Smithfield, a Dublin neighborhood located on the north bank of the River Liffey, has been voted the second most ‘coolest neighborhood’ in the world by Time Out.
It was also the number one coolest neighborhood in Europe.
Coming in second only to Laureles, a barrio in Medellín, Colombia, Smithfield represents a "Dublin that refuses to disappear."
According to Time Out, "The Dublin 7 neighborhood is a space where tradition and activism meet, where long-standing stalwarts co-exist alongside exciting new ventures."
"You’ll not only find The Cobblestone, a historic pub known as the home of traditional Irish music in Dublin (which saw thousands of musicians march in protest when it was threatened with being knocked down in 2021) but new businesses like Third Space. This social enterprise café serves homemade sausage rolls with bacon jam, all-the-while making the neighbourhood a better place to live," writes Time Out.
"Though the old Smithfieldian haunts (thankfully) remain, the once-empty spaces that sat beside them are today filled with independent bars, vegan-friendly restaurants, artisanal cafés and sourdough pizza shops – deeming the area a must-visit for anyone swayed by no-frills, post-industrial charm."
View this post on Instagram
While visiting the neighborhood, check out the Jameson Whiskey Distillery, catch an indie film at the Light House Cinema, or grab a snug at the dimly-lit Frank Ryan's Bar for a pint. If you need a bite to eat, have a flat white coffee and a 'Cardi B' cardamom-infused brioche bun at Proper Order, or try the fish and chips at Fish Shop, a tiny seafood restaurant “with a killer wine list." Retro arcade Token serves excellent cocktails and has a vegan menu.
View this post on Instagram
The media brand surveyed more than 12,000 people globally about the coolest neighborhoods in their cities. The shortlist was then narrowed down with the “insight and expertise” of its city editors and local experts. To create and rank the final list, Time Out considered factors including community and social ventures, access to open and green space, and thriving street life.
Jameson Distillery on Bow St., Dublin. Credit: Ireland's Content Pool.
Grace Beard, travel editor at Time Out, said: “What stands out with this year’s Time Out Coolest Neighborhoods is that, while most of them have seen transformation over recent years, they remain resolutely local-at-heart. Exciting new openings across culture, food and drink are bringing in new crowds, but neighborhood stalwarts – from old pubs to family greengrocers – keep it real. And they’re fun! These are places where the city comes to play, be it an all-night party, a spot of urban fishing or a night-time bike ride. After a few tumultuous years, it’s heartening to see communities coming together to hang out, support local businesses and have some fun.”
Other neighborhoods in the top five included Carabanchel, a hotspot for "trendy art galleries and cutting-edge creative spaces" in Madrid, Spain; Havnen, a waterfront "living room" in Copenhagen, Denmark; and Sheung Wan, one of Hong Kong's "liveliest districts."
For the complete list of Time Out's 40 Coolest Neighborhoods in the World for 2023, visit here.
Comments