Irish Nightlife Is ****

renraw

I have to say the nitelife is after changing - I go between Waterford and Dublin and out of two the I'd pick Dublin, hands down Its the same faces every week in Waterford, same type of music and rip off prices. There are no pubs in Waterford that have cheap beer because you're subsiding for late bars.

It'd be brilliant if there was a place with moderately cheap beer and not full of 18-20yo's falling round the place twisted because they're not able for their beer. Seems most pubs n clubs just play teeny bopper tunes and no decent dance music that you can actually throw shapes to.

Methinks its time for a revolution and overhaul of the Irish nitelife. Because it is crap lately

Sir Molle

Lia_lia wrote: »

I think he was being sarcastic. Or, eh, was he?


Anyway. Yeah Irish nightlife is pretty sh*t. But sure we all knew that!

No, I wasn't being sarcastic. Coppers is great. I've come out of that place at 4 in the morning and there's still people queuing to get in.

Coppers is awesome.

Tripod is pretty good too, and so is Cuba in Galway.

kraggy

Hola_Bola wrote: »

This was on djmag.com and these are the top 50 clubs voted by top djs around the world. Not one of them are located in Ireland...for goodness sake, Newcastle is even represented and Dublin is bigger than that!

1. Space (Ibiza)
2. Fabric (London)
3. Pacha (Ibiza)
4. The End (London)
5. Warung (Itajai)
6 Panorama Bar (Berlin)
7 DC10 (Ibiza)
8 Amnesia (Ibiza)
9 Pawn Shop Lounge (Miami)
10 Zouk (Singapore)
11 Stereo (Montreal)
12 The Arches (Glasgow)
13 Turnmills (London)
14 Space (Miami)
15 Digital (Newcastle)
16 Ministry Of Sound (London)
17 Womb (Tokyo)
18 Guvernment (Toronto)
19 Cocoon (Frankfurt)
20 Pacha (New York)
21 D-Edge (Sao Paolo, Brazil)
22 Cavo Paradisco (Mykonos, Greece)
23 Sirena (Maresias, Brazil)
24 Crobar (Chicago)
25 Fuse (Brussels, Belgium)
26 Pacha (Buenos Aires)
27 Basics (Leeds)
28 Club Kristal (Bucharest)
29 Coco Rico (Riccione, Italy)
30 Cielo (New York)
31 Rex Club (Paris)
32 Robert Johnson (Frankfurt)
33 Yellow (Tokyo)
34 Tenax (Florence, Italy)
35 Weekend (Berlin)
36 Privelege (Ibiza)
37 The Cross (London)
38 Sankeys (Manchester)
39 Home (Sydney, Australia)
40 Pacha (Sao Paolo, Brazil)
41 The Key (London)
42 Babyface (Shanghai, China)
43 Honey Club (Brighton)
44 Se One (London)
45 Alter Ego (Verona, Italy)
46 Spundaue (Los Angeles)
47 Trilogy (Dubai)
48 Venue (Athens, Greece)
49 T Bar (London)
50 Ageha (Tokyo)




Valid point.

You see Op, I agree with you. Our nightlife in this country is absolutely lame. I'd even go so far as to call it pathetic. But there is a reason for this.

I was in no.6 on your list last November. And 2 other times before. Panorama Bar over Berghein in Berlin. It's out of this world. Opens at Midnight on Saturday night and closes Midnight Sunday night. Truly special experience.

I went out that night and was able to leave it til midnight to make a move. Got to my first club about 1.30a.m (Watergate, another great club) and stayed there til 7 in the morning. Then, I casually hopped into a taxi and headed to Berghein/Panorama Bar. There were still droves of people heading in. Some were heading home also. It's that kind of place, people in and out all night and day long. Some folk even arrive on their bicycles after breakfast on a sunday morning for a couple of drinks and a dance. Brilliant!

But the 2 problems that would make this impossible in this country are:

1. There isn't enough a demand in Ireland for a place like this because nobody would make money out a place where the emphasis is on dancing and people have to leave by 3am or whatever stupid time the laws deem it necessary for us to go home.

2. Even if the laws were changed, and clubs were allowed to open all night or an extra few hours or whatever, can you imagine the amount of scumbags that would be frequenting these places? We have an extraordinary amount of out and out scumbags in this country and keeping them out of an all night club would prove very difficult. Panorama Bar is an all night dance with techno music blaring, but everyone is civilised, just there to dance and there's not an ounce of trouble in sight.

