We are firmly in our social era when terraces open for the summer, menus pop and cocktails dominate.…
The Rooftop embraces full escape mode with a Mexican-inspired seasonal takeover, pairing skyline views with punchy flavours and a distinctly upbeat cocktail list. Executive Chef Gareth Mullins brings Mayan classics into an Irish context, from sea bass ceviche with blood orange and habanero to BBQ tiger prawns with mango and avocado, carne asada and pork belly with mole, all designed for sharing and slow grazing. Cocktails are occasionally smoky and always moreish, from jalapeño tequila blends to berry vodka mixes and a non-alcoholic spritz that still feels like it made an effort. It’s a place where one drink can easily turn into three in the blink of an eye. @anantarathemarkerdublin
Wilde brings a polished taste of Provence to Dublin with its summer menu, running through to September. The focus is all about elegant seafood, chilled rosé and the kind of terrace that makes you forget that you’re in the city at all, surrounded by white blooms and a distinctly Riviera mood. Expect a generous tasting experience, from Carlingford Lough oysters and seared tuna sashimi to West Cork mussels, prawns and brown crab claws, with optional caviar if the moment calls for it. Rosé takes centre stage with a curated flight from Château La Coste, turning lunch or dinner into a Provençal escape without leaving the country. @wildedublin
Suesey Street is doing exactly what a good city terrace should do in summer, maximising every possible dry hour with cocktails, jazz and a slightly celebratory sense of urgency. The new drinks menu focuses on refreshed classics and lighter seasonal serves, including ginger and grain whiskey highball and the golden hour non-alcoholic cocktail created for Dublin Cocktail Week, alongside €5 Friday corkage that feels almost suspiciously generous. The Garden Terrace runs on wine, cheese boards and sharing plates, while monthly jazz nights from Stella Bass and Charlie Moon add a softly nostalgic soundtrack. It’s relaxed, a bit glam and one of the better places to lose track of time by the canal. Bag of cans not required. @sueseystreet
BAR 1661 continues its run as one of the most internationally recognised names in Irish cocktails, once again shortlisted for World’s Best Cocktail Menu at the Spirited Awards. The current power menu has helped reframe poitín for a global audience, moving it firmly into modern craft cocktail conversation. This summer is also the final chance to try the current menu before a new concept arrives in the autumn, making it a slightly bittersweet moment for regulars. Expect immersive tasting experiences, carefully considered drinks and a terrace where Dublin briefly convinces itself it might be somewhere warmer. @1661bar
Lottie’s has stepped into summer with a new terrace that understands the assignment: cocktails and no unnecessary complications. The drinks list includes Aperol spritzes, cherry gin and ginger spritzes, and pickle martinis built for long unhurried afternoons. A new Saturday lunch offering keeps things deliberately flexible – full menu, no set requirements and no minimum spend, which is utterly refreshing. Open Wednesday to Sunday, it’s weather permitting in theory, but very much weather encouraging in practice. @lottiesrathmines
Pig’s Lane is going transatlantic for one night only on June 4, hosting a takeover with famous New York joint The Dead Rabbit, one of the most influential Irish hospitality names abroad. The evening promises cocktails and storytelling, with cult serves like their Irish coffee alongside the black shtuff, a cold brew cocktail with a name that does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s a meeting of two Irish bar cultures – one homegrown and one globally exported – coming together underground in Kerry for a night that feels part party, part pilgrimage. @pigslane
Sundaes & Spritz At The River Club, Cork
The River Club at The River Lee is leaning fully into summer with a terrace refresh that swaps restraint for scoops, spritz and riverside ease. This timely collaboration with Irish gelato makers Scúp Gelato brings an Italian-inspired twist to Cork, complete with florals and a menu built for lingering. Expect indulgent sundaes layered with custard, fruit and gelato alongside spritz cocktails that are citrusy, sparkling and occasionally alcohol-free. Thursdays add a small ritual worth knowing about: complimentary scoops of Scúp gelato between 6pm and 6.15pm with a cocktail. @theriverclubcork
And Finally: For Amateur Mixologists
Dingle Distillery has welcomed a new chapter with Dingle Gin Orange & Sea Salt, its first major new bottle in years. Built on the original botanical recipe, the new release adds hand-selected organic Spanish oranges and West of Dingle sea salt for a subtle coastal note and mineral finish. It’s a distinctly local collab at heart, with sea salt harvested on the peninsula, resulting in a crisp finish. Sea salt and orange Tom Collins, anyone? Just add an umbrella for your very own cocktail experience at home. @dingledistillery
SEE MORE: 5 Restaurants Around Ireland For A Food-Filled Overnight Escape