With the recession still a go-go, Dublin mightn’t be cheap as chips, but it’s a hell of a lot less expensive than it was a couple of years ago. Though the Temple Bar area is saturated with restaurants, pubs and clubs – it’s a bit of a tourist trap – so maybe try something different. Go to the Camden Street/ Harcourt Street area and try getting a word in edge-ways, while having the craic and the porter in the watering holes around there.  Bring a rain coat or some such equally stylish piece of apparel, as Dublin’s weather can be tad poorly.

NIGHT CLUBS

Copper Face Jacks – Strangely named but guaranteed Irish; Coppers as its locally known is an institution in the country’s match-making process. For beer, women and borderline socially acceptable behaviour it’s a good spot. Queues can be long so bring the aforementioned rain wear. 29 Harcourt St, Dublin, Co. Dublin + 353 1 4758777 www.jackson-court.ie

TriPod – The club holds 1300 and was once a railway station and is split into three, hence the Tri. Good club for the indie-orientated gentlemen and has an interesting array of live music regularly. Old Harcourt Station, Harcourt Street, Dublin 2 +353 1 4763374 www.pod.ie/venue_tripod.ph

Krystle – For the more discerning group of stags (oxymoron right?) Krystle is an upmarket alternative to the previous two clubs and a trip there will have you rubbing shoulders with many of Ireland’s celebrities. 1-25 Harcourt St, Dublin 2 +353 1 4784066 www.krystlenightclub.com

The Wright Venue – Situated a bit out of the city, The Wright Venue is a boutique club that focuses on a theatrical experience as well as being a straight-forward night club. However, neat dress is the only costume you’ll be wearing to ensure getting in. The Wright Venue South Quarter, Airside Business Park, Swords, Co. Dublin +353 8900099, www.thewrightvenue.ie

The Gaiety Night Club – Latest opening club in the city, the live jazz and a cinema inside add to its quirky charms. You’ll find an interesting mix of characters in a very interesting quirky club, definitely worth a look. Gaiety Late Night Club, South King Street, Dublin 2, +353 1-6795622 www.gaietytheatre.ie

DECENT PLACES TO GET A BEER

Grogans – A lot of famous literary type’s posteriors have placed their bums on the well-worn high stools in Grogans and the decor’s not changed since then. So to have a good pint and experience Ireland before the Celtic Tiger, wander into Grogans for one. 15 William St South, Dublin 2, +353 1 6779320.

The Working Man’s Club – Indie venue with an array of live acts and music. The bar downstairs is left untouched from its days as a working man’s club – get it? Stylish, but a taste of modern and old Dublin combined with an eclectic mix of music and people and a good buzz. The Working Man’s Club, 10 Wellington Quay – Dublin 2, +353 0 1 670 6692, www.theworkmansclub.com

Dicey Reilly’s – Smoking ban or no smoking ban, Dicey’s has a colossal smoking area which is very conducive for meeting locals of both sexes. It’s also a nice pub with excellent drink deals now and again, though you may have to ride on other men’s coat-tails to get to the bar. Dicey Reilly’s 21-25 Harcourt St, Dublin 2, www.russellcourthotel.ie 353 +1 4784066

Whelan’s – Among the best pubs in Dublin, the atmosphere here is warm, the drinks are good and the place is usually busy. Whelan’s is a nice pub in a good location and a casual environment for a few earlier drinks. Whelan’s, 25 Wexford St, Dublin 2, Co. Dublin, Ireland +353 1 478 0766 www.whelanslive.ie

Doyle’s – Doyle’s is a stone’s throw from the educational bastion of Trinity College, so you get a nice drip of college students, among others in its nooks and crannies. It’s always busy at the weekend, has a nice traditional decor and as a public house is also a winner selling good hearty grub and a large selection of beers. Doyle’s Bar, 9 College St, Dublin 2, +353 1 6710616 www.doylesintown.com

Messrs Maguire – This pub lies beside the Liffey, just on the tip of the south side of the city. Its four floors are an excellent proposition for larger groups, it’s in a good location and it gets nicely busy at the weekend. Oh, and it’s also got its own in-house brewery. O’Connell Bridge, Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, +353 1 6705777 www.messrsmaguire.ie

The Porterhouse – There are a few of these in Dublin but your best bet is to go to the Porterhouse on Parliament Street. Large and full of life, The Porterhouse brews all its own beers and has a selection of different flavours of stout and beer. 16 Parliament St 2, Co. Dublin, Ireland +353 1 6798847 www.porterhousebrewco.com

The Morgan Bar – If it’s not donkeys, turf and potatoes you came to Ireland for but tasty drinks and tastier women, The Morgan Bar in the Morgan hotel is ideal. It’s white with cocktails and other things to make you think you may be in a modern version of The Great Gatsby. 10 Fleet St, Temple Bar, Dublin 2. Phone: +353 1 643700 www.themorgan.com

Oliver St John Gogarty’s – If work is the curse of the drinking classes Oliver St John Gogarty must have been a witch doctor (He was actually a poet and surgeon). The pub itself is a 19^th century drinking house with three floors, always busy and in a very central location in Temple Bar (for those that will go to Temple Bar). Fleet Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 +353 1 6711 82 www.gogartys.ie/pub/

Long Hall – For somewhere that’s taken more battering than Shane McGowan’s liver but remains full of character, try the Long Hall on South Georges Street. Its 1940s appeal, random array of artefacts of varying worth and the fact Phil Lynott shot a video here all add to its quirkiness. Such faded grandeur cannot be bought. 51 S Great Georges St Dublin 2, Co. Dublin, Ireland - +353 1 4751590

