List of LGBT bars/clubs/nights in Dublin

qweerty · 28-05-2014 02:34PM #1

Having always thought I hated it, I've just started getting into the clubbing scene. But, all the lists I've seen online of LGBT nights are either very out-of-date or are not comprehensive. Could anyone please add to the well-known ones below?

Dragon
George
Front Lounge
Pantibar

WAR
C.U.N.T

Daith · 28-05-2014 02:53PM

Mother
Sunday Social/Bukkake

qweerty · 28-05-2014 04:07PM

Is Glitz in Dandelion no longer on? Did WAR replace FAG in Andrew's Lane Theatre? Is it just me, or is there quite an attrition of LGBT clubs, or is that just the case with clubs in general? Did Wilde Bar only last for half a year, or so? Wow, loads of questions!

baby and crumble · 28-05-2014 04:20PM

qweerty wrote: »

Is Glitz in Dandelion no longer on? Did WAR replace FAG in Andrew's Lane Theatre? Is it just me, or is there quite an attrition of LGBT clubs, or is that just the case with clubs in general? Did Wilde Bar only last for half a year, or so? Wow, loads of questions!

The bars last for a good while, with the exception of Wilde- to be honest, I don't think the LGBT community in Dublin is big enough to warrant 5 full time gay bars. You already had George, Dragon, Panti and Front Lounge. ANd they all have a schedule of event nights, in particular the George and Panti have something different on every night.

The once a week type events are fickle, and they move around because they're run by independent promoters and organisers.

GCN usually do a fairly comprehensive weekly/ monthly schedule in the magazine of what's on when and where. Being an old fart I have zero idea of what the promo nights are these days.

And actually, I'm fine with that. (She says twitching in her orthopedic shoes...)

J_E · 28-05-2014 04:34PM

They have GEAR Ireland on once a month but that's more for the leather crowd!

Not sure if Furry Glen still goes on.

I wouldn't be so much into the 'club night' type of things myself but think for what it is, there is a pretty good variety around Dublin for all crowds.

qweerty · 28-05-2014 04:41PM

baby and crumble wrote: »

The bars last for a good while, with the exception of Wilde- to be honest, I don't think the LGBT community in Dublin is big enough to warrant 5 full time gay bars. You already had George, Dragon, Panti and Front Lounge. ANd they all have a schedule of event nights, in particular the George and Panti have something different on every night.

The once a week type events are fickle, and they move around because they're run by independent promoters and organisers.

GCN usually do a fairly comprehensive weekly/ monthly schedule in the magazine of what's on when and where. Being an old fart I have zero idea of what the promo nights are these days.

And actually, I'm fine with that. (She says twitching in her orthopedic shoes...)

Thanks for your response. I agree about the seeming unsustainability of 4+ clubs, especially considering so many 20-30 y/o's (clubbing demographic) have emigrated (iirc, a fifth has emigrated).

qweerty · 28-05-2014 05:14PM

qweerty wrote: »

Thanks for your response. I agree about the seeming unsustainability of 4+ clubs, especially considering so many 20-30 y/o's (clubbing demographic) have emigrated (iirc, a fifth has emigrated).

The below quote is from an Una Mullally article:

"...the number of twenty-somethings living in Ireland has fallen by almost a quarter since 2009. That’s 23.2% nationally (which translates as 176,200 people), and greater in Dublin, with a decline of 26.3%. Crazy, eh? How did this happen? Well 60,786 people in their twenties have emigrated in just four years, gutting a substantial part of our young population. But that’s just a third of the disappearing twenty-somethings. The main cause, as McCartney points out, has older roots: falling birth rates in the 1980s that we’re now feeling the impact of. From 2000 to 2009, our twenty-somethings population was quite substantial, and now, with a chunk of a younger generation of twenty-somethings emigrating, the babies of the early 80s, (like me, I was born in 1983) have reached, or are heading into their 30s. It’s probably worth noting as well that a large percentage of immigrants to Ireland – particularly those from Eastern Europe who came here to work in construction – who have returned to their home countries since the crash were also in the twenty-something to thirty-something demographic."

greyed · 28-05-2014 07:05PM

baby and crumble wrote: »

I don't think the LGBT community in Dublin is big enough to warrant 5 full time gay bars.

