3 Best Bars in O'Connell Street and Around, Dublin

Originally fronted by the infamous Dublin drag queen Panti and a cultural hot spot for the local LGBT community, this amusingly named gay bar has loud music at night but is pretty chilled-out during the day.

This cool bar for lovers of electronic music is based around a custom-made sound system and an enviable vinyl collection . . . oh, and they specialize in craft beers and daring cocktails, too.

A hop and skip from O'Connell Street, the Celt offers traditional Irish music seven nights a  week and draws a nice mix of locals and tourists. On busy weekends, to quote the natives, the place is "heaving."