STRIP CLUBS

Club Lapellos – 15 euro entry and 30 euro a dance – Stag packages are also available on enquiry for 25 euro. Packages include entry, champagne and a number of dances. 55 Dame Street, Dublin, 2 +353 1 6790514 www.clublapellos.ie

The Barclay Club – Situated in the centre of Dublin, expect to pay 35 euro a dance and an entry fee. The Barclay Club also does stag specials and tables. 47 South William Street, Dublin 2 +353 1 670 6500 www.barclayclub.ie

Temple Bar Emporium – Dublin’s newest strip club is situated near Temple Bar. 20 Crane Lane
Dame street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, +353-1-6337857 www.templebaremporium.com

Angels – This lap dancing club offers some special offers, around 40 euro a dance. 38 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin. +353 1 678 8939 www.angelsdublin.com

DECENT RESTAURANTS

Elephant and Castle – A nice restaurant that offers tasty New York style food; as good for brunch as it is for dinner. 18 Temple Bar, Dublin 2, +353 1 679 3121 www.elepantandcastle.ie

Captain Americas Bar and Grill – Burgers, steaks, cocktails and a random array of memorabilia from the 1980s world of rock including Bono’s guitar – with its miraculous healing powers. 44 Grafton Street, Dublin 2.  +353 1 6715266 www.captainamericas.com

Bull and Castle – A pub owned by one of Dublin’s largest butchers (can’t be bad for carnivores), that serves its own meat and beer from its own brewery. It’s also only across the road from the burial place of Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver’s Travels. Christchurch, Dublin. +353 1 475 112 www.fxbrestaurants.com

Brassiere Sixty6 – For something a little bit more up market that’s exciting and in the centre of the hubbub. 66-67 South Great Georges Street, Dublin 2.  +353 1 4005878 www.brasseriesixty6.com

Fire Restaurant – Stylish and on the Lord Mayor’s patch, modern European food with a twist or so they say. Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2.  +353 1 676-7200 www.mansionhouse.ie

LATE NIGHT FOOD PLACES

Rick’s Burgers – When the munchies hit after beer o’clock passes, Rick’s Burgers is a good bet for a tasty juicy slab of meat. 1 South Great George’s Street, Dublin 2, Ireland

Roma 2 – It’s probably been there since the Normans invaded, but for simple takeaway grub it’s a winner. 28 Wexford Street, Dublin 2.  +353 1 4755595

Eddie Rockets – 1950s style dining, leather jacket and quiff not recommended. There are loads of them throughout the city centre. www.Eddie Rockets.ie

Zaytoon – Middle Eastern food that will fill the bellies of men, after a hard night’s work. 14/15 Parliament Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 + 353 1 677 3595

Good World Restaurant – Chinese food and the restaurant stays open until 3pm at weekends.
18 South Great Georges Street, Dublin 2 + 353 1 6775373

TRAVEL

Railway – Iarnród Éireann is Irelands only rail provider. Useful if you want to travel to the other cities. They’re also responsible for the city’s DART service. +353 1 7033504 www.Irishrail.ie

Airport – Dublin Airport is located about 15km from the city. A taxi is the fastest way to your hotel as it’s direct, otherwise Dublin Bus offer a service. If there are a number of you, grab a taxi as it’ll end up cheaper.

Tourist - For tourist information contact the Tourism Centre, Suffolk Street, Dublin 2. +353 1 605 7700 www.visitdublin.com

CIE – Offers bus services for journeys outside the city from Busáras station, the central Dublin bus station. Trips by bus are far less expensive and better serviced than rail journeys. Busáras (Central Bus Station), Store Street, Dublin 1. +353 1 8366111 www.buseireann.ie

Luas – Dublin’s tram service. Luas Depot, Red Cow, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, +353 1 4614910 www.luas.ie

Dublin Bus – Dublin’s local bus service, daily and weekly and other tickets are available. A 3 day rambler ticket is 13.50 euro.  Dublin Bus, 59 Upper O’Connell Street, Dublin 1 +353 1 8734222  www.dublinbus.ie

TAXI

Taxi 7, 10 Bridgecourt Office Park, Walkinstown, Dublin 12.  Ph: +353 1 460 0000.

NRC (National Radio Cabs) 40 James’ Street, Dublin 8 +353 1 708 9222 www.radiocabs.ie

Global Taxis Ireland, City House, Newmarket, Dublin 8, Ireland. +353 (0) 1 473 1333 www.globaltaxis.ie

Go see the:

Guinness Storehouse – Go see where the black stuff is made, pour your own and then enjoy a pint overlooking Dublin from the Gravity Bar. St James’s Gate, Dublin 8.  + 353 1 408 4800 www.guinness-storehouse.com

GAA Museum and Croke Park history tour – Learn about Ireland’s national sports, the stadium and the heroes. GAA Museum, Croke Park, St. Joseph’s Avenue. Dublin 1 www.museum.gaa.ie

ESSENTIAL TRIVIA

O’Connell Bridge is the only traffic bridge in Europe which is wider than it is long and Dublin’s second O’Connell Bridge is across the pond in Stephen’s Green.

Dubliners drink a total of 9800 pints an hour between the hours of 5.30pm on a Friday and 3.00am the following Monday.

A pint of Guinness in Dublin can cost as much as EUR4.75 or as little as EUR2.10 depending on where you drink.