Alcohol-free things to do in Dublin

While the pub is a significant part of Irish culture, sometimes you just don’t feel like drinking. There is no shortage in Dublin when it comes to pubs or cocktail bars and sometimes this culture can make it hard to think of interesting, non-alcoholic things to do with friends or family. 

So, whether you are sick of spending your hard-earned wages on £7 pints every time you meet up with your friends, or you just simply can’t handle anymore hangovers, here is a list of activities you can do in Dublin that don’t involve alcohol. 

1. Pottery painting in Smithfield

If you’re into arts and crafts, pottery painting is a fun way to spend time with friends. Dublin Pottery Painting Studio, located in Smithfield, offers a chilled atmosphere and all the supplies you need to paint and design a wide range of pottery pieces such as mugs, bowls, plates, picture frames and egg cups ranging in price from £22-55. The studio is open until 10pm all week (11pm on Fridays and Saturdays) making it a good alternative to an evening in the pub. You can book a time slot online for just £5 per person and the price of your ticket will be taken off the pottery piece you choose to paint. 

2. Butler’s chocolate experience 

If you are a chocolate lover with an hour and a half to spare, Butler’s chocolate experience in Coolock might be the perfect way to entertain yourself. The experience allows you to dress up like a Butler’s chocolatier while you take a guided tour of the factory. The tour includes chocolate tasting along the way and an in depth look at how Butler’s luxury chocolates are made. Tickets cost £16.95 per person and can be bought from www.butlerschocolates.com.  

3. National Gallery 

The National Gallery is a fun and completely free way for an art lover to spend some free time. The gallery’s entrance is located on Merrion Square, and it is open seven days a week until 5:30pm (8:30 on Thursdays). The collection includes well known artists such as Mantegna, Titan, Monet and Picasso. Founded in 1854, the gallery spans the history of western European art, from around 1300 to the present day. More information, including upcoming exhibitions, can be found on www.nationalgallery.ie.  

4. Mind the step café  

Mind the Step café means that meeting friends for coffee is no longer strictly a work-free afternoon thing. The coffee shop, located in Dublin 1, is open until 11pm all week (8pm on Sundays) allowing people to enjoy each other’s company over coffee and pastries from morning until night. This would be an ideal place to go if you want to experience a similar atmosphere to quiet drinks in your local pub, without the alcohol. 

5. Silverworks jewellery making 

Silver Works is a jewellers located on Drury St. that offers a ‘Forge a Silver Ring Workshop’ for £80 per person. Although this is the most expensive option on the list, Dublin’s pub prices would make it easy to spend £80 on a night out and at least this way you take home new jewellery, instead of a hangover.