Kaboodle

Head down to Strand Road and you'll find yourself in a bar that actually gets it right. Kaboodle's the kind of place where locals prop up the bar alongside visitors, everyone nursing something decent. The cocktails are clearly taken seriously here—not the syrupy nonsense you get elsewhere—and the drinks list reads like someone's put actual thought into it. It's got that balance you're after: lively enough that you're not feeling self-conscious, but sorted enough that you can actually hold a conversation. The crowd's a proper mix, which keeps things interesting whatever night you show up.