8 Best Date Ideas In Dublin

Let’s face it, coming up with date ideas that are fun and unique can be just as hard as finding someone to date in the first place. Most of us just don’t have a lot of creative juices left over when we’re done work for the day. With Dublin city offering endless fun things to do as a couple, it makes the pressure of planning even more intense.

To help you plan the best activity for you and your chosen one, we’ve compiled a list of activities in Dublin. This list of fun ideas is not just for first or second dates, but also for those looking to treat their loved ones to a day of fun.

1. Catch A Live Performance at the 3Arena

Ranked in the top 10 busiest venues in the world, many artists make a pit stop at the 3Arena as part of their European tours, so if there’s a band or singer you both share a passion for, why not go ahead and book tickets to see them play? As a destination in the heart of Dublin, the 3Arena comes alive at night, bringing music and entertainment fans to the area. Enjoy drinks before and after the show in our fabulous bar.

If you need to book a night in a hotel near the 3Arena after your concert, The Samuel Hotel is located only an 8-minute walk or a 3-minute Luas ride away. To help make your decision easier we offer a Gig Night Package which includes: 

• Bottle of bubbly on arrival 
• Main course meal in The Samuel Grill & Bar (open all day)
• Overnight stay in a Deluxe Room 
• Breakfast the following morning 
• Sign up to iSave@Samuel to receive a further reduction of €10 per night off your stay

2. Kellogg’s Skyline Tour

To celebrate ten years of Kellogg’s Skyline at Croke Park, the GAA Museum has introduced a new series to explore the historic buildings of Dublin city. ‘Tours on the House’  will roll out over the autumn and winter months and guests will get a chance to join the experts of Dublin’s history and get educated on different events that shaped Dublin into the city is today. 

The type of tour being given changes weekly, depending on the week you could be taken on a tour of the remaining buildings from old tenement Dublin or you could travel back to Mediaeval times when the Vikings ruled the city. Tours will depart from the Croke Park GAA Museum and last approx. 90 minutes.

3. Spoil Your Date with Our ‘Couples Escape Package’ With the Discover Dublin Series 

Earn some brownie points with your loved one and book a night in our stylish and sophisticated new hotel in the city centre with our ‘Couples Escape’ offer. This offer includes Rose petals on your bed with Bubbly and chocolates in the room. After a perfect night’s sleep in one of our deluxe rooms, start your day with the Irish Breakfast.

4. Cosy Up at The Stella Cinema 

With the Stella Cinema being named one of the top 20 most beautiful cinemas in the world, your date here will be memorable. The Stella offers a complete food and drink menu while you both sit back and enjoy a classic like Grease or The Titanic together. 

The cinema was restored in 2017 with the original art deco theme being maintained after years of neglect. It was once the largest cinema in Ireland, but now it’s private and more ideal for a date with leather armchairs, couches, snack tables and footstools. Each ticket includes a cashmere blanket so pick a scary flick and cosy up with your date. 

There’s also a beautiful art deco lounge bar for those wanting a nightcap or to discuss the movie over some delicious cocktails and late bites. 

The Stella Cinema is in Rathmines and easily accessible by public transportation.

5. Croke Park Stadium Tour

If you are both Gaelic football fans, you’ll want to grab a backstage pass for an eye-opening, all-access tour around Ireland’s national stadium. You’ll both get quirky insights into why Croke Park’s grass is always greener while also learning about defining moments in Irish history. You also get complimentary access to the GAA museum, where some exhibitions and collections tell the story of Gaelic games from ancient times to the present day. 

Croke Park is only a 10-minute taxi ride to The Samuel Hotel so whether you plan on catching a live game of hurling or football, or you’ve managed to get tickets to the likes of Westlife or Gareth Brooks, you’ll have a stylish, new 4-star hotel to kick back and relax in at the end of the day.

6. Gravedigger Ghost Bus 2-Hour Tour 

Join your guides as they take you through the weird and wonderful events of times gone by. Unearth legends and ghosts from Dublin’s past on your choice of two world-famous, custom-built vessels. You will both board the 2-hour horror/comedy tour bus to explore the darker side of Dublin’s past. As your two ghostly tour guides/actors take you through Dublin’s eerie historical sites and narrate terrifying tales from the past, you and your date will be howling with laughter the entire time.

The tour ends at The Gravedigger’s Pub, which claims to have the best pint of Guinness in all of Ireland, another unique experience for you and your date to cherish together.

7. Kitesurfing Lessons at Clontarf Beach 

Dublin is a vibrant city with a lot of things to do, but if you are looking for a new experience for your first date, why not try windsurfing at Clontarf beach? It’s a great way to get to know each other as you both learn a fun, new skill and skim across the water. Kitesurfing makes for an amazing date and you could try the beginner’s course offered by Pure Magic. Dublin Bay is one of the most magical places to do it! All you need is wind, long beaches and that’s all!

8. Music Under the Bridge Kayaking Tour

Hit the River Liffey by kayak on a tour through the city to discover some of Dublin’s best local musicians in a unique setting. You and your date will have to strap on life jackets as you float down the Liffey and take in some of the best-known sites from a new perspective. When you hop aboard your sit-on-top kayaks, you’ll be serenaded by talented local musicians as you paddle towards the city centre. During an evening full of poetry, history, and otherworldly acoustics, enjoy the artists playing original songs. An evening like this sums up what the city is all about – good “craic” with friends, laughter, singing along, and breathtaking city views.

Whether you decide to set sail down the Liffey or keep it classy with the Are You Curious package deal, The Samuel Hotel offers comfortable and stylish hotel rooms in Dublin city. Relax as you take in the tranquil views of the iconic Grand Canal while enjoying a night of romance and luxury.