Dublin is known for its charming pubs and incredible nightlife. But us Dubs know that these establishments are much more than just simply places to head for a drink.
Some of them hold way more significance than that. And this city-centre bar is by far no exception.
Here at Lovin Dublin, we love to discover hidden gems and new places for you to try out. But sometimes, it’s nice to celebrate some of our already-beloved bars and restaurants and remember why they have become the institutions that they are today.
We’ve teamed up with Smirnoff Infusions to give you a fresh look at your city by taking a look at some of our favourite venues in Dublin.
This time, we’re celebrating The George, Dublin’s oldest gay bar, which has a rich history and has grown into one of the most popular venues for a stellar night out in the city. For over 30 years, it has been an epicentre of LGBTQ+ life in Dublin.
But let’s take a look at how it has changed over the years.
It first opened in 1985, becoming one of the first gay bars in the city.
What is particularly interesting is that most people might not know how or where The George started.
When you’re queuing in the side alley to get in on a Friday or Saturday night, you’re actually queuing beside Bridie’s Bar, which was the original George Bar. This part of the venue was renamed after a beloved staff member, Bridie, who passed away suddenly.
What is now Bridies Bar was the original venue, and what is now the cloakroom for the nightclub was once a small upstairs dance floor.
Having first opened its doors in 1985, it was one of Dublin’s first gay bars, back when things were very different for the LGBTQ+ community here.
We were a long way away from marriage equality. In fact, homosexuality was still illegal at the time.
One thing that has remained the same for a long time is the fabulous entertainment.
Of course, I’m talking about the resident drag queens, who put on fantastic shows every night of the week here.
Queens like Davina Devine, Shirley Temple Bar, Dolly Grip, Veda and Victoria Secret started hosting shows in The George back in the day.
And the queens are still as fabulous as ever, providing some of the best entertainment to be found in Dublin.
It’s now one of the most popular and thriving spots adored by Dubliners.
The growth of The George is somewhat reflective of the journey we’ve gone on as a city to become more accepting and celebratory of everyone, no matter how they identify.
What started off as a small, fairly underground venue is now one of the busiest bar/nightclubs in the city, where you can dance the night away, enjoy some amazing drag shows and be yourself without fear of judgement.
There aren’t many places in the city that are as special as this one.
And The George is just one of the venues around the city that will be serving up Smirnoff Infusions, the brand new refreshingly fruity spirit drink from Smirnoff.
