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Ukiyo Bar
Categories: Nightlife Karaoke Nightlife Bars Restaurants Sushi Bars Karaoke, Bars, Sushi Bars [Edit]
7-9 Exchequer StDublin 2
(01) 6334071
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 12:00 - 16:00
Mon-Sat 17:00 - 23:00
- Good for Children:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
€€
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Music Videos, Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sun, Sat
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
22 reviews for Ukiyo Bar
Review Highlights
22 reviews in English
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Review from Siobhain W.
Sandyford, Co. Dublin
15/5/2012 2 photos
I randomly went into this restaurant with my sister. Neithet of us were sure what it would be like but we were both pleasantly surprised.
The vegitarian noodles were extremely tastey, I would say the best noodle dish I have had in a long time! For afters, we went with the bento box for sharing! It included all the best deserts and was way too much for just the two of us! We had to roll out of the place!
The staff were extremely friendly and helpful, which always makes your dining experience better! And the atmosphere was really nice! This is definitely somewhere I would like to go again!
Overall it was highly enjoyable! -
Review from susan o.
Updated - 8/12/2011 2 Check-ins Here
still 4 stars cuz they are good, but soon after i went there last, they changed their menu. they no longer offer as much in the way of sushi which is very disappointing.
i also have since gone there at night when it was a night club and it's quite fun. a bit insane to try and get to the bar at all so when you get a drink, get two :)Listed in: favorite dublin eats, Japanese in Dublin
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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14/7/2010
i would venture to say this is the best place to get sushi in city centre (NOT YAMAMORI. ugh! kill… Read more »
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Review from Ashley M.
Dublin
6/5/2012
Food is always good but most likely slow. The trick to Ukiyo is to bring good people, relax, imbibe in their creative cocktails, eat, move downstairs to embarrass yourself singing for an hour or so, then finish off the night on their exceptionally friendly dance floor! F.U.N.
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Review from Vicky L.
7/9/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Great food, was stuffed. They even do a no-jito, which is great since I don't drink.
Karaoke was great fun as a group, having a room to ourselves. The only thing was that the room got really hot after awhile, the aircon wasn't really working and the little fan only cooled one person standing in front at a time.
The waitress made sure that we were ok for drinks all the time, so no need to actually ring/buzz them.
Great crack, would do it again. -
Review from Lee L.
30/10/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Overall, a fun place with good food and drink.
Korean - sampled the meatballs which were wonderful. Very flavorful with just the right amount of kick, served in a cool bento box.
Sushi - tried the bento box dinner, which was a bit disappointing. The sushi is not of particularly high quality, and trying to hide that fact underneath a heavily-sauced roll did not quite do the trick.
The miso soup is certainly delicious and I thoroughly enjoyed my no-jito mocktail.
I will go back, staying with the non-sushi items on the menu. -
Review from M m.
20/2/2012
I didn't have the opportunity to dine there -- but the after-restaurant-hours club time was so much fun!
Great dj and happenin' dance floor.
Definitely want to return and try it out for dinner. -
Review from Adam C.
Updated - 7/8/2011
Returned to Ukiyo to try something else after an impressive debut. We started with cocktails, and the mojito was decent. The sweet potato based marinated noodle dish I tried this time was good, with well cooked and tasty beef and a little spiciness.
As a starter the tempura haddock was light, fresh and very tasty. My partner was not as impressed with the sushi as last time, but that may have been down to the bento selection that day not suiting her tastes quite as well. Similarly, although my noodles were very nice, they were not as good as the Bi Bim Bap on my previous visit.
The service was more attentive and that was the reason for losing a star the last time. This time the food is just short of the 5 stars, but if I could give 4.5 I would. Still highly recommended.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/12/2010 ROTD 26/4/2011
If anyone is put off by the karaoke part of the restaurant (not my thing), don't worry - the… Read more »
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Review from Slim D.
Dublin
3/8/2011
As Japanese food goes, this place wasn't too shabby at all. I spent €10 on a benti box which is a mixture of sushi, sashimi and mesu soup.
The staff were friendly and personable and the grub was bang on. Thanks guys -
Review from Alison C.
22/5/2011
I only have two things to say about Ukiyo.
(1) Cheap Japanese beer at €3.75 and €4.00 per bottle. That is awesome.
(2) Expensive karaoke at €25 per hour. That is not awesome.
As my group from work left Ukiyo, they slapped us with a €50 bill. Surprise, surprise! Never have I paid hard-earned money for others to watch me make a fool of myself. That shit is free, folks. Besides, private rooms aren't as fun as singing along with an entire bar. So Solly. -
Review from Nick M.
