Live Music entertainment in Ireland
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A
Gweedore Bar
Next door to Peadar O'Donnell's and part of the same complex, the Gweedore Bar hosts live rock bands most nights, while the DJ bar upstairs is home to a regular Saturday night disco.
reviewed
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B
Mason's Bar
The city that spawned the Undertones is still turning out raw, rumbustious music; Mason's Friday night sessions are the place to catch the latest offerings from local talent. There's live music from the resident band on Thursdays, and cover bands on Saturdays.
reviewed
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C
Sandino's Cafe
From the posters of Ché to the Free Palestine flag to the fairtrade coffee, this relaxed cafe–bar exudes a liberal, left-wing vibe. There are live bands on Friday nights and occasionally midweek, and DJ sessions on Saturdays. On Sundays there's a traditional Irish music session at 5pm, and live jazz/soul or DJs from 9pm, plus regular theme nights and events.
reviewed
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D
Dublin City Gallery – the Hugh Lane
At noon on Sunday, from September to June, the art gallery hosts up to 30 concerts of contemporary classical music.
reviewed
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PF McCarthy's
A wide range of acts perform from Thursday to Saturday.
reviewed
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E
Small Bridge Bar
Traditional music kicks off at 9.30pm nightly at this raucous pub by the bridge.
reviewed
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F
Workman's Club
A 300-capacity venue and bar in the former workingmen's club of Dublin, this new spot puts the emphasis on keeping away from the mainstream, which means a broad range of performers, from singer-songwriters to electronic cabaret.
reviewed
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G
Tigh Ruaírí
Rory Conneely’s atmospheric digs host live music sessions.
reviewed
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H
Pumphouse
Frequent live rock groups plus pool tables, big TVs and a rooftop terrace.
reviewed
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I
Ana Conda
Local favourite featuring regular céilidh sessions and rock shows.
reviewed
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J
Bacchus
This nightclub has a breezy, youngish crowd at weekends, with live bands on Fridays.
reviewed
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K
Bank of Ireland Arts Centre
The arts centre hosts a regular Wednesday lunchtime recital at 1.15pm, usually featuring a soloist with accompaniment. The performers are excellent. It also hosts an irregular evening program of concerts; call for details.
reviewed
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L
Brandon’s Bar
This place still holds its own for trad sessions, on Monday nights especially (from about 9.30pm). Brandon’s also stages other live music, including blues and rock.
reviewed
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M
Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre
Armagh’s main cultural venue hosts a 400-seat theatre, exhibition galleries, a restaurant, a cafe and the Stage Bar & Bistro, which has live bands on Saturday nights.
reviewed
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N
T&H Doolan's
A licensed establishment for over 300 years, historic Doolan's is a popular place to watch sport on the box and live bands with names like the Shamrocks and the Dead Beats.
reviewed
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O
Cooke's Thatch Bar
Warm, welcoming and not even remotely touristy, this 18th-centuy thatched-roofed local has fantastic Guinness, a heated internal courtyard and live music at least once a week.
reviewed
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P
Sugar Club
There's live jazz, cabaret and soul music at weekends in this comfortable new theatre-style venue on the corner of St Stephen's Green.
reviewed
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Q
Big Top
During the Point Depot's refit, the big gigs in Dublin will be held in a huge, 5000-capacity Big Top in Phoenix Park. We hope it's such a success that they keep it up even after the Point has reopened.
reviewed
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R
Devitt’s
Devitt’s – aka the Cussak Stand – is one of the favourite places for the city’s talented musicians to display their wares, with sessions as good as any you’ll hear in the city centre. Highly recommended.
reviewed
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S
Mezz
Dark, sweaty and loud: it’s the way music venues used to be in those heady days before standard lamps and leather sofas became, well, standard. Old-school rock, electronic, funk and garage bands belt it out most nights to a young up-for-it crowd.
reviewed
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T
Morrisey's Club
In a basement a few doors from the Kilkenny Tourist Hostel, this club usually doesn't really get cranking until around 22:00 (those who show up earlier get in free). DJs rule but there are also live acts many nights. Sunday nights get a barely-18 crowd.
reviewed
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U
Crawdaddy
Named after the London club where the Stones launched their professional careers in 1963, Crawdaddy is an intimate bar/venue that specialises in putting on rootsy performers, from African drum bands to avant-garde jazz artists and flamenco guitarists. It's attached to the nightclub Tripod.
reviewed
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Dolan's
Limerick's best spot for live music promises authentic trad sessions and an unbeatable gig list, as well as cutting-edge stand-ups in two adjoining venues.
reviewed
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V
Vicar Street
Smaller performances take place at this intimate venue near Christ Church Cathedral. It has a capacity of 1000, between its table-serviced group seating downstairs and theatre-style balcony. Vicar Street offers a varied program of performers, with a strong emphasis on soul, folk, jazz and foreign music.
reviewed
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W
O2
The premier indoor venue in the city has a capacity of around 10,000 and plays host to the very brightest stars in the firmament: Rihanna, Bryan Adams and the cast of Glee are just some of the acts that have brought their magic to its superb stage.
reviewed