQ film event in Ireland and the largest LGBTQ gathering in the country outside of Dublin Pride. It highlights films that explore LGBTQ stories and themes. Over the past years, the festival has hosted the premieres of feature films and documentaries, as well as screenings of LGBTQ classics such as John Waters’s 1972 film Pink Flamingos. Screenings are usually held at the Light House Cinema on Market Street and the Irish Film Institute near Dublin’s famous Temple Bar Pub. In recent years, the festival has also held an online program after the main festival, which includes a selection of the Irish films as well as some online-only exclusives.
Gay hotels in Dublin
You can generally rely on hotels in Dublin to welcome LGBTQ guests with open arms. These are some of the most popular and convenient hotels for gay travelers. Whether you’re staying in Dublin for a weekend or longer, these hotels will be the perfect home base.
Jacobs Inn Hostel
Jacobs Inn Hostel is perfect for LGBTQ travellers on a budget. It’s close to the Temple Bar area, and its rooms come in a range of sizes and types. You can opt for a deluxe private room or save money with same-gender or mixed dormitories. It serves a lovely breakfast each morning, which includes unlimited porridge, orange juice, and coffee. This is a great option for first-time visitors as it offers a free three-hour walking tour each morning, starting at 11:00 am. In the evenings, you can join the pub crawl, which will take you to some of Dublin’s best pubs. You can book tickets at the reception desk. The bar area is an excellent place to socialize with fellow guests, even if you’ve opted for one of the private rooms. It also hosts bingo and trivia nights at the bar.
Jurys Inn Dublin Parnell Street
Jurys Inn is a modern, three-star hotel just walking distance from LGBTQ establishments like The George. Services such as 24-hour reception and laundry services make this hotel a good choice for any traveler. The rooms are spacious, and you can book options that fit up to three or two adults and two children. It has wheelchair-accessible rooms available with lowered beds and fully accessible bathrooms. There’s also a fully accessible bathroom in the common area. The second floor has a fitness area, which includes treadmills and free weights. You can start your night at its restaurant, which serves three-course meals. You may also want to visit its coffee bar in the morning for a quick flat white before you start your day or in the afternoon for a relaxing peppermint tea.
Hard Rock Hotel
Just around the corner from Street 66, Hard Rock Hotel on Lord Edward Street is one of the most stylish hotels in the city. It embodies an old-school rock-and-roll vibe, and some rooms come with a record player (and a collection of records). How cool is that! Its proximity to Dublin’s gay nightlife (and The Boilerhouse sauna) makes it a popular choice for LGBTQ travelers visiting the city. Make sure to check out its gorgeous lobby bar and Peruvian restaurant before hitting the town.
Temple Bar Inn
Temple Bar Inn sits right in the heart of Dublin’s Temple Bar district. Its chic rooms have comfortable beds and smart TVs. Don’t skip its excellent restaurant, which serves dishes inspired by both Irish and Italian cuisine. It also has a range of fun cocktails and quality beer on tap. In the morning, it offers a lovely continental breakfast with a range of fresh options. The lobby area is a charming place to relax in the afternoon, with plush couches and a coffee station. The sun terrace on the ground floor is a great place to enjoy warm weather. Temple Bar Inn is partnered with the nearby West Wood Club at Aston Bay, and hotel guests can get access to its fitness facilities and pool for free.
The Westbury Hotel
The Westbury Hotel is one of the best luxury hotels for LGBTQ travelers in Dublin. Its rooms are large and airy, with the exquisitely comfortable beds you’d expect from a five-star hotel. For lunch and dinner, choose between the on-site restaurant and the all-day bistro with a lovely outdoor terrace. After dinner, head over to its award-winning 1930s-themed cocktail bar “The Sidecar” for drinks. It also serves afternoon tea between 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm every day, with tiered trays of sandwiches and pastries paired with tea and champagne. Families will love The Westbury — it offers babysitting services, and the Little Bears package creates a wonderful, tailored experience for young guests. The concierge and the dedicated guest-relations department will ensure that your stay runs as smoothly as possible.
