anywhere open in dublin city centre on xmas day

LegacyUser · 05-12-2014 06:44PM #1

does anyone know any where that is open in dublin city centre on xmas day. somewhere someone who does not want to be home alone could drive/get out of house/get something to eat

bluejelly · 05-12-2014 11:52PM

I'm afraid I don't know of anywhere specifically but you could think of volunteering with a charity for the day. One that provides lunch for those less fortunate.

retro:electro · 06-12-2014 01:38AM

I know some hotels do dinners op but I think they may be for residents only.

PawneeRanger · 06-12-2014 01:55AM

Jimmy Chung's buffet used to open on Christmas day. Not sure if it still does but you could give them a bell.

LegacyUser · 06-12-2014 10:03AM

Sober Lane, have a look at this:

http://jrnl.ie/1806466

Lynnsie · 06-12-2014 10:06AM

http://jrnl.ie/1806466

Edit: sorry OP, just realised that link is for Stephens Day. Still nice idea though

miamee · 06-12-2014 10:26AM

A few hotels seem to be open for it alright but prices are steep (€100+ for dinner). The one I looked at there was Bewleys in Ballsbridge but I have no idea what part of the country you are in. There are bound to be others anyway.

If it's an option, you could also look at having a special day at home just for you. Plan what movies to watch, what to have for dinner (whatever is your favourite, doesn't have to be turkey and ham), call some people, maybe invite a neighbour in for a drink, whatever. Just a suggestion, I've no idea if Christmas day alone is the norm for you or because of circumstances this year or whatever

IlmoNT4 · 06-12-2014 10:52AM

My experience of being along on Xmas is that you need a plan OP for Xmas eve, Xmas day and Stephens day.

First off, how do you think you might feel going to a hotel where there are lots of people with their families, it might be a little over whelming. If you think that you really would like to have some where to go, then I'd research volunteering (homeless kitchens, DSPCA, AGE AWARE - lots of elderly people who'd like a visitor on Xmas), hosting a little Xmas party yourself either on Xmas eve or Xmas night (doesnt have to be fancy, few drinks). Or check yourself into a nice hotel if you have the cash, you'll have a total change of scene and it wouldnt feel as bad, or you could even take a flight some where and spend Xmas in another country. Also I know there are yoga retreats, meditation retreats over Xmas here in Ireland. I've heard good things about these.

If your budget cant stretch to something like that then you need a rock solid plan for those 3 days. I know, I've been there. It can really finish you off, sitting alone on Xmas day thinking about everyone else in the world with their families. If your like me, you dont want to gate crash someone elses Xmas day, like a friends but if thats an options for you, go for it... seriously, take any offer you can. People dont care and are happy to have a guest, especially in Ireland

So your plan, Xmas eve, try and arrange to meet someone for a coffee that day, or tidy up your house, get everything really nice for yourself. Get nice food in and some booze (dont hit the bottle, it'll make it worse). Buy yourself a nice present and wrap it up. Make dinner on Xmas day, have movies, a bath, do nails try and see it as a chill out day/pamper day. For Stephens day, lots of people go to the pub, I'd see if you could meet a friend for a drink, get dressed up, I know you might not feel like it but do it. A few years ago myself and a friend walked around the phoenix park on Stephen days and then we made dinner, it was great.

The most important thing to remember OP is that its just a day and you'll get through it with the right attitude. Its ok to feel lonely but reach out to everyone you know and let them know that you'll be alone this Xmas and see who else might want to meet up.
Good Luck

cgcsb · 06-12-2014 11:04AM

Starbucks on college green opened the past years on Xmas.

LegacyUser · 06-12-2014 01:53PM

loulou2009 wrote: »

My experience of being along on Xmas is that you need a plan OP for Xmas eve, Xmas day and Stephens day.

First off, how do you think you might feel going to a hotel where there are lots of people with their families, it might be a little over whelming. If you think that you really would like to have some where to go, then I'd research volunteering (homeless kitchens, DSPCA, AGE AWARE - lots of elderly people who'd like a visitor on Xmas), hosting a little Xmas party yourself either on Xmas eve or Xmas night (doesnt have to be fancy, few drinks). Or check yourself into a nice hotel if you have the cash, you'll have a total change of scene and it wouldnt feel as bad, or you could even take a flight some where and spend Xmas in another country. Also I know there are yoga retreats, meditation retreats over Xmas here in Ireland. I've heard good things about these.