So, in summary, I'd love it if we could be as serious about having fun as the continentals but we're just not civilised enough to do it. Go to Berlin and you'll see that even their scobes have manners and don't feel the need to dress in an Addidas tracksuit and wear a Burberry baseball cap.

I'm actually so fed up with this country I can't see myself here in 2 or 3 years. It's getting more knackery by the week. Partially fuelled by the welfare society but that's another discussion.

stovelid

dar83 wrote: »

Is that a euphemism for something? :pac:

Not at all.

My stint in the fudge-packing factory was the summer before that.

@OP.

Serious point.

Why not try and get a night going yourself?

If you feel that there is a gap for what you like, others might feel the same way. Why not be proactive?

Executive Steve

tallus wrote: »

Maybe if there was more of a demand for that type of nightlife, but don't our bars close at 2am ? I'm not that mad about going out clubbing anyways, and we have big enough problems with alcohol related crap happening on the streets without adding to the problem.
My 2 Cents.

If we were really serious about tackling alcohol related anti social behaviour we would extend the opening hours to 4.30am and not allow alcohol to be sold for the last hour or so.

People would leave gradually, instead of everyone spewing out onto the street to hang around town for another two hours trying to get a taxi home in the cold, congregating outside of fast food shops and getting into scraps... This would also reduce the enormous pressure on the (pathetic) nightlink service by ensuring the queues are evenly spread out over the course of the period they run for...


The whole idea that Irish people are somehow inferior to their continental cousins when it comes to holding drink is a complete myth; I personally blame it on the fact that pub licences can't be transferred out of police districts, so any time you buy a licence (which has to be from an existing licence holder) you have to find a bigger building, gut it and renovate it and turn what was probably a small pub with a regular clientele of all ages into a gigantic shed where they use every trick in the book to maximise alcohol sales per square inch of floor space...

Plasma screens on the walls, Music turned up just above the volume of comfortable conversation, very few seats... People just give up and start drinking to get drunk, which is pretty much what the VFI want them to do... This in turn leads to reduced expectations of social interaction in people's experience of nightlife in general, and contributes to a feeling of drunken solitude which easily flips into aggression when people step outside at the end of the night, which causes fights to erupt. (i'm talking about pubs her, not nightclubs, nightclubs at least have the possibility for sublimating that energy into dancing).

Also, our media know we all love a story about a good drink-fuelled fight on the streets, and are only too delighted to print stories that make Dublin on a Saturday night look like Johannesburg gone wrong; in my experience Dublin is one of the safest friendliest cities I've ever been to, and I say that as somebody who drove rickshaws and bicycle taxis around the inner city at night for three years and who also worked on several hot dog stands... I've seen more violence in one weekend in country towns like Carlow than I saw in half a decade of working at night on the streets of Dublin carrying a very large sum of money in my pockets at all times...


*edit*


we need to deregulate the licensed trade as a matter of extreme urgency to safeguard the future heritage of the irish pub.

good luck getting that through a dáil made up of publicans though...

Stercus Accidit

Everywhere kicks the living shyte out of Dublins Shytelife.

Out at 12, home at 3, 2 hours actual socialising time, and most of that spent quaffing alcohol asap.

Then, maybe, you could go out at 10 and start in a pub, rip off prices, no-one loosened up yet, most heads drinking at home before going straight to the club for the 2 hours, so not even out yet.


I've been out in other European cities, and this town is pure shyte.

Twee.

Hola_Bola wrote: »

This was on djmag.com and these are the top 50 clubs voted by top djs around the world. Not one of them are located in Ireland...for goodness sake, Newcastle is even represented and Dublin is bigger than that!


2. Fabric (London)

Woo been to one on the list. Was expensive in but the place was fcuking HUGE! Drinks were fairly priced and best part....open until 6am! Loads of different rooms with quality music in every section.

The earliest I usually head out is 12, due to myself and the pals working, so at best we're getting two and a half hours out. It does create a need for after parties and late night gaffs though

Executive Steve

Twee. wrote: »

It does create a need for after parties and late night gaffs though

Which causes even more hassle to long suffering neighbours, sleeplessness and anti-social behaviour that closing licensed premises at half two only exacerbates...

Micky Dolenz

Hola_Bola wrote: »

I consider myself well traveled and even some of the third world countries I've been to have a far greater nightly entertainment scene than any of our cities,

What third world countries do you refer too?

I kinda agree with you, I lived in London for years and you could go out on a Friday evening and stay out until Sunday,(probably longer.(call me light weight if you must )

There were nights when we decided to go out at 3am. Great clubs that stay open all night and when they shut at 8am the crowd goes to an after party at another club down the road, and the circle never ends.

