Issue #34: Dublin in 2026 Done Properly

Wonderful humans,

Alright, it’s been a minute since I’ve sent one of these, I apologise.

Last week, I did a quick research trip over to Dublin. Lots of things jumped out at me this time that I hadn’t noticed before.

The last time I was there was in 2022 - basically it was gay bar-hopping and horrible hangovers.

So, this time around the goal was to use this as a bit of a ‘case study’ to give you a glimpse inside the thought process that goes into how I would put Dublin together for you from a fresh point of view.

If you were going as a couple, or with a couple of friends, I wouldn’t try to fill every hour. I’d shape it around a few moments that feel right, and let the rest of the time unfold naturally.

But before I get into that….

A lot has shifted over the last 6 - 8 weeks. I’ve upped sticks and moved over to Manchester, and I’ve quietly rebranded the business from Outbound Adventures to Chosen Atlas.

It’s still travel without the rigid group tour vibe obviously, but the focus is tighter now.

Less about “where should I go next?” and more about how a trip actually fits into your life, reflects your taste and your standards.

The more I’ve worked with people, the clearer it’s become that most don’t want packed itineraries or generic recommendations. I’ve been preaching that from day one and it’s a no-brainer.

The nuance is that they are expressing they want something that reflects how they like to live (which is generally not super budget or ridiculously elitist) and importantly who they’re travelling with. This looks like;

That’s what this next phase is about.

So going forward, I’ll be sharing regular drops like this. Places and ideas yes, but experiences in LGBTQ-friendly places that signal taste, thoughtfulness, emotional ease and good design.

And this felt like the right place to restart: Dublin

Really keen to see if you spot the new direction. Give me feedback by replying to this email with a one-liner of your thoughts.

If I was planning Dublin for you, I recommend you base yourself centrally so everything is walkable, and you begin somewhere like Grafton Street. Frankly, it’s the nicer end of the city centre.

From there, I’d usually layer in something a bit more considered.

Even stepping into Brown Thomas (upscale shopping mini mall) shifts the tone slightly. It’s not about spending hours shopping, it’s about moving into a space that feels a bit more polished and intentional.

Take the time to explore the surrounding streets for boutique shops and independent cafe’s, it’s such a nice vibe.

You don’t need multiple big nights out (or maybe you do!).

For me, that looked like ending up in the Mint Bar beneath The College Green Hotel. It’s low-lit, relaxed, and the kind of place where you order another drink without really thinking about it because the atmosphere carries the evening for you.

That said, Temple Bar with its mix of the more touristy spots is very close. The queer-friendly quarter is mixed in, so you can dip into the ‘village’ within a few minutes (I highly recommend a dry white wine and people watching in Penny Lane gay bar)

Once you’ve got moments like that, the rest of the night doesn’t need to try so hard.

One thing I did notice this time is that Dublin isn’t standing still.

There are a few newer places coming through that give you options if you want to shift the tone of the trip slightly.

For example, The Ivy Asia (opened November 2025) is a restaurant that leans into bold, pan-Asian cuisine; sushi, grilled dishes, sharing plates etc, but it’s really the setting that makes it. Dark, dramatic interiors, glossy finishes, a bit of theatre to it.

It’s the kind of place you book when you want one evening to feel like a proper night out, without it tipping into something chaotic. You’ll see a mix of well-dressed locals, couples, and small groups who want that “accessible bougie” energy.

Gloria, on the other hand, is an upmarket Italian osteria with a completely different feel. Big, warm interiors, generous plates of pasta, good wine, and a slightly louder, more social atmosphere.

It’s where you settle in, share a few dishes, and the evening stretches out naturally. If you’re travelling with friends or another couple, it’s an easy win.

You don’t need to chase both, but knowing where they sit helps you shape the rhythm of the trip.

The part people / Google / AI often miss is what happens when you move just slightly beyond the centre.

Smithfield and Glasnevin neighbourhoods both stood out for me on this trip, but for different reasons.

Glasnevin is a bit further out but has that easy, slightly upmarket neighbourhood feel, with places like The Botanic Club and a run of independent cafés that naturally attract a mixed, LGBTQ-friendly crowd without needing to label it too loudly.

Smithfield has a similar energy, just with a slightly different pace. It’s social, not overwhelming, but trendy. Situated closer to the city centre in an up-and-coming area where you can spend time without feeling like you’re in the middle of a tourist flow.

If you’ve spent time in London or Paris, it’s a similar idea to those neighbourhoods just outside the centre where the LGBTQ community tends to gravitate.

Not because they’re marketed that way, but because 1) we’re fabulous like that, and 2) they strike the right balance between atmosphere, quality, and ease.

If you’ve got the time, this is the move that brings everything together.

Get out of the city for a few hours.

We ended up at Newgrange on the final day, which is about 45 minutes north of Dublin. It’s a prehistoric ceremonial site, older than the pyramids, and you feel that weight of history as soon as you’re there.

What I liked about it was how calm it felt. It’s well managed, not overrun, and you can take it in at your own pace rather than being rushed through.

There’s also a really good café on site, which makes it easy to linger, and the River Boyne runs through the wider landscape, which adds to that sense of space and quiet.

After a couple of days moving through the city, that contrast hits differently. It gives the trip a sense of balance that you don’t get if you stay in one mode the whole time.

This version of Dublin works well if you like a mix of social energy and slower, more considered moments, and if you’d rather do a few things properly than try to see everything in one go.

It’s less suited if you want constant activity or feel like you need a full itinerary to make a trip worthwhile.

There you have it. Dublin the backdrop against what Chosen Atlas is about now.

Not just where you go, but how the trip is shaped around you, factoring in things you might not have thought of before.

The pace, the balance, the feeling of it all working without you having to go into AI/Google Maps/Tripadvisor meltdown.

If you’ve got something coming up like a birthday, a short break, something you’ve been meaning to plan for a while, I can help you design it properly.

No templates, no rigid schedules, and no group tour energy.

Just something that fits.

That’s a wrap on this week’s issue. If you’ve ever tried to DIY a trip and ended up overwhelmed by tabs, or second-guessing what’s actually safe, that’s exactly what I help with.

If you know anybody who is planning on going to Dublin, or wants help structuring their next getaway, send them my way.

I’m Steve, your LGBTQ+ travel designer. If you’re tired of rainbow-washed travel tips, rigid group tours, or just wondering where to go, you’re in the right place.

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