Another late night, wandering around a new town, looking for dinner that isn't 'fast food' or too 'posh'. Comfort food, you know? In one place the music was WAY too loud for a restaurant! Another, with several empty tables at 9pm was 'all booked up'. A few pubs offer 'pizza and beer', which at that moment was not sounding appetizing. The Lafayette pub has a doorman (bouncer?) who we asked if dinner was being served. He directed us to their menu. Five simple options: chicken wings, nachos, chicken sandwich, burger or caesar salad. These sounded like perfect pub style comfort food. Inside is quite large and very dark. Around the corner, to the left is a wall of windows over looking the river, so during the day it must be quite bright in here. Each table had a tall taper candle in an empty bottle making it feel cozy. Ours was a whiskey bottle, of course. The walls are painted black in our little nook. Background music was a mix of David Bowie, U2 and the like. Volume went up about 10pm. The bartenders are young and very friendly. We ordered our drinks and meals at the bar and received a small table tent style number for food delivery. The food portions are quite large. A double burger and a small mountain of crispy, salty fries would be enough for two. The burger patties were cooked well and the bun was soft. A house dressing (thousand island perhaps?), iceberg lettuce, tomato, crunchy pickle chips and onions all in abundance. The burger comes with bacon too, but sadly, I am allergic, so I can't tell you about that. Nachos were generously covered in cheese, hot sauce and jalapenos. Also plenty to share here. About 5 minutes after our food was delivered the staff member who delivered our food returned to be sure we had everything we needed. Both meals were served on small plastic trays similar to the sort used in school cafeterias. I was hungry and tired and this place saved me from fast food, so yes, I really like this place. But besides that, the food was fresh and well prepared. The staff is super friendly. The music is good; loud but not break your eardrums loud. The seat comfy. The table in a cozy nook. All of which put me in a much better frame of mind and for that, I'm a fan. read more

See all

I went to the Lafayette Cafe Bar yesterday evening for a cocktail with friend. While it was quite early (albeit a friday evening) there were a few busy tables. The cocktails are fab! Very tasty and well presented, delivered to the table by the barman himself. I like what they've done with it too, the decor is nice and tasteful and I am sure when it's busy its a great place to hang out. Oh and did I mention the cocktails are €5 YEP €5 on friday evening you cant go wrong, and they were serving food. I didnt get a chance to grab a menu but the food on the table close by looked to be going down a treat. read more

i was in here on a friday night and this place was very quiet when i was there although €5 cocktails are not to sniffed at! The clientelle are bit young for my liking and dressed up as if they are going to a ball but i like the little comfortable chairs, tables and not too loud music which makes this a nice destination if you are out for a few drinks of a friday evening. i had a pina colada and a bahama mama in which i could taste the alcohol. The artwork on the walls means that you don't just have to people watch but can be safe in the knowledge that you can stare vacantly at the walls and no-one with think you are weird! it also has a nice heated outdoor smoking area for those with the dirty habit. i didn't go the nightclub downstairs yet, it didn't seem to be open the friday evening i was there but then i left at about 10.45 to go onto my next haunt! it may be that it opened late. read more

While visiting Dublin about a month ago for an academic conference (IAMCR 2013 at Dublin City University, for those of you who care about such things), I realized rather happily that I would be around for the Dublin Pride parade. I scrutinized the map and asked enough locals to ascertain where exactly the route would be going, and determined rather quickly that Lafayette was squarely in front of, and alongside, the parade route (the street forks like a Y directly in front of the establishment). I had several hours to kill before the parade, so I parked myself at the bar and had many several beers while chatting with the super-friendly and really awesome bartender (I believe his name was Sean). But what made the place really awesome was what happened when the parade started up. Initially I was content to just watch the parade pass by through the windows, but suddenly I heard, "Ay! Mate! Mate!" behind me--one of the bartenders (manager? owner? not sure...) was trying to get my attention. He asked me if I wanted to watch the parade from upstairs--and of course I wasn't going to turn that down! The upper level of the place, which is not open to the public (generally speaking), appears to be in some sort of state of abandoned renovations--which is a shame because it would make an awesome club venue if it was fixed up really nicely. But in any event, we (me and the dozen or so other random barflies who had managed to snag an impromptu invite) threw open the windows and happily spent the next couple of hours hanging out the windows and screaming and waving at the parade below while happily drinking our beers. (Oh, and did I mention that those beers were some of the cheapest that I had the entire time I was in Ireland?) I have no idea when, if ever, I'll return to Dublin, but I'll definitely remember Lafayette! read more

I remember when Lafayette opened under the pretence of being a 'Classy New York style cocktail bar'. That plan probably didn't work out, as I walked passed here yesterday, and it's gone all hipster and quirky. The decor is really quite cool I have to admit! I guess they are hoping to get some of their neighbour Cassidy's clientele in (which was JAMPACKED!) - sadly for the two hours I was in Lafayettes it was quiet, and it remained just that. I would go back though, the heated smoking area is one of the better ones I have seen around Dublin and the music was deadly. read more

A great night out at a great price. My wife and I have been coming here for as a while now. We love the value for money with the pizza and pint (dinner and a drink for 10 euro). The bartenders have always been pleasant and smiling. I am careful where I spend my money and I keep coming back here. Trust me, there is a reason for it. If you want high end, hoity toity, you have come to the wrong place. If you want good value and a decent place to spend an evening, look no further. read more