I don't agree, I think 5 full time bars with the same offering is unsustainable. Open up a 5th gay bar with DIFFERENT music/vibe and I reckon you could cater to those that are tired of kylie and beyonce.

Gay whelans anyone?

FAG is still around I believe, somewhere on eustace st?
There is also eurphoria in the abbey hotel now and then.
For the ladies there is crush in grand social every month.

qweerty · 28-05-2014 08:35PM

greyed wrote: »

I don't agree, I think 5 full time bars with the same offering is unsustainable. Open up a 5th gay bar with DIFFERENT music/vibe and I reckon you could cater to those that are tired of kylie and beyonce.

Gay whelans anyone?

FAG is still around I believe, somewhere on eustace st?
There is also eurphoria in the abbey hotel now and then.
For the ladies there is crush in grand social every month.

Thanks for contributions. It's not that there wouldn't be demand for another type of gay bar, just that opening one might dilute the market too much, and cause one of The Quad to shut.

Aard · 28-05-2014 09:14PM

What's the story with Nealon's?

L1011 · 28-05-2014 09:29PM

baby and crumble wrote: »

to be honest, I don't think the LGBT community in Dublin is big enough to warrant 5 full time gay bars.

Its probably large enough for 10 or 12, if the ones we had weren't as large as they are, licences were more easily available, late licences were cheaper, rates were lower, insurance was lower, etc, etc... there's provincial towns in the UK with 4; because the business environment is significantly better for them.

Copenhagen which is an extremely similar size (but does have Malmo across the bridge) has an entire street that's mostly gay venues but they're all about the size of my living room with the exception of their equivalent of The George - which is about the size of upstairs in The George.

Aard wrote: »

What's the story with Nealon's?

Its not a gay venue; its just been adopted by bears for certain events.

qweerty · 28-05-2014 10:30PM

4 da ladies: Crush on Fridays at The Grand Social.

Edit: erm...I'm not sure how regularly this is on. I read in one place that it's held on the third week of every month.

Annasopra · 28-05-2014 11:04PM

Gcn listings are crap. Well they are for non club things anyway. I think I looked recently and they still have some groups that fell apart 5 years ago.

J_E · 29-05-2014 01:02AM

http://issuu.com/dublinpridefestival/docs/pride_guide_2014

There are a huge number of events going on during the week of Pride listed here, not too far away.

Daith · 29-05-2014 08:01AM

qweerty wrote: »

4 da ladies: Crush on Fridays at The Grand Social.

Edit: erm...I'm not sure how regularly this is on. I read in one place that it's held on the third week of every month.

Crush is on at present in Lafayette on O'Connell St. Normally the once a month on a Friday

Are WAR and C.U.N.T gay nights or clubs?

I don't think 5 dedicated gay bars would work. There's less of a reliance on them.

Rick_ · 29-05-2014 10:04AM

On a side note, does WAR and C.U.N.T actually stand for something, or are they just "edgy" names designed to look cool and attract people because of their provocative names?

Or am I just being too cynical, as usual?

J_E · 29-05-2014 11:44AM

C U Next Tuesday, of course!

qweerty · 29-05-2014 12:02PM

Daith wrote: »

Crush is on at present in Lafayette on O'Connell St. Normally the once a month on a Friday.

Thanks for that. I read about Crush being held in the Grand Social in the current issue of Totally Dublin magazine. It's soo frustrating that so many sources are out-of-date. :rolleyes:

Everlong1 · 29-05-2014 12:12PM

greyed wrote: »

Gay whelans anyone?

Don't be ridiculous. Aren't de ghays only into Kylie and Barbara Streisand? Apart from Bob Mould (Husker Du/Sugar).

Rick_ · 29-05-2014 01:26PM

Cydoniac wrote: »

C U Next Tuesday, of course!

Oh, I'm aware of that, but have they called it that for any other reason than to snigger to themselves at the fact that the name is extreme. It seems a silly name for a bar or event held at that bar in my opinion, and it seems it's sole intention was to go "hey, look, aren't we cool for using a swearword in our branding? please like us. PLEASE". :cool:

baby and crumble · 29-05-2014 01:42PM

Paddy C wrote: »

Oh, I'm aware of that, but have they called it that for any other reason than to snigger to themselves at the fact that the name is extreme. It seems a silly name for a bar or event held at that bar in my opinion, and it seems it's sole intention was to go "hey, look, aren't we cool for using a swearword in our branding? please like us. PLEASE". :cool:

You're talking about it, right? Marketing job done.

