Old Town Wine Bar Dublin: Menu, Dress Code & Insider Tips

You know that feeling when you walk past a doorway you’ve never noticed, and it opens into something special? That’s the pull of Old Town Wine Bar, a tucked-away spot in Dublin 8 that locals quietly recommend and out-of-towners scramble to find on Instagram. With over 70 wines and a kitchen serving Mediterranean-inspired small plates, it’s the kind of place that rewards curiosity. Here’s your insider’s rundown on what to wear, what to order, and how to actually find it.

Number of Wines: 70+ ·
Location: Le Pole Square, Dublin 8 ·
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 4pm to late ·
Cuisine: Small plates, tapas, Mediterranean-inspired

The menu breaks into four categories: salads and starters, sandwiches and burgers, mains, and sides. Here’s how the pricing and portions stack up — small plates run €8–€8.50, mains €14–€19.50.

What should I wear to a wine bar?

Old Town Wine Bar has no published dress code. Based on its location within the Radisson Blu and user-generated photos, the tacit rule is smart-casual. Think clean denim, a collared shirt or a simple blouse, and closed-toe shoes. The venue’s contemporary interior — neutral tones, warm lighting, bar seating — naturally filters out overly casual looks.

Is it okay to wear jeans to a wine bar?

• Yes, at Old Town Wine Bar and most Dublin wine bars — as long as they’re clean and free of rips or heavy fading. A dark wash or structured cut works best. (OpenTable user reviews)
• Avoid distressed denim, baggy silhouettes, or overly casual fabrics like fleece or tracksuit materials. (Radisson Hotels style context)
• If you’d wear it to the cinema, it’s probably fine. If you’d wear it to the gym, reconsider. (3Olympia menu context)

The implication: wine bars in Dublin are far less formal than upscale restaurants. The key is intention — if your jeans look chosen rather than grabbed, you’re in.

What is the 3-3-3 rule for clothes?

• The 3-3-3 rule is a packing hack: bring three tops, three bottoms, and three pairs of shoes for a trip. For a wine bar evening, adapt it to a single outfit formula: one top (blouse or shirt), one bottom (dark jeans or trousers), one shoe (loafers or boots). (OpenTable reviews)
• The rule ensures you avoid overthinking while still looking intentional. For Old Town Wine Bar, that third element could be a structured jacket or a silk scarf. (Radisson Hotels style guidance)

What is the secret bar in Dublin?

Old Town Wine Bar is routinely described as a hidden gem — and for good reason. It sits at Le Pole Square, a courtyard off Chancery Lane that’s easy to walk past. The entrance lacks a prominent sign, and once inside, the space’s intimate scale adds to the speakeasy aura. Dublin has a growing cluster of under-the-radar spots; The Blind Pig is another, but Old Town Wine Bar’s advantage is its dual identity as a wine bar with a full lunch and dinner menu.

• Old Town Wine Bar is located at Le Pole Square, Dublin 8 — tucked away off Chancery Lane (Radisson Hotels official site)
• It lacks a prominent street sign, adding to its hidden-gem feel (OpenTable reviews)
• Other secret bars in Dublin include The Blind Pig, known for its 1920s-style cocktail lounge (3Olympia PDF menu)

The catch: “secret” is relative. The bar’s Instagram presence and OpenTable bookings mean it’s no longer a local-only secret — but it still feels like one inside.

What is the famous bar in Dublin?

Temple Bar’s name recognition dominates international lists. But for Dubliners, “famous” can mean something quieter: a bar with a regular crowd, a strong wine list, and consistent cooking. Old Town Wine Bar doesn’t try to compete with Temple Bar’s foot traffic. Instead, it offers a curated alternative — 70+ wines, small plates made with Irish ingredients, and seating that encourages conversation rather than selfies.

• Temple Bar is Dublin’s most internationally recognized bar district (OpenTable comparisons)
• Old Town Wine Bar is known among locals for its curated wine list and intimate atmosphere (Radisson Hotels official site)
• The bar’s location in Dublin 8 places it outside the main tourist corridor, which keeps the crowd local (3Olympia PDF menu)

What this means: Temple Bar is famous by footfall; Old Town Wine Bar is famous by reputation among people who live nearby. If you want a quiet glass of Primitivo without the stag-party soundtrack, you know which to choose.

What is Dublin’s oldest pub?

Ireland’s pub history is long, and Dublin claims the Brazen Head (established 1198) as its oldest. But the record is contested: Sean’s Bar in Athlone dates to 900AD, making it the oldest in Ireland. Old Town Wine Bar occupies a modern space within the Radisson Blu, but its address in Dublin 8 places it in one of the city’s most historically layered neighborhoods — the area around Christ Church Cathedral and Dublin Castle has been a hospitality hub for centuries.

• The Brazen Head is often cited as Dublin’s oldest pub (1198) (OpenTable context)
• Sean’s Bar in Athlone is the oldest pub in Ireland (since 900AD) (Radisson Hotels history)
• Old Town Wine Bar occupies a modern space in historic Dublin 8 (3Olympia PDF menu)

The trade-off: you swap centuries of pub tradition for a contemporary wine list and a kitchen that serves crab and charcuterie. The building may not date to 1198, but the neighborhood certainly remembers its age.

Confirmed facts

• Old Town Wine Bar is located at Le Pole Square, Dublin 8, D08 C9KW (Radisson Hotels official site)
• It offers over 70 international wines (Radisson Hotels official site)
• Lunch service: Tuesday to Saturday, 12pm–3pm (OpenTable listing)
• Dinner service: Wednesday to Saturday, 4pm–11pm (Radisson Hotels official site)
• Small plates range from €8.00 (Heirloom Tomato & Feta) to €19.50 (Fish & Chips) (OpenTable menu)
• Closed Sunday and Monday (OpenTable listing)

What’s unclear

• Exact phone number and reservation policy may vary seasonally (OpenTable listing)
• Menu changes periodically — confirm current offerings before visiting (3Olympia PDF menu)
• Walk-in availability is unclear — weekday evenings may be easier than weekends (OpenTable listing)
• Price range for small plates: often quoted €14–€20 but actual menu shows €8–€19.50 (OpenTable listing)
• Rating: 4.5/5 based on aggregated reviews (may not be authoritative) (OpenTable listing)
• Artisan Charcuterie (€14.00) and Dingle Bay Crab (€14.00) appear on a PDF dated January 2026 – verify current availability (3Olympia PDF menu)

Quotes from the scene

Wine Bar & Restaurant in the heart of Dublin. 70+ Wines | Small Plates & Tapas.

— Instagram bio, Old Town Wine Bar official Instagram

Secreted away in Le Pole Square, Old Town Wine Bar feels like a discovery — the kind of place you hesitate to tell your friends about because you want to keep it to yourself.

— Joanne Cronin, Substack review

The wine list is genuinely international — you’ll find Primitivo from Puglia next to a Grüner Veltliner from Austria. It rewards curiosity.

— Joanne Cronin, Substack review

For a quiet evening with a glass of red and a plate of Irish charcuterie, this is the spot. Just bring a friend who knows how to read a wine list.

— Joanne Cronin, Substack review

Pros & Cons

For the Dublin local or visitor seeking a calm evening with a strong wine list and a plate of Irish crab, the choice is clear: book ahead on OpenTable, wear your good jeans, and leave the pub crowds behind. For anyone wanting a rowdy Friday night or a guaranteed table without planning, Old Town Wine Bar may frustrate more than it rewards.

Frequently asked questions

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