Date with Dublin 8: Some of the best experiences around The Liberties

The Liberties is so rich in culture, history and art that it's no surprise that there is an abundance of experiences to make your way through in this charming area of the city. So why not make a date with Dublin 8? And since eight is the magic number, in this case, we decided to come up with eight brilliant experiences to make the most out of this fantastic area. From the cosy snugs at The Guinness Open Gate Brewery to the stellar panoramic views from The Guinness Storehouse, it's time to start ticking these off your list.   Catch up with friends at The Guinness Open Gate Brewery Cosy snugs, but not how you know them, because these ones are outside in the courtyard of this experimental brewery. The Guinness Open Gate Brewery have recently partnered with local artist, Holly Pereira, to transform the beer garden into a colourful canvas with the creation of a new “We Dream in Beer” mural, so it's the perfect spot to unwind this weekend. Make sure to come hungry as their delicious menus are specifically designed to complement your favourite brew, and their burgers are damn good. The beer specialists are on hand to help you make the most of your experience as they help you select the tasting paddle to best suit your palate. Guinness Open Gate Brewery is open from Thursday and Friday from 5pm until 10.30pm, Saturday from 3:00pm to 10.30pm and Sunday 2pm to 8.30pm. Click here to book ahead. Indulge in a cocktail at the Roe & Co Distillery If cocktails are your jam then you should most definitely make a date with the Roe & Co Distillery where you'll find a pop-up cocktail garden. They're also running some incredible cocktail-making workshops - the Blending Experience and the Flavours Experience. Through these workshops, you'll get to build your cocktail making skills and learn the ins and outs of creating the perfect whiskey cocktail serve. You can find more information on these experiences here. The Blending Experience and Flavours Experience workshops are available Thursday and Friday from 3pm to 7pm, Saturday from 1pm to 6.30pm and Sunday from 1pm to 5pm. The Power House Bar and Cocktail Village is open Thursday and Friday from 3pm to 9pm, Saturday from 1pm to 9pm and Sunday from 1pm to 7pm. Take in the views at the Guinness Storehouse Right on your doorstep and offering one of the best lookouts in Dublin, the Gravity Bar at the Guinness Storehouse should be top of your list when on the hunt for uninterrupted views of the city. And as the home of the black stuff, you can bet that their pints of plain are second to none. Time your visit just right and you might even manage to get a glimpse of the sun setting over the capital - hard to beat and very 'grammable. The Guinness Storehouse is open Sunday to Thursday from 11.30 to 7pm; Friday & Saturday from 11:00 to 8pm. Head here to book. Browse the colourful artwork at the Hen's Teeth Gallery  Combining food and art, the Hen's Teeth Gallery offers visitors the best of both worlds. A store, gallery, dinner and wine bar it's a great spot to discover crafty local talent too as you're bound to stumble upon artists and local designers that you may not have found out about otherwise. Known to host quirky markets and supper clubs, they also have a bunch of benches outside where you can enjoy a cup of coffee or a bite to eat when the sun shines. You can pop in from 10:30am to 10:30pm Wednesday to Saturday, and 12 to 6 on Sundays. https://www.instagram.com/p/CTt7DfZsB0O/ Get lost in a book at Marrowbone Bookshop Easily recognised by its cheery yellow exterior, Marrowbone Books is a small second-hand bookshop buried in the beating heart of The Liberties. Step inside and you'll be met by shelves upon shelves of books - mostly fiction, mostly paperbacks, mostly pretty cheap. Where's the catch, we hear you ask? Happy to report that, in this case, there is none. One of Dublin's best-kept secrets, purchasing a book from here comes with the added bonus of finding notes from previous owners in the margins which is always a thrill. https://www.instagram.com/p/CCG-td_HLvT/?hl=en Head to Container Coffee This is by far one of the most stunningly unique coffee spots in the city. Housed in a literal container, the team here serve up some seriously great speciality coffee as well as locally baked treats, delicious sandwiches, gourmet sausage rolls (10/10 would recommend trying these) and tasty pies. And if you need any more inspo to check out this spot, simply look at this mouth-watering toastie. My belly is rumbling. Container Coffee is located on Thomas Street and is open seven days a week. https://www.instagram.com/p/CEeESq-Hu77/ Grab some grub at Lucky's New bar, old town. Nestled on Meath Street, Lucky's is a quirky addition to The Liberties - a place that has come to be known for its good vibes, mighty craic and seriously good pizza (they share the space with the guys from Coke Lane). Around since 2018, Lucky's has been bringing tasty pizza pies and rotating art exhibitions to The Liberties ever since. Undeniably cool, it's a fairly chill spot whose funky interior will provide plenty of conversation fodder... in between mouthfuls of pizza that is. https://www.instagram.com/p/CDytUCbHK_F/ Tuck into a delicious burger at the Fourth Corner The Fourth Corner may look unassuming from the outside, but it has quite a cool backstory - one that many Dubliners probably aren't familiar with. Sitting just a little ways up from St Patrick's Cathedral, the pub is perched on the infamous 'Four Corners of Hell Junction' (so-called as there used to be pubs on all four corners of New Street, Patrick's Street, Kevin's Street and Dean street). A relatively new neighbourhood local, the main bar is a twist on the classic Dublin pub while downstairs plays host to foodie favourites Bolt Burger, making it the ultimate dining spot to try out this weekend. https://www.instagram.com/p/CUsDVqzMl6u/ So, there you have it, eight unreal weekend activities to experience in Dublin 8 - each offering culture, history and art with plenty of good food and drink thrown in for good measure too!