Loose Canon
Nestled into the Drury Street side of the striking George’s Street Arcade is Loose Canon, a small yet light-filled space dedicated to the ever-so-sacrosanct marriage of wine and cheese. Bottles of funky wine with equally-as-funky labels line the white-tiled walls, exposed lightbulbs hang from the ceiling and under-the-radar producers are scrawled in chalk on the blackboard over the counter. But rest assured this isn’t just another hipster haven. The friendly staff really know their stuff, and will be more than happy to recommend the perfect pairing from an impressive selection of natural wines and artisanal Irish cheeses. For the ultimate Loose Canon experience, nab a window seat to indulge in some people-watching, and don’t leave without sampling one of the famous cheese toasties.
29 Drury Street, Dublin, D02 RX95; loosecanon.ie
La Cave
Next time you find yourself stuck in a Dublin downpour (for it is most certainly a case of when, not if), make a beeline for La Cave in the city’s centre. Descend a steep staircase and push past thick velvet curtains to encounter a cosy, warmly lit subterranean lounge that feels miles away from the hustle and bustle of Grafton Street. As Dublin’s oldest wine bar, La Cave boasts an impressive wine list that features over 350 bottles and covers every corner of the globe. There are also 40 wines available by the glass, plus a menu of classic French fare to line your stomach.
28 South Anne Street, Dublin D02 DX39; lacavewinebar.com
Frank’s
With a humble shopfront retained from its former days as a butcher, Frank’s is the sort of place you could easily stroll past without paying much attention to. And that’s exactly what those in the know want you to do, because beyond the unassuming facade on Camden Street is one of Dublin’s best-kept secrets. This compact one-room wine bar features just 20 seats at its communal dining table, and a no-reservations policy only adds to the thrill of scoring a highly sought-after spot. Like the space itself, the menu is limited yet carefully curated, focused around seasonal ingredients and local produce. The wine list features a selection of low-intervention drops by independent producers, which rotate regularly to ensure there’s always something interesting to sip on.
22 Camden Street Lower, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin; franksdublin.com
Note
As one of the more recent additions to Dublin’s bar scene, Note has been welcomed with open arms by the city’s oenophiles. This is thanks in small part to its meticulously considered list of over 60 natural wines and grower champagnes (which are grown, harvested and produced by the owners of the vineyards). Foodies will be equally impressed. The kitchen, helmed by the up-and-coming young chef Essa Fakhry, plates up an ever-evolving series of European dishes that champion local producers and organic ingredients – from fresh Connemara oysters to wild hen of the woods. The unfussiness of the menu is echoed in the pared-back interior, with its sleek walnut bar, bespoke tables and chairs, and terrazzo flooring. On a laid-back Saturday afternoon there are few better places to be than Note’s sun-dappled dining room, in good company, with a glass of something sparkling in hand.
26 Fenian Street, Dublin D02 FX09; notedublin.com
The Wine Pair
Venture south of Dublin’s touristy Temple Bar area to Portobello, a leafy suburb characterised by charming, terraced streets and excellent eateries. The only thing that was missing from the area for local oenophilic couple Canice and Mags McKee was a friendly neighbourhood wine bar, a gap they set out to fill with The Wine Pair, which opened in 2019. With its cosy furnishings and accommodating staff, it’s the sort of unpretentious place that sets you right at ease, where amateurs and connoisseurs alike can settle in with a glass of a familiar favourite or discover something new. The space doubles as a wine shop, with a strong focus on organic, biodynamic and natural wines from small producers.
79 Clanbrassil Street Lower, Merchants Quay, Dublin D08 K516; thewinepairdublin.com
Green Man Wines
Another wine bar-cum-shop, Green Man Wines sits slightly further out of the city in the south Dublin suburb of Terenure. Run by the extremely knowledgeable David Gallagher and his passionate team of wine experts, Green Man is guided by the motivation of discovering new wines, understanding their make-up and the people that brought them from grape to bottle. In-the-know locals drop in for their weekly wine hauls and out-of-towners visit to sample the incredible food – think Irish Cumberland sausages with home-made mustard and pickles or whole roasted sea bream – washed down with a glass or two of biodynamic wine.
3 Terenure Road North, Dublin D6W PY04; greenmanwines.ie
Aobh O’Brien-Moody is a London-based writer and editor specialising in menswear, lifestyle and culture
