Couples’ special: an Irish dance evening with dinner for a memorable date night

For many couples, a date night in Dublin already has all the essential ingredients: delicious food, shared laughs, the soft glow of city lights reflecting off the River Liffey. But we’ve always wanted to go a step further. We wanted to create a night that feels alive—where you’re not just sitting across from each other at a table, but experiencing something together, something that makes both of you look up with excitement at the same moment. That’s where our Irish Dance Party evening show truly shines.

This isn’t just a dinner. It’s an invitation to step inside the heart of Irish culture—where the rhythm isn’t only heard, it’s felt. The energy of live musicians, the passion in the dancers’ steps, the laughter shared with an audience from all over the world… it wraps around you both and pulls you closer into the moment.

When couples walk through the doors of The Merchant’s Arch, there is always a little flicker of curiosity in their eyes. It usually doesn’t take long before curiosity turns into delight. You settle in with a drink, you taste the first bite of dinner, and suddenly, the show begins. A fiddle bursts into melody, a dancer taps forward with precision and power, and before you know it—you’re both caught up in something special.

You’re talking, smiling, leaning toward one another to point out a favorite moment. You’re not just “having dinner;” you’re building a memory. And that’s exactly why our “Evening show with dinner” package exists: to transform a simple date night into a shared adventure—one filled with culture, rhythm, romance, and the unmistakable charm of Dublin at night.

Because those are the nights you look back on later and say: “Remember that? That was magic.”

Here’s why:

• A unique venue: We host you in the landmark building of The Merchant’s Arch in Temple Bar, centrally located with unrivalled views over the River Liffey and the Ha’Penny Bridge.
  
• Three-course dinner + show: The evening begins with a starter followed by your choice of main, and dessert.
  
• Top-tier entertainment: After the meal, you’ll be treated to high-quality live Irish singers, musicians and championship dancers.
  
• An experience that lingers: We say that a show should be more than entertainment—it should leave you smiling, tapping your feet, talking about it for days.
  

How the Evening Usually Unfolds

Here’s how things typically progress for your date night:

7:00 PM – Food is served.

You arrive, seated at your table in The Merchant’s Arch, with views of the Liffey and Temple Bar’s vibrant atmosphere. The mood is relaxed, warm and anticipatory.

7:30 PM – Show begins.

Our cast—top-tier dancers, live musicians and singers—take the stage. You’ll watch choreographed Irish dances, hear traditional songs, and feel the rhythm of Irish culture. There’s a sense of occasion: the setting, the wine, the music, the steps.

Until ~9:00 PM – Finale and lingering.

The show runs approximately two hours. By the end you’ll likely feel the energy of the room, maybe even participate or tap your feet. 

Afterwards you might linger a little longer, enjoy a post-drink, take a walk by the Ha’Penny Bridge under Dublin lights, talk about your favourite moments.

Why it’s a Great Choice for Couples

1. Shared experience: Rather than one partner watching while the other talks, you both engage—laugh, tap, maybe try a move or two. It creates that “we did it together” feeling.
   
2. Memorable over mundane: Date nights often fall into a pattern: dinner, movie, home. This adds live music, ambience, Irish culture—something out of the ordinary.
   
3. Romantic backdrop: Temple Bar, the River Liffey, the historic building—the setting itself contributes to the romance.
   
4. Accessible fun: Whether you’re seasoned dancers or have two left feet, the show welcomes you. It’s about enjoying, not perfection.
   
5. Late-night magic: With the show ending around 9 pm, you still have the night ahead—maybe a stroll, an after-drink, city lights. It doesn’t eat your entire evening.

Practical Considerations (so your night goes smoothly)

• Book early: With only about 140 guests maximum capacity at the venue.
  
• Arrive on time: Our evening show begins at 7 PM. You’ll want to settle in and enjoy the full experience.
  
• Dress code: While there’s no formal gown code, smart-casual fits the occasion—think date-night polish, comfortable shoes for possible dancing.
  
• Budget: The price for a 3-course dinner and show is €53.95 for adults.

What to Wear, Bring & Expect

• Wear something you feel good in—neat and comfortable.
  
• Bring your camera/phone for photos—moments of dance, smiles, the Ha’Penny Bridge backdrop.
  
• Be ready to be part of the moment: applause, foot-tapping, perhaps even a simple dance step.
  
• Leave the stress of “what next” behind. Focus on each other, the show, the food, the city.
  
• After the show, consider taking a detour—through Temple Bar, along the river—to keep the magic going.

Final Words

So if you’re planning a date night in Dublin, let us swap the predictable for the memorable. Trade the usual routine—dinner, a quick drink, and home—for an evening that leaves both of you buzzing with excitement and conversation long after the final bow.

Let us serve you more than just a delicious three-course meal. Let us surround you with the pulse of live Irish music that gets into your bones. Let us show you the kind of dance that turns storytelling into movement—where every tap, leap, and spin draws you deeper into the magic of Irish tradition. Let us give you not just entertainment, but a shared memory that lives beyond that one night.

Imagine clinking glasses while looking out over the iconic Ha’Penny Bridge—Temple Bar’s lights shimmering just outside the window. Imagine reaching across the table and feeling your partner’s hand squeeze yours when the dancers strike the stage with their first breathtaking steps. Imagine walking out afterward with energy still crackling between you, feet tapping involuntarily, hearts a little lighter, smiles a little bigger.

Because at The Irish Dance Party, unforgettable isn’t an accident. It’s exactly what we create.