Best wine bars

1. LOOSE CANON

WHERE: 29 Drury Street, Dublin 2, D02RX95  | 9 minute walk from the apartment | TIMES: 11am-10.30pm, Monday & Tuesday; 11am-11.30pm, Wednesday to Saturday; 12.30pm-10.30pm, Sunday

Loose Canon is a small, hip bodega-style wine bar on Drury Street. They'll generally have around a dozen wines available by the glass, which change regularly. There is a small but exquisite food menu - cheese plates, cheese and meat plates and their near legendary toasted sandwiches (not to be missed). There are a couple of tables and seating for 5 or 6 inside.

2. PIGLET WINE BAR

WHERE: 5 Cow's Lane, Temple Bar, D08VR94 | 2 minute walk from the apartment | TIMES: 12.30pm-9.30pm, Mondays; CLOSED, Tuesdays & Wednesdays; 12.30pm-9.30pm, Thursdays & Fridays; 1pm-9.30pm, Sundays

Just over a minute walk from the apartment, Piglet is a delight - a small, intimate and friendly little wine bar on the pedestrian Cow's Lane just around the corner. As well as a superb collection of wines, it has a nice food menu - mainly Mediterranean-influenced tapas, small dishes and mains. A nice option for a glass of wine and a nibble, dinner or something in between. You can see both the lunch and dinner menus here. You can walk in or book a table.

3. 9 BELOW

WHERE: 9 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, D02C891 | 16 minute walk from the apartment | WHAT: Wine and Cocktail Bar | TIMES: 5pm-11.30pm, Wednesday to Friday; 4pm-12.30am, Saturdays; 1pm-8pm, Sundays; CLOSED on Mondays and Tuesdays | RESERVATIONS: Can make a reservation online here, email at welcome@9below.ie or call on +35319059990.

9 Below is a discreet, elegant, sophisticated wine and cocktail bar located in the basement of a Georgian building on St Stephen's Green. There is an extensive wine, cocktail and spirits menu, but they also serve bottled beers. The food options are pretty limited - just a couple of 'nibbles' options but you can order a charcuterie board (priced at around €100) but you need to request it in advance.