Here’s how to use some Dublin Deals to navigate January without losing your actual mind.
January is objectively the longest month of the year. It may have the same amount of days as November but as Einstein taught us all; time is relative. So, with that logic, I guess January is relatively awful.
If you’re one of the legion who got paid on Christmas Eve and are still waiting for the next pay day then you’re likely feeling the pinch this weel. And honestly – same. Though the temptation to live on plain pasta or hide under a duvet is all too real. You don’t have to resign yourself to a miserable, broke existence until your bank balance bounces back.
Here’s how to use Dublin Deals to squeeze the last of your budget without sacrificing all the fun (or your sanity).
1. Embrace the Art of the Deal
Feeling the pinch from the Cost of Living Crisis? You’re not alone. You probably miss having a sit-down meal and still having some change left over for the bus. If you’ve caught yourself sighing, “Where are the deals?” more times than you care to admit, read on for our Dublin Deals.
Meal Prep is a job of actual work. If you can’t commit to it constantly, don’t worry. There are bargains out there for people who like their lunch handed to them rather than prepared at 7am in a Tupperware.
Coffee Fixes:
All coffees are €3 in Mimi’s on Westmoorland Street
Heartbreak Social Club Tattoo Studio on Drury Street has cups of caffeinated salvation for just €2.
Doppio Zero do a Coffee with a small pastry for €6, or coffee with a fancy pastry for €6.50.
You can get a coffee and a pastel de nata for a fiver in Café Lisboa if you need to feel a little European to combat the dreary day
Fabel & Stey offer a regular coffee with a fresh backed scone or croissant for €5.50
Creed Coffee have options from as little as €1.50 for an espresso or a double espresso for €2.00 and even a macchiato €2.80
Breakfast:
Pig & Heifer has porridge for €3.50 or a breakfast bap for a fiver.
€1 Porridge with every coffee at Blás cafe
Bloom’s Cafe on Aungier street are doing pancakes or a ham and cheese croissant for €6.50.
Super Asia Mart have a regular boba and an egg tart for €6.80
Lunch:
Hit an All You Can Eat Buffet late in the afternoon. It’s technically lunch and dinner in one go, and lunchtime buffets are cheaper than dinner so they make ace Dublin Deals. Places like Wings World, COSMO, and Global Cuisine Dundrum all have lunch options you can nab.
Griolladh: Grab a €5 cheese toastie deal if you’ve forgotten your lunch. With branches in Arnotts, Temple Bar, Malahide, and Grand Canal it’s likely you’re not too far from one.
Han Sung: They have a hell of a feed for €8.90 that includes 3 different dishs, rice and a miso soup.
Sfuso have a solid warm pasta lunch for a tenner and even have a 100ml glass of wine for €3 if you need a little toast.
Wallace’s, right next to sfuso in the Iralian Quarter have a two course lunch deal for €15.
Super Asia Mart have their ramen pots starting at €2.80 that you fill yourself in store, or you can get an onigiri duo with a bubble tea for €8.50
2. Sub your take away with a Too Good To Go
We’re all Irish, the weekly takeaway is part of our culture. It’s the hardest habit to kick because the comfort it brings is somewhat boundless. You get the joy of deciding to chuck it all in and give in to temptation. You get the fun of ordering. Then you get the joy when it arrives. That’s a whole load of joy to sacrifice in the name of saving a few bob.
One easy way to save a little money on takeaway if you really need one is to order direct from the restaurant. Many locals offer discounts if you order with them directly.
But if you’re in dire ‘I only have a tenner to get me through’ straights and need a little of that joy let me introduce you to Too Good To Go. With places like Boojum, Umi Falafel, Il Valentino, The Fumbally, Global Chinese, Camden Buffet and many more with deals under a tenner that would feed two and save the world a little you’re not entirely out of luck. You just need to be on top of it a little earlier than the last minute decision to get a takeaway, and you’ll have to go and collect it.
3. Date Night Deals
Treat yourself (or someone else) without breaking the bank. From early-bird oysters to half-price meals, romance doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
EarlyTable lets you dine at 17:00 with up to 50% off at restaurants like, One Society, Asador, Salamanca, Shaku Maku, Brother Hubbard, Hyde and Lucky Tortoise on it; you’re bound to eat well.
Groupon is the OG for stretching your cash. Set meals for two from €20 are often cheaper than a takeaway these days. Currently you can get a steak dinner for 2 for €20 in Temple Bar, or a Bistro Brunch with Prosecco, Mimosa or Bellini – For Two for €29.95 or a japanese meal for two that includes a Choice of Japanese Dish Plus Drink
Fancy something a bit more upmarket? Check out the neighbourhood menu at Orwell Road on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Klaw does oyster Happy Hour from 17:00 on Fridays (actually, every day) at €1.50 per oyster. They also do a two course early bird for €27 or for January they’re running a Seafood Platter with Cremant for only €55.
