As the silly season approaches, all thoughts turn to festive nights out and the opportunities for dressing up that they entail. Old favourites are always a legitimate option at this time of year, but if you hurry, you might just snag a seat at one of these new openings, which are sure to be in high demand.

Allta Winter House

Opening tomorrow, Friday November 12, and then subsequent Thursdays – Sundays throughout the winter months, Allta Winter House picks up where the Slane-based Allta Summer House residency left off. The format is similar to the summer offering with pre-paid tickets available to book for parties of four, five or six (group bookings available via email to reservations@allta.ie). The newest Allta venture will release bookings today at 12pm and their new home is on the fifth floor of the Trinity Street car park with a dedicated gallery cocktail bar and cultural space, Glove Box, also on site, with a scheduled opening date of November 17. Tickets cost €95 per person for a seasonal twelve course menu and you can expect delicacies such as Tamworth pork belly with fermented pumpkin and sea trout with goat’s whey and mussels. Tickets for Glove Box can also be reserved at €20pp which is redeemable against snacks and drinks. Bookings are now live www.alltawinterhouse.ie.

Six by Nico

A six course tasting menu for €45? Matching wines for €39? It may appear too good to be true but the newest addition to the Six by Nico family outside of the UK matches the brand’s London counterparts in more ways than one. The inaugural menu, ‘The Chipper’ is inspired by Chef Nico Simeone’s Scots-Italian family heritage, a long line of chip shop owners. ‘The Chipper’ menu includes nostalgic dishes such as scampi with crispy monkfish cheek, dill emulsion, gribiche, peas and beurre blanc and runs from November 30th – January 9th. Booking is now live at www.sixbynico.ie.

Enclosure, Maynooth

At the helm of newly launched Enclosure at The Glenroyal Hotel in Maynooth, head chef Bernard McGuane brings his skill and knowledge from years of Michelin-starred experience in London and Dublin, along with his ten years as group executive head chef with Dylan McGrath’s Prime Steak Group. The menu is a combination of classic dishes with a contemporary slant and nibbles such as Ibérico beignets with redeye mayonnaise and Padron peppers with lime and rock salt sit comfortably on the menu along with an impressive selection of steaks cooked over charcoal. The décor gives a nod to 1920’s style and the chic cocktail bar adds to the refined atmosphere. Book now at www.glenroyal.ie.

Library Street, Dublin 2

Another much-anticipated Dublin opening this winter sees former Allta chef Kevin Burke open his first venture in the original Allta location just off South Frederick Street. The menu at Library St will consist of sharing plates of seasonal Irish produce which are designed to be shared with the table along with a concise wine list. Paris brest with stout, yuzu and espresso? Don’t mind if we do. Book now at www.librarystreet.ie.

Ana’s Cafe, Rathgar

It’s not just about the indulgent nights out of course, there are also indulgent brunches to consider and the recently opened Ana’s in Rathgar is one worth considering. Recently opened in the same location as Fia (due to reopen in a new location soon), Ana’s Cafe ticks all the right boxes for an indulgent weekend (or weekday) brunch, but it’s the upcoming Portuguese themed supper club evenings that has us truly excited. That and on demand pastéis de nata of course. See more on  www.instagram.com/anascaferathgar/.