Best LGBTQ bars - The Heart of Dublin City

1. PANTI BAR

WHERE: 7-8 Capel Street, Dublin 1, D01EH93 | 4 minute walk from the apartment | WHAT: LGBTQ venue | € | TIMES: 4pm-11.30pm. Sunday to Thursday; 4pm-12.30am, Friday & Saturday

Owned and run by drag queen, gay rights activist and entrepreneur Rory O'Neill, Panti Bar is the epicentre of the LGBTQ scene in Dublin. It's laid back and welcoming with a host of events - from karaoke to pub quizzes - that change by the night. Saturday nights are especially packed with drama, humour, so get there early. It gets very busy at the weekend.

2. THE GEORGE

WHERE: 89 South Great George's Street, Dublin 2 | 6 minutes walk from the apartment | WHAT: LGBTQ bar and late-night venue | TIMES: 2pm-2.30am, Monday to Friday; 12.30pm-2.30am, Saturday & Sunday

The George was the first and only gay bar in Dublin when it first opened in the 1980s. It's still arguably the main LGBTQ venue in Dublin - and the only still-going LGBTQ nightclub in the city (open until 2.30am most nights). It's free entry on weekdays but there is a €10 charge after 8pm on Friday, Saturday and Sundays. You can check out what's on each night here.

3. PENNYLANE

WHERE: 2 Great Strand Street, Dublin 1 | 4 minute walk from the apartment | WHAT: LGBTQ Lounge & Cocktail Bar | TIMES: 5pm-11.30pm, Monday to Thursday; 5pm-12.30am, Friday & Saturday; 5pm-11pm, Sunday

The sister venue to PantiBar, Pennylane is a more relaxed, (usually) quieter venue than some of the other main LGBTQ venues in Dublin. Especially good for cocktails, and has a really nice outdoor terrace (for sunny days).

4. STREET66

WHERE: 33-34 Parliament Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 | 2 minute walk from the apartment | WHAT: LGBTQ bar and late night venue | TIMES: 3pm-midnight, Monday to Thursday; 3pm-2.30am, Friday; 1pm-2.30am, Saturday; 1pm-11.30pm, Sunday

Somewhere between relaxed and trendy, Street 66 manages to mix plush, comfortable armchairs with an energetic dancefloor. Often stages events - live music, drag queens, karaoke and such. Good range of spirits and wines as well as more standard beer and cocktails.