Rick_ · 29-05-2014 03:17PM

I live nowhere near it and have no intention of ever visiting.

Marketing job failed!

Daith · 29-05-2014 03:28PM

Everlong1 wrote: »

Don't be ridiculous. Aren't de ghays only into Kylie and Barbara Streisand? Apart from Bob Mould (Husker Du/Sugar).

There used to be a great night called RIP, Rock Indie Pop that would play Muse followed by Britney followed by The Stone Rose. Great stuff but died so fast.

ongarboy · 29-05-2014 03:31PM

MYOB wrote: »

Its not a gay venue; its just been adopted by bears for certain events.

I feel Nealons is pretty much a gay bar every Saturday night now. Yes, it caters for the bear crowd but a lot of other 30+ age guys (ie me) go there too. I like it as has a regular Dublin pub feel without the pzazz and OTT vibe that the other gay haunts tend to have and where you can hear yourself speak. The open fire in the winter is an added treat! The bar staff there are very friendly and courteous too.

It's amusing sometimes though, when the odd straight couple or group pop in and you see them looking around trying to put their finger on what's different about the place as the lack of more obviously looking, dressed or camp guys drinking there does not make people automatically cop on that it's a gay bar.

Regards enough outlets in Dublin? I think so. FL is practically empty except for Friday and Saturday. The main George doesn't even open until late anymore. There was a time back in the mid 00s that Dragon opened as a regular bar in the evenings. None of that is viable now so adding more venues would dilute the scene even further. Pantibar is the only bar flying ahead. It's happy hour until 8 every week night is a great pull and I've no doubt the Pantigate attention has helped draw some new punters in more recent times.

qweerty · 29-05-2014 05:28PM

On the C.U.N.T. question: I'm not offended by the crude name, and it reinforces on which day it's held. Whereas before I would never have considered going clubbing on a Tues, I now very much intend to give it a try.

PS I think Google knows I'm gay (yikes). When I go to Maps, all the gay spots (including Boiler House) are shown.

floggg · 30-05-2014 08:22AM

qweerty wrote: »

On the C.U.N.T. question: I'm not offended by the crude name, and it reinforces on which day it's held. Whereas before I would never have considered going clubbing on a Tues, I now very much intend to give it a try.

PS I think Google knows I'm gay (yikes). When I go to Maps, all the gay spots (including Boiler House) are shown.

Facebook is pretty confused about my sexuality. It offers me both men in uniform and slutty granny's!

qweerty · 30-05-2014 11:59PM

floggg wrote: »

Facebook is pretty confused about my sexuality. It offers me both men in uniform and slutty granny's!

Hmmm...very queer indeed.

qweerty · 31-05-2014 12:45AM

So, a summary of what we've got:

The four permanent bars/clubs:

The George
The Dragon
Front Lounge, Parliament Street
Panti Bar, Capel Street

C.U.N.T – The Lost Society, South William Street (Tuesday)
WAR – Andrew's Lane Theatre (Friday)
FAG – The Hub, Eustace Street (Friday)
Mother – Copper Alley @ Arlington Hotel (Saturday)
Sunday Social – 4 Dame Lane (Sunday!)
TH (a crossdressing night) - Harcourt Street (previous poster suggested there was sensitivity with regard to its exact location, but a specific address can be seen on this page) (Fridays and Saturdays, and soon to be Wednesdays)

Crush ("girlclub") – Lafayette, Westmorland Street (third Friday of every month)
GEAR (clothing fetish) – Fibbers, Parnell Street (third Saturday of every month)
Bukkake – 4 Dame Lane (every Bank Holiday Sunday)
Gemini (angry- crossdressing) - "close to O'Connell Street" (!) (check FB page for dates)

Bear in mind that this list is likely to be out-of-date quickly – because of "Nights" either ceasing or changing venue. It's also more than possible that I've made a mistake somewhere; all corrections/additions welcome.

Happy clubbing, y'all!

BethG · 31-05-2014 11:14AM

MYOB wrote: »

Its not a gay venue; its just been adopted by bears for certain events.