24/9/2010
So I heard this crazy rumor that Irish peeps don't like fish?!? Is this true?! Judging by the reaction of this one couple that was dining near us and that this fantastic sushi place was only filled with foreigners, I would say so.
It was clear that this girl was trying to experience something different and made her boyfriend (who was built like a ox) come too. After a few bites and his angry increasingly rising (probably because he was hungry), he made it a point to loudly claim his dislike. Then the girl told him to quit and accidentally spilled her all over him, I thought he was going to break the table in half and that we would have to duck and cover. I don't think they will be coming back. As for the rest of us it was like heaven.
Ukiyo sushi chefs are nothing short of talented and creative. Each bite was fresh and fulfilling. The staff is excellent, very quick, and very knowledgeable. The decor needs some work but it's comfortable. I also heard that they have karaoke rooms in the back. I really hope more people try Ukiyo, sometimes it's worth it to step out of one's own comfort zone and try something new.
I know that if you're new to sushi it's hard figuring out what to order. So I recommend to following that were amazing.
Caterpillar roll (no actual caterpillar) -Cucumber, Avocado, Asparagus. Topped with Avocado slices, and cream cheese which is optional. It's veggie and it won't kill you
Spicy roll -Cucumber, Avocado & Prawn. Topped with a spicy Tuna or Salmon. Not too hot but hot enough and very tasty!
Ninja roll -Cucumber, Avocado & Prawn. Topped with slices of Salmon and Tuna. Very fresh
And you can't go wrong with the Miso soup!Listed in: Travel -IRELAND
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Review from Galadrielle H.
Dublin
10/6/2010
Are you kidding me or what you ask ? You cannot give a five star rating, it is either a joke or a great place ! Well, I think you can figure it out by yourself. Indeed, Ukiyo is a great, an amazing place ! Do I have any particular interest in it such as a friend/relative running the business ? Not at all ! It is without any prejudice and with justice I decide to award the Ukiyo a five star.
What is it about ? It is all about a modern Japanese restaurant. From the outside it looks like a private club. Once you get in, you feel like part of the elite. On the right hand side, the bar with an extraordinary choice of wines, spirits and cocktails. In front, a window to the kitchen run by a Japanese Chef. The rest of the room is made of a very simple wooden furniture. I usually sit to the left hand side with my best friend. We actually sat there the first time we went to Ukiyo, since then our names are caved in wood. Not litterally but the people from Ukiyo always remember our spot !
Who are they ? Dermot is an Irish guy. The sweetest person in the word ! He is so nice and helpful (when you don't remember the name of your favourite drink, such as the one with a raspberry on top). If you happen to go to Ukiyo, don't hesitate and ask for him ! Yohan is a French and handsome guy. He is the one who understands your needs without much explanation. Last time I wanted to drink a juice cocktail decorated with an umbrella. He didn't have any umbrella but put together some kind of out-of-space fruit arrangement I had never seen before ! Unsure about which wine to choose ? Go for him, he is THE expert of the house. Should I go further and talk about the other Ukiyo guys ? I don't think so. If you want to know some more, just go there !
What about the music ? I forgot to mention a few things. The music at Ukiyo is very modern. Unlike other Japanese restaurants, you can't fall asleep in your plate because of the slow paced and not so exciting music you hear in the background. Around 11 o'clock, tables and chairs disappear, and the music gets louder as the famous DJ Bubbles plays some of his trendy hits ! Another type of music, also very entertaining happens downstairs. If you go to the restroom, which might happen after a few drinks, you might go downstairs and hear people experiencing some highly exciting/crazy/sometimes very bad singing moments. Fortunately the booth are small and you can close the door so that people can hardly hear you. My best friend and I were there again last weekend and we had so much fun ! We now know some great duos and get ready for the X-Factor next year, well, I mean... maybe.
Anything else to add ? Indeed there is something I would like to mention. I went to Ukiyo tonight, 10th July 2010, and I was happily suprised to see that they have renewed their karaoke installation ! It's even better their before : the software is grand and the sound system is awesome ! I litteraly spent 2 hours in the booth singing all kinds of songs. Time just flew, I couldn't believe my eyes ! If you feel in a singing mood, just go for it at Ukiyo ! For more information, check this link : http://www.ukiyobar.com/
"I am hungry... and feel like singing" says my best friend. All right, what about going to Ukiyo ? XD -
Review from Jessica H.
13/4/2011
Why does anyone bother with Yamamori? This infinitely superior spot has karaoke in the basement, with drinks available, including their interesting cocktails, as well as an ordinary restaurant on the street level. The Japanese food is quite good, but it is the Korean-Mexican fusion that really delights. What a fantastic idea! And it is available late night.
