34) Sin É of 15 Ormond Quay Upper, D7

SC: Distinguished, ideally in the daytime and on a sunnier afternoon, by the smoking area's sheltered view of the Liffey, a vista that can charm in the short term. Within is just another overpriced and ultimately obnoxious music venue where one shouts to be heard after a certain hour… 

AS: …Whilst this is true, I have fonder memories of her. She’s Dublin’s original late-night music venue inspired by the world famous New York coffeehouse-cum-beerjoint of the 1990s that bore the same name. (The tourist should note: ‘Sin É’ - translated from the Irish means ‘this is it’ – a particularly odd and uniquely Irish vocal tic used especially often by the elderly). The original Sin É in Manhattan was home to a fountain of sparks in their heyday such as a young Jeff Buckley and Sinead O’Connor to the likes of Johnny Depp, Iggy Pop and also Alan Ginsberg who would perform readings. Dublin’s Sin É failed to achieve the same sort of fame, however, it has long been a reliable spot for music lovers to get a pint in the wee hours - provided one is willing to splash the cash.

Its façade is made up of three tall arches which lead to a small vestibule for smokers. Red neon lights abound. A small stage at the back is home to nightly attempts at showcasing live ‘talent,’ while open-mic sessions take place weekly. The walls are plastered with pictures of Irish musicians past and present. The door to the female toilet is particularly Rock n’ Roll – for it’s covered with a picture of the famous photo of Courtney Love sitting on the toilet with panties down, guitar in hand, fag in gob. Another picture worthy of note is of Lemmy bearing his famous quote: ‘Kanye West? Never heard of her.’ Whilst we wouldn’t imbibe there nowadays it has nonetheless a lasting appeal for generations of steadfast rockers high on heavy metal and full of spunk.

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