Pride Party Pandemonium!
Saturday June 30 will officially be the biggest queer party day and night in Dublin. Pre and post-Parade there are so many places to shake your proud booty, it’s hard to take it all in. Here’s the ultimate guide, folks!
At 12 noon, the fab folks at The George throw open their doors for the annual Pride Party. Non-stop back-to-back DJs will keep you on the dance floor of our queer Dublin stalwart until the wee hours. With free entry until 5pm and €10 after, this iconic LGBT social is a must for first timers and seasoned pros alike.
Winner of the gayest street in the capital, Capel St has a raft of happenings catering to the community. The Queen of Ireland throws her famous all-day street party in Pantibar from 2pm, with free entry, fab tunes and great vibes ensured. For some non-alcoholic merriment, the Outhouse crew throw their GOLD Post Parade Party. Queers of all ages are welcome to the free happenings from 3pm til 7. A hop, skip and a twirl away, Nealon’s will host El Styra’s Pride Pop Party for the furrier attendee. Celebrate with the Dublin Bears free of charge from 4pm.
Fancy one of the guaranteed hottest parties in town? Bag yourself a ticket for the Mother Pride Block Party in the Tivoli from 4pm. There’s a ton of amazing acts and Nadine Coyle (yes, the Nadine!) is headlining. Live your Girls Aloud fantasy surrounded by full bars, food stalls, bespoke interactive installations and everything else needed for the most banging party on the block. Tickets available from www.eventbrite.com.
The Official Pride 2018 After Party takes over Opium on Wexford St with none other than Samantha Mumba headlining. There’s a rooftop BBQ and an exclusive Pride cocktail menu to enjoy, while the confetti cannons showering the dance floor sound like the cherry on top of a fabulous event. Tickets available from www.eventbrite.com. Group reservations via bookings@opium.com.
The one and only drag diva Paul Ryder hosts Drop. Drag. Gorgeous. in The Mercantile from 7.30pm. With high kicks, low blows and lip sync battles guaranteed, it’s the perfect way to ease into Pride night. Tickets available from www.eventbrite. com. Group reservations via bookings@mercantile.ie Street 66 will cater for the more alternative queer with The Covers – a night celebrating rock and indie classics, with free entry from 8pm. For those wanting to keep the party going afterwards, DJ Ger Bear and Pixie Woo will be on hand.
Speaking of bears, the guys at The Furry Glen open their cave at Wiley Fox from 10pm. Dublin Bears will present Sound House, packing the dance floors with the help of DJs Martin McCann and Eddie Kay. Entry €10 at the door.
The LADYZ will be in charge at Spinster in Bad Bobs, Temple Bar. Expect five floors of dance floor stompers for female clubbers with DJ Elle taking over the main club from 10pm until late. Partying with a cause, the Spinster gang will donate €1 from every ticket to TENI. Tickets available from dublingurlclub.com.
Rounding the night off, Mother After Dark follows on from the Block Party. Promising the matriarch of all after-parties, resident DJs will be on hand to ring the very last bit of craic out of the night in Tivoli and District 8. We are officially spoiled for choice! Visit the Mother Facebook page for ticket details.
These Boots Are Made For Marching
You’ve got the outfit sorted, including the comfortable shoes (we doubt it); on Saturday, June 30 it’s time for the jewel in the tiara of a festival of celebrations – the Dublin LGBTQ Pride Parade. The ultimate way to highlight and celebrate our community, our journey and our future, the LGBT+ family take to the streets, proud of who we are and how we got here.
This year’s parade will assemble at St Stephen’s Green South starting from 12 noon. There’ll be guest speakers and entertainment galore even before the procession sets off at 2pm, then it’s onward through the city, finishing up in Smithfield Square at this year’s brand new Pride Village.