Miss Thrifty: The nation's best rooftops
Image courtesy of Marks & Spencer
Best for Lunch : Marks & Spencer where a two course meal and a glass of wine will only cost you €12.50.
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Those who remember the boom years will recall the decadence that was the rooftop gold-rush.
At one point things got so frantic that not a week would pass without some new uber-club opening a Feng-Shui inspired roof garden by bringing along half the cast of Coronation Street to publicise said ‘It’ venue. As the boom reached its peak, we were treated to the gaudy spectacle of each club desperately trying to outdo the next in a wild attempt to see just how many orange skinned 'b' list celebrities could be fitted onto a small area of garden decking.
If there's something we can all rejoice in, it’s that Ireland's economy now tinkles away on a very different piano and that all that vainglorious VIP stuff leaves us cold. Which leads us to wonder what’s become of the nation’s roof-gardens .What can they offer now you’re no longer prepared to pay €32 for a watered-down cocktail with a Japanese inspired name?
Still looking to spend your summer evenings knocking back drinks on a rooftop terrace? Here’s the low-down on the best locations to visit on a warm evening.
First up best-dressed award : Solas Bar - Wexford St, Dublin 2
There’s a rumour going around that if you don't say please and thank-you at this venue, you might not get served. As a firm believer in Ps and Qs I was intrigued. What I found was delightful and what the Solas roof terrace lacks in glamour, it makes up for in sheer wholesome goodness.
Open until 3am from Thursday to Sunday, good people can drink and be merry at this bar. The food is inventive without being pretentious and excellent value for money. Solas is also gaining a reputation for having a very decent music policy, everything from Stevie Wonder through to the Pixies is on the playlist, with a side salad of soul and some funk condiments. Free BBQ on Sundays. A pizza and a beer will only cost you €12 until 1am. Did we say free BBQ on Sundays already?
Best venue (as far as we’re concerned) : Odessa Club, Dame Court, Dublin 2
It’s not often one gets to sample the sultry delights of private members' club and as a venue the Odessa has bags of character and eclectic décor. Great food and an excellent €5 tapas menu would be enough, but Odessa also comes complete with DJ sets and private screenings of classic movies.
There's only one slight hitch, Odessa is a members' club. Though the kind folk at this establishment assure me the roof terrace is available for hire to non-members for parties and events. For €200 you and up to 50 mates can access the best roof terrace in Dublin. With a log-fire, great views and retractable rain covers it is everything you want in a party venue- Christmas BBQ anyone?
Best for Lunch : Marks & Spencer Restaurant, Grafton Street, Dublin
The new Marks & Spencer rooftop restaurant offers an oasis of calm in the centre of Grafton Street. A bright, modern atrium restaurant complete with a glass-walled outside terrace makes for a pretty good lunch spot. Open until 10pm on Thursdays and Fridays during the summer a two-course special, with a glass of wine, will cost you only €12.50.
The hog-roast award: Clancy’s - Princes St, Cork
Three floors of music and an excellent selection of money-savers, means a trip to this long-established venue won't break the hearts of those among you with short arms and deep pockets. Daytime specials, light-bite offers, midweek coffees for €1.50 and the occasional hog-roast on the roof garden, make this a popular venue. Bands often play upstairs in the summertime so when the weather is good, you might want to get there early.
Best for Glamour (and how to blow the budget): The Morgan Hotel in Temple Bar, Dublin
A good rooftop should be as much a calming place as a vibrant space and when we came across the penthouse suite at the Morgan it immediately went on the wish list. Calming oyster decor, your own baby-grand and a luxurious boho-styled Queen Anne bed are yours and yours only. The suite also comes complete with an inspired roof terrace which can hold up to 40 people, plus it has its own private air stream playpen. With prices ranging from €1,000 to €1,500, we know this isn't a thrifty choice but a girl can dream.
Best coffee : Egan's Coffee House, Main St, Portlaoise
When the Egan’s group wanted something special for their juice bar and coffee shop they commissioned Architecture53Seven architects to do just that. What they got is now the toast of architects and bond villains everywhere. Sleek, design-led, wi-fi ready and a bold statement in new Irish architecture. If all that’s not enough you can also get a midweek deal on a meal. Lasagna and a coffee will set you back €4.99.
Cocktail heaven : Suas Bar, South Main St, Cork
A lively crowd make Suas, one of Cork’s favourite cocktail haunts, and summer wouldn't be summer without at least one large glass of something with a lot of Pimms inside it. Slightly pricey but none the less it’s a nice bar and has an excellent roof terrace. Students get big discounts on cocktails from Monday to Thursday during term time, but valid student ID is required.
Best for sports : Fitzsimons Hotel in Temple Bar
Anyone who needs a sports fix on a warm summers night will warm to the roof garden at Fitzsimons. Sports fans will appreciate the plasma TVs and as the terrace comes complete with rooftop bars you won't miss much of the action when its your turn for drinks. The terrace gets pretty busy but this only adds to the atmosphere and reduces the likelihood of someone laughing at you for jumping up and down like an eejit when your team scores.
Best for lazy beers : Russells Pub, Ranelagh, Dublin 6
Great for when the sun does shine, which is why Russells is something of an institution. Midweek specials and a nice crowd make this a popular watering hole. Thursday and Friday evenings get quite busy during the summer so daytimes and early afternoons are best if you are only in for a pint and read of the paper. Note drinks promotions change weekly.
Sinead Van Kampen is the editor of The Savvy Shopper. For a rundown on fashion and food bargains plus regular insider tips visit TheSavvyShopper.ie website.
- Sinead Van Kampen
