Jackie's

Jackie's

pub
cocktail-bar
live-music
outdoor-seating
trendy
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4.2Google (576 reviews)

90s-inspired cocktail sanctuary on Francis Street where nostalgia meets craft mixology - a basement hangout with killer alternative soundtrack and seriously good drinks that feel like your coolest friend's epic party.

Price range:

About

Just what Dublin needed - another nostalgia-soaked cocktail bar trying to cash in on millennials' desperate attempts to relive their youth. Jackie's showed up on Francis Street like it was doing us all a favor, armed with its 90s memorabilia and carefully cultivated "authentic" vibe. I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly sprained something.

And yet.

There's something infuriatingly charming about what Jackie's Dublin has managed to pull off. Maybe it's the way they've avoided the typical try-hard aesthetic that plagues most throwback bars. Instead of plastering the walls with obvious Spice Girls posters and Friends references, they've created an atmosphere that feels like stumbling into your coolest friend's basement circa 1995 - if your friend had impeccable taste and a professional cocktail setup.

The cocktail program is where my cynical facade first started to crack. Their mixologists (yes, I hate that word too, but here we are) actually know what they're doing. The drinks menu strikes that delicate balance between creative and approachable, with prices that won't force you to raid your retirement fund. In a city where cocktails increasingly cost the same as a small car, Jackie's keeps things relatively reasonable - though don't expect dive bar prices.

Let's talk about the music because it's impossible not to. The soundtrack is an education in 90s alternative, hip-hop, and pop that somehow manages to avoid the obvious choices. Yes, you'll hear Nirvana, but it won't be "Smells Like Teen Spirit." The volume stays at that sweet spot where you can still have a conversation without shouting yourself hoarse - a concept apparently foreign to many Dublin venues.

The beer selection deserves mention, if only because they've had the sense to put Beamish on tap - a choice that earned them more goodwill than they probably deserve. The outdoor seating, while modest, offers a decent escape when the interior gets crowded, which it invariably does on weekends. The small beer garden out back feels like a secret you've stumbled upon, though good luck finding a seat after 8 PM.

Wednesday night bingo has become something of an institution, drawing a crowd that ranges from actual millennials to curious Gen Zers probably studying us like anthropologists. It's hosted with just the right amount of irony, which is to say, very little. The staff actually seems to enjoy it, which makes it significantly less painful than it has any right to be.

Speaking of staff, they've managed to assemble a team that strikes the perfect balance between competent and casual. They know their stuff but won't lecture you about the historical significance of your gin choice. Though I do have to dock points for the food situation - or lack thereof. Having to order from next door feels like an unnecessary hassle, especially when plates and utensils become a whole production.

The space itself is deceptively well-designed, with enough nooks and crannies to make it feel intimate even when it's packed. The lighting hits that magical sweet spot where everyone looks good but you can still read the menu. It's the kind of place where you plan to stay for one drink and somehow find yourself four hours deep in conversation, wondering where the time went.

Parking is, predictably, a nightmare - welcome to Dublin - but the paid street parking nearby is manageable if you're lucky or early enough. They take cards, support contactless payment, and have generally dragged themselves into the 21st century while paradoxically celebrating the end of the 20th.

Look, I wanted to hate Jackie's. I really did. But much like the decade it celebrates, it's aged better than expected and knows exactly what it's doing. If you're going to spend an evening wallowing in nostalgia in Dublin, you might as well do it somewhere that takes your money with style and serves you a proper drink in return. Make a reservation if you're planning on visiting Thursday through Saturday - apparently, I'm not the only one who's been reluctantly won over by this place's charms. Just don't blame me when you find yourself humming along to Deep Blue Something at midnight.

Contact Information

Address

79 Aungier St, Dublin 2, D02 KF89, Ireland

Dublin, Ireland

Opening Hours

Sunday: 3:30 PM - 11:30 PM
Wednesday: 3:30 PM - 12 AM
Thursday: 3:30 PM - 12 AM
Friday: 3:30 PM - 1 AM
Saturday: 3:30 PM - 1 AM

Amenities

Dine in
Restroom
Live music
Reservable
Serves beer
Serves wine
Good for groups
Outdoor seating
Serves cocktails

Photos (10)

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