Dublin Weekend Break

Stag and Hen weekends in Dublin

Dublin is just about the perfect location for a stag or hen night, or a hen or stag weekend, and in reality you will probably make it an extended long weekend which opens up even more possibilities.

If you are not sure how Dublin measures up as a stag weekend destination, take a look at the Hen and Stag weekend highlights below. Then see if you can think of anywhere else in the world that comes close to measuring up to Dublin's incredible list of hen and Stag night possibilities.

Why Dublin is the world's best Hen weekend and Stag weekend location

1. Hen and stag weekend Pubs

Almost without fail a hen or stag night includes the "odd" drink and this is where Dublin scores its first set of top marks.

Most cities have pubs, but in mainland UK the numbers of public houses are actually declining - and at an alarming rate. Not so in Dublin. Dublin County has over 970 pubs and this figure is increasing rather than decreasing. Can you think of any other destination that can get close to this figure?

These pubs cover every size, style, decor and theme imaginable and include everything from tiny "cupboard holes", tucked away in quiet little alleys, to super-pubs with multiple floors, rooms, bars and dance floors.

Pubs and music go hand in hand in Dublin and virtually every city centre pub offers some form of musical entertainment - and on almost every night of the week. What you hear depends on the pub and the night in question, but expect pop, rock, folk and a lot of traditional Irish Celtic sounds.

The atmosphere in an Irish pub is like no other. People are friendly, so are the staff and visitors are made more welcome here than anywhere else in the world.

Finally, most of the so called "super pubs" have extended opening hours that run to (or beyond) 2.00am in the morning, so there are no last orders just when things are starting to get going.

If pubs are important to the success of your stag night, then choosing Dublin as your host city becomes a "no brainer", especially with the popular areas like Temple Bar and Grafton Street.

2. Stag and hen weekend nightclubs

If the pub scene alone is not enough for you, then Dublin's night clubs will add an extra dimension to your stag night and, as with the pubs, they are some of the best in the world.

Dublin has an amazing number and variety of nightclubs (see Nightclubs) and they range from discos playing techno dance music, to live entertainment clubs offering performances by Ireland's top bands.

What Dublin also has, over and above its nightclubs, are a number of "super-pubs" that offer multiple bars, multiple rooms, dance floors and large areas for live bands. These super pubs have everything that you will ever need for a great night out and all under one roof. Many even have seperate restaurant areas.

Hen and stag weekend - places to be

The whole of Dublin comes alive at night and although you will find pubs, bars and clubs all over the city, most partiers head for the popular areas of “Temple Bar” and “Grafton Street”. But as our Pub Guide shows you, Dublin is alive with atmosphere, pubs and plenty of activity across the entire city – and in every district.

One of the great plusses of Dublin is that it has a several popular districts laden with bars and pubs and each one of them merges perfectly with one or more of the others. You can go from pub to pub and district to district without any real walking and in the full knowledge that the next pub you encounter will be every bit as good as the last one.

3. What to do during the day

Dublin has masses of things to see and do, but it is particularly good for those enjoying a stag weekend and especially those who want to continue the alcoholic theme of the evening during the following day.

Two of Dublin's biggest draws are the Guinness Storehouse and the Old Jameson Distillery.

Both of these attractions offer a glimpse of how their respective liquor is made along with other entertaining features and both have very special bars and complementary drinks at the end of the tour. You can easily spend 3 to 4 hours in total at these unique Dublin attractions and they keep the “Stag” theme ticking over nicely until the evening arrives.

4. How expensive is a stag or hen weekend in Dublin?

This is a question which may determine whether or not Dublin is a serious option for your Stag weekend – and the answer is a good one.

Firstly, see our Hotels, Travelling to Dublin and other themed pages (in the left hand menu) to get ideas on prices and schedules. The links in the green boxes on all of these pages will take you to everything from “cut price flights” and hotels, to ferry operators and you can cost out and plan your Stag weekend.

Do not be put off by the cost of getting to Dublin. Several airlines compete frantically for your custom and picking up a return flight for fifty pounds Stirling (70 euros) or less is not difficult.

Hotels come in all shapes and sizes, but again really good deals can be had if you shop around and are happy to bus it into the city centre.

Still undecided?

Take at good look at DublinWeekendBreak and ask yourself if any other city has the nightlife, unique atmosphere and shear number of pubs that Dublin has. If the answer is (as it should be) “no”, then your decision is made for you.

Planning a Hen weekend?

This Hen Weekend page has some ideas and suggestions based on the most popular Hen night (or weekend) activities. Check it out.