I'd go for three and a half stars for this one, if it were possible... Lafayette, you see, is not such a good place to warrant a four-star review, but I've been there so many times I feel like it deserves more than a three either. So why do I keep going back? It's really, really reliable and often feels like the easiest choice for a night out. Free entry if you get there before 11; there's a bar upstairs and a club downstairs, which normally opens up at around 11:30 and starts to fill up at 12ish. There's absolutely zero risk in going to Lafayette because it's always the same: a solid, young crowd, good dance music, average and average-priced drinks. Lots of girls teetering in minidresses and heels. Smoking section outside is small and there's no seating. read more

Lafayette Café Bar is on Westmoreland street and right beside O'Connell bridge. They have two floors and currently in the process of adding another one I think with the construction going on in there. The top floor is a bar with ridiculously cheap cocktails and drink promotions with very nice bartenders and staff, the top floor mainly has a rock/metal night on friday and saturday I think. While downstairs in Lafayette's it is more for a younger crowd such as 18-21's year olds and is also known for its famous Blackout buckets. The music defers on Friday and Saturday nights, Friday nights is a more of commercial/90s night while the Saturday is mainly just House Music. It's a decent sized venue that attracts regulars week in week out. Highly recommend it for anyone that likes cheap drinks and good music! read more

Lafayette is the new modern cocktail bar on O'Connell Bridge. It's a sister of Doyle's Corner across from Pearse Street Garda station. The venue was formerly the doomed Redz but could not be more different from its predecessor. Firstly, it's not a student bar anymore. Quite the opposite. It's clientelle are made up of hip, cool 22-32 year olds who enjoy a well made cocktail in this beautiful premises. It's managed by Barry who came from Dandelion on St. Stephen's Green and the bar manager is Jourdan McQuade, the red headed scot who secured Licensing World's cocktail bar of the year award 2010 while he had the bar in Harvey Nick's, Dundrum S.C. under his wing. The style of Lafayette is simple delicious. If you do go in for a look, seek out the modern arty wooden wall sculpture of the river Liffey. Also ttake a minute to have a look at the brand new nightclub downstairs as that too is rather tasty. The staff are all greatt from floor staff to door staff and Jourdan has them all well trained. I have yet to try the food but I hear the steak is a bit deadly. Best of look you guys! read more

This is a great spot literally in the heart of Dublin City Centre. They have a great bar upstairs and a nightclub downstairs. I go for the alternative/metal nights they have during the week which are brilliant. They have a full bar and the prices are very good for Dublin and they often have specials during events. It's worth mentioning you can't beat the staff here, they are simply brilliant. read more

I was previously really liking this place but ive been in here a few times really and im not overly impressed. There are teeny little flies buzzin around everywhere so you have to cover your drink with a beer mat. Dont get me wrong the palce isnt dirty or anything but where are they coming from. I threw a tissue into the loo once and loads buzzed outta there. Just not right. The bar lady is super nice though and they have a wide selection of drinks . so not abad spot for a quick drink or a coffee but i wouldnt be hangin around...sorry! read more

You can't beat €5 cocktails and sweet bartenders! This is a nice spot if you want to hang out with your friends and catch up for the night. I wouldn't come here for the atmosphere as most of the time I come, it's nearly empty; but if you bring your crowd, you're guaranteed a good time. read more

Fresh off the plane I loved this place. The music was awesome, the bar staff know the beer so well they can recommend anything your flavour palette will love. Definitely recommend to all my Canadian friends!! read more

Last night after pride a few friends and myself decided to get a drink before the clubs opened , I'd never been to Lafayette before but my friend suggested it so we went . I'd never been more insulted in my life when we walked up to the door and were refused entry on the grounds that we "didn't fit the look" the only obvious thing was we had rainbow flags painted on our faces and arms .....on pride . The doorman was so rude I would NEVER go back . Unacceptable 'protocol' . read more

Definitely a nice place to drink a beer or a cocktail ! In the middle of Dublin, it is a good place before going in a Club or to the restaurant ! read more

My partner and i purchased a voucher on line for a meal in lafayette . We were on our way to the airport and decided to eat here before we flew out for a well deserved break.My partner ordered chicken while i opted for the steak medium cooked without any sauce, The food arrived, my partners meal was perfect he was quite happy , i however was not, my steak was covered in pepper sauce and cooked well done. I complained and the waiteress was very apolagetic and did not charge me for my glass of wine.She took my name and ph; number and sure enough i got a call from the manager or owner who was , again very apolagetic asking myself and my partner to come in and have a meal and a bottle of wine on the house. We went in today and had a beautiful meal My partner had chicken strogonoff which was to die for , I had fish and chips which came with a lovely side salad ,chunky chips which were perfectly cooked and the fish was just the way i like it lightly battered and very fresh, We then ordered dessert , i had pavlova my partner had apple pie and ice cream . Heaven on a plate. I loved this place the first time we went in , the lady that served us was so nice and made you feel at ease, and also the manager, especially today he would not even let us pay for desserts, I seldom complain if i get a bad meal, or a meal that i did not order .I usually put it down to experience and dont return. but that lady who worked there spotted i was not happy and she approached me about my food and thats the only reason i told her . We will definatly be back . The decor is suitable to all age groups and the toilet is spotless which is very important . Over all impression , I would highly recommend the food , the service , the attention to detail and ambiance of this cafe bar. They went over and beyond what we were expecting from them . read more