Jeff N.
Yelp
This spot was one of the best cocktail bars I've visited in Ireland so far in my travels to the country. I only heard about this joint through a Yelp search I performed for my second trip, looking for cool bars and speakeasies. Being that the Blind Pig (where we went on our first trip) wasn't open at the time, we wanted to see if we could find something similar. Vintage Cocktail Club (VCC) more than fit the bill to our immense satisfaction.
To find this spot, you have to go up one of the side streets in Dublin's Temple Bar, not far from the central part of the drag where the Quays and the actual Temple Bar are located. With the outdoor seating only available at the time -- the club had tables outside the usually discreet doorway (with no noted signage) and the rooftop accessible by the stairwell. Despite the restrictions at the time, my wife and I had some great craic there. The manager who owns the business accommodated us wonderfully, ensuring we had what we needed as we ordered dinner and drinks. She gave us flutes of prosecco on the house since we just had our Celtic marriage ceremony on the opposite side of Ireland in Doolin; a lovely gesture indeed! And because it was cold out -- we didn't think to put on our jackets before leaving the hotel, the manager brought us blankets to cover ourselves since we were sitting outside the front entrance on the first night.
The burger I ordered was fabulous, incredibly savory, and satisfying to the last bite. The mixologists there create very magical cocktails that we ordered more than one from VCC's extensive drink menu booklet. The Rosy & Jim was a delicious blended Irish Whiskey drink with rosemary-infused Rhubarb Liqueur and homemade simple syrup with a rosemary skewer. From there, I enjoyed a Southern Passion, which comprised pisco (Peru's national liquor), apple, and passion fruit with a cool passion fruit coin onto the drink as garnish.
We loved this spot so much that we returned here on our final night in Dublin before flying back home, where we took seats at a table at the rooftop bar. We enjoyed some more classic cocktails like their Mai-Tai and Navy Grog. Both rum-based cocktails were exquisitely made and very strong -- the former more orange and citrusy while the latter had more grapefruit notes. Finishing off with the Wobbler that had ruby grapefruit-infused vodka, Fernet Branca, and Port wine, we certainly had a night of nights at VCC.
Whether you're visiting from afar or live in the area, definitely check VCC out. I'm sure by now, they have returned to using their discreet doorway for an entrance, bringing you into a world that's removed from everyday life.