Bulgogi beef taco is my homeboy. -
Review from Marie B.
13/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Had the best tuna carpaccio ever. The rest of the meal was also very good and the background music very funky.
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Review from Annie S.
Dublin
21/11/2010 ROTD 8/7/2011
I love karaoke, but amazingly in the year I've been living in Dublin I'd never made it to Ukiyo.
We were a rather large group - ten or so people - and were given the largest table which ran along one side of the dining room. The restaurant is actually quite small, catering for probably no more than 25 or 30 people, but the atmosphere is definitely buzzing and sets the tone for a great night out.
Since I'd been to yamamori two days previously, I felt I shouldn't indulge in sushi for the second time that week, so instead I opted for the Peking Duck.
While waiting for the food, I ordered a Cucumber Sake Martini, which didn't actually contain any sake. However I was absolutely fine with this, as I don't like anything aniseed flavoured, which means that sake, along with absinthe, sambuca and pastis are all off limits for me. The cocktail was made up of vodka, soju (a korean drink akin to vodka) and cucumber. It was delicious, very refreshing and didn't taste too alcoholic - a dangerous combination indeed. Once my food arrived, I ordered another cucumber martini, figuring that the duck would line my stomach enough to avoid vodka/soju-fuelled renditions of I Will Survive later that night. Thankfully, it did.
The duck itself was absolutely divine. Thick, succulent slices of perfectly cooked bird, a basket of hot, paper thin pancakes, and the usual accompaniements of cucumber, spring onion and hoi sin sauce. The highlight of my night was being told by my chinese friend that he was impressed that I was actually preparing the pancakes properly, by placing the pancake in the palm of my hand and then assembling the ingredients in the middle before rolling it up to eat. I'd say I've had plenty of practice - I've ordered crispy duck pancakes so many times from the local chinese takeaway that I'm surprised the girl on the phone isn't laughing at me, like in that episode of Sex and the City where Miranda thinks she's being mocked by the takeaway lady. I found myself with leftover pancakes, so either there wasn't enough duck, or there were too many pancakes, or maybe I was just putting too much duck in each pancake. In any case it was freaking delicious so spare pancakes or not, I was pleasantly full.
As for the the karaoke, we had booked one of the larger rooms for 2 hours. I was afraid this would fly by in no time, but it's actually the perfect amount; enough time for everyone in the group to get to sing a few times, but not long enough to create any "this is going to be awkward come Monday morning" situations.
The songlist was huge and comprised of a lot of great karaoke classics like ABBA, Grease and Britney, along with some less conventional karaoke choices like Linkin Park and Radiohead. We had some unfortunate technical problems about halfway through, which were swiftly resolved by the staff. You've gotta admire the people working there, really; trying to reconfigure a computer system while a bunch of microphone hogs (me included) try to keep the group entertained with bad jokes and acapella versions of Don't Stop Believing. Bless 'em, they got it fixed in no time at all and gave us an extra 20 minutes to make up for the inconvenience.
All in all, a great night had by everyone! -
Review from M M.
Dublin
15/8/2009
Ukiyo Bar is one of Dublin's premier late night bar, restaurant and entertainment venues. They strive to provide a unique dining experience and entertainment experience from the best value lunches and to great sushi in the evening and top shelf cocktails!
It is Dublin's first and only sake bar and karaoke box venue. So great drunken fun to be had all round.
The sushi here is really really good and they have a great vegetarian selection! I have never tried some of the stuff on the menu before and I was really impressed with it and the chef was great as he explained to me the exact ingredients and creation process! He was very nice and helpful, unlike some chefs, who when you mention you are vegetarian or vegan they just try to palm you off with a salad!
The sake here is suppose to be top quality stuff but it just tasted like paint stripper to me! -
Review from Brónagh M.
Dublin
23/1/2010 1 photo
I have not eaten food here, in terms of the restuarna t part of this place i have only ever walked by and looked in the window at all the people munching away on their japanese food.
What i have done is used the Karaoke rooms downstairs, its much cheaper than you would expect, about €25 for an hour which is enough ime o make a fool of yourself and then get comfortable enough for everyone to sing along together to the mulitude of tracks available!
they will bring drinks down to you from the bar upstairs, the selection is very limited though as they favour japanese drinks in their bar, as you would expect them too!
This is the only karaoke bar that I know of in Dublin so its always really busy, if your planning a trip here i would advise you to book early as all the good slots are usually gone before you know it! -
Review from Natalie M.
Dublin
15/8/2009
Not just a great spot for a bit of karaoke, the food in Ukiyo is brilliant too. To start we shared the tuna carpaccio (fresh tuna and wasabi - a favourite combo) and to try something different, we had some eel! Surprisingly tasty.
