Dublin Speakeasy and Cocktail Bar City Game: A Self-Guided Night Through Dublin’s Hidden Bars

The Dublin Speakeasy and Cocktail Bar Self-Guided City Game is an unusual way to explore Dublin after dark. Rather than joining a conventional pub crawl with a guide, you use a smartphone app to follow clues between five cocktail venues in central Dublin, including underground speakeasies, a prohibition-inspired jazz venue and other distinctive bars.

The route starts at Vintage Cocktail Club in Temple Bar and finishes at Peruke & Periwig on Dawson Street. Between the bars, the game leads you past Dublin landmarks including the Gaiety Theatre, the Phil Lynott Statue and The Little Museum of Dublin. The walking distance is only about 1.1 kilometres, making this much more about discovering bars and solving clues than completing a strenuous walking tour. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

One important point should be understood before booking: drinks are not included. Your ticket pays for access to the downloadable city-game experience. Anything you order in the bars is paid for separately. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Dublin Speakeasy City Game at a Glance

These details reflect the current August 2026 listings. Pricing varies substantially between sellers, so compare the actual checkout price rather than assuming every site sells identical access. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

What Exactly Is the Dublin Speakeasy Experience?

This is best described as a combination of a cocktail-bar crawl, walking tour and outdoor escape game.

After activating the game on your phone, you begin at Vintage Cocktail Club and follow location-based clues through central Dublin. Solving each challenge unlocks the next stage of the route. The current direct Questo version contains five location-based puzzles. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

The game leads towards five carefully selected drinking venues. Current descriptions deliberately do not reveal every stop beforehand, preserving some of the discovery element. The advertised mix includes:

• Two underground speakeasy-style bars
• A prohibition-era or prohibition-inspired jazz venue
• A refined cocktail bar associated with notable guests
• A lively modern drinking venue

The itinerary finishes at Peruke & Periwig on Dawson Street. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

This Is Not a Guided Pub Crawl

There is no human tour guide waiting at the starting point.

The Questo app provides the instructions, clues and route. You are not grouped with strangers and there is no fixed group departure. This gives you considerably more freedom than a traditional Dublin pub crawl. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

You can stop for dinner, spend longer over a cocktail or pause the game completely and restart from the same point later. Musement specifically promotes this ability to pause and continue whenever you want. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

How the Game Works

1. Purchase access to the city game.
2. Download the required outdoor escape-game app.
3. Create your account using the same email address used when booking.
4. Enter the activation code supplied after purchase.
5. Travel to Vintage Cocktail Club at 15 Crown Alley.
6. Begin the game on your smartphone.
7. Solve the location-based clues.
8. Follow the unlocked route towards subsequent cocktail bars.
9. Pause whenever you want to eat or have a drink.
10. Finish at Peruke & Periwig on Dawson Street.

An active internet connection is required while playing. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

Start at Vintage Cocktail Club

The official starting location is:

Vintage Cocktail Club
15 Crown Alley
Temple Bar
Dublin 2
D02 E229

Vintage Cocktail Club, commonly abbreviated to VCC, suits the theme perfectly. It is hidden behind a discreet entrance in Temple Bar and deliberately evokes the clandestine cocktail lounges and speakeasies of the early 20th century. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

The venue describes itself as a throwback to the era of speakeasies, aviators and silent-film stars, with a substantial cocktail menu and food available. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}

Look for the Doorbell

Do not expect an enormous illuminated nightclub sign announcing Vintage Cocktail Club.

The concealed entrance is part of the experience. The venue invites customers to ring the doorbell before entering its vintage interior. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}

If this is your first night in Dublin, it creates an appropriate beginning to a tour designed around bars that are not always immediately obvious from the street.

Very Important: Vintage Cocktail Club Is Strictly Over 23

This is probably the most important practical detail about the entire city game.

Vintage Cocktail Club’s official policy states that it is strictly for guests over 23 years old and that identification is checked regularly. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}

This is considerably stricter than Ireland’s general minimum age for purchasing alcohol, which is 18. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}

Some third-party versions of the outdoor game describe the game itself as suitable for younger participants, but that does not override the entry policy of the bars. Anyone younger than 23 should therefore not book this experience expecting to complete the full bar-based itinerary as advertised. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}

Current Vintage Cocktail Club Opening Hours

As of August 2026, VCC currently publishes:

These are the venue’s currently published hours and can change. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}

Do Not Start the Game at 10:00 am

The digital game may technically be available whenever you want to activate it, but that does not mean the participating bars are open.

For the complete cocktail experience, an evening start makes much more sense. On Monday through Wednesday, for example, the advertised starting bar does not currently open until 4:15 pm. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}

A start around 5:00–6:00 pm is practical for most visitors because it allows time to work through the route without pushing every stop towards closing time.

How Long Does the Dublin Speakeasy Tour Take?

The digital walking-and-puzzle portion is short. Questo currently describes a route of approximately 1.1 km with five challenge locations, while another current seller estimates around 60–90 minutes for the game itself. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}

That does not mean you should expect to visit five cocktail bars in one hour.

About 1 Hour

Possible if you concentrate primarily on solving the clues and walking the route without stopping for drinks.

2 Hours

A reasonable quick evening if you enter only a couple of venues.

3–4 Hours

Much more realistic if you actually want to enjoy the bars.

The whole purpose of the flexible format is that you can stop rather than rush from door to door. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}

An Entire Evening

Perfectly possible if you add dinner or spend substantial time in several bars.

Five Bars Does Not Mean Five Cocktails

You are not required to purchase a drink at every stop.

Musement specifically notes that the flexible itinerary allows time for food and non-alcoholic alternatives. :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}

You could therefore have one or two cocktails during the entire route and simply explore the atmosphere of the other venues.

