The Christmas party venues team IMAGE are booking this year


by Sarah Gill
15th Nov 2024

Christmas date nights, festival family traditions, annual get-togethers with the whole gang, as December nears we’re frantically making reservations for all of our favourite old reliables, and newly opened eateries. Here’s where the IMAGE staffers are booking for their Christmas parties…

Lizzie Gore-Grimes, Editor-in-Chief

I love The Dunmore in Rathmines for a fun festive get together with friends, it’s really relaxed with a great atmosphere and excellent food (especially if you love fish; the crab claws are to die for). With comfy sofa-style seating in the front, a bar in the middle and restaurant down the back, you can sit and eat and then move to the bar up the front to settle in. A great spot.

I also love Flortitz for an atmospheric night out with the girls, the room is Art Deco decadent, with white tuxedoed waiters serving killer cocktails and nothing too heavy on the Japanese inspired menu. But I also look forward to soaking up all the traditional festive feels with afternoon tea with my mum in The Westbury Hotel every year.

Dominique McMullan, Editorial Director

Last Saturday night I went to Sister7 Kitchen at Fidelity Studio in Smithfield and on leaving, booked another table for closer to Christmas. It’s an Asian influenced menu featuring small plates of dumplings, bao buns, and more. The food is creative and tasty served in a really vibey and atmospheric room. From 10pm the kitchen is closed and the music is turned up, creating the perfect, party atmosphere. They also have a private room for bigger parties.

Amber O’Shea, Social Media Manager

For Christmas, I have my eye on these fabulous spots, Grano and A Fianco. I’m hoping to book something for date night. If you are a wine lover as well you may just fall in love with this cute and cosy little spot called A Fianco, run by the same owners of Grano. It is a snug and cosy spot with an incredible wine selection. I’ve been trying to get a booking for these two spots this Christmas, so I am on the beloved waiting list — but these two spots are so amazing, I love to see how busy they are, especially during this time of the year.

I want to make sure to meet some of my friends and have a lovely catch up over the festive period, so I’d love to go for some tapas. Las Tapas De Lola and Mi Casa are definitely on my list. I’ve been to Mi Casa once before and everything was absolutely delicious — I’ve been dreaming about the croquetas ever since.

Joanne Kennedy, Senior Accounts Executive

I’ve booked The Westbury for festive afternoon tea in December. A girls day out with my mum and sister. It’s a lovely way to enjoy the run up to Christmas.

Holly O’Neill, Editor, IMAGE.ie; Beauty Editor, IMAGE Magazine

Top of my list to book for Christmas is the all new Neighbourhood Bar, the soon-to-open upstairs offering from the award-winning Neighbourhood Restaurant in Naas. They’re currently creating a new signature cocktail menu to pair with an upcoming selection of small plates crafted by Head Chef Gareth Naughton, and everything they’ve hinted at so far looks incredible.

Ciara Elliott, Acting Editor, IMAGE Magazine

Me and a few friends are going for drinks and pre Christmas get together at La Gordita off Camden Street which I’ve heard is delish. It has been described as “grown up food in an informal atmosphere” (I haven’t been there yet) but heard its cosy and bodega style with delicious sharing plates and tapas.