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Perfect Date Night Ideas in Dublin

Are you fed up of the same old date nights every month? Planning creative ways to spend quality time with your partner can be hard, especially when you’re both juggling work and kids. Eating out at the same local restaurant can get boring after a while. Although we understand that sometimes, the idea of doing anything else can become too daunting! 

To help with the planning of your next date night, we have compiled some ideas for you and your partner’s next date night in Dublin city. 

 

 

Indulge Your Sweet Tooth at Café en Seine 

romantic date night in dublin

 

Voted Best Bar in Dublin at the Bar of the Year Awards 2022, Café en Seine has gained popularity amongst some of Ireland’s well-known names. As a restaurant in the heart of Dublin city, Café en Seine is the perfect spot for your next date night, offering the best of food, drink and music in their well-lit, modern and spacious setting. 

Popular for their desserts and cocktails, Café en Seine is the perfect place to try if you or your partner have a sweet tooth! Despite that, Café en Seine have something for everyone, from non-alcoholic cocktails to tasty brunch options. Executive Chef Stephen Gibson and his team create the most delicious desserts which pair vary nicely with the romantic low lit dinner lighting and sweet cocktails like espresso martini. Click here to browse through their menus. 

 

 

 

 

Relax Over a Pint at The Crafty Fox 

date spot in dublin city

 

Get cosy and catch up over a pint with your partner at The Crafty Fox Pub in Dublin 2. With ‘The Potting Shed’ outdoor terrace and interior with a historic feel, this back to basics bar is perfect for couples who want to enjoy a few crafty drinks without any fuss. This setting embodies old school Dublin with a modern twist, serving delicious bar food and drinks whilst delivering first-class service. This pub has lots of little nooks to get cozy and have a good chat over a gold pint of even a dainty cocktail. If you’ve booked dinner elsewhere this is spot is ideal for an after dinner drink. 

Enjoy food and drink that is affordable in the heart of Dublin. Open Tuesday to Sunday with late night close on Friday and Saturday, The Crafty Fox is a no-brainer for your next date night in Dublin. 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy a Drag Show at The George 

lgbtq friendly date spot gay

 

Ireland’s most iconic LGBT bar & club, The George is the regular host of fun drag shows and entertainment nights. Located on South Great George’s Street in Dublin’s city centre, this venue is sure to provide date night entertainment packed full of glamour, diversity and expression. Resident queen Davina Devine throws shapes and sashays the night away with clubbers on Thirsty Thursdays every week on the George main stage. 

With regular weekly performances from drag acts, live DJs and even bingo games every Sunday night, The George promises a fun-filled date night for you and your partner. See what events are coming up at The George here. 

 

 

 

 

Eat To Your Heart’s Content at NoLIta 

pizza and pint date

 

NoLIta restaurant and late night venue is named after North of Little Italy, a neighbourhood in New York. Your date is sure to be a memorable one at this venue due to its beautiful interior and New York-inspired menu. 

With a newly-appointed Italian Head Chef, NoLIta fully embraces authentic Italian cuisine with an American twist. Also located on South Great George’s Street, this venue is ideal for your next date night featuring mood lighting and bespoke leather seating in an intimate setting. Bookings can be made in advance by emailing [email protected]. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Best Venues for a Corporate Summer Party in Dublin

Have you planned your team or company Summer Party in Dublin?

The Mercantile Group are expected to host many of Dublin’s best corporate parties this summer. With over seven venues located across Dublin city, including NoLita, Pichet, Opium, Whelan’s, The Crafty Fox & Café en Seine, The Mercantile Group’s stylish premises are sure to be the place for hosting exclusive office summer parties this year. As well as accepting bookings from the general public, The Mercantile Group exclusively accept private hire corporate events across their range of venues. So, if you’re in charge of planning your office’s summer soirée, then look no further! 

 

The venues owned by The Mercantile Group combine the most important elements of a summer office party; the opportunity to mingle with colleagues in a modern setting, such as Café en Seine’s indoor-outdoor street garden. Catch up with co-workers, improve office dynamics and most importantly, show your staff that they are appreciated with a party night out this summer. We all deserve to let our hair down every once in a while! 

