It’s never too early to mention the C word – Christmas. If you’re the person tasked with organising your office Christmas events, we have some great options for your wish list.
For festive fun in Dublin's Docklands, check out – and preferably into – The Marker Hotel. With constellations of twinkling Christmas lights reflected in the waters of the Grand Canal basin, the whole area offers glamour, buzz and a sense of occasion. It's also right beside some of Dublin's best-loved Christmas attractions.
Whether it’s a festive lunch or a big night out, it has a range of private hire options that are perfect for a bespoke celebration with colleagues or clients. Its largest events space, The Marker Suite, can cater for 240 people for a sit-down dinner, or a maximum 350 people for a drinks reception. A three-course dinner in The Marker Suite starts from €80.
Or opt for the equally atmospheric setting of The Marker Brasserie, a relaxed environment and a beautiful space that transforms seamlessly from day to night. It can be used for a private lunch or dinner, with capacity for up to 94 people, and a variety of menu options offering a unique twist on the traditional. A three-course lunch here starts from €45, with four-course dinner prices from €85.
It’s worth noting that its next door neighbour, the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, has pulled out all of the stops with its Christmas shows this year, including performances of Broadway phenomenon Mamma Mia! Depending on your numbers and your budget, one nice option could be to combine dinner and a show.
New option
For bragging rights you can't miss opting for somewhere new, giving people an added incentive to try it out. This Christmas the new kid on the block – though it involves tried and tested Michelin-starred chef Oliver Dunne and his team – is the new Donnybrook Gastropub on Morehampton Road.
Residents of Dublin 4 already know it as their new local all-day gastropub, right in the heart of Donnybrook village. It is a terrific pub which has a tasty a la carte menu, as well as an extensive wine and cocktail list.
What they might not know is that the entire venue is available all year round for private hire for personal or corporate parties, making it a great choice for a Christmas party. It has a capacity of 220 for sit-down dining and 350 for finger food – or just drinks – ranging over two floors, with menu prices for two courses starting at €30 and three courses from €35.
Of course, sister property Cleaver East restaurant is already a Christmas institution. Located in Temple Bar in Dublin city centre, it has been on the forefront of Dublin's dining scene since it opened in 2013. Its Michelin-star-trained chefs are creative and imaginative and the atmosphere is great, as is the food, which is why it fast became one of the top Christmas venues in the capital. It has four-course Christmas group menus from €35 for lunch and €55 for dinner. Live music, DJs and private hire are also available, with a capacity for sit-down meals of 125 people.
Lost Lane at Adam Court, just off Dublin’s Grafton Street, is one of the capital’s newer music venues. Though already familiar to music lovers for its diverse acts and late-night club nights, what you may not know is that it’s also available for large or small party bookings for festive food and drinks throughout the Christmas season.
Choose between booking an area – or just a table – in its Lost Lane bar or its main venue, or opt instead to exclusively book its Singer’s House bar upstairs. Simply putting its name on your invites will give you kudos among staff and suppliers.
Location, location
Brooks Hotel is another great option, with a great location too, on Dublin's Drury Street. It has a range of interesting offerings guaranteed to make people happy this Christmas.
For something a little magical, why not book its private cinema. The luxury 26-seater has a number of magical movie reels in store, from Elf to The Grinch, all Christmas classics chosen to get everyone in the festive spirit. For a chilled out option, get everyone in to sit back and relax from just €15 per person.
You can tailor the night to suit your budget by adding freshly popped popcorn and a selection of sweets, cocktails, mulled wine and canapes.
Or you could keep it smooth with a wine-tasting experience. Treat colleagues and customers to a tailored whiskey-tasting experience in the hotel’s Jasmine Bar, a Great Whiskey Bar of the World. It stocks more than 100 types of whiskey and your guests can select up to four varieties to try, with its knowledgeable staff on hand to guide you through your whiskey journey. Prices start from €35 per person.
Of course the added bonus of a Christmas do at the Brooks Hotel is that you can opt to stay over. With a car park right across the road and all the last-minute shopping delights of Grafton Street around the corner, it’s a Christmas do, bonus and gift all in one, with a poinsettia bow on top.