If your budget cant stretch to something like that then you need a rock solid plan for those 3 days. I know, I've been there. It can really finish you off, sitting alone on Xmas day thinking about everyone else in the world with their families. If your like me, you dont want to gate crash someone elses Xmas day, like a friends but if thats an options for you, go for it... seriously, take any offer you can. People dont care and are happy to have a guest, especially in Ireland

So your plan, Xmas eve, try and arrange to meet someone for a coffee that day, or tidy up your house, get everything really nice for yourself. Get nice food in and some booze (dont hit the bottle, it'll make it worse). Buy yourself a nice present and wrap it up. Make dinner on Xmas day, have movies, a bath, do nails try and see it as a chill out day/pamper day. For Stephens day, lots of people go to the pub, I'd see if you could meet a friend for a drink, get dressed up, I know you might not feel like it but do it. A few years ago myself and a friend walked around the phoenix park on Stephen days and then we made dinner, it was great.

The most important thing to remember OP is that its just a day and you'll get through it with the right attitude. Its ok to feel lonely but reach out to everyone you know and let them know that you'll be alone this Xmas and see who else might want to meet up.
Good Luck

Do men do their nails :-). I have medical issues and cannot do volunteer. My father died earlier this year and that makes it really black. i live in a place of families and mixing with them makes me feels worse after.I have good friends here but do niot want to impose or think i should put my depression on them

So i don't. I would like a hotel where I could have meal in the room not have to see anyone with families. I do not care about cost. Like to eat get drunk not have to drive home
"People dont care and are happy to have a guest, especially in Ireland"i care it is more lonely to have to come home after being with people who have families

Flying to a foreign country would be families on the plane?

Thanks people
who goes to yoga - families?

homerjay2005 · 06-12-2014 02:04PM

most hotels are open i think, so if you have some spare cash, book in for 2 nights and have dinner there.

IlmoNT4 · 06-12-2014 06:57PM

Some men do

If you have good friends then I would impose, but I know it doesnt feel great to hang out with families and then come home to an empty house. Makes the sting just that little bit worse...totally get it

I think a lot of hotels will probably have families and groups but I'm not sure, I've never gone to a hotel for Xmas day. I usually go with the stay indoor strategy, pamper myself, watch movies and hope that Xmas passes quickly without me getting too upset. Once you get to Stephens day, you are in the home stretch

I think it would be a mix of people on the plane...
Most people who do Yoga retreats over Xmas generally go on their own

Sorry to hear about you Dad, OP reach to good friends, you'll need some support over Xmas

LegacyUser · 06-12-2014 07:35PM

loulou2009 wrote: »

Some men do

If you have good friends then I would impose, but I know it doesnt feel great to hang out with families and then come home to an empty house. Makes the sting just that little bit worse...totally get it

I think a lot of hotels will probably have families and groups but I'm not sure, I've never gone to a hotel for Xmas day. I usually go with the stay indoor strategy, pamper myself, watch movies and hope that Xmas passes quickly without me getting too upset. Once you get to Stephens day, you are in the home stretch

I think it would be a mix of people on the plane...
Most people who do Yoga retreats over Xmas generally go on their own

Sorry to hear about you Dad, OP reach to good friends, you'll need some support over Xmas

This is op not sure if username exactly the same, on different computer now

well i did not get asked anywhere to impose. i have been alone last few years but my father was on the phone. have you spent alot of xmas days alone

I do not know how to reach out very independent

LegacyUser · 06-12-2014 08:02PM

no_xmas wrote: »

Flying to a foreign country would be families on the plane?

No one can say 100% if there will or won't be families on a flight....chances are yes there will some, there normally are on any flight but will they take over the plane and make you feel unhappy/uncomfortable. If you have the funds to travel for xmas go for it. Xmas isn't a major holiday everywhere so plenty of places to go were things will be open as normal. I've spent xmas in Singapore and Cambodia before and both were great. New York is also great for Xmas as plenty of shows and cinemas open and plenty of places to eat and several galleries and museums (mainly Jewish ones) are open.

doireann08 · 06-12-2014 08:10PM

No Xmas. I would recommend going away
Yoga retreats are great - there is one in the burren however it starts dec 27th. Most people who go to yoga retreats go on their own

Not sure if I allowed to post links here but there is a yoga retreat in from Dec 22nd -28th . It is pricy though, but coukd be an option. http://www.yogaretreats.ie/xmas.htm

suicide_circus · 07-12-2014 06:59AM

cgcsb wrote: »

Starbucks on college green opened the past years on Xmas.

Oh lord, how grim that would be.
OP, my advise would be to host an "apres family" party for friends, that's what we're doing!

Lux23 · 07-12-2014 11:49AM

Book into a hotel for two nights, order room service and watch movies/crap TV and have a few drinks.

It is still a bit early yet though, I'm sure your friends will ask you what you are doing for Xmas. Also, I would imagine many hotels will have plenty of single people booking in for Christmas.

LegacyUser · 07-12-2014 12:32PM

suicide_circus wrote: »

Oh lord, how grim that would be.
OP, my advise would be to host an "apres family" party for friends, that's what we're doing!

