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The International Bar
Categories: Nightlife Bars Pubs Arts & Entertainment Concert Halls & Music Bars Nightlife Concert Halls & Music Bars Nightlife Comedy Clubs Pubs, Concert Halls & Music Bars, Comedy Clubs [Edit]
23 Wicklow StreetDublin 2
(01) 6779250
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 11:00 - 23:30
Thu-Sat 11:00 - 0:30
Sun 11:00 - 23:00
- Good for Children:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking Garages:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
€€
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- Live, Juke Box, Background
- Best Nights:
- Wed, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
21 reviews for The International Bar
Review Highlights
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"...I went every Sunday to the comedy club to watch Des and Aidan Bishop." In 4 reviews -
"Real local with what looked to be a great irish stew on offer." In 3 reviews -
"...has continued in this tradition and now has stand-up 7 nights a week." In 4 reviews
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21 reviews in English
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Review from Shane K.
Let's just get this out of the way shall we? The International is better than the Laughter Lounge. There I said it.
It's a fire hazard, you never get the same shape glass more than once, it's cramped, the seats are all uncomfortable and facing odd directions but I just can't help but love this crappy, dilapidated little comedy club. Let's not forget the hi-tech sound system powered by an iPod nano!
It's also got a very cool underground vibe given the pedigree of Irish comics that have honed their craft on its stage. You might not get a free cocktail like in that other shambles* of a comedy venue across the Liffey but you do get a great night of comedy for a mere tenner.
*OK, The Laughter Lounge isn't that bad but it ain't no International. -
Review from Ronan M.
3/1/2013
There are number of people who liked this place. I can safely say that I'm not the venue's biggest fan. Lets begin at the beginning.... The first time I was here was for a comedy gig, the gig was quite enjoyable, but I'm not reviewing the comedians.
Whenever I talk about this, I feel like I'm having a discussion with Lionel Hutz, Realtor.
Me: "Lionel, this place is a bit cramped. I can hardly move between the furniture, let alone the people"
Lionel: "I'd call it intimate. Yeah, it's an intimate venue"
Me: "It's not exactly the cleanest place, is it?"
Lionel: "I'd say it's lived-in!"
And so on... and so forth...
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm not going to be running back to this place again. I mentioned my feelings towards this place to a friend and he told me the place has character. In response to this, let me quote Manny Bianco from Black Books,
"Character is, an ambience, a feeling. It's not something with fur and a beak." -
Review from Jennifer P.
San Mateo, CA
USA9/12/2011
I can honestly say I went here atleast 15 times or more...
I have nothing but GREAT things to say about this place... My friends and I went every Sunday to the comedy club to watch Des and Aidan Bishop... I can honestly say I miss this place more than anything... So many laughs, so many great moments, and memories were made here. I can't wait to go back! -
Review from Barry M.
Dublin
Bless me father for I have sinned but it has been TWO YEARS since I have been to the International Bar. When passing by yesterday, I decided to venture in for 'A' pint (purely to escape these Baltic weather conditions). Needless to say after the first four, the pints were getting better and better. If like me you enjoy a day-time tipple and you are fond of your pint of porter then there is no better place.
I am a firm believer that a good pub is nothing without a good pint of Guinness and the pints in here are next to none! From the moment you walk through the door to the moment you leave, you will notice that the bar is a wash wit Guinness (not a bottle of Heineken or a vodka a coke insight)..
With its friendly bar men (who are more than happy to engage in the usual chit-chat), along with its few regulars propping up the bar in-case the inevitable should happen, you cant help but get into the swing of things and age by about 20 or 30years.
Yes, yes, I know its famous for its Comedy Greats but it also has so much more to offer, with its rich creamy pints, friendly atmosphere, and 3euro soup or sandwiches, its hard to be beaten. So whether your looking for a little spot to read the paper or somewhere catch up with old friends, I don't think you can go to far wrong...Listed in: Proper Dublin Pubs!!!
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Review from Sharon V.
11/3/2010
The room is tiny as is the bar, it gets pretty warm, the ventilation sounds like someone frothing milk and they use sellotaped desk lamps as spotlights. But this all adds to the wonder that is the International Comedy Club.
You have to arrive early to get a place unless you want to stand down the back (doable), get turned away (unthinkable) or literally sit on the "stage" and get poked fun at (the place is so tiny it could happen wherever you are!)
It only costs €10 (€8 student rate) for a few hours of laugh-so-hard-you-will cry comedy and some cringe-worthy first-timers nervously, albeit bravely, popping their stand-up cherries.
Well-known comedians come back here to try out new material. I've seen the likes of David McSavage, David O'Doherty, Damian Clark and Jarlath Regan.
As a group of single girls, we've drooled over Aidan Bishop and discussed how much of a "bad-boy" he probably is and how we should steer clear, each secretly thinking the others would back off and we'd be in with a chance.