Drinks Are Not Included

The city-game price does not include cocktails.

Musement lists only the downloadable app as included. Drinks are explicitly excluded. :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}

Your total evening cost will therefore depend much more on what you order than on the relatively inexpensive game itself.

Food Is Not Included Either

Food purchases are also separate.

This can actually work in the game’s favour because you can choose when and where to eat rather than being committed to a fixed group dinner.

Vintage Cocktail Club currently serves food alongside its cocktails, and Peruke & Periwig also operates as both a cocktail venue and dining establishment. :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}

The Walk Through Central Dublin

The route covers only around 1.1 km, but it passes through one of Dublin’s most interesting evening districts. :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}

Published landmarks encountered along the way include:

• The Gaiety Theatre
• Phil Lynott Statue
• The Irish Famine and Emigration Exhibition
• The Little Museum of Dublin

The attraction therefore contains some conventional sightseeing even if you decide not to drink much. :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}

The Phil Lynott Statue

The route passes the statue commemorating Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott, one of Dublin’s best-known music landmarks. Musement specifically identifies it as one of the sights incorporated into the game route. :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}

It makes an easy photo stop while moving between the cocktail venues.

The Gaiety Theatre

The Gaiety Theatre is another listed landmark encountered during the walk. :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}

This makes the city game potentially useful before or after a theatre performance, although you need enough time to enjoy the bars rather than trying to squeeze the complete trail into a short pre-show gap.

Finish at Peruke & Periwig

The official finishing point is:

Peruke & Periwig
31 Dawson Street
Dublin 2
D02 DR58

Peruke & Periwig occupies several atmospheric floors in a historic Dawson Street building and specialises in cocktails, spirits and dining. :contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27}

Because it is a genuine destination bar rather than merely a marker on the game, there is no need to leave immediately once the final puzzle is complete.

Current Peruke & Periwig Opening Hours

These are the venue’s current August 2026 published hours. :contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}

Friday and Saturday Are Best for a Late Finish

If you want the game to turn into a complete night out, Friday and Saturday provide the greatest flexibility because Peruke & Periwig currently remains open until 2:00 am. :contentReference[oaicite:29]{index=29}

Thursday also works well with a current 1:00 am closing time.

Earlier in the week, it is better to start the route earlier so you are not reaching Dawson Street close to closing.

Do You Need Reservations at the Bars?

Access to the city game is not the same thing as having a table reservation at each cocktail bar.

The Musement listing includes the downloadable app but does not list table reservations or drinks among the inclusions. :contentReference[oaicite:30]{index=30}

Both Vintage Cocktail Club and Peruke & Periwig operate their own reservation systems. If sitting down at a particular venue is essential to your evening, especially on Friday or Saturday, consider arranging that venue separately rather than assuming the city-game ticket guarantees a table. :contentReference[oaicite:31]{index=31}

Current 2026 City-Game Price

Prices currently vary according to where you buy access.

As of August 2026:

• Musement: currently advertises from about US$9.
• Fever: currently advertises around €9.99.
• Questo direct: currently displays €29.99 on its own product page.

This unusually large difference means it is particularly worthwhile comparing the final checkout price. :contentReference[oaicite:32]{index=32}

One Ticket or One Ticket Per Person?

There is another important discrepancy between current sales pages.

Musement states that one ticket is valid for a group. :contentReference[oaicite:33]{index=33}

The direct Questo page instead explains that each person who wants to solve clues independently on their own phone needs their own access. :contentReference[oaicite:34]{index=34}

Follow the conditions shown by the seller you actually use. If a couple is happy to play together on one phone, the Musement group-ticket wording may be particularly attractive.

Cancellation

The current Musement ticket offers a 100% refund when cancelled up to 24 hours before the experience begins. :contentReference[oaicite:35]{index=35}

Questo’s own current listing uses a different money-back arrangement, which is another reason to read the conditions attached to your particular seller rather than assuming all versions are identical. :contentReference[oaicite:36]{index=36}

What Phone Do You Need?

You need a smartphone capable of running the game app and maintaining an internet connection.

Musement recommends arriving with at least:

60% battery

or bringing a portable power bank. :contentReference[oaicite:37]{index=37}

That advice is sensible because navigation, mobile data and screen use can drain a phone considerably faster than normal standby use.

The Game Is English Only

The city game is currently available in English only. :contentReference[oaicite:38]{index=38}

You do not need to be an expert English speaker, but puzzle solving naturally becomes more difficult if no one in your group is comfortable reading English.

Can You Stop for Dinner?

Yes.

This is one of the strongest features of the experience.

The game can be paused and resumed from the same point, so there is no need to choose between completing the tour and enjoying a proper dinner. :contentReference[oaicite:39]{index=39}

A sensible evening could therefore be:

first speakeasy → several clues → dinner → continue the game → final cocktails at Peruke & Periwig.

Is There a Dress Code?

The city game itself does not require special clothing, but you are visiting cocktail bars rather than completing only an outdoor walking tour.

Current reservation information describes both Vintage Cocktail Club and Peruke & Periwig as smart casual venues. :contentReference[oaicite:40]{index=40}

You do not need formal evening wear, but clothing suitable for a stylish cocktail bar is a safer choice than beachwear or very casual sports clothing.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

Musement specifically recommends comfortable footwear. :contentReference[oaicite:41]{index=41}

The total distance of 1.1 km is short, but you may spend far longer standing and walking inside bars than the route length suggests.

What If You Do Not Drink Alcohol?

You can still play the game.

The route itself does not require you to buy alcohol, and Musement specifically mentions the opportunity to choose non-alcoholic alternatives. :contentReference[oaicite:42]{index=42}

The attraction can therefore work for a mixed group in which some participants drink cocktails and others do not.

Is It