For main course I had the teriyaki salmon which was the best teriyaki I've ever had. It was delicious. No room for dessert this time.
Ukiyo is a great Japanese restaurant, with light windows and heavy tables. The staff are really attentive and know their stuff. The karaoke rooms are brilliant fun too. Hot and sweaty though so you need to keep drinking lots of sake (for the heat obviously, not the Dutch courage!). The good thing is that there's a phone in each karaoke box so you can call the bar when you need refreshments, until 3am. A brilliant night out. Make sure to book (you need to book karaoke rooms separately). -
Review from Kate M.
Dublin
3/7/2009 1 photo
Now before I start I have to stress I have not eaten here, simply enjoyed the karaoke experience it offers.
Above the restaurant there are a number of private rooms where you can live out all your karaoke dreams, without the shame of strangers seeing you! You'll simply have to put up with slagging from those you whom you bring along.
I went here on a work night out a few months ago and we had a great time. There's a phone in the room where you can ring down and order drinks - no queuing at the bar, they bring them right up to you! How cool/lazy is that?
I loved it, it was a great way to enjoy a different night out in the city. -
Review from Aoife O.
Dublin
10/7/2009 1 photo
I cannot vouch for the food at Ukiyo, simply because I haven't eaten there, but I can enthusiastically vouch for the quality karaoke experience there!
This is karaoke, Japanese style. Ukiyo stores a cluster of rooms dedicated to the pursuit of ear-piercingly bad but thoroughly enjoyable karaoke. You can reserve a room exclusively for you and your mates to let loose on the karaoke machine. As if that wasn't enough, when you find yourself feeling thirsty, you can phone up to the bar with your drinks order. And yes, this telephone novelty does encourage over-enthusiastic ordering!
I recommend that you don't book in for less than two hours - even if you and your friends are slow to start with, you will be fighting over the mic by the end. Reserve a karaoke room well in advance because they are quickly booked up, especially at the weekend. -
Review from Katie-Ann M.
Dublin
Updated - 13/11/2009 1 photo
Ukiyo in Japanese translates as 'floating world', referring to the decadent artistic society that arose in 17th century Kyoto. While the Ukiyo Restaurant may not exactly live up to this romantic description, (it has frivolous and very fun karaoke booths downstairs) it certainly provides Japanese fare that is more than adequate.
The menu, while not being the most extensive, offers a good range of Japanese - and some Chinese - dishes, as well as sushi. At lunchtime, my chosen time of eating, the restaurant was very quiet, and indeed I have never known it to be very busy, even at peak times.
The restaurant is fairly plain, quite small and rather nondescript, with some half hearted wallpapering of Japanese posters here and there. I would recommend the lunchtime menu as it is rather more reasonable than the evening one - the bento box, which is what I opted for, is €10, compared to €15 after 7pm. The bento box is a very good deal, coming with some lovely miso soup, and a bowl of rice, which was sticky and authentic and significantly better than the dry, lukewarm rice that Wagamama serves. The bento box itself changes daily, and on this occasion it consisted of stir-fried glass noodles and vegetables, tempura mackerel, fried tofu and salad. The tempura mackerel was delicious, if a bit heavy given the fact that mackerel is a naturally oily fish. The noodles, too were rather greasy, but still tasty. The fried tofu was flavoursome, served with sesame seeds, and the salad was good if unexciting. While the portions that make up the bento box are quite well sized, and left me feeling satisfactorily full. My companion, who chose the Bul Go Gi, (€15.50) however, was rather disappointing, the meat being very salty and rather tough, to the point that it was mentioned to the waitress. The service is relaxed and friendly, and accommodated vegetarian changes to the bento box with a smile.
The sake menu is definitely worth dipping into, featuring a good choice of hot and cold sake, as well as wine and Japanese beer. While the food is middle of the road, it is head and shoulders above the soulless and impersonal Wagamama, and probably on a par with the nearby Yamamori.
However, I would attribute the latter comparison to the fact that the lunchtime bento box deal is indisputably good value for what you get. If you want some Japanese cusine in a more intimate, tucked away setting, followed by a sake-fuelled vocal exercise downstairs, than visit Ukiyo; which may not float gracefully but certainly does not sink.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/11/2009
One of the best nights I have ever had in Dublin was singing karaoke in Ukiyo. After entering the… Read more »
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Review from Gregory M.
26/5/2010
This review is of the food, not the atmosphere. I ate at Ukiyo while visiting Dublin, in order to indulge in some good Korean food. I did not find it here.