One night, I took a few Norwegians to a gig there. Collum McDonnell, the self-confessed hobbit, asked them where they were from. He turned to me and repeated the same question.
"I'm from Ireland."
"You look very fresh."
"What does that mean?"
"It means I want to ride ya!"
The audience laughed and clapped. Collum continued: "I never get that reaction when I say that to a girl in a night club! And yeah, I know what yiz are thinking- I'd need a step-ladder!"
This place is great before a night out or as a night out in itself. Monday night's improv is hilarious and even cheaper again.
Come here on a first date. If you survive the piss-take, it's a good sign... and it'll break the ice if nothing else! -
Review from Erin H.
Jamaica Plain, MA
USA31/5/2011
The International Bar will always hold a special little place in my heart! :)
It was our third night in Dublin (Sunday), and my friend and I happened upon this little gem. We were immediately pegged for Americans, but once they heard we were from Boston, it got all the better, and funnier for that matter!
They had live Traditional Irish music right at the bar, which was just amazing, it gives this little place from 1883 real charm! They also have Live comedy shows, which we caught the first half of one, and it was very good. They also have a mean Irish Stew...get it and love it.
The people who work at this place really make it what it is. Friendly, but with enough of an attitude for me to just love it here! The bartenders know how to make a good drink...and are super friendly!
Come here, get a few drinks, cozy up at the bar, and enjoy! We obviously came back a few times before we left!Listed in: Traveling Whoa-man, Ireland & France
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Review from Alexandra M.
Boston, MA
USA2/7/2011
Ground floor is a bar, 1st floor is a comedy club, and the bottom floor is a music venue (from what I could tell, nothing going on when I looked, but there was a guitar). The bar area is really small, as is the comedy club, but the comedy club was a lot of fun.
Drinks are a bit costly, but it is right off Grafton St (beer was average cost and mixed drinks were a bit much)Listed in: Dublin Pubs!
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Review from Alexandra M.
Dublin
Although part of me wants to keep the International a secret, it would be cruel not to pass on this gem to fellow Yelpers. This pub deserves a gold star for being unique and authentic and for attracting a diverse mix of people. The downstairs attracts mainly young people who work in the area. The upstairs could be called an old man's pub. The regulars who drink here always have a story to tell and if you sit in the right spot, they might just share it with you. The barmen take their jobs seriously, after all most of them have been working here for decades.
Sundays are the most interesting days to visit the pub because there's a trad session that kicks off in the afternoon. Some amazing musicians play here and the International is consistently voted as one of the best places to see live music in Dublin. -
Review from Laura C.
Dublin
23/7/2009
If you get a gig here, it really means that you're beginning to make your mark on the Irish comedy scene, as it's a veritable mecca of comedians and fans in Dublin. As testament to this fact, I'm keeping this review strictly unfunny, so as not to embarrass myself and my woeful stand-up capabilities (or lack thereof). With Aidan Bishop as MC (brother of Des), it's worth a visit if only for the eye candy...add in a bit of talent then you're (literally) laughing.
There's comedy on 7 nights a week, and due to its reputation as the bastion of Irish comedy, it all tends to be of a high standard. The bar downstairs isn't bad to pop in for a tipple, or sit outside and watch Dublin pass you by. If you're a fan of the funny, then this place should be top of your list by a long shot. -
Review from Farrell P.
Washington, DC
USA8/12/2009
Hmm...the International Bar. Where anything can happen. And where you often will encounter a fair amount of international customers.
I've gone for the comedy twice. Once improv which was enjoyable; once stand up which was better (though I alternately wanted to stab and hit on some of the comedians). You truly never know what you're gonna get here and the funny just got better and better as the night went on. Complete with plenty of Asian jokes...tailored right to the audience. Definitely get there early (!) if you want a decent seat. It fills up quick and you'll be on top of someone. Someone will probably spill something on you. Get over it now. In fact, you should probably just laugh it off. Always a good time.
The bartenders are really nice, seemingly very loyal to their establishment, and protective of their female customers. Which is good to see. It's pretty down and dirty, but it's part of what's great about it.
Head downstairs if you've got a group. The juke box is awful!! And the bathrooms are gross. But it can be a fun place to start or finish a night. I went with a few girlfriends on our first Friday night in Dublin and we accidentally got picked up by a pub crawl. Free shots, drinks, and no covers all night long! I've been in Dublin for over 3 months now and it's still one of the best nights I've had. -
Review from edel n.
30/4/2012
Love this bar. We happened upon a session on Sat. and the atmosphere was great. Met some great characters too. Real local with what looked to be a great irish stew on offer. I can't comment as I didn't have it but those who did milled their way though it. A good solid Dublin pub. Nothing pretentious..
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Review from Natalie M.