 

Contact The Events Team Today

Eat & Be Entertained 

Whether your team prefers a local DJ setlist at Opium’s Botanical Garden Bar or a live band at Whelan’s, your guests are sure to be entertained for the duration of the night. The stylish indoor settings of Café en Seine and NoLita offer the perfect opportunity to take some team photos for your company’s next Instagram post. With everything from pre-ordered wine and finger food at The Crafty Fox to an exclusive set dining menu at Pichet, there are endless food and drink options available to suit your guests. The Mercantile Group’s popular bars and restaurants are highly qualified in delivering an impressive food and drink service all year round. 

 

Wristbands and signage are provided for exclusive corporate bookings throughout the venues. House drink tokens are also available for a small fee. If you are unsure of which venue is best suited to your company’s culture and guestlist, The Mercantile Group can help. Be sure to include the number of expected guests along with any dietary restrictions when filling out your enquiry form. 

 

 

Capacity & Seating 

The Mercantile Group’s venues have varying capacities, from partially exclusive dining spaces of up to 40 guests at Pichet, to as many as 750 guests at Opium Live’s Rooftop and Balcony. There are plenty of indoor and outdoor spaces to choose from across all of the venues, allowing your team to keep the party going no matter the weather. 

Booking Details 

The Mercantile Group are now accepting bookings for corporate summer parties, 7 days a week.  

Early booking is advised as there are a limited number of popular dates available – Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays are filling up fast. 

The Mercantile Group promise to offer your company an exclusive experience with a variety of packages, including finger food, set dinner menus, pre-ordered drinks and more. More information is available upon request. To send an enquiry on behalf of your company, please fill out the enquiry form below. 

 

Corporate Event Enquiry

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We’re Hiring: General Manager

The Mercantile Group is one of Ireland’s leading hospitality and entertainment groups with over seven unique venues based in Dublin City Centre, including Cafe en Seine, Opium, Pichet, NoLIta, Whelan’s and The George. We are committed to bringing a first-rate experience to our customers with the food we serve, the service we provide, the drinks we create and the events we host.
The Mercantile Group currently has an excellent opportunity for an experienced General Manager to join their team.

Responsibilities will include:
• Work with the Management Team to ensure the smooth running of the restaurant and bar area
• Manage employee rostering in order to control budgets and optimize expenses
• Implement and maintain exceptionally high standards and consistency throughout the restaurant and bar offerings
• Continually provide ongoing training to employees in food and beverage offerings to ensure it is positioned as a market leader.
• Direct and supervise all employees to meet standards and objectives, whilst motivating employees, and ensuring excellent customer service, and staff morale.
• Appropriately delegate duties and tasks to employees to maximise resources.
• Set and monitor quality and service standards, maximising revenue and profitability in line with budget expectations.
• Attend weekly management meetings.
• Ensure high levels of quality control, hygiene standards, and health & safety within your area of responsibility.
• Responsible for venue incident management

Key Requirements:
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience at management level
• High level ability in all aspects of food and beverage management and customer service.
• Distinguished knowledge and passion for quality food and drink.
• Must possess a passion and flair for customer service.
• Exhibit a high level of attention to detail and proactive problem-solving ability.
• The capability to make contributions to the creative and innovative side of the business.
• Immaculate grooming and personal presentation.
• Must be flexible and willing to work evenings, weekends, and late nights.
• Ability to adapt to new procedures, standards, and changes as directed by the company or legislation.
• Excellent knowledge of Health & Safety and HACCP requirements and legislation.
• All candidates must speak fluent English.

 

Click here to apply; jobs.ie

Where to go for Valentine’s Day in Dublin

Where to go for Valentine’s Day in Dublin

NoLIta New York Bar & Italian Eatery – South Great Georges Street

 

NoLIta have put together an Italian Valentine’s Day Set Menu for €45 per person. This is a great casual dining option for couples looking to mark the occasion as well as friends looking to have a galantines meal and cocktail. The red leather couches and warmly lit floor to ceiling bars create a romantic atmosphere – (and that’s before you head up to the whiskey bar for an after dinner drink, serious vibes in this space).

