The area comes to life as the sun goes down and the lower end of the city centre street, home to many bars and restaurants, has recently had a £250,000 refurbishment. The new look includes 24-hour pedestrianisation, resurfacing and new security bollards.
There’s so much packed into just a few hundred feet – from a games bar with beer pong and shuffleboard to a delicious noodle restaurant. And there’s some gems further up Merrion Street, too.
Here’s my ultimate guide to a night out in Merrion Street, with 15 bars and restaurants to choose from. Businesses are listed in a loop from the top end down to the bottom stretch, and back up the other side.
7. Manahatta
Manahatta is a stylish New-York inspired bar, popular for its two-for-one cocktail deal and bottomless brunches - which now include two hours of free-flowing drinks. It's a bustling venue with space to dance as the night goes on, and the decadent cocktails include the Birthday Cake topped with sprinkles, and a supersized pornstar martini for six people. Photo: Simon Hulme
8. Roxy Ball Room
There's plenty to keep you entertained at Roxy Ball Room, with booze and ball games over three floors - including shuffleboard, beer pong, table tennis and basketball. Refuel with American-style pizzas and hotdogs and enjoy the soundtrack of indie and rock anthems. Photo: Simon Hulme
9. Stuzzi
For a more sophisticated evening with top-notch Italian food and wine, Stuzzi is the place to go. The restaurant serves small plates that are designed for sharing and traditionally eaten by hand. There's a blend of traditional recipes, modern Italian cooking and street food gems, alongside drinks, meats and cheeses - and sweet treats. Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
10. Zaap Thai
This vibrant restaurant is always packed, with customers flocking to try authentic Thai street food and tasty cocktails with a twist. You'll feel like you've been transported to a Bangkok market, with a bustling atmosphere, smells wafting from the open kitchen and neon tuk-tuks - some of which double up as seating areas. Photo: Simon Hulme
11. Bento
We've crossed the road and are heading back up Merrion Street, and our first stop is this street food restaurant and Izakaya, a casual Japanese bar. Bento's offering includes sake - a Japanese rice wine - as well as cocktails and iced teas. And there's a mouth-watering selection of food on the menu, including katsu curry, udon and okonomiyaki, a Japanese pancake dish. Photo: Simon Hulme
12. Mean Eyed Cat
The party really gets started at Mean Eyed Cat, a Deep South-inspired dive bar with a legendary playlist to dance the night away. It's home to the roll the dice game until 9pm, where you can get 25% off your order by rolling a two or a four. Roll a six, and your round is free. And that's not all - you can get free six-inch pizza with every drink order until 9pm. Photo: Simon Hulme