Three of the sweetest words in the English language: Bring Your Own.

Whether it's to cut costs, or because you have the exact wine or beer to go with the food you know you want to have, a night in a BYOB spot just can't be beat.

So, as we tread the dangerous middle ground in between two separate paydays, here's our selection of the best spots in the city where you can come armed and ready.

8. Keshk Café

A lovely spot in Ballsbridge serving Egyptian, Turkish and Greek food and no corkage fee on alcohol.

7. dada

This gorgeous Moroccan restaurant on South William Street does free BYOB Sunday through to Wednesday – and they even provide belly-dancing lessons for groups of more than 10.

Can't ask for more than that, in fairness.

6. Seagrass Restaurant

This little gem in Portobello has free corkage and does a mean weekend brunch, with all dishes under a tenner.

• Read our review here.

5. Jerusalem and Little Jerusalem

Jerusalem on Camden Street and its baby sister (aww) Little Jerusalem in Rathmines are two great spots for Middle Eastern food – and their Eage gluten-free veggie pancakes are to die for.

• Read our review of Little Jerusalem here.

4. Café Bliss

Cheap and cheerful, this tiny restaurant has friendly staff, free corkage and a two-course earlybird for €9.95.

3. Musashi Dublin

This place on Capel Street does unreal sushi and really authentic Japanese cuisine, with €6 corkage per bottle of wine.

2. Vintage Kitchen

Tucked away just off Burgh Quay, this restaurant makes really wholesome food cooked from fresh ingredients that are locally sourced.

Not only is there free BYOB but you can also Bring Your Own LP – and if the record suits the mood of the restaurant they'll play it as you eat. You'd want to book in advance for weekend nights, mind...

1. Rotana Café

Another slick restaurant in Portobello, Rotana specialises in Lebanese cuisine.

It's great value, the portions are massive and they make best baba ghanoush I've ever tasted in Dublin – and better still, there's no cost on corkage.

After dinner you can grab some shisha, sit outside watching the world go by, and plan what you're gonna do with all that dolla you just saved.

Originally published January 2015.