SANO early bird – pizza, beer or glass of wine & dessert €20
Minori in Drumchondra also have a ladies night on Wednesday’s with free dessert for the girlies with every main.
At Cluck Chicken Thursday is “Clucking Thursday”: Buy one tender meal, get the second half price in either Walkinstown or Tallaght.
Hot Chix is doing a special for two burgers, two sides, and two dips for €32 when you order online.
Love Tempo does Taco Tuesday: 3 tacos for a tenner, plus two-for-one margaritas (margs) if you fancy a little midweek treat.
Hartley’s Dun Laoghaire has a 2-course early bird for €35.
Ruby’s has two of your favourite mains for just €22.
The Morgue Inn has a spanking new early bird with 2 courses for €26 from 15:30-21:00 Monday – Wednesday
Go a bit further a field and hit Goffs in Kildare on a Thursday for their supper club and get 2 Welcome Cocktails, 3 Course A La Carte Dinner for 2 People and 1 Bottle of House Wine, Red or White for only €100
Keep going and hit Drogheda to avail of Social’s couples deal and get amazing value on Friday. 3 courses for 2 people for €70! Worth the drive and or commuter train I have to say.
4. Alternative Adventures
Good times don’t have to come with a price tag. From cheap cinema nights to board games and stargazing, here’s how to have fun for less with these activity based Dublin Deals.
2-for-€10 Cinema Deals: 3Pay always has that 2 for 1 cinema deal, and Groupon has one for the Odeon at the moment too.
Board on Clanbrassil Street: (Mostly) Non-alcoholic drinks, board games, and occasional jazz nights. Who needs pints when you can crush your friends at Monopoly?
ClassPass free credits: Get a month of free gym and studio workouts to burn off stress (and the buffer lunches).
Astronomy Ireland nights at Phoenix Park: Wrap up, bring a flask (or “flaskeen”) of something hot, and gaze at the stars while they’re actually doing some cool ass shit. Priceless.
Groupon (again) for cheap or experiences. Currently they have Spas, Yoga Classes, Comedy, Falconry, Horse Riding, and Axe Throwing – all with substantial discounts.
5. Snackaroos
When all you have is the change you found in the couch cushions fear not, you can still get yourself a little something if you need to with these super cheap Dublin Deals.
€2 Chinese Char Siu Buns at the Asian Super Market near the Jervis Luas stop.
Aobaba has pork buns for €2.50 (cash only, so plan ahead).
Asia Market on Drury Street have Korean ice cream bars for €1.10 and Salted Egg Buns €1.95 or two for €3.50 so you could in theory get two savoury buns and an ice cream with change from a fiver.
The Rolling Donut on O’Connell Street for a cheeky doughnut for €1.20 each or 6 for €6. These warm sugary doughnuts are also a bit of a nostalgia trip for your misbegotten youth.
6. Booze
No need to stay sober out of financial necessity. With BYOB nights, €5 pints, and two-for-one deals, your budget can still include a few rounds.
Hawksmoor lets you bring your own bottle on Mondays for €5 corkage.
DipnDrink special at the lighthouse – free pint if you swim in Dun Laoghaire
Fallon & Byrne has ‘Cheeky Monday’ with €1 corkage on their entire wine selection.
Ruby’s: Two of your favourite mains for just €22.
Thomas House Bar are doing 4 pints of König for €20 any time they’re open (no sneaky off-peak times). Premium beer at €5 a pop is a big “yes” from us.
JT PIMMS have €5.00 pints every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
7. These Things Are Always Free
Sometimes the best things in life really are free. Get outside, get moving, or just have a good cry—zero cost, full reward. Isn’t that the best of the Dublin Deals really?
Go for a walk : Think Phoenix Park, Botanic Gardens, Dublin CAstle Grounds, Merrion Square Park, Stephen’s Green Park, Iveagh Gardens
Go Foraging: Yes, even in January! You’d be surprised how many winter berries and nuts are out there. Bring a friend who actually knows what’s edible and avoid poisoning yourself, though.
Museums: Strolling around a gallery can be a fantastic way to feel cultured without spending a penny. Think: Chester Beatty, IMMA, Hugh Lane, National Gallery, Print Gallery, National Library, Natural History Museum
Swims: There’s easily 10 solid free outdoor swim spots to chooses from. Plus winter swimming makes us all feel very smug too. So worth a punt when you’er broke if only for the bragging rites alone.
Hikes: There’s more than 25 of them in the greater Dublin area to choose from.
8. Keep Calm and Carry On (to Payday)
January doesn’t last forever (even if it feels like it). Hang in there. You’ve got this. Soon enough, payday will arrive, and you’ll be able to reward yourself with something that isn’t pesto pasta. If all else fails? Time your visit to your parents’ (or your partner’s parents) to coincide suspiciously with dinner. Classic.
Until then, if the frugality is getting you rest safe in the knowledge that you can enjoy a €2 coffees, or €1 bun.
