There’s something quietly revolutionary about Bar 1661. Tucked away just north of the river in Dublin 7, 1661 wasn’t trying to be the new hot spot; but it became one and has been for a while. They’re not just pouring drinks they’re telling stories, and most of them start with a bottle of poitín.
First Impressions: Warm, Dark, and Very Stylish
From the outside, it’s got that cool, minimal, almost Irish pub-meets-speakeasy energy. Walk through the door and you’re met with low lighting, dark wood, and soft leather booths at night, during the day the large windows have this place cracking with youthful energy. There is even an outside terrace and seating along the windowsills outside to truly take in the long Dublin summer nights.
Inside it smells like orange peel and ambition. The kind of place you sit down with friends and end up ordering every drink on the menu… just to see how far the rabbit hole goes.
The Drinks: Art Meets Science
Bar 1661 isn’t just mixing cocktails — they’re crafting some of the best cocktails in Ireland, full stop. There’s an obsessive attention to detail in every glass, from the perfectly branded cubes to the immaculate garnishes. Each drink is a love letter to Irish spirits, with poitín proudly taking center stage.
The Belfast Coffee: The Bar 1661 Cocktail
If the Irish Coffee is the Daniel O’Donnell of cocktails, the Belfast Coffee is KneeCap — punchy, unforgettable and full of true Irish pride. Made with cold brew, Ban poitín, demerara sugar, and a dusting of grated nutmeg, it’s a drink that hits hard and soft at the same time. There’s nothing quite like it.
More Than a Drink, It’s a Statement
This is the kind of place that makes you fall in love with Irish spirits all over again. 1661 gives it the respect (and fun) it deserves. The team behind the bar? Some of the most knowledgeable and welcoming pros in the city. You don’t just feel served here. You feel looked after.
Final Thoughts
Bar 1661 is one of the best cocktail bars in Dublin. It honours Irish history, flips tradition on its head, and serves it in a chilled glass with class. If you’re after the best drinks in Ireland, this is the place. If you’re into serious drinks with playful soul, grab a seat, order a Belfast Coffee, and toast to the next round.
Oh they also do Guinness and bar snacks…what a bloody perfect bar!!!
Quick Look at Bar 1661
📍 Location: 1-5 Green Street, Dublin 7
🍸 Vibe: Moody, modern, effortlessly cool
🥃 Signature Drink: Belfast Coffee
🍹 Best For: Cocktail lovers, poitín converts, late-night sessions that accidentally roll into early mornings
🔥 Pro Tip: Grab a seat at the bar if you can you’ll get better chat. If that’s not your vibe make a reservation!
🎯 Perfect For: First dates, late-night whiskey missions, serious cocktail fans, and anyone wanting to experience the best of Ireland’s modern drinking scene.
📸 Before or After: Maybe visit Craft Cocktails next door to pick up some pre-batched cocktails designed by the bar team at Bar 1661… house party?
