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    The Academy

    2.9 (32 reviews)
    ModerateMusic Venues, Dance Clubs

    The Academy Photos

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    Jo M.

    Impressive, intimate concert venue in the centre of Dublin 1. The Academy's main venue can accommodate up to 650 people over two levels - downstairs is for the plebs and upstairs for VIPs - what I wouldn't do to be up there with the beautiful people... As far as I'm concerned, The Academy is the perfect sized venue to catch a gig by a band of relatively mid-range fame. Possibly your new fave band that no one else has discovered yet, or a golden oldie that has resurfaced one too many times for most of its die-hard fans. It ain't no Croker, that's for sure, and there'd be a queue the length of Ireland and deathly jostling matches if a band of the likes of U2 were to attempt to play a date there. A wide range of bands finds its way to the Academy's main stage, including The Cribs, Amanda Palmer, Asher Roth and Beatles tribute bands. While attending a gig at this venue watch out for psycho crazy women who will threaten to batter you if you accidentally trip them over with your mad dancing style, and also for 'close dancers' - you know, the ones who decide that your dancing space is their dancing space... ewww!!

    Lava Y.

    The Academy has a lot of gigs going on throughout the year, but I've only come here a few times for college parties. There are 3 floors with various events, but the top floor where I went is quite small but they have a nice stage for live music and an upstairs part to look down from. Entry is pretty cheap and they have some good deals on drinks in Fridays. There's also various bands that play here every week. It's located right near Arnott's on lower abbey street so it's easy to find. Besides the small venue size, it's a pretty good place for live music.

    A load of emos outside The Academy. Notice knacks with JD Sports bags to left of frame.
    Cathal C.

    Yeah so, The Academy. When did that all happen, eh? The Academy on Middle Abbey St used to be renowned knack-box Spirit, which specialised in the bad trance so beloved of Dublin's soccer jersey-with-Fred Perry masses. Then, pretty much overnight, it had transformed itself into into a hip indie club. And they have some pretty good acts - Eagles of Death Metal are playing on the 25th of next month. I had cause to go to a sort of Spirit revival at the The Academy recently. After paying €10, my companion and I were greeted with a scene very much reminiscent of Spirit: half empty dancefloors, with howyas occupying the half that was full. We stayed two minutes, and then it was off to the Twisted Pepper with us. So, Spirit is not that terribly missed. One of the things that goes against The Academy as a live music venue, though, is that the main room is vast. Not in terms of square feet, but in cubic feet, if you get my drift. I'll elaborate. The dancefloor of the main room is a nice big size, but the ceiling is really high, so the room seems absolutely cavernous. If a band is playing and the room is in any way empty, even if it is over half-filled, it can still seem very empty and echo-y. It's still fairly good though, definitely worth a night out there. If you do go there, stick to the main floor. Upstairs is alright in that it has a bar and a few booths, but nothing really of note. Not up to much in "VIP Area" terms. And downstairs, when it is open (is it ever open?) - I wouldn't really rate, either. So yeah, stick to the main room. One thing I like about The Academy though, is that, as a non-smoker, the smoking area (or lack there of) is singularly unappealing, so your smoker friends won't have much of an impetus to stand out there all night missing all the good songs. Who'd want to stand out on Abbey St (and you're on the street itself so you can't bring your drink out) and have all the beggars and derelicts buzzing around you? So if you are a chain-smoker, perhaps The Academy is not for you. Otherwise, it's pretty decent.

    Great venue

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Cannot find any POC in their pictures....hmmm. Makes you wonder? Just check out the video and see how that "special effect" is carried out.

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    3 years ago

    Super rude staff. Sent me and my friend out for absolutely no reason. Will not be returning and will be discourage others from going.

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    8 years ago

    Bouncers and security were nice the coat check was a pain in the ass decent overall but not the best place to go in Dublin

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    The Academy Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - The Academy

    As far as I'm concerned, The Academy is the perfect sized venue to catch a gig by a band of relatively mid-range fame.

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    The Cobblestone - The blues side was so pretty

    The Cobblestone

    4.4(140 reviews)
    1.1 kmSmithfield

    Know what you're getting into before coming here…read more My girlfriend and I were jonesing for some Irish music done by the locals and were told all around town this was one of the places that has it on a regular basis. Upon entering it was pretty packed, and my girlfriend and I were searching for the live music and where the band was going to set up if indeed there was going to be live music. Now here is where it gets funny my yelp friends, when we searched the outside bar area and still couldn't find it, I went up to the bar and asked one of the bartenders when do the musicians arrive and his reply was, " they are in the corner over there playing already." The three-person band was playing very softly and in the most far-reaching left side of the bar hidden away. You could not really hear it and when I say the place was jammed pack with people near them, I am not joking, we could barely see them. I had half a beer here as my girlfriend and I weren't in the mood to stand the whole time to music we could barely hear. I appreciate that this is an old bar that people frequent, kind of reminded me of the dive bars in Philly to a degree but just know what you are in for before coming if this is the bar you ultimately choose for a night out. As always people SYOY!!!!

    Fantastic non-touristy pub with live music and great bartenders like Carlos who make the afternoon…read morememorable. Don't just go to Temple Bar when in Dublin. In fact skip that and venture out. This is very close walking distance to Jameson, so a great after distillery experience.

    Photos
    The Cobblestone - Their traditional Irish music is great!! Very crowded when we went

    Their traditional Irish music is great!! Very crowded when we went

    The Cobblestone - Music Area in front

    Music Area in front

    The Cobblestone

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    Bello Bar - DREAMING OF JUPITER AT BELLOBAR

    Bello Bar

    4.8(6 reviews)
    1.9 kmHarcourt
    €€

    Located below the Lower Deck, Bello Bar is definitely one of the best Music Venues I have been in…read moreDublin. This warm and cosy place is ideal for either vibrant gigs or low key intimate performances. The Bar in partnership with Donkey Jaw Productions, is bringing the best Bands from Dublin and all around Ireland on Sundays, starting at 8pm. A friend of mine recommended this venue to me, and after checking it out on Facebook I learned that is the newest Music Venue in Town. So if you love live music from Soul, Funk to Blues or Latin, you just have to keep an eye on their facebook page to find out what is going on every Sunday Night...

    This place is a revelation to me. I remember going to this venue once before for a small time gig;…read morea friend of a friends band was playing. But the space had since closed down, which was a shame. Now reopened since 2013 as a Jazz music venue, we paid 8 EUR after making the descent and entered a placer cooler than a hipsters bicycle. The bar and initial lounge was laid out well, which some funky décor and candles on tables. Next was the stage area, which was down a few steps, where there are more tables adorned with candles. Keep going to the left you are met with The Sitting Room, an area which is just that, a comfy sitting room. Back at the bar we spy craft beers - hurrah! I first go for a brewdog Punk IPA, but then switch to their 5am Saint. Both lovely beers. Due to the fabulous recent weather, the audience was slow to fill and as a result the music started a lot later than envisaged by the promoters. But when it did get started, my gosh was it a cracking set. The band was called Mages Takotak, French I believe. They were excellent. I'm no jazz expert, but we all really enjoyed the show. Alas by the time the second band had started, I had to go... it was a school night after all and as much as I would have loved to have stayed, I just couldn't Highly recommended and I definitely will be back.

    Photos
    Bello Bar
    Bello Bar
    Bello Bar

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    The Academy - musicvenues - Updated August 2026

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