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    The Academy

    2.9 (32 reviews)
    ModerateMusic Venues, Dance Clubs

    The Academy Photos

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    Jo M.

    Impressive, intimate concert venue in the centre of Dublin 1. The Academy's main venue can accommodate up to 650 people over two levels - downstairs is for the plebs and upstairs for VIPs - what I wouldn't do to be up there with the beautiful people... As far as I'm concerned, The Academy is the perfect sized venue to catch a gig by a band of relatively mid-range fame. Possibly your new fave band that no one else has discovered yet, or a golden oldie that has resurfaced one too many times for most of its die-hard fans. It ain't no Croker, that's for sure, and there'd be a queue the length of Ireland and deathly jostling matches if a band of the likes of U2 were to attempt to play a date there. A wide range of bands finds its way to the Academy's main stage, including The Cribs, Amanda Palmer, Asher Roth and Beatles tribute bands. While attending a gig at this venue watch out for psycho crazy women who will threaten to batter you if you accidentally trip them over with your mad dancing style, and also for 'close dancers' - you know, the ones who decide that your dancing space is their dancing space... ewww!!

    Lava Y.

    The Academy has a lot of gigs going on throughout the year, but I've only come here a few times for college parties. There are 3 floors with various events, but the top floor where I went is quite small but they have a nice stage for live music and an upstairs part to look down from. Entry is pretty cheap and they have some good deals on drinks in Fridays. There's also various bands that play here every week. It's located right near Arnott's on lower abbey street so it's easy to find. Besides the small venue size, it's a pretty good place for live music.

    A load of emos outside The Academy. Notice knacks with JD Sports bags to left of frame.
    Cathal C.

    Yeah so, The Academy. When did that all happen, eh? The Academy on Middle Abbey St used to be renowned knack-box Spirit, which specialised in the bad trance so beloved of Dublin's soccer jersey-with-Fred Perry masses. Then, pretty much overnight, it had transformed itself into into a hip indie club. And they have some pretty good acts - Eagles of Death Metal are playing on the 25th of next month. I had cause to go to a sort of Spirit revival at the The Academy recently. After paying €10, my companion and I were greeted with a scene very much reminiscent of Spirit: half empty dancefloors, with howyas occupying the half that was full. We stayed two minutes, and then it was off to the Twisted Pepper with us. So, Spirit is not that terribly missed. One of the things that goes against The Academy as a live music venue, though, is that the main room is vast. Not in terms of square feet, but in cubic feet, if you get my drift. I'll elaborate. The dancefloor of the main room is a nice big size, but the ceiling is really high, so the room seems absolutely cavernous. If a band is playing and the room is in any way empty, even if it is over half-filled, it can still seem very empty and echo-y. It's still fairly good though, definitely worth a night out there. If you do go there, stick to the main floor. Upstairs is alright in that it has a bar and a few booths, but nothing really of note. Not up to much in "VIP Area" terms. And downstairs, when it is open (is it ever open?) - I wouldn't really rate, either. So yeah, stick to the main room. One thing I like about The Academy though, is that, as a non-smoker, the smoking area (or lack there of) is singularly unappealing, so your smoker friends won't have much of an impetus to stand out there all night missing all the good songs. Who'd want to stand out on Abbey St (and you're on the street itself so you can't bring your drink out) and have all the beggars and derelicts buzzing around you? So if you are a chain-smoker, perhaps The Academy is not for you. Otherwise, it's pretty decent.

    Great venue

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Cannot find any POC in their pictures....hmmm. Makes you wonder? Just check out the video and see how that "special effect" is carried out.

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    3 years ago

    Super rude staff. Sent me and my friend out for absolutely no reason. Will not be returning and will be discourage others from going.

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    8 years ago

    Bouncers and security were nice the coat check was a pain in the ass decent overall but not the best place to go in Dublin

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    The Academy Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - The Academy

    As far as I'm concerned, The Academy is the perfect sized venue to catch a gig by a band of relatively mid-range fame.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    Capitol Lounge - Courtesy of Capitol Lounge website

    Capitol Lounge

    2.8(53 reviews)
    0.8 kmSouth Inner City

    My sore head today is a reflection of this place's cheap cocktails. 5 euros a pop before midnight,…read moreyou can't beat that! Great cocktail menu, the bartender I dealt with was charming, he even deviated from the menu to do my favourite cocktail. It's moderately sized, interior is modern, comfy couches. Music is chart, the DJ was abit too volume happy so we had to shout to talk and then we gave up and just focused on drinking the cocktails. At one point I thought I was at convention celebrating the show Sex & The City which then shifted to me thinking I was in a lesbian bar. It was thronged with well done up young women and hardly any men. Boys if you want to score a chick, this is the place for you! Girls if you want to score a chick this also is the place for you but in a very Sex & The City hook up kinda way, that is they will be straight again the next morning. The only reason why I am giving it three stars is that it would not be my scene and the music is too loud but it's a great place to pre-game it with some cheap well made cocktails before hitting another spot.

