Is Dublin gay? You bet your sweet GUINNESS it is!
Long before marriage equality passed, and before Ireland’s first openly gay Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Leo Varadkar was voted into office, Ireland has been heaving with gay culture. It’s the home of rainbows, harps, flamboyant coloured doors, Oscar Wilde and a record holding winner at the Eurovision song contest.
Ireland is a country steeped in legend, tragedy and celebrated triumph and its capital and largest city, Dublin, is right in the thick of it. How could a city with such a deep history not also come with a ton of flare!
So whether visiting Dublin for the weekend or you’ve lived here for years, here is your SINGLE SOURCE GUIDE of all the gayness Dublin has to offer: LGBT Laws, Bars, Parties, Pride, Sports and more!
LGBT LAWS
Feel free to burn your flame bright and feel safe while visiting Dublin. The foundation of the Irish Gay Rights Movement began in Dublin in 1974. Since then, numerous actions have been taken to enforce equality. In 1993 Homosexuality in Ireland was decriminalized and in 2010 civil partnerships were recognized for same sex couples. But finally, in 2015, after being the first country in the world to hold a public referendum vote on marriage equality, and after passing with an overwhelming majority YES, same-sex marriage was legalized!
There are still opportunities for laws to be changed to not hinder someone being who they identify as and or in the forming of partnerships and families. And like in many places, there is always room for the attitudes of some to change. But generally, Dublin is a happy and safe place for visiting and resident LGBTQ+ lives.
GAY BARS
The George and Bridie’s Bar
The George is the biggest and oldest gay bar in Ireland and has been around since the mid-80’s. Bridie’s Bar is a pub downstairs which caters to an older audience and was actually the original George bar before extending across two neighbouring floors of dancefloors, stages and an outdoor alley.
The George is a pillar in the Dublin gay community and draws an incredibly open mix of partygoers of all ages and sexualities. Hell even the Gay Prime Minister often parties there! Busiest after 10pm from Thursday to Sunday with drag performances, Karaoke Saturdays, Bingo Sundays and more. But best get there before 11pm as the lines can get huge on Friday and Saturday nights! Check their schedule for event info.
PantiBar & Penny Lane
PantiBar opened in 2007 and is owned by the Irish gay drag icon Panti Bliss who is famous for many things including helping deliver both marriage equality and a team of sweet, buff Brazilian bartenders to the Irish people. Quente means hot in Portuguese…to help you strike up a conversation when ordering a drink at the counter! A great space to start or spend much of the night with great drink deals and cheap cocktails and on the weekend, Drag Queen DJs, performances and music bingo! It’s also one of the most artistically styled gay bars around including a long-standing wall to wall vintage pride and party poster collection.
Panti Bliss also opened another bar across the street called Penny Lane, named after her dog! Our preferred gay bar in Dublin with the best outdoor space of the LGBT+ bars and beautifully designed brick-walled Cocktail inside with seating to enjoy drinks and great conversation with friends and still great tunes for bopping into the evening.
Street 66
Marketed as a reggae, funk, soul and jazz cocktail bar but it’s also a popular gay and diverse LGBT watering hole (And still commonly referred to as The Front Lounge (the previous name until 2016). In the front, on the weekends it’s the best dance floor to listen and sing along to your favourite gay hits from the 80s and 90s spun by drag queen DJs. In the back, it’s known for its Friends “Central Perk Café” style couches and décor and all your favourite board games for chill drinks with friends!
Love Tempo
Love Tempo is a music-led neighbourhood bar from the people behind Big Romance & Mother (Described below). A unique indoor space for quality sound, drinks and community events and connection.
Jack Nealons
A classic style sports pub with a whiskey collection and rugby on the tele, Jack Nealons opens its doors to one and all, normally for early evening pub drinks and with a skew to bearded daddies.
Oscars Cafe Bar
Not just a bar, Oscars can fill your belly as well as your soul! Check their Facebook page for menu and events.
PRIDE EVENTS
Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride
In 1983 the 1st Dublin LGBT Pride took place and has been going ever since getting bigger every year with up to 30,000 plus people marching in 2017’s pride parade and with more than 60+ floats. Pop up gay bars, events, concerts and activities are on for a full week so check the Dublin Pride website for the latest schedule. And on the day of the parade concerts and alley parties pop up all over the city so prepare yourself for a big day and even bigger night out! Check their website for event schedule.
Bear Pride
In late March is when the Bears come out of hibernation and congregate in Dublin. Ireland’s biggest bear event, it’s 4 days from Thursday to Sunday including outings, lunches, DJs, lots of bear appreciation mingling and it all culminates to a party on Saturday night where the Mr Bear Ireland Competition is hosted and winner announced. Check their website for details.
