Going hand in hand with some of the best cheese and charcuterie boards to be found, 10 IMAGE staffers are sharing the wine bars to know across the length and breadth of the country.
Megan Burns, Editor, IMAGE Interiors
Frank’s, 22 Camden Street, Dublin
With long summer evenings stretching out before us, it’s hard to beat Frank’s for some truly excellent wine perched outside on buzzy Camden street. There are always some really interesting options, but don’t be afraid to ask for a recommendation, the staff are always excited to tell you about a new addition or a recent favourite. They also do delicious bar snacks and small plates – ordering a few to share is never a bad idea.
Sarah Gill, Staff Writer
The Universal, 9 William St West, Galway
The Lamplight, Market St, Clifden, Galway
Exceptional for small plates, craft beer, and top tier cocktails, The Universal in Galway’s Westend is my go-to wine bar in the city. Their selection of organic and natural wines is vast and ever-changing, and it’s where I had the pleasure of trying orange wine for the first time, so it holds a special place in my heart. You can perch up on a high stool at the bar or, if you’re lucky, nab a seat outside in the glimmer of evening sunshine. The music and low lighting create an unmatched ambience.
If you’re up for travelling a little further afield or are planning an excursion to Clifden, The Lamplight is an absolute must. It’s a retail store and fine dining restaurant, but there’s also a little wine terrace hidden away at the back, and if you’re lucky, there’ll be live music to soundtrack your evening. Now, having moved down to Cork, Meades Bar 126 and MacCurtain Wine Cellar are at the top of the agenda. Watch this space.
Holly O’Neill, Digital Editor
NBHD Bar, Naas, Kildare
Row Wines, Coppinger Row, Dublin
Cellar22, Stephen’s Green, Dublin
If you’re headed to Naas, don’t miss the all-new NBHD Bar in the much-celebrated restaurant Neighbourhood Naas. Focused on locally sourced ingredients, they have the best-handcrafted cocktails around, with an impressive wine list that includes Louis Vuitton Rosé. Neighbourhood also recently won ‘Restaurant of the Year’ and ‘Best Wine Experience’ from Restaurants Ireland, so you know it’s good.
Closer to the office, team IMAGE are especially fond of a visit to Row Wines on Coppinger Row and Cellar22 at Stephen’s Green for buzzy and cozy after-work drinks, kind staff and the best small plates around.
Sophie Power, Marketing & Memberships Director
Conlon’s Wine Bar, 16 Brennan’s Parade, Strand Rd, Bray, Co. Wicklow
I adore Conlon’s Wine Bar in Bray – the perfect little neighbourhood wine bar! With a delicious selection of affordable wines, delectable cheese and charcuterie boards (their burrata and olives are to die for) and a moody candlelit ambience it is the best spot locally for a last-minute cosy date night or a wine and dine catchup with a friend. A must-visit.
Marlene Wessels, Art Director
64 Wine, 64 Glasthule Rd, Glasthule, Dún Laoghaire, Dublin
Lucas by the N Club, 1-2 Old Dunleary Rd, Monkstown, Dublin
64 Wine is nestled in the middle of Glasthule Village and is always packed with locals for lunch, dinner or a glass of wine. There is no better place to be, sitting at one of the coveted outside tables on a sunny afternoon sipping a chilled glass of wine. 64 Wine has an excellent extended wine selection and a small but very tasty menu. They serve wine by the glass or bottle and Antony and Gerard are always happy to recommend a wine to your taste.
I also recently discovered a very low-key authentic Spanish wine bar in Monkstown, Lucas by the N Club (fondly named after the owner’s beloved Cocker Spaniel). It’s a coffee shop that turns into a wine bar at night. There is a limited selection of red and white Spanish wines, but all are excellent. The owner, Mercedes, is as passionate about the wine as she is about the Spanish tapas she serves.
The menu includes freshly hand-cut five-year cured Iberico ham, and other meats sourced from small farms from the Extremadura region in Spain as well as a selection of Spanish cheese. The bar is pared back, with only a few seats but is the perfect spot if you feel like a glass of wine and some authentic Spanish tapas after a long walk on West Pier.
Dominique McMullan, Editorial Director
Grapevine, 26 Castle St, Dalkey, Dublin
Grapevine Restaurant and Wine Shop in Dalkey holds a lot of nice memories for me and is an underrated gem. It’s a bright and airy spot for lunch and the tables upstairs are great for a special occasion dinner. The staff are lovely and the atmosphere is cosy, plus you will always leave with a new bottle recommendation.
Hannah Stapleton, Marketing Intern
Amy Austin, Unit 1 Drury St, Dublin
I am ready to broaden my wine bar horizons this summer, and top of my list is Amy Austin on Drury St. After seeing it pop up on a TikTok recommendation, it has been in the back of my mind ever since! The wine (and cocktail) options are endless, and the food looks incredible. I will be popping in at some stage this summer!
Shayna Sappington, Branded Content Editor & Wedding Writer
Bootleg, Drury Court, 58 Drury St, Dublin
For me, what constitutes a good wine bar is a cool atmosphere, quality snacks and, of course, a variety of delicious wines on offer – and Bootleg on Drury St ticks all three boxes. From the moment you walk in, its retro atmosphere and disco DJ booth immediately set it apart from the rest of the nearby pubs.
The staff are friendly and the food is delectable – the bread with chicken skin butter is not to be missed! Alongside a curated cocktail menu, their speciality is wine, with an impressive list of reds, whites, rosés, sparkling AND oranges. I recently stopped in on a weekday with friends and we whiled away the evening in a corner table. However, it does get quite busy on the weekends (as does the rest of Drury St) so I’d recommend booking a table or stopping in as an after-work spot.
Sarah Finnan, Deputy Digital Editor
Loose Canon, George’s Street Arcade, 29 Drury St, Dublin
In Dublin, it has to be Loose Canon. Tucked away in George’s Street Arcade (on the Drury Street side), it’s a casual spot focusing on wine, Irish charcuterie and cheese. Everything about it is très Parisien, including the name – in France, if you’re going for a drink with your friends, you might say you were having ‘un canon’. Inside, there are only about six stools and people are constantly coming and going but it’s worth the wait; their cheese toasties are to die for.
Simone Kennedy, Events Manager
Frank’s, 22 Camden Street, Dublin
A Fianco, Norseman Court, Manor St, Stoneybatter, Dublin
Frank’s on Camden Street is the perfect spot for post-work people-watching, if you’re lucky enough to nab a window seat! They’ve retained the charming butcher shop front, but inside is a chic wine bar with a large communal table where they serve an extensive selection of wine, snacks, and delicious cheeses.
I also love A Fianco in Stoneybatter. It sits next door to its big sister, Grano, offering equally delicious food in smaller bites. The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu, taking the time to guide you through each wine.
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