    OK I still hate Capitol, I do, I just happened to have a great night there last night... which was…read moremore to do with the company than the establishment (at one point I laughed so hard I thought I might have an aneurism).. ok it was a little to do with the 5 euro cocktails - I've given them one more star for that. I still think it's a place to be avoided like the plague on a weekend. Anyway you can happily get sozzled on the quite extensive menu of cocktails, all of which are 5 euro all night Sunday - Thursday, and during the week you can get seats and pretty quick service... still though the place annoys me.... maybe it's that every girl there is wearing is tiny dress and giant heels, or maybe it's the remnants of puke is all the sinks... but after a few the blaring music starts to become less annoying and everything is hilarious -your friend may even attempt to throw limes into a pint class across the far side of the room without anyone noticing.

    Photos
    Capitol Lounge
    Capitol Lounge - Courtesy of Capitol Lounge website

    Courtesy of Capitol Lounge website

    Capitol Lounge - Large choice of cocktails!

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    Large choice of cocktails!

    Dandelion - The upstairs bar area (the nightclub is downstairs)

    Dandelion

    2.8(39 reviews)
    1.0 kmSouth Inner City
    €€

    I agree with laura - this is one of those bars you would never even think about going into, until…read moreone day you do... Dandelion reminds me a lot of Cafe En Seine. Its interior is massive and very grandly outfitted, although after the initial 'wow' moment everything seems to take on a bit of a gaudy air. The 5 euro cocktails are fab, and they have drink specials most nights of the week, so this could be a place to go before you really go out. There is a nightclub here, but I can't vouch for its quality. Dandelion also has a very nice restaurant that is suitable for families. This place disappoints a little bit, after giving an amazing first impression, but maybe this is because everyone else in Dublin seems to just walk on by?

    I didn't think Dandelion was any great shakes when I went there for a night out with the girls…read more(Jays, I'm starting to sound like Carrie). It's modern and trendy with plenty of room to mingle but it's not particularly atmospheric or memorable in spite of its 'boutique' claims. I can't imagine ever saying "I'll meet ye in Dandelion later", and I wonder if it has any kind of a regular crowd. That said, €5 for a cocktail in the heart of Dublin is not a bad deal and currently Dandelion are offering to pay the 21.5% VAT on all drinks Monday-Friday, bringing the cost of a pint down to a cool €4.30. Whatever I may say about Dandelion, you'll not get a better deal on the Green and I saw a tanned, chiselled young man handing out flyers to this affect just the other day! We bolted however after about two hours and Dandelion left no great impression except a brief ponder over the wisdom of naming your 'boutique' club after a weed.

    Photos
    Dandelion - A Bikini Martini (left) and Cosmopolitan with an orange peel (right).

    A Bikini Martini (left) and Cosmopolitan with an orange peel (right).

    Dandelion - The "back area" where the pool table is.

    The "back area" where the pool table is.

    Dandelion

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    The Sugar Club - picture from website

    The Sugar Club

    4.2(22 reviews)
    1.4 kmHarcourt
    €€

    Laid out like an opulent cinema, with tiered velvet banquette seating, the Sugar Club plays host…read moreall sorts, including comedy, music, film, theatre, burlesque and cabaret. It also does plain old DJ and dancing sets but watch out if you are shaking it down the front. You will have become the act for the evening, so make it good. For those who just like to watch, head to the bar at the back, where a range of imaginative cocktails is available.

    This is a pretty cool little spot…read more A theatre come club come cinema come bar. It looks cool on the outside and it doesn't disappoint on the inside. Previous reviewers have commented on the shell-shaped seating around tables which are really nice. It gives you that feeling of being in a jazz club in a black & white movie. It's comfortable, intimate, and well, a little bit special. Probably my favourite element of the Sugar Club though is their varied programming. On any given week, they will have anything from burlesque to hiphop to an 80s classic or live band. Some downsides too - the toilets are pretty average - it would be cool to see something a bit more plush to go with the general vibe of the place. In line with this - the price of drinks. If I'm paying this much for drinks, I want to be somewhere ultra fecking plush. OR (preferably!), I'd prefer NOT to pay so much for a drink. I believe my Jameson & coke cost me in the region of eight euro the other day. And was poured into a plastic cup. No people, just, no!

    Photos
    The Sugar Club - Ernie Watts

    Ernie Watts

    The Sugar Club - Chris Dave

    Chris Dave

    The Sugar Club

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    The Academy - musicvenues - Updated August 2026

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