Diners' Choice: Great for creative cocktails restaurants in Dublin 2

OpenTable

Updated 05 April 2025

Looking for the best handcrafted cocktails in Dublin 2? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Vintage Cocktail Club

4.7

4.7 (2965)

€30 and under

Modern European

Temple Bar

About the restaurant

VCC is a unique, multi award winning, exclusive dining and cocktail experience in the heart of Dublin's Temple Bar. Walk through the cobbled stone streets of one of Ireland's most famous multi cultural vintage quarters in search of our secret door, on finding you will be rewarded with being transported back in time, engulfed in crushed velvet and candle light all whilst enjoying some of Ireland's best cocktails & small plates.

Top review

Jennifer

Dined 1 day ago

A very nice location. Reasonably priced drinks and lovely service.

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VCC Vegan Sharing Platter

Yamamori Izakaya Japas & Sake

4.6

4.6 (329)

€31 to €50

Japanese

South City Centre

About the restaurant

- About Izakaya Japas & Sake -

The laidback ambience of Izakaya Japas & Sake combines the merriment of a pub with Japas (tapas-style small plates) and freshly handmade sushi. The vibrant Victorian-style building is located at the heart of George’s Street. It offers a cultural escape through authentic oriental wall décor, an extensive choice of sake, Japanese liquor and banging cocktails. Seasonal and all-time delicious favourites, such as tempuras, duck pancakes, and Omakase, are bursting with flavours and leave your mouth watering for more. Funky tunes during evenings, a fun atmosphere and charismatic staff will make your visit memorable.

- About Lunch -
Izakaya Japas & Sake bar also offers 'Lunch' on weekends. We are thrilled to launch our exciting new lunch menu, available exclusively on weekends from 1 to 5 p.m.

・Indulge in any 5 Japa’s of your choice for just €45 for 2 people( €22.50 per person)
・Each pitcher serves 4 and is price

Top review

Sarah

Dined 1 day ago

All the food was amazing and the staff were so helpful and friendly. Would highly recommend

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Experience

Weekends Lunch Set Menu ( just €45 for 2 people)

Experience

Set Menu €50 per person

Pen & Player

4.6

4.6 (86)

€51 and over

Tapas / Small Plates

South City Centre

About the restaurant

Pen & Player Cocktail Bar, Dublin's Premium Cocktail Experience.

The dash of alchemy, a measure of anticipation & a twist of surprise are to be savored slowly.
The spectacle and the show, something to share, something to whisper. Stories we like to tell, other to discover.

Enjoy the best expertly crafted cocktails in Dublin along with our selection of fine wines and spirits.

A light bite gourmet menu is available to compliment our expertly crafted cocktails or fine wines.

Welcome to Pen & Player.

**Kitchen Times: Every day from 4pm to 9:30pm.**

**No-Show will be charged 10€ per person**

Top review

Dee

Dined 7 days ago

Very nice experience nice place to chill with freinds

Thunder Road Café

4.5

4.5 (2371)

€30 and under

Pub

Temple Bar

About the restaurant

Planning a special event or a gathering with a large group of friends or family? Thunder Road Café welcomes group bookings, ensuring a fantastic time for everyone. Our spacious and vibrant venue can accommodate groups of various sizes, and we offer tailored menus to suit your event needs, creating memories that will be cherished by all.

Top review

Amy

Dined today

Food was delicious, good value for drinks and food. Service was exceptional

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Popular dish

Vegan Burger

El Silencio

4.5

4.5 (330)

€31 to €50

Contemporary Mexican

South City Centre

About the restaurant

Shhhhh El Silencio doesn't exist - we don't have a website or phone number but you can message us on instagram: @el_silencio_fff
Our address is; Find the SECRET DOOR [inside] Pablo Picante Burrito Bar, 4 Clarendon Market, Dublin 2 xx

At El Silencio we specialise in Tacos & Margaritas with a dive-bar ambience. The music is loud and the drinks are strong ¡Andale!

Our tacos use gf corn tortillas from Balam - a Mexican food business set up by Eduardo and his team in Dublin. We have an excellent array of plant-based options too including the Vegan Prison Tray.

Our margaritas (11 different combinations and counting) use only the best 100% agave tequila and mezcal.

We don't mess around with wine/whiskey/vodka/dessert/coffee - just margaritas & tacos cabrones!

