Rooftops in Dublin: the Liffey and the bay seen from above
The capital on the bay
The capital of Ireland and the largest city on the island, Dublin stretches along the east coast, at the head of a bay, at the mouth of the Liffey. The river divides the city between Northside and Southside, and the postcodes follow suit: odd numbers to the north, even numbers to the south. Founded by the Vikings in the 9th century near a Gaelic hamlet, the city is today the political, economic and cultural heart of the country, and one of Europe's financial centres.
From Georgian quays to glass docks
Georgian architecture shapes the surroundings of St Stephen's Green and Merrion Square. On the south bank, Trinity College, founded in 1592, holds the Book of Kells; close by, the Temple Bar district lines up pubs, galleries and restaurants along the river. To the west, the Guinness brewery occupies the St James's Gate site, in the Liberties. To the east, the Docklands bring together glass office buildings, performance venues and hotels along the quays. To the south, the Dublin Mountains draw the skyline.
Where to rise above Dublin
Two unique viewpoints
In the Liberties, the Gravity Bar crowns the Guinness Storehouse, the former fermentation building turned museum: a circular glass room on the 7th floor, 46 metres up, from which the panorama sweeps from the mountains to Howth Head. Access is only with a Storehouse visit ticket, which includes a pint. Between Temple Bar and College Green, DÍON occupies the 9th and 10th floors of the former Central Bank, renamed Central Plaza: a bar and restaurant glazed all the way round, facing Trinity College, the Liffey, the Poolbeg chimneys and, on clear days, Dún Laoghaire harbour.
Hotel rooftops
In the Docklands, on the north bank, Ryleigh's occupies the 6th and top floor of The Dean Dublin Docklands, the former Mayson: a long glass-walled room and an open-air terrace facing the Liffey, the quays, the bay and, in the distance, the mountains, 400 metres from the 3Arena concert venue. South of St Stephen's Green, Sophie's crowns The Dean hotel, on Harcourt Street, with a glass-walled room, a bar and a terrace with 360° views. In the Liberties, the WXYZ Bar, on the 7th floor of the Aloft hotel, opens its terrace onto the spire of St Patrick's Cathedral. Finally, in the heart of Ranelagh village, Layla's has set a glasshouse and a covered terrace on the roof of The Devlin hotel, with views over the neighbourhood's roofs and the mountains.
Food and cocktails up high
For every budget
Expect to pay around €15 for a signature cocktail at Ryleigh's and at Layla's, and €15 to €19 at DÍON. At the Gravity Bar, the pint is included in the Storehouse ticket, from €24. On the food side, you can go from the flame-grilled steaks of Ryleigh's to the Irish cuisine centred on the grill at DÍON, selected by the Michelin Guide, and from the pizzas and pasta of Sophie's to the Italian plates of Layla's; at weekends, Sophie's, Ryleigh's and Layla's also serve brunch.
A rooftop for every occasion
As a couple or with friends
For a dinner for two, DÍON, Ryleigh's and Sophie's rely on their large picture windows and the sunset. With friends, the WXYZ Bar, open every day from noon with its pool table and terrace, lends itself to long aperitifs, while Layla's cultivates a neighbourhood atmosphere and Ryleigh's suits a dinner before a concert at the nearby 3Arena. For a first visit, the Gravity Bar rounds off a tour of the brewery with a pint facing the city.
Getting around easily
The Luas tram serves most of the addresses: on the red line, the James's stop for the Gravity Bar and The Point stop for Ryleigh's; on the green line, the Trinity or Westmoreland stops for DÍON, Harcourt for Sophie's and Ranelagh for Layla's. The WXYZ Bar, for its part, is in the Liberties less than 400 metres from St Patrick's Cathedral and less than a kilometre from the Guinness Storehouse: the two addresses are easy to combine on foot.
Tips for enjoying Dublin's rooftops
Weather, bookings and opening hours
With an oceanic climate of mild winters and cool summers, rain can fall in any season: most of Dublin's rooftops are therefore glazed or covered, and open all year round. DÍON and the Gravity Bar have no terrace; Layla's is covered and heated, and Sophie's brings out blankets and heaters in winter. Book for dinner, especially at weekends and at sunset; at DÍON, just a drink is only possible late in the evening, and smart casual dress is expected. For the Gravity Bar, book a time slot online, and always check opening hours before you go.
Photo : P. Hughes / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0