 

Café en Seine – Dawson Street, Dublin 2

 

 

Café en Seine’s Valentine’s Day Set Menu (€55 per person) includes a large sharing slow cooked beef short rib with triple cooked chips, grilled cabbage, mushrooms a la grecque, pepper sauce. Start with a selection of sharing dishes and finish with a warm double chocolate cookie served aesthetically in its oven dish with salt caramel ice cream melting over it.

Café en Seine has just recently over gone an interior renovation and are excited for people to experience their beautifully updated spaces.

Opium Asian Restaurant – Wexford Street.

Bring your special someone to Wexford Street where the team in Opium have a Valentine’s Day Set Menu (€50 per person). Enjoy the flavour profiles of their Asian cuisine with a specially created valentines cocktail included (‘The Pink Lady’ or ‘Nangfa’). This menu is well suited to sharing and the restaurant is dimly and romantically lit.  

If the evening is going well move on from your dinner to the Botanical Garden Bar for a drink! The fairy lights come on at dusk and the space is definitely Instagram story material.

Pichet – Trinity Street 

Pichet’s Head Chef Harry Quinn has created a beautiful Valentine’s Day Set Menu (€72 per person). This is a must for serious foodies or people looking for a special Valentines Treat. They have also created a signature Valentine’s Day Cocktail which is the ‘St. Valentine’. (Rhurbarb Gin & Vodka, Crème de Cassis, Quince Syrup, Tonic, Lemon Twist).

 

If your looking to wow your date with 5 star service look no further than Pichet. The reviews online speak for themselves.

 

 

Group Activities for Corporate Groups in Dublin

Team building activities can be used to achieve a wide range of both personal and business goals. Most notably, team building events are used to bring together every member of staff, aiding communication and teamwork across every area of the business. Additional transferable skills such as leadership, adaptability and problem solving are often picked up during these activities, too.

Discover an array of Dublin City based captivating alternatives to your tried-and-tested corporate team building activities.

 

1. Cocktail Making Classes at Nolita

Get the party started, with an engaging and relaxed cocktail making class, you’ll be mixing, shaking and creating your favourite cocktails in one of the city’s trendiest venues.  If you’re partial to a mojito or a cosmopolitan on a night out and feel inspired by the famous foursome ladies from Sex and the City, a Dublin cocktail making party is the ideal group bonding idea. Just watch the bartenders work their magic and learn the tricks of the trade while you enjoy drinking them.

The activity begins with an introduction to your bar tender, who will familiarise the group with the equipment (strainers, shakers, muddlers, glasses) used to make fabulous cocktails. After a short cocktail making demonstration the group will all learn how to create and shake their own cocktails together, this is the perfect time to take photos. After the cocktail making class is over, your group will be shown to some reserved seating, where you can finish your cocktails and enjoy some sharing food platters.

2. Silent Disco in Whelan’s

Ever since the demise of the disco era, the music party scene has not witnessed a major revolution or trend that captured people’s imagination. That is up until the concept of silent disco came into the picture. Here was an idea that took the best part of music parties and combined it with the advantages of socialising in a non-music setting

With thousands of events under our belt, we can provide live DJs, live entertainment, epic pre-recorded DJs, visual effects, lighting, TVs, demonstrations, live presenters and more. Our high quality, noise cancelling wireless headphones send crisp and clear audio.

3.Karaoke at Cocktail making at Opium Dublin

4.Sunday Paint & Prosecco at Café en Seine

The Best Corporate Event Venues in Dublin

The Mercantile Group have something for every business that needs corporate venue in Dublin. We have a large range of unique venues that can cater to your needs.

Extensive food and drink offerings mean we are truly versatile from large finger food platters, to halal meat and also signature cocktails that make your event extra special. We offer packages from parties as small as 6 to as large as 1,200 for get togethers such as BBQs, team building, quarterly parties, Christmas parties, karaoke, cocktail making classes, sit down meal or simply finger food and wine. We also offer multi-venue packages for smaller groups.

Check out our venues for more information; Café en Seine, The Crafty Fox, The George, The Mercantile, NoLIta, Opium, Pichet, Whelan’s

Corporate Event Enquiry

Name(Required)
Dinner / Drinks Only / Finger Food / Cocktail Masterclass / Private Hire
Anything else you can tell us about your event?
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.