A friend of mine is on the bear scene. Long and short of it, they moved between a few venues (Life bar and McGrubers) till Panti opened up. They started to meet there but it ended up that they wanted Panti to more or less hand over every other Saturday night to them, provide bar extensions at short notices, finger food and the like. When they didn't get their way on this they bailed over to Nealons and that's their base for now.

BethG · 31-05-2014 11:18AM

qweerty wrote: »

So, a summary of what we've got:

The four permanent bars/clubs:

The George
The Dragon
Front Lounge, Parliament Street
Panti Bar, Capel Street

C.U.N.T – The Lost Society, South William Street (Tuesday)
WAR – Andrew's Lane Theatre (Friday)
FAG – The Hub, Eustace Street (Friday)
Mother – Copper Alley @ Arlington Hotel (Saturday)
Sunday Social – Grand Social, Lower Liffey Street (Sunday!)

Crush ("girlclub") – Lafayette, Westmorland Street (third Friday of every month)
GEAR (clothing fetish) – Fibbers, Parnell Street (third Saturday of every month)
Bukkake – 4 Dame Lane (every Bank Holiday Sunday)

Bear in mind that this list is likely to be out-of-date quickly – because of "Nights" either ceasing or changing venue. It's also more than possible that I've made a mistake somewhere; all corrections/additions welcome.

Happy clubbing, y'all!

Add TH and Gemini to the list. Both are secure and discrete venues for the cross dresser/transvestite/admirer. TH is Friday and Saturdays and soon to be Wednesday's as well while Gemini is by appointment for dressing, every Friday for TV's only and some Saturdays. Neither a pub as such but they are options for nights out that may interest some.

Daith · 31-05-2014 11:57AM

qweerty wrote: »

So, a summary of what we've got:

The four permanent bars/clubs:

The George
The Dragon
Front Lounge, Parliament Street
Panti Bar, Capel Street

C.U.N.T – The Lost Society, South William Street (Tuesday)
WAR – Andrew's Lane Theatre (Friday)
FAG – The Hub, Eustace Street (Friday)
Mother – Copper Alley @ Arlington Hotel (Saturday)
Sunday Social – Grand Social, Lower Liffey Street (Sunday!)

Crush ("girlclub") – Lafayette, Westmorland Street (third Friday of every month)
GEAR (clothing fetish) – Fibbers, Parnell Street (third Saturday of every month)
Bukkake – 4 Dame Lane (every Bank Holiday Sunday)

Bear in mind that this list is likely to be out-of-date quickly – because of "Nights" either ceasing or changing venue. It's also more than possible that I've made a mistake somewhere; all corrections/additions welcome.

Happy clubbing, y'all!

Sunday Social is 4 Dame Lane.
FAG doesn't exist anymore and there's a new one called sweat...

qweerty · 31-05-2014 12:59PM

BethG wrote: »

Add TH and Gemini to the list. Both are secure and discrete venues for the cross dresser/transvestite/admirer. TH is Friday and Saturdays and soon to be Wednesday's as well while Gemini is by appointment for dressing, every Friday for TV's only and some Saturdays. Neither a pub as such but they are options for nights out that may interest some.

Daith wrote: »

Sunday Social is 4 Dame Lane.
FAG doesn't exist anymore and there's a new one called sweat...

Dammit, you guys - I thought we had them all!

I struggled to get definite info about TH and Gemini; are you confident that the days you gave are entirely accurate? Also, can you give their addresses?

I'll change the Sunday Social's venue. Apparently FAG is back. Can you give some info about Sweat, cause I couldn't find any.

Thanks

Annasopra · 31-05-2014 01:12PM

BethG wrote: »

Add TH and Gemini to the list. Both are secure and discrete venues for the cross dresser/transvestite/admirer. TH is Friday and Saturdays and soon to be Wednesday's as well while Gemini is by appointment for dressing, every Friday for TV's only and some Saturdays. Neither a pub as such but they are options for nights out that may interest some.

I thought TH was gone?

BethG · 31-05-2014 10:01PM

qweerty wrote: »

Dammit, you guys - I thought we had them all!

I struggled to get definite info about TH and Gemini; are you confident that the days you gave are entirely accurate? Also, can you give their addresses?