To be fair, Dublin should be on a par with other European cities in this respect.

HouseHippo

Its not that there is nothing to go to its that nobody is going so places are closing down, I used to work in a Dub venue, really nice place, brilliantv sound system(Midas Legend 3000 and D&B speakers, for any soundies)
but it was always empty so we closed the doors.

[cm]tyranny

[cm]tyranny wrote: »

If we were really serious about tackling alcohol related anti social behaviour we would extend the opening hours to 4.30am and not allow alcohol to be sold for the last hour or so.

They can open as long as they want afaik, but just choose to kick people out as close to last orders as possible because they won't be spending any more money.

Truth is, I normally have alot more fun pre-drinking in someones gaf than I do for the rest of the night in the club/pub.

Hola_Bola

Awesome thoughts guys. I'm so happy to see that there are other people out there that feel the same way. The thing is, I know several groups of people who journey into the city centre and feel like this is the best thing since slice bread. The fact that these people haven't attended other cities around the world and tasted what else is out there lowers their expectations of their nights out.

Recently, town has lost it's bite. Many people are traveling out to the suburbs for their nights entertainment. Personal thought of mine that I'd appreciate any opinions on, why can't we invest money back into the nightlife scene in Dublin city centre? It would no doubt decrease the level of intoxicated individuals wondering around neighbourhood areas during the night and bring the sole back into town with the added incentive of putting Dublin on the map with regards to being a top weekend destination for the continent? Fianna Fail could definitely use the money :rolleyes:

ArmaniJeanss wrote: »

What relevance is a list voted by DJs?
A better survey would be one done by punters.

List looks dodgy anyway, its UK bias leads me to think that the only DJs surveyed were those from the UK. So they voted for UK clubs and places they'd been on holidays.
I can't see otherwise how a club in Brighton would be on the list if DJs in say Seattle or Lima were polled.

What are you talking about? London is considered the "dog's bollox" when it comes to nightlife in Europe. Along with Ibiza, no other city oozes variety like London. Regardless of what your views are, top renowned DJ's and bands frequent London. It is one of the worlds best concerning the nightlife scene. Not only have they Fabric, London boasts Ministry of Sound and the infamous Pacha - I'm not saying these places are your cup of tea but they are world famous.

ChocolateSauce

There is an underground scene OP, it's just not as visible as it is in cooler cities like London. Granted it isn't very big though...

But I've settled this problem by deciding to move to London in 2012.

But I agree with most of the rest of your points.

tman

stovelid wrote: »

http://www.aerlingus.com/
http://www.ryanair.com/
http://www.cheapflights.ie/


http://www.emigrantadvice.ie/

A little late for me now, but that's a damn handy site!

I wholeheartedly agree with the OP anyway... Ireland's licensing laws are so backwards it beggars belief sometimes!
While I do plan on moving back to Ireland when I'm ready to settle down, I just couldn't live without my 12 hour clubbing sprees right now:P

ChocolateSauce wrote: »

But I've settled this problem by deciding to move to London in 2012.

Go for it! Best decision I ever made:)

Twee.

ChocolateSauce wrote: »

There is an underground scene OP, it's just not as visible as it is in cooler cities like London. Granted it isn't very big though...

It wouldn't be very underground if it was big and visible!

poisonated

I think whether we like it or not we are seen by many as a country which main asset is the drunken banter one would be able to have in the pubs.I don't know why we are fighting this.In our current economic climate,we need to bring as many tourists in as possible.If our pubs close when it is still fecking bright out,how are we supposed to do this?!We will soon be known as the boring Irish who go to bed at 8 o'clock!
That being said I really like Dublin and Galway.Great spots!

Hola_Bola

Twee. wrote: »

It wouldn't be very underground if it was big and visible!

I assume he is speaking about the genre of music playing in the clubs. For example, in London, you would have the Chemical Brothers, Groove Armada etc etc, while in Ireland, the fear of becoming too distant with it's mainstream teenage costumers, forbids the Irish club management to set aside changing their playlist and regulars.

