Kuckoo

You'll find Kuckoo tucked away on Leopold Street, just off the main drag, in one of those converted Victorian buildings that makes the City Centre feel less soulless. It's the kind of place where you can rock up for a Friday night and find yourself chatting to whoever's next to you at the bar, or grab a corner booth if you want to keep things intimate. The cocktails aren't messing about—they're well-made without being precious, and the bar staff actually seem to enjoy their job rather than just pouring drinks. It's got enough buzz to feel like something's happening, but you can still have a conversation without shouting.