Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence

You're not stumbling into this place after a session in town - this is where you bring your parents when they're visiting, or meet for civilised drinks before dinner in Ballsbridge. The bar at Herbert Park Hotel draws a well-heeled crowd who appreciate the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the park and the sort of service that doesn't rush you through your gin and tonic. The cocktail menu runs to the classics done properly rather than anything too experimental, and the wine list skews towards bottles that won't make your accountant weep. It's the kind of spot where you can actually have a conversation without shouting, and the terrace becomes prime real estate on any day the sun makes an appearance. Perfect for when you want to feel like a proper adult rather than cramming into a sticky-floored pub.