Dublin
16/9/2009
Went here to see a comedy gig that the International are famous for (it was very good by the way).
One of the comedian's opened with: "So could you believe that you'd paid ten euro to get into this crappy room!" Pretty funny if you've been there, you'll know what I mean!
Great gig though. -
Review from Rob M.
Dublin
25/9/2009
I love pubs with a legacy. And the International definitely has a legacy. Every Irish comedian worth a bob has started off here, and if you want to see up-and-comers, you have to go here.
It's great for a pint, because you can take in the great atmosphere and there's great comedy curated by Des and Aidan Bishop. Definitely somewhere you have to go in Dublin. -
Review from Josh G.
Medford, MA
USA13/1/2010
Great comedy, as others have mentioned. Went to see a friend do his 5 minutes or whatever one time years ago, and stuck around with him to watch the rest of the gig. Turned out to be some sort of event for the first series of Des Bishop's Work Experience (am I dating myself here or what?). I have never seen a "headliner" or Emcee get more shit from the other comics (in a loving way, of course). It was like watching your squabbling brothers suddenly gang up on a country cousin. There's a lot of love there, but also a LOT of insults. That atmosphere got me hooked, and I later learned it was an IB tradition going back years.
Fantastic place, worth checking out any time you've a night to fill. -
Review from Rónán C.
Dublin
The International is the birth place of Irish stand-up. Better still, it is here that the Golden Generation(Dermot Morgan, Ardal O'Hanlon, Graham Norton, Tommy Tiernan and a dozen others) first came together. This is where it all began.
The International has continued in this tradition and now has stand-up 7 nights a week. Lovely on a sunny day too. -
Review from Qype User (meliss…)
- 28 friends
- 16 reviews
- Qype User (meliss…)
Belfast
Looks big from the outside, doesn't it?!
The International Bar is one of those great little Irish pubs - yes, little - with some great comedy to boot, and well worth a visit.
The downstairs bar is reasonably long but only really wide enough for one row of tables, a narrow walking space, and a few stools next to the bar. Nonetheless, it has character, and is generally a good place to grab a pint to wait for them to open the doors for the comedy club upstairs.
When they do open the doors, you can clamber up the wooden staircase and hand over your 10 euros, before ushering yourself into a dim little room with a rickety bar and a tiny stage. It's not fancy, but it's a wonderfully intimate comedy venue and a great place to see some great acts for a mere tenner. It's dark enough that you can slink back and remain anonymous, but small enough that if you want to interact with the comedians, you will have no problem getting their attention. Some well-known comedians do stand up here, sometimes even trying new material - it really is a great value night.
Well worth a visit, even if you might need to step out onto the street every so often to feel like you're not standing in a closet with 50 other people! -
Review from Amanda K.
Fairfax, VA
USA11/3/2011
My husband and I stopped in here while in Dublin for a pint and quick bite to eat. The Irish stew was very yummy and came a slice of soda bread for 6 euro. My husband got a sandwich for about 3-4 euro and enjoyed it. This place was small and cozy. The bathrooms weren't the greatest but it is a bar mind you.
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Review from Qype User (mairb…)
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- 6 reviews
- Qype User (mairb…)
Donegal
14/11/2008
The comedy shows are the only reason to ever go near this bar! It's tiny and popular. The shows are generally excellent with a lot of audience participation. You often see well known faces perform.
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Review from Qype User (Sheena…)
- 6 friends
- 48 reviews
- Qype User (Sheena…)
London
UK12/1/2009
The International is a real Dublin gem. If you're after a cocktail and a bowl of olives it's the wrong, wrong place - there are plenty of generic, image conscious bars in the area that you might prefer. The Inter is as real as it gets. The locals are always good for an interesting chat if you're there for a pint, but you're more likely to be there for the comedy or Jazz nights, which are definately worth a look.
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Review from Qype User (kingof…)
- 13 friends
- 110 reviews
- Qype User (kingof…)
Dublin
22/3/2010
This would be a good standard city pub (complete with a picture of Colm Meaney over the bar), would it not be for the great stand-up comedy shows, traditional sessions and acoustic concerts they have here. Has actually been the starting place for many a comedian of international fame - at least that's what they tell you here. But the downstairs lounge is really nice, and I can recommend the upstairs for a relaxed Sunday afternoon pint.
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Review from Karina C.
Dublin
The International Bar is famous for its comedy gigs, but I prefer to just drop in here for a drink. I tried to go to a comedy event one night but it was absolutely mobbed and would have been really uncomfortable - although I would actually have been left in to add to the crush! They do theatre sometimes upstairs too and I saw a play there one time, which was also super uncomfortable. It's only a small venue but still, it would be nice if the chairs were easier to sit in. I love hanging out in the main bar having a pint though and I go there again and again - just not to any gigs!
