The Clarence Hotel

You'll find yourself in one of Dublin's most storied hotel bars, where the ghost of U2's ownership still lingers in the velvet banquettes and dim lighting. The cocktails here are proper serious business – think perfectly balanced classics and inventive house creations that justify the premium prices. The bar itself feels like stepping into a gentleman's club from another era, all dark wood and leather, but the service is refreshingly unpretentious. It's the sort of place where you nurse a €16 Old Fashioned and don't mind paying for the privilege. The crowd skews towards well-heeled locals and hotel guests who appreciate their drinks made properly. Come for a nightcap after dinner elsewhere, or settle in for the evening if your wallet can handle it.