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 and little furry gingers getting lucky. And of course you can’t forget Lord of the Dance!
Ireland is a country steeped in legend, religion, tragedy and triumph and its capital and largest city, Dublin, is right in the thick of it. How could a city with such a history not have 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, 5 years after the Stonewall riots. Since then, numerous actions have been taken to enforce equality. In 1993 Homosexuality in Ireland was decriminalized and in 2010 civil partnerships were recognised 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!
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 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 is also opening another bar across the street called Penny Lane, named after her dog! Stay tuned for the latest on this addition to the family. Check their website for event info.
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!
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
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.
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.
Bow Lane – Drag Brunch
Usually it’s the last Sunday but someimtes it’s the second last Sunday afternoon 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.
DADDi
DADDi hosts a monthly dance party for bears, bearded boys, muscle daddies and their admirers. Usually at Tramline on a Saturday night once a month but check the event page for timings. Site more info.
Geared
A monthly 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.
The Furry Glen
Nearly every month there’s a party night for the beefy and burley blokes. Leave your worries at the door and let loose with the lovely guys you’ll meet here. 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.
The Dock (Inn on the Liffey Guesthouse)
A much more intimate size and an older clientele if that’s your forte. And free cover for guests staying in the Inn.
SPORTS
The Emerald Warriors – Gay Rugby
An inclusive rugby club based at St Mary’s Rugby Club in Templeogue, Dublin, where they practice on Monday and Wednesday evenings. From Fall to Spring they play in a league with matches most Saturday afternoons (Check their site for schedule). Cheerleaders and spectators are always welcomed for matches and practice. New members are always welcome so bring your kit along just in case.
And in June 2019 in Dublin, The Emerald Warriors are hosting the Union Cup, a gay Rugby tournament from across Europe. 45 teams from 15 countries across 3 days. It’s an event you WON’T want to miss! Keep an eye on the event and games schedule.
The Dublin Devils – Gay Football
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
In 2018 we launched Dublin’s first Gay Sailing Event Day out of Dublin Bay at Royal St. George Yacht Club. Looking to be a 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. GIMP (Gays In Mount Pleasant) is a group that play together out of the Mount Pleasant Tennis Club in Ranelagh and they are full of cheeky banter. Get in touch for more information on the GIMP Whatsapp Group.
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.
Big Gay Bucket List – Podcast
A podcast about all things gay with the viewpoint of growing up gay in Ireland making it all the more interesting! Full of whit and great banter, the three lads (Stephen, James and Martin) that run this bi-weekly podcast guarantee to entertain, especially with some VERY personal stories 😊. Download on iTunes.
Did we miss anything?
As expats in Dublin less than 2 years and being the inquisitive gay bloggers, we are, we ventured into gay life in Dublin to get our fingers on the pulse of this globally-influenced, strategic and fun-loving western European city.
So what did we find? A bustling nightlife, a variety of activities and a bunch of sound lads 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