Thanks

The information is 100% accurate, yes. I can't post up links for information on either as I don't have enough posts but TH and Gemini are both on Facebook so you can look them on there or PM me for information. TH briefly closed 2 months ago but it has reopened

Gemini is located close to O'Connell Street while TH is on Harcourt Street. Both venues prefer not to give out their exact address in public; again you can PM me for more details if you like.

nilsonmickey · 31-05-2014 10:04PM

I was in crush last Tuesday and it was full of steamers. Think there I new gay bar opening on baggot street.

qweerty · 31-05-2014 10:33PM

BethG wrote: »

The information is 100% accurate, yes. I can't post up links for information on either as I don't have enough posts but TH and Gemini are both on Facebook so you can look them on there or PM me for information. TH briefly closed 2 months ago but it has reopened

Gemini is located close to O'Connell Street while TH is on Harcourt Street. Both venues prefer not to give out their exact address in public; again you can PM me for more details if you like.

I still had trouble getting info on both the above, so I'll add them without having corroborated!

nilsonmickey wrote: »

I was in crush last Tuesday and it was full of steamers. Think there I new gay bar opening on baggot street.

What's a steamer?! Google didn't return anything definitive.

Where did you hear about the place on Baggot Street?

Ten of Swords · 31-05-2014 10:51PM

qweerty wrote: »

What's a steamer?!

It's a gay slur, haven't heard it used in a long time. It's on par with 'bender' or 'fairy'. I'm not aware of it being used in any other context apart from insulting so looks like nilsonmickey is trolling.

Guess it's just one of those weeks on this forum.

nilsonmickey · 31-05-2014 10:52PM

Steamer is another word for gay or fag. I read about it the new place on here I think. Let me check for a link.

wonderfulname · 31-05-2014 11:16PM

nilsonmickey - Steamer and fag are derogatory terms which are not acceptable on this forum, please acquaint yourself with the forum charter before posting again.

qweerty · 31-05-2014 11:28PM

nilsonmickey wrote: »

Steamer is another word for gay or fag. I read about it the new place on here I think. Let me check for a link.

Oh. Oh right. Well I mess around with fellow-"steamers" by calling them names traditionally considered pejoratives, so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt!

Link for place on Baggot St would be great.

LegacyUser · 01-06-2014 08:57AM

Crush isn't even on Tuesdays dunno what yer mans at

Daith · 12-06-2014 01:01PM

Update

The George
The Dragon
Front Lounge, Parliament Street
Panti Bar, Capel Street

C.U.N.T – The Lost Society, South William Street (Tuesday)
WAR – Andrew's Lane Theatre (Friday)
Sweat – The Hub, Eustace Street (Friday)
Mother – Copper Alley @ Arlington Hotel (Saturday)
Sunday Social – 4 Dame Lane (Sunday!)

Crush ("girlclub") – Lafayette, Westmorland Street (third Friday of every month)
GEAR (clothing fetish) – Fibbers, Parnell Street (third Saturday of every month)
Bukkake – 4 Dame Lane (every Bank Holiday Sunday)

Just updated FAG changed to Sweat - Sweat details here (http://lecool.com/dublin/en/58828)

qweerty · 31-03-2015 11:05PM

This list is in need of an update:

qweerty wrote: »

The four permanent bars/clubs:

The George
The Dragon
Front Lounge, Parliament Street
Panti Bar, Capel Street

C.U.N.T – The Lost Society, South William Street (Tuesday)
WAR – Andrew's Lane Theatre (Friday)
FAG – The Hub, Eustace Street (Friday)
Mother – Copper Alley @ Arlington Hotel (Saturday)
Sunday Social – 4 Dame Lane (Sunday!)
TH (a crossdressing night) - Harcourt Street (previous poster suggested there was sensitivity with regard to its exact location, but a specific address can be seen on this page) (Fridays and Saturdays, and soon to be Wednesdays)

Crush ("girlclub") – Lafayette, Westmorland Street (third Friday of every month)
GEAR (clothing fetish) – Fibbers, Parnell Street (third Saturday of every month)
Bukkake – 4 Dame Lane (every Bank Holiday Sunday)
Gemini (angry- crossdressing) - "close to O'Connell Street" (!) (check FB page for dates)

The four permanent bars/clubs:

The George
Front Lounge, Parliament Street
Panti Bar, Capel Street

C.U.N.T – Opium Rooms, Wexford Street (Tuesday)
PrHomo – 4 Dame Lane (Thursday)
Sweatbox – The Hub, Eustace Street (Friday)
Mother – Copper Alley @ Arlington Hotel (Saturday)
Sunday Social – 4 Dame Lane (Sunday!)
TH (a crossdressing night) - Harcourt Street (previous poster suggested there was sensitivity with regard to its exact location, but a specific address can be seen on this page) (Fridays and Saturdays, and soon to be Wednesdays)

Crush ("girlclub") – Lafayette, Westmorland Street (third Friday of every month)
GEAR (clothing fetish) – Fibbers, Parnell Street (third Saturday of every month)
Bukkake – 4 Dame Lane (every Bank Holiday Sunday)
Gemini (angry- crossdressing) - "close to O'Connell Street" (!) (check FB page for dates)

Any chance anyone could help add to it? When I first started gay clubbing, I found the fragmented and transient nature of gay club nights to be intimidating. Hence this attempt to compile a complete a list as possible

smncnnr · 31-03-2015 11:30PM

There's also Dragged Up at Break for the Border on Friday monthly, as far as I know.

hotmail.com · 01-04-2015 08:36PM

Meat Street and Profile have nights, but they keep changing the dates and location. Check out their facebook pages for updates.

qweerty · 09-01-2016 08:51PM

This thread is my occasional pet project! If it can benefit one person, etc, etc! My rationale, which I gave earlier, and which is based on personal experience, is that the spread and opacity of the gay scene can be intimidating, and a list of the various nights hopefully minimises some of that.

The newest night I'm aware of is Thirst in The Hub, which is close to the IFI/Meeting House Square and Button Factory in Temple Bar, and across the road (Dame Street) from the George. It means there is now a gay night on Thursday, Friday and Saturday in The Hub.

Article

Thursday - ProHomo is a club night aimed at students. It has had several venues and has, for now, settled in The Hub.

Friday - Sweatbox

Saturday - Thirst

Haven't been to any, so would appreciate someone's experience.

ongarboy · 09-01-2016 10:32PM

I've gone to Sweatbox a good few times. If you're old enough to remember HAM at the POD, then you'll love this place. It plays deep house music. The turnouts can be hit and miss, packed some weeks and not so much other Fridays.

There is also a new venue DADDI on at Turks Head on last Saturday's of each month - this could be subject to change so check FB. It plays good house music also and attracts a mixed to older crowd. Dress code is very flexible so lots of topless hotties and some guys dressed in gear (leather etc). I've only been once but it was packed and a lot of fun!

I should also say that both nights are overwhelmingly male dominated.

qweerty · 09-01-2016 10:53PM

Thanks a lot. I'll have to try out Sweat. Shame that, despite the expansion in number of gay nights, there doesn't seem to have been a replacement for Crush yet.

Daith · 10-01-2016 10:34AM

qweerty wrote: »

Thanks a lot. I'll have to try out Sweat. Shame that, despite the expansion in number of gay nights, there doesn't seem to have been a replacement for Crush yet.

There's a Lesbian night called Spinster once a month. Basically Crush's replacement

qweerty · 10-01-2016 06:43PM

Oh, yeah, forgot about that place.

Spinster Facebook

Thanks!

gazzer · 12-01-2016 12:56PM

ongarboy wrote: »

I've gone to Sweatbox a good few times. If you're old enough to remember HAM at the POD, then you'll love this place. It plays deep house music. The turnouts can be hit and miss, packed some weeks and not so much other Fridays.

There is also a new venue DADDI on at Turks Head on last Saturday's of each month - this could be subject to change so check FB. It plays good house music also and attracts a mixed to older crowd. Dress code is very flexible so lots of topless hotties and some guys dressed in gear (leather etc). I've only been once but it was packed and a lot of fun!

I should also say that both nights are overwhelmingly male dominated.

I went to DADDI once (late last year) and on paper it sounded like the type of night I would enjoy but I really hated it. Cant quiet put my finger on why but it felt very cliquey which is not something I would normally say about a place. I will have to try out Sweatbox. Have heard good things about it.

List of LGBT bars/clubs/nights in Dublin

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