One of the most popular articles we’ve ever written on Publin is our guide to free function rooms in Dublin. It’s obvious that people like to have an exclusive area for big parties. With that in mind, we’ve hunted around Dublin a bit to find some venues for parties that you may not know about. Obviously some of you are probably in the know, but we reckon that most on this list aren’t common knowledge.
Tivoli Backstage
Upstairs stage.
Across the road from the Tivoli theatre on Francis street is ‘Tivoli Backstage’. It’s 2 floors of bars, seating, and stages that are available for hire. You can book them for parties, gigs, or whatever you like. We’ve been here for a birthday party and it was great craic. If you’re looking to put on a gig, they have stages on both floors. Link.
The Candle Bar above Hogans.
The Candle Bar is above Hogans on George’s street and is part of Kelly’s Hotel and also attached to No Name Bar. It’s a small enough space, but you’d likely fit around 30-40 people in here easily. There’s a private bar, a small dance floor, and an area behind the perspective of the camera in the above photo. Link.
The Stella Lieu room
The Stella Lieu is an excellent space above Club Nassau on Nassau street. It’s available to rent for any kind of party. They have a stage in the venue, so you could set up a DJ or a band there. The room is quite large, so this would be good for a party with a big guest list. There’s lots of little alcoves down the back for private chats if some of your guests don’t want to be in the thick of it at the bar. Link.
The Trinity Inn
The good thing about The Trinity Inn on Pearse street is that you can book out the whole pub for free. It’s owned by O’Neill’s just over the road and they typically only open it at weekends. There’s 2 floors to it, and they have a PA system. That might make it a good bet for a pub quiz.
McDaids
A lot of people don’t seem to know that there’s a function room above the main bar in McDaids on harry street. It’s a fantastic pub with a lot of history. Upstairs you can fit around 40 or so people. There’s a full bar up there and also a TV. We’ve used it before for private functions and it was great.
‘The Neptune’
We have fond memories of this place, having spent Paddys day here around 10 years ago when we were just young Publin whippersnappers. ‘The Neptune’ is underneath The Flowing Tide on Abbey Street. We’re big fans of the Flowing Tide. The bar staff are very sound and there’s a great theatrical tradition in the pub, located as it is across the road from our national theatre. The Neptune downstairs looks to have quite a big capacity. This is a good option if you want a through and through Dublin pub.
The Parlour in Whelans
On the top floor of Whelans there’s a really cool area that you can rent. It’s done up to look like the interior of a rural cottage. There’s even a working fire in there! You can have music from the rest of the bar piped in, but we have seen people set up space for a DJ before. There’s a full bar, plenty of space, and even a small smoking area attached. Link.
