We're not sure how, but it's rugby time again. Welcome to ten weeks of absent boyfriends and husbands, emotional highs and lows and very noisy pubs. But you don't have to stand in some grotty, cramped, city centre hole to get in on some social rugby action.
You can actually go to civilised places instead. Ones that serve very nice food, while you're comfortably sitting down. This way, no matter what happens in the game, on some level you will have already won.
Shelbourne Social
Not one we were expecting to have on the list, but Dylan McGrath's new high end Ballsbridge restaurant Shelbourne Social are showing matches in their 'Loft' bar. You can order bar food including that famous hot curd bread, bao buns filled with pork belly, lemon sole or duck, and there's a wagyu beef burger which you can add freshly grated truffle or foie gras to. Cocktails are also a speciality. Super fancy match option.
Fallon & Byrne
The posh supermarket on Exchequer Street are showing matches in their wine cellar. They doing England Vs Ireland match day specials - ham hock and kale hash with black pudding and Guinness gravy Vs a Ploughman's platter, and they have a lot of wine down there.
Urchin
Comfy basement bar Urchin in the Cliff Townhouse is showing all of the matches, alongside an offer of fish and chips with a pint of Guinness or Hophouse for €22. We've also got our eye on their February cocktail specials, particularly the 'fuego de amor' - we've no idea what's in it but it looks great.
clifftownhouse.ie/urchin-bar-2
Charlotte Quay
Rugby with a view in Grand Canal Dock. Charlotte Quay are doing a special three-course match day lunch, or a bargainous offer of a burger and a pint of Guinness or Hophouse 13 for €12 - in case you were wondering, Guinness is the new official beer of the Six Nations, so expect to start seeing it everywhere.
The Glimmerman
Stoneybatter's most mentally decorated pub (be sure to look up to see Charlie Haughey and Maggie Thatcher in a bed hanging out of the ceiling) is showing all of the matches, and major bonus - Coke Lane Pizza are out the back from 4pm, serving their Neapolitan style works of art.
Lucky's
And in case one place to get Coke Lane pizza wasn't enough, you can also get it in Lucky's, that brilliant bar in the Liberties with the great beer and the wine on tap, who are also very sensibly showing all of the Six Nations matches. Pizza from 1pm.
MVP
The super cool pub with the great cocktails on Clanbrassil Street are showing the rugby in their upstairs events space, and the even better news is that Irish street food duo Grálinn will be serving food from 6pm. Get on it.
Kelly & Coopers
Gastro-pub Kelly and Coopers in Blackrock (formerly Ouzo's) are showing all of the matches on their big screen in the loft. All the usual soakage like chicken wings, burgers and fish and chips, as well as the more gastro side of things with seafood linguine, halloumi salad and mussels and chips. And all the beer.
The Square Ball
The character filled pub on Hogan Place has a very big thing going for it - Fowl Play. The live fire poultry experts cook everything on their rotisserie, charcoal grill or Texas wood-fired smoker, and the McKenna's called their chicken burger the dish of the year for 2018. Get in line. They also have one of the most impressive low/no alcohol lists we have ever see, anywhere. Just in case you want to substitute every second drink with something a bit more beneficial for your body. Just a suggestion.
Know anywhere else showing the rugby that also serves great food? Let us know - [email protected]
All The Food covers news, reviews and features from Dublin's restaurants. For more advice on where to eat and what's happening in food in Dublin check out www.allthefood.ie.
