Bar
The Brazen Head
A pub on Bridge Street Lower that dates its history to 1198 and calls itself Ireland's oldest, with food daily, stews and traditional music.
Vintage Cocktail Club
A cocktail bar behind an unmarked black door in the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, with a subterranean punch house and whiskey caverns serving small plates.
At a glance
- Type
- Speakeasy cocktail bar
- Area
- South William Street, Dublin, Ireland
- Price
- $$$ · Upscale
- Opening
- Open daily
- Official site
- vintagecocktailclub.com
Good to know
- Unmarked entrance
- Reservations
- Small plates
- Whiskey caverns
Why we recommend it
Vintage Cocktail Club is a cocktail bar in the style of a speakeasy, hidden behind an unmarked black door at the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre on South William Street. The house rules are simple: find the black door, ring the bell and wait to be shown to a seat. That sense of arrival is part of the fun, and it suits date nights, celebrations and anyone who enjoys carefully made drinks.
Cocktails are the main event. If you are unsure what to order, tell the bartender what you usually like and ask for a suggestion. Below the main bar, the subterranean Punch House and Whiskey Caverns offer a different setting, with charcuterie, cheese, pastries and small plates to keep you going until late. It is a good place to start a night out with a drink and a bite, or to finish one with a nightcap.
The bar suits couples, small groups of friends and visitors looking for something more polished than a traditional pub. It is not the place for a quick, cheap pint. Booking ahead is strongly recommended, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings, through the reservation page on the website or by email at [email protected]. Smart casual clothes fit the setting, although no formal dress code is published.
Opening hours are from 16:15 to 23:00 on Monday to Wednesday, 15:15 to 23:00 on Thursday, 15:15 to midnight on Friday, and 12:00 to midnight on Saturday and Sunday. The early weekend opening makes it an option for a long afternoon drink as well as an evening out. Arriving earlier in the evening also gives you a better chance of a walk-in table.
The Powerscourt Townhouse Centre is on South William Street, a couple of minutes from Grafton Street, so the bar is easy to combine with dinner in the surrounding streets or an evening in the city centre. For enquiries, call +353 1 265 6423.
For a special occasion, mention it when you reserve. If the bar is full, the surrounding streets around South William Street and Drury Street have plenty of other places for a drink while you wait, and you can return later for a nightcap. Plan a taxi or the walk home in advance on busy weekend nights, when cabs in the city centre can be hard to find.
Vintage Cocktail Club FAQs
How do I get into Vintage Cocktail Club?
Look for the black door, ring the bell and staff will show you to a seat.
What are the opening hours?
Monday to Wednesday 16:15 to 23:00, Thursday 15:15 to 23:00, Friday 15:15 to midnight, and Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to midnight.
Do I need to book?
Booking is strongly recommended, especially at weekends, via the website or [email protected].
Does it serve food?
Yes, the Punch House and Whiskey Caverns serve charcuterie, cheese, pastries and small plates.
Where is it?
In the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, 59 South William Street, Dublin 2.
Is there a dress code?
No formal dress code is published, but smart casual fits the setting.
Is it good for groups?
It suits couples and small groups best; contact the bar in advance for larger parties.
How do I contact the bar?
Call +353 1 265 6423 or email [email protected].