Top review

Eimear

Dined on 3 Apr 2025

Great as always, fab margaritas and great atmosphere

Little Pyg

4.4

4.4 (648)

€30 and under

Italian

South William Street

About the restaurant

Voted #1 Best Pizzeria in Ireland 2024 and 2023
Top #10 Cocktail Bar in Ireland 2023
Voted #15 Best Pizzeria in Europe 2024/2023
Award Winning Michelin Guide Italian pizzas with 50% less calories.
48 hours fermentation of the dough go into our pizza making process and this is evident in the sumptuous authentic Neapolitan style pizzas, served by our specially trained chefs and Michelin Maestro Enzo Coccia.
We source all the best ingredients from Italy.

Signature Pygtails: Passion Pornstar, Tropicalya 1920 and our Signature Flat White Martini.

Top review

Katelyn Adele

Dined 1 day ago

The music levels are ridiculous, I am sitted in a restaurant not in a bar or pub. Couldn’t hear my friends speak to me and neither could they . Otherwise good food . And really good staff

Drury Buildings

4.3

4.3 (1431)

€30 and under

Contemporary European

South City Centre

About the restaurant

Drury Buildings is an owner operated award winning Cocktail Bar, Restaurant and Venue in the heart of Dublin city centre.

Above the bar is our lounge and dining room. This cosy and relaxing space set over two floors of the building is perfect if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of town and relax with a great bottle of wine, a cocktail and graze on our small plates and boards.

Our menu is specially crafted to suit the taste buds of all guests while also ensuring that there is enough variety to cater to different dietary requirements.
Our kitchen is a tapas-style cuisine that adds an element of fun and also encourages socializing, with a sharing-style menu.

‘We never stop creating, we never stop evolving’

Top review

Leah

Dined on 5 Apr 2025

Bruno gave us exceptional customer service! And the margaritas were fabulous.

Fade Street Social - The Cocktail Bar & Rooftop Terrace

4.1

4.1 (957)

€30 and under

Cocktail Bar

South City Centre

About the restaurant

Our Cocktail bar & Heated Rooftop terrace is the perfect spot to enjoy exciting cocktails and take in the fantastic views. It's an ideal place to have pre or post-dinner drinks or enjoy late-night drinks with funky tunes.

The outdoor rooftop terrace is a heated area that complements both restaurant downstairs, providing a place for pre or post-dinner drinks, smoking, and late-night drinks with funky tunes. It's a valuable addition to Dublin's outdoor lounging spaces, offering outstanding cocktails and stunning views.

This unique, picturesque, stylish rooftop garden is also perfect for corporate events, launches and private functions.

Top review

OpenTableDinerVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Such a great vibe on the rooftop! Cocktails were spot on, the music was amazing, and the whole space felt lively and fun.

Alfies

4.1

4.1 (542)

€30 and under

International

South William Street

About the restaurant

Located in Dublin’s Cultural Quarter, for over 15 years, Alfies has been serving food from our international style menu, using only the highest quality ingredients, complimented by creative and classic cocktails which will tantalize your taste buds.

Enjoy the atmosphere and ambience of our relaxed dining area and as the evening takes off, join us in our cocktail bar where chic meats contemporary.

ENTERTAINMENT:

Our residents DJ’s play the latest hits and all your favourite classics all weekend.

Neat dress essential
No sportswear

Top review

Caroline

Dined on 7 Apr 2025

Delicious food, exquisite wine. Excellent service.

Peruke & Periwig

3.9

3.9 (461)

€31 to €50

Cocktail Bar

Dawson Street

About the restaurant

** We are currently NOT serving food in the venue**
Peruke & Periwig is a unique and memorable cocktail lounge experience on Dublin’s thriving Dawson Street, number 31 to be exact. The ground floor bar offers guests a draught pint, and an extensive selection of the finest cocktails, whiskeys, spirits, liqueurs and wines.

On our first and second floor lounge areas you can try our expertly mixed cocktails with some unique yet appetising adjustments that allow us to express our creativity and serve delectable drinks. Our current cocktail menu in Peruke & Periwig, is inspired by wigs from around the world to bring back the history of our beautiful building.
*Please note:
-A discretionary service charge of 12.5% it's added to tables of 6+.
- Reservations are drinks only.
- Strictly over 21
- €10 per person fee applies for no-shows and cancellations with -24hrs notice

Top review

lizVIP

Dined on 28 Mar 2025

Food - n/a Excellent venue for pre dinner drinks! Highly recommend!

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