Vanilla Pod Dun Laoghaire in Dublin

09/05/2026: Finished up at the distillery and still had about an hour to burn before my train ride, so naturally I made the responsible decision and stopped into DV8 Bar & Venue for “hydration.” Grabbed a Jameson ginger and lime along with a bag of scampi fries for a snack. Between the miles of walking around Dublin, climbing tower stairs, accidentally rerouting my entire rail journey, and the whiskey tasting earlier, I had definitely earned it. The drink was simple but solid. Cold, crisp, easy to drink, and probably exactly what my legs needed at that point in the day. The scampi fries continue to confuse me slightly as an American. They somehow taste like seafood, vinegar, pub salt, and bad decisions all at once, yet pair perfectly with an Irish whiskey highball. Staff at DV8 were friendly and welcoming, which honestly has been one of the more consistent things I’ve noticed throughout Ireland. Whether it’s a museum, distillery, train station, or pub, most places feel less transactional and more conversational. Not a bad way to close out an unplanned “I missed my train stop and accidentally spent the day exploring Dublin” adventure.

14/04/2026: Nice little spot, great atmosphere, love the staff