http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18745 I'm recommending it on the strength that it is the best place to drink outside in central Dublin, legally.

On a Thursday and more so on a Friday there will be literally thousands of people, students, office slaves and more, sitting in the sun drinking. Drinks can be bought at the bar- 4 cans of larger for €8 - or more often brought in. Sometimes there's cricket on, and you can laze and look at that, or the stunning Berkley Library full of studying students, all wishing they were down on the grass next to you.

Other activities might include an impromptu kick about, impromptu sing-a-long, frisbee game, streaker and other studenty type activities.
Food and other drinks available and there's a very limited selection of beers and stouts on tap, but buying drink in there seems against the whole spirit of the thing.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18745 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18744
There's a DJ booth in the corner and the crowd is young and hip. Alcohol is available and they have a great South African beer. Costs around €12.50 a burger and €5 a beer so not cheap, but is good value. Open quite late on the weekends.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18744 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18743
The main problem is that for the same money you could get a decent enough meal elsewhere.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18743 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18109
Decent music nights, recent ones were Dubstep and a celebration of the Rio Carnival with drummers and cheep Brazilian beer. Usually packed at the weekend, always a laugh.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18109 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17372 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17372 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13775
As well as all this, they also have yoga classes, some of the cheapest rooms in town and it's a good place to meet other travellers who aren't in India for the cheap weed.

Lots of good work here with many newly arrived refugees and monks, even if you cannot volunteer, donate something.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13775 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12118
I'm not going to describe the whole shebang, go to the website; its quite exhaustive. Instead, here's my highlights from last year;

The big tree, an acoustic stage, where the Dublin gospel choir, amongst others, duet with anyone hanging around, and the last music of the festival is played.

The cinema tent - fantastic for when you want to crash after a long night etc, it plays a decent mix of art films and slacker comedies - Ferris Bueller's Day Off was a real highlight.

The Crawdaddy tent - really good, full of atmosphere. themed on old New Orleans, and great fun.

The food, really really good for a festival. Nearly every type of food was represented, and there were a lot of vegetarian and organic options. the only thing lacking was a fry up.

A bit of advice - get there early and if you're camping in a tent go for the quiet section- it's a bit away from the music etc and you're able to sleep. I'm bringing my van so pop over and say hello, it's the 1966 VW camper. Bring loo roll and some antibacterial hand cream. Plastic bottles only, so decant that shizas.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12118 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11987
The Fisherman's is where most of the 'decent' locals drink. The stoners and the drunks and the GAA-heads all have their own bars in this wee town, and this is one of the best.

There are open fires, clean loos, comfortable seating and come the evening, it's packed. You can have a good night in nearly any bar in Waterville, but this place is one of the best.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11987 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11986
Stunning all the way I'm sure, but I've only been in for tea, as I'm a poor student and not a millionaire, like you. I ate in the bar area, which is beautiful, and the food was good and the service impeccable.

Wish I could afford to stay there. Donations on a post card to...]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11986 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11985
It's like going out in a market town in England on a Friday; raucous; loud; packed with fools and too much drink. But it also has some of Dublin's best pubs, live music, galleries and restaurants.

It's rare that the sense of violence, which always seems a wrong look away in London, is felt here.

I wouldn't recommend Temple Bar at night for someone in search of a quiet drink, or a civilized time. The puddles of vomit and p!ss ensure that, but it is great fun if you're in town for a laugh with a group of friends.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11985 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11809
Its a massive space with exposed brick and palms. The service is iffy, but the atmosphere is great and mercifully there isn't any music, a rarity these days.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11809 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11786 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11786 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11785
Instead go to Camden Street, still city centre, which is full of decent bars, most have live music and DJs organized for the night and where I'll be, in Anseo.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11785 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11784
Great value early bird menu between 6-8pm. Often quiet, but fills up on the weekends.

No bookings taken.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11784 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11613 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11613 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11021
The English selection is excellent, with a large number of books on Tibetan religion and other issues, on Himalayan wildlife as well as a really decent fiction section.

Modern classics, proper classics and airport novels all sit happily together. Plus you can get second-hand books too. And they'll buy the books back off you too.

Don't talk politics with the old guy behind the counter - I made an off the cuff remark (something non-offensive and conciliatory towards the position he was outlining) and got a book thrown at me for not agreeing enough.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11021 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11020 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11020 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11018
There are several cheap clean guest houses, like the Snowlion. The buses to Dharamasala leave from here.

There is a problem- the local council are attempting to demolish this little Tibet, so I'm not sure if it'll be there when you arrive.

Should only cost 120 R for a rikshaw from the center of town.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11018 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10968 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10968 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10967
A wonderful selection of teas, and a massive way over the top buffet of cakes and sandwiches and biccies.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10967