City Style Guide: Dublin

Dublin has a soft spot for the independent artist and this trait is showcased in all of the stylish places to eat, shop, and sleep throughout the city.

Sleep:

The Dylan hotel is a boutique hotel in a renovated Victorian building whose décor is anything but stuffy. Bright chartreuse and lavender carpeting lead the way to the see and be seen bar crowd. Rooms are punctuated with bold color choices such as lime green and red.

The Shelbourne hotel is a swanky hotel that has the old Irish elegance feel you would expect from a 5 star hotel in Europe. Their signature cocktail inspired by the city’s most famous export, is a potent combination of Champagne and Guinness.

Eat:

For lunch grab a sandwich at the upscale grocer Fallon & Byrne on your walk down to the River Liffey or stroll through the gorgeous city park, St. Stephen’s Green. Stop in for a pint at Grogan’s Castle Lounge before dinner at Bedlam and surround yourself with the local art that covers the wall of this funky locals only pub. Bedlam is furnished to feel like you are dining in someone’s cozy house but it is located in the heart of Dublin.  For dessert swing by the local Butler’s Chocolates for a cup of tantalizingly thick hot cocoa and be sure to pick up a box of chocolates designed by Orla Kiely. Cocoa Atelier is also an adorable little shop in the area for a flavorful array of colorful macarons and chocolates. When you are feeling like a low key dinner away from the city center fray, check out Hugo’s Winebar near St. Stephen’s Green for live music and of course a glass of wine.

Shop:

Brown Thomas is the posh department store in the city dating back to 1849 with their very own in-store Cartier, Chanel, and Tiffany and Co.

BT2 is a small, pared down version of Harvey Nichols with a special devotion to denim and a DIY Havaianas bar.

Francis Street is the heart of antique shopping in Dublin, and a great place to search for all of the French antiques that were shipped over during the French Revolution.

The Guinness Brewery is a requisite for any tourist in Dublin and as touristy as it may sound the tour is located in a glass structure shaped like a pint glass that is not to be missed by architecture fans.