I do not want to party, my father has died this year

LegacyUser · 07-12-2014 12:56PM

Lux23 wrote: »

Book into a hotel for two nights, order room service and watch movies/crap TV and have a few drinks.

It is still a bit early yet though, I'm sure your friends will ask you what you are doing for Xmas. Also, I would imagine many hotels will have plenty of single people booking in for Christmas.

i am not one to 'go' to someone for xmas. i would feel imposing or playing gooseberry

Stavro Mueller · 07-12-2014 01:07PM

I think if I was on my own Christmas day and wanted to get away, I'd nip over the water to London and take one of these walking tours http://www.londontown.com/London/Christmas-Day-and-Boxing-Day, explore a bit and have a few drinks. Or I'd stay up really late Christmas Eve and spend half the next day sleeping. Personally I'd be a bit cautious about booking into a hotel, especially if you were planning on just being holed up in your room. Hotel rooms can be grim places if you're feeling lonely and a bit low.

cloud493 · 07-12-2014 01:58PM

Mcdonalds on oconell street will be open I think? Not ideal for a christmas day obviously, but if your really stuck. If you want a proper christmas lunch, as others have said, a hotel would be the best way to go, but its not cheap.

LegacyUser · 07-12-2014 04:25PM

cloud493 wrote: »

Mcdonalds on oconell street will be open I think? Not ideal for a christmas day obviously, but if your really stuck. If you want a proper christmas lunch, as others have said, a hotel would be the best way to go, but its not cheap.

a woman whose wisdom i admire said to me once there are worse things in life than losing a few hundred euro. the money is ok i want somewhre i do not have to see families as i did at garden centre today . they were buying xmas trees. i am the only house where i live never decorated or with lights

what happened to the new captcha

cloud493 · 07-12-2014 04:43PM

http://www.marriott.com/hotelwebsites/us/d/dubbr/0-modules/custom/8rwouug_christmas/modules_PDFs/Christmas_Day_Menu_2014._NEW.pdf

There you go, thats apparently the shelbourne's christmas day menu. 155 a pop.

doireann08 · 07-12-2014 07:33PM

I would think about going away for Xmas

I travel a lot and have been to cuba,india, argentina, china and malaysia for xmas. They don't celebrate it as much there. People that I have met travelling are a mix of people on their own or with friends. I have always had a great time and for me it was a great way to get way frojm all the family drama.

Unfortunately there is no getting around the presence of families on flights though.

Saipanne · 07-12-2014 07:38PM

The shelbourne does Xmas dinner.

Stavro Mueller · 07-12-2014 07:47PM

no_xmas wrote: »

a woman whose wisdom i admire said to me once there are worse things in life than losing a few hundred euro. the money is ok i want somewhre i do not have to see families as i did at garden centre today . they were buying xmas trees. i am the only house where i live never decorated or with lights

When did your problem with seeing families arise? Is it because of Christmas? I know seeing families out and about can be like a knife to the heart when you're feeling lonely but unless you're planning on hiding out for the foreseeable future you're going to see them. It's inevitable, just like death and taxes. I honestly can't think of anywhere you'd be able to go for Christmas and not spot some. Airports, ferry ports, railway stations, shopping centres, restaurants, hotels.. Would it be worth going to bereavement counselling I wonder?

m'lady · 07-12-2014 07:54PM

I second bereavement counselling OP. This fixation on not wanting to see families needs to be dealt with. Is this one of the reasons you don't want to impose on people that have invited you?

Can I ask, what age/sex are you?

doireann08 · 07-12-2014 08:19PM

I second what m'lady and Stavros have said. It may be worth looking into bereavement counselling as it will be impossible to continue to avoid running into families when you are out and about

December2012 · 07-12-2014 08:30PM

I'm really sorry for you that you've lost your father. Don't put any pressure on yourself to have a good time - maybe this year Christmas is just something to endure rather than enjoy.

Is there a reason you don't want to stay in your own house? It's one way to keep your creature comforts around you and not see families.

Berserker · 07-12-2014 09:22PM

no_xmas wrote: »

My father died earlier this year and that makes it really black.

I understand your pain and I am sorry for your loss. The first Christmas after such a death is always going to be difficult. I have to be honest and tell you that you should not feel obliged to celebrate Christmas to keep other people happy. Spend Christmas doing whatever makes you feel best w.r.t dealing with the loss of your father. Have you considered going abroad? Xmas isn't as big elsewhere. I am not an Xmas person at all myself and I know others who are the same and they go to the USA or Middle East for the few days to avoid it all.

Xenor1 · 07-12-2014 10:38PM

I spent Christmas in a youth hostel once and had a good time. Mainly single travelers and a nice atmosphere.

anywhere open in dublin city centre on xmas day

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