The Irish club scene has, in a way, become a slightly more flamboyant pub.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

I have the thought of hanging myself...

abouttobebanned

It all comes down to the government again. We live in a nanny state...they're not intelligent enough to come up with new policies for new times - for god's sake, we're still working off a night clubs act that dates back to the 30s

JDizz

I have become really bored with town and wouldnt be still going in if I wasnt single, but I have been going there for nearly 10 years!! But I'm sure theres more to do then you think, everyone has 4 or 5 places they go and thats it

barakus

[quote='Plasma screens on the walls, Music turned up just above the volume of comfortable conversation, very few seats... People just give up and start drinking to get drunk, which is pretty much what the VFI want them to do... This in turn leads to reduced expectations of social interaction in people's experience of nightlife in general, and contributes to a feeling of drunken solitude which easily flips into aggression when people step outside at the end of the night, which causes fights to erupt. (i'm talking about pubs her, not nightclubs, nightclubs at least have the possibility for sublimating that energy into dancing).
..[/quote]

that is so true.

was at a bar/club in the canaries the other week there, (not one of the tourist ones) and we were just looking at the locals having a night out, no-one seemed to be drunk, people were dancing salsa (or something like that) everyone just seemed to be having a really good time, chilled out and happy.

Just seemed to be way classier than a night out back home where its a f**kin race to get as hammered as possible before chucking out time then on to taxi/chipper/fight/house party.

abouttobebanned

Ireland's night life is dictated by the people who spend the most money - 18-23 year olds.

This is why locals are the most enjoyable places to be.

username4321

Surely things will pick up once College starts again? (in the short-term sense of things).
Im starting College in sept and hope Dublin isnt as shyte as it sounds for going-out..

But I agree it is a race to get drunk, then taxi home. I hate when the lights come on in a nightclub when u only feel like the night is starting.

Im lazy when it comes to getting ready to head out.
I prefer to wind down from work, relax, have my dinner and then head out about 10 or 11. But if I wanted to have a decent big night out I would have to head out at about nine which means rushing to get ready, which when I only home from work is tiring. If we had opening hours like other EU countries you would have more freedom to head out later and drinking wouldn't be a (admittedly personal) race.

I lived in Greece and you could come home at 6pm, have food, a shower, watch a dvd, have a shag,get ready drink slowly and head out at 2am for the best craic.

It was great

IRockUrSocks

abouttobebanned wrote: »

Ireland's night life is dictated by the people who spend the most money - 18-23 year olds.

This is why locals are the most enjoyable places to be.

lawl...
jesus what are you, 40???????

Executive Steve

Hola_Bola wrote: »

I assume he is speaking about the genre of music playing in the clubs. For example, in London, you would have the Chemical Brothers, Groove Armada etc etc, while in Ireland, the fear of becoming too distant with it's mainstream teenage costumers, forbids the Irish club management to set aside changing their playlist and regulars.

The Irish club scene has, in a way, become a slightly more flamboyant pub.

If I heard Groove Armada or the feckin Chemical Brothers in an Irish club I'd ask for my money back tbh...

Hola_Bola

[cm]tyranny wrote: »

If I heard Groove Armada or the feckin Chemical Brothers in an Irish club I'd ask for my money back tbh...

I understand but I just wanted to make a comparison.

What I wanted to say was that we don't have much of a variety in Ireland. Nothing outside of the Top 40 current chart.

Executive Steve

Hola_Bola wrote: »

I understand but I just wanted to make a comparison.

What I wanted to say was that we don't have much of a variety in Ireland. Nothing outside of the Top 40 current chart.

That's absolute rubbish though, there's tonnes of stuff outside the normal Top 40 current chart... I can't even remember the last time I was subjected to chart music on a night out! (apart from in a shop I'm not hearing any commercial radio anyway) There's dozens of small promoters making bugger all money putting on gigs they believe in (and mostly losing their shirts for the love of it), there's radio shows, events listings, the internet... There's posters and fliers in record shops around whatever town you're in, there's loads of good stuff, if you haven't found it you're too young or too lazy too look, basically... Where are you from? What are you into?


*edit* and groove armada and the chemical brothers are pretty much "chart" in a nutshell...

bigeasyeah

Id rather live here than the third world.

DublinWriter

Last Saturday, I was in La Cartegena in Brussels with Mrs. DublinWriter until 3am, enjoying true Cuban Mojhitos for €5, dancing the salsa (as only a Dub and a Geordie could attempt at 3am after several Mojhitos) smoking in the bar (won't someone think of the children?) and generally having a great time without the usual Irish threat of fists, faeces and piss being thrown liberally about.

We're a nation of swine, and enjoy ourselves thusly on our own turf. You expected differently?

siltirocker

Hola_Bola wrote: »

Other countries have the exact same problems, perhaps they're more mature than us and they drink far more than us too so why do we have that bogus name?
.

Disagree,spent alot of time on the continient over the past 4 yrs and felt that besides the belgians, the germans and the czech, none of them can drink, they will just nurse a pint for 40-60 minutes. They are only tipps at 4am 'cause they've had 7 or 8 pints.