Leather Pride
If you’re into leather, kink, bondage, sport kit, exhibitionism or maybe just open to some new experiences, this is the event for you. Hosted in late January, it’s a weekend full of get-togethers and maybe even a bit of sexy shoe polishing. Check their website for details.
GAY PARTIES
Mother
A 21+ electro DJ music party every Saturday night at The Hub. Opens at 11pm but usually not that busy until after 1am. Open late. Check their website for opening hours and event dates.
OINK (Out In Kink)
An organisation leading in both day and evening community events in the celebration of kink and diverse communities in the LGBT+ community. Check their channels for updates on their regular events.
Sweatbox
The Hub also hosts a Friday night party with house music, sweaty bodies and booty shaking. Doors open at 11pm. Open late. Check their page for info.
Euphoria
A regularly scheduled CLUB night with international DJs. Check the Facebook page for dates.
Wigwam – Drag Brunch
Weekly drag brunches on Sunday in a lovely bright and engaging room atmosphere with drink and food deals, and many a high kick. Check schedules and booking.
Bow Lane – Drag Brunch
Usually the last Sunday of each month. Either way this brunch is worth dragging yourself out for a Sunday session. Hosted by some of Dublin’s most well-known queens, you’ll be giggling over your eggs benny and smoked cocktails. See the menu, event dates and book a table.
Geared
A regular fetish night for leather, pride, sport, bondage and more where you can let your inner fantasy come to life on the dancefloor on a Saturday night. Also usually equipped with some play and exhibition areas to learn or explore some new skills! Find out about the next event.
Bukkake
If you know what bukkake means, that does not happen at this party… at least as far as we know anyway 😊. It’s a heaving, beats-based dancefloor events that runs several times a year, usually around bank holidays and major pride events. Hot tracks and hotter lads makes for an eventful night. Facebook page.
SAUNAS
The Boilerhouse
Enjoy levels of steamy dark corners and unmentionable tomfoolery with guys of all ages, located just around the corner from most of Dublin’s gay bars. If nothing else, a welcoming hot tub, steam rooms and cafe/bar make for a relaxing spa experience. Check The Boilerhouse for more details.
SPORTS
Inclusive Rugby – The Emerald Warriors
A Dublin based inclusive rugby club with multi-level inclusive teams for men and also a team for women. They even have a weekly tag rugby game. Cheerleaders and spectators are always welcomed for matches and practice. New members are always welcome so check them out for more.
LGBT+ Softball – The Stoneballerz
LGBT+ Softball is a group that supports LGBT+ Softball teams in Ireland leading to the Stoneballerz team competing in Dublin in the Leinster league. A team we proudly play with, there’s always opportunities to join for the league, open days, weekend tournaments and more. Keep an eye on the group pages for announcements.
Gay Football – The Dublin Devils
Call it soccer, football, footy…it’s all the same game but the Dublin Devils try to mix it up with different teams of size and skill level. The all men’s gay soccer team play regularly and are always looking for fresh blood.
Gay Sailing – Gays Around The Bay
Dublin’s first Gay Sailing Event Day out of Dublin Bay at Royal St. George Yacht Club. A regular yearly event. Keep an eye out on our Facebook page. No experience required. Just bring your sea legs and a good attitude.
Dublin Front Runners
Reach out to the Dublin Front Runners group if you’re visiting the city and want to meet some social runners.
Out2Tennis
If you fancy smacking a few balls around, Out2Tennis can help. They are Dublin’s largest gay tennis network.
In4Squash
Based on University College Dublin (UCD) campus, this squash group has the largest LGBT squash network in Ireland with regular sessions.
Wet&Wild Sports Club – Adventure Group
If being social in an outdoor active setting is your thing join the Wet & Wild group for activities happening in Dublin. Events announced on their Facebook page.
MORE
Dublin Gay Men’s Chorus – Choir
There’s nothing quite like the roar of voices from an all men’s choir. Early December they put off a wonderful Christmas concert that is the perfect way to kick-off the festive season. And are always looking for new members so get in touch! More info here.
Gloria – Choir
Gloria is the Lesbian and Gay Choir which performs multiple times throughout the year. They are highly regarded and rightfully so. Auditions are only held once a year in September so if you want to live your singing fantasy, don’t miss out.
Did we miss anything?
In 2017 we ventured to Dublin, Ireland as expat gay bloggers eager to get our fingers on the pulse of this globally-influenced, strategic and fun-loving western European city.
And what did we find? A bustling nightlife, so many activities and communities, and a bunch of sound lads and LGBTQ+ community members that are gas, class and with a generous…nature. Hands down, Dublin is one of the friendliest and welcoming gay communities we have ever been a part of.
And if we missed anything please let us know!
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Thanks guys!
Larry and Chris
