A few weeks ago, I was featured in the Design*Sponge newsletter ahead of St. Patrick’s Day (and on the heels of the new Design*Sponge Dublin City Guide). I got to share some of my favorite Irish artists, what my perfect day in Dublin would include, and the best spots to people watch in the city. I thought it would be fun to share a few more details with all of you. People watching is so much fun in a city – and Dublin certainly has some characters and I especially like looking at what everyone is wearing!
Bewley’s Cafe (and even Starbuck’s on the second floor of BT2) both have good views of Grafton Street. I like to grab a window seat in the morning when the shops are just opening before the crowds descend.
Kylemore Cafe in Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre gives you a perfect perch to watch the buskers perform. A few months ago, a friend introduced me to this spot – it looks down on the very top of Grafton Street, and we watched a whole performance, including straight jackets and unicycles. Everyone outside looked chilly, but we were cosy and warm! (I should warn you, though, the coffee is not great. I’d stick with the tea!)
Clement & Pekoe‘s front porch is perfect for watching the city’s creatives and hipster students walk by. It also gets afternoon sunshine if you happen to have a sunny afternoon!
The Milennium Spire is the meeting spot for locals on the north side and it is fantastic people watching. If it’s warm enough (can you tell we’re having a chilly spell here?!), grab a bench and watch people come and go. I like watching teenage couples meet, so perfectly uncomfortable!
Moore Street is the north side’s market street, with lots of fruit and veg stands – my favorite is when the ladies yell out “Two for a Euro” every few minutes – somehow everything is always two for a euro!
Know of any other great Dublin people watching spots? What’s your favorite, Dubliners?
6 Comments
Great picks agree with all of them!
Thanks!
Never been to Dublin so I don’t have any suggestions there, but my husband and I always enjoy playing “what’s the story?” (from Date Night?)…where you see a couple and have to come up with their story: why they’re there, what they do, etc. It can be quite entertaining. 🙂
Oh, I love that idea! Such a great creative prompt as well – you’d end up with lots of characters for a fun book!
Love Bewley’s!!
Oh I love people watching and you are right it’s better in the city, I suppose it’s the fact there are more people to watch. I do my best spying from the cafe in McDonalds on Grafton St the Luas and Hueston Train Station. The train station is great as it is funny to watch the country folk (like me) come to the big smoke (Dublin) for the day…. I always make scenarios in my head for different people walking past….. Don’t know if this makes me odd!