ACROSS DUBLIN 8, a neighbourhood that has fast become a go-to spot to hang out, there are a number of businesses that have cropped up drawing people to the area.
One such establishment that quickly became a regular watering hole for locals, nearby college students and people who enjoy a delicious pint and a pub with a great atmosphere was Lucky’s. This weekend, Lucky’s celebrates 5 years of business at their Meath St location.
When Lucky’s opened in 2018 on Meath Street, it instantly generated a buzz with its sleek interior, excellent outdoor section to catch some sunshine on a summer afternoon and delicious variety of craft beers. It feels as though it set a new standard for new bars opening in the time since, of which there have been many in the last 5 years. In the intervening period, Lucky’s expanded with the opening of its equally popular sister bars, The Magnet on Thomas St and The Circular in Rialto Village.
Jen Keating is the Group Manager of Lucky’s, The Magnet and The Circular, tells The Journal about what makes for a great pub and why she feels these three spots have managed to maintain and persist their reputation as one of Dublin’s beloved pubs.
“People go to bars for different reasons; music, the craic, craft beer and so on. Generally, though, people will return to your bar if there’s a friendly atmosphere. This comes from the staff and the vibe they bring. Customer service is paramount and this comes from happy staff. It can never be overestimated how important the staff are to make a venue great. Within our venues, we try to create a community vibe. We try to achieve this by working with local suppliers like Norton’s fruit in Meath Street, Teelings and Rascals all situated in the Dublin 8 area. We regularly do events that bring members of the local community together, events like D8 live in The Circular, a live chat show, or art exhibitions in Luckys from local artists to the Jazz men in The Magnet from the local Bimm College,” says Keating.
Location is key and with Lucky’s in the ideal position of being close to the hustle and bustle of the city centre, being tucked away on Meath St creates a sense of getting away from the chaos of weekend crowds. Instead, it has become a perfect destination for students finishing a day of college in the nearby National College of Art & Design or BIMM, situated a stone’s throw away on Francis Street. Similarly, its ever-welcoming and vibrant atmosphere – enhanced by an always excellent playlist – makes for a perfect spot to start (or end!) your night if going to a concert in Vicar St.
Outside of practicalities, something that continues to bring people to Lucky’s is the warm sense of community created. This has been done through hosting a range of events that not only leave people with lasting memories of fun nights but are also run to support local artists, as Keating says. “We’ve held various markets in Lucky’s pretty much from the start. They have been a great way to champion local artists as well as suppliers. For example, Hopfully Brewing Company has been running successful markets with us for the last five years now. We also have different events such as a documentary film night on a Tuesday in The Circular which has been a great success as well as our table quiz on a Wednesday which often sells out.”
Lucky’s has been an invaluable asset to Dublin’s nightlife scene. Although, as Keating notes there is still much to be done to improve the quality of Dublin’s nightlife culture. “I was in Berlin in January and the nightlife culture there and in Dublin are worlds apart. The main difference that I noticed was that there are just more options. It’s great to have the option to go to a pub at any time of the evening or at night. There were many nights when I worked behind bars and when I finished work, I would have liked to go for a drink in the bar to wind down after the busy night. Unfortunately, we don’t have that option in Ireland. Hopefully and thankfully, with all the work the Give Us The Night campaign has done, we may see a significant change to nightlife in Ireland this year.”
While it may take time for those positive steps to improve the quality of nightlife across Ireland, the existence and continued success of spaces such as Lucky’s feel like the scene is going in the right direction.
So, when the last orders have been called and the shutters pulled down on another night, we asked Jen Keating how she enjoys spending her time away from the bars with her perfect Night Out, Night Off.
Down the Local: “I don’t really have a local bar, per se. If I’m going for a pint during the week I like to go to different bars to see what’s going on in the city. The latest new bar worth checking out is Fidelity Bar on Queen Street. Amazing décor and great staff!”
Dream Night Out: “I like to start with a pint of Guinness in a bar like The Long Hall or Grogan’s. If it’s a special occasion, a cocktail in The Sidecar in The Westbury is a great way to start the night. Then, I’d head across to Big Fan on Aungier street for Chinese food with a modern twist with some friends. After all that food and drink, I do like to head to a gig or club. A show with CMAT, Gilla Band or any good techno DJ would be a perfect ending to a great night out.”
Morning off Ritual: “I’m very lucky to live in Rathfarnham as there are a lot of green spaces near me. I enjoy going for a walk with my dog Max on a Saturday morning through Bushy Park to Terenure. Grabbing a coffee from Two Fifty Square, saying hi to Nino and then head across the road to pick up some bits for lunch from Lotts & Co.”
Hidden Gem: “El Grito Mexican Taqueria is so hidden that it’s very easy to walk past it. In a basement on Mount Joy Square, this place is a joy for the senses. The colourful décor, friendly staff and food that was both tasty and great value for money.”
Weekend Getaway: “Kilkenny would be a favourite spot of mine. Langtons Hotel is one of my favourite hotels. I just love the décor. A walk around the city stopping for a pint of Guinness then a meal in Zuni Restaurant for dinner.”
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