The first thing that should have tipped me off was that there seemed not to be any Koreans working in this supposedly Korean restaurant. The waiter (who was new) even misunderstood my order, thinking that I had ordered two main dishes (Chap Jae + Bul Go Gi, rather than Chap Jae with Bul Go Gi on top).
The bads:
The meal did not include any ban chan (side dishes), which are absolutely required at any Korean meal whatsoever. It was not even going to include Kim Chi until I specifically asked for it. And even then, the Kim Chi was added to my bill as extra.
The Kim Chi had far too much of a ginger taste to it, and didn't taste quite right. The Chap Jae was too salty, and did not seem to have been fried after it was boiled, and I am sure that the Bul Go Gi was just beef with a sauce on it, rather than having been properly marinated. All in all, it was difficult to finish the meal. The meal was far too large, as well.
So, while this might be a popular watering hole/Karaoke spot, and others can comment on their sushi, do not go there expecting decent Korean food. -
Review from Denis C.
Cork
10/6/2010
*ratatatatatatata* - snaredrum roll...
"Dooooong!!" - the big bell..
Yes - here we are, yet another place to get my 5-star rating!
What Ukiyo is adding to the japanese/korean/asian restaurant scene in Dublin is what a fresh leaf of peppermint would add to a mojito; it's hot yet refreshing, it's sophisticated yet so simple, it's strong yet so sweet!
I have to back the excellent review by Galadrielle which in my views is totally spot on!
First star: the interior design.
Before everything else and before entering Ukiyo, one should understand what Ukiyo means. This is a Japanese term (the full terminology is Ukiyo-e) which according to the Oxford Concise Dictionary designates "a Japanese art movement that flourished from the 17th to the 19th century and produced paintings and prints depicting the everyday life and interests of the common people; also : the paintings and prints themselves". There you have it!
Once you enter the Ukiyo bar, you get exactly this, a social place with all the painting representing this exact atmosphere... spot on! Moreover, it is ideally located on Exchequer St, right next to Fallon & Byrne.
Second star: The staff.
As I always say, a smile costs nothing but brings so much more.
In her review, Galadrielle couldn't depict any better the actual pleasure it is to deal with the staff of the Ukiyo; you feel like you're at home. From the senior management to the guys walking from the kitchen to the cellar, they are just welcoming you as if you were regulars.
Third star: The food.
And this one is now really well deserved. Should have I given a review over a year ago, I might have had some reserves.
They have recently revised their menu, improved a lot, and, for being a regular sushi bars customer, they have some of the best and freshest fishes around.
My recommendation: any sushi made with their grilled eel, honestly, once you star, you just couldn't stop! I would advise to ask a member of the staff to prepare platters of a bit of everything; this will be the best way to get the best from their cuisine.
For the desert, I would go for the ginger chocolate cake; I like the contradiction this brings to your mouth, a certain sense of confusion, with an overall exciting result!
As for the drinks, well, I would echo Galadrielle's feedback about Dermot. In the kingdom of Dublin cocktails, Dermot is a Lord!
They have a wide selection of cocktails and generally speaking, you will be spoiled with choice in terms of wine, food and cocktail. They also have a special japanese beer made of some plants (cactus if I remember well). Very nice, refreshing and somehow bizarre... but again, adding this extra complexity that completes an excellent meal.
They also have Ricard, a French anise liquor that you can only find in very few establishments in Ireland.
Fourth star: The extras.
By that I mean what the Ukiyo is able to offer as a differentiation: karaoke booths. They are downstairs and just the fact of going down the stairs after having drunk couple of Dermot's favourites (LOL), you feel like diving in deep sea. The sound of other people singing is getting clearer, once downstairs, you can almost feel the music vibe getting into you, you are being accompanied to your dedicated booth (early booking HIGHLY recommended to avoid disappointment), Bringing the intimacy of a room so that even the shyest people could feel comfortable. Great fun!
Fifth star: The extras (Cont'd).
After having killed your vocal chords on some classical ABBA songs or the latest Linkin Park tunes, you come back upstairs. Just like going downstairs could make you feel diving into the water, going upstairs is like going back up from deep waters. Suddenly, you re-enter this main room which couple of songs ago was a dining-room, now transformed into an improvised dance-floor. They have a resident DJ, who actually happens to be the cocktail Lord, Dermot, aka DJ Bubbles, and on some electro beats, you will be entertained for the rest of the night.
In a nutshell, the Ukiyo is trendy, relaxed, chilled, hot, well, I am lacking of words to describe it.
Maybe the word to be used in this instance is the name of the bar itself: Ukiyo (see again above for its definition).
5 stars well deserved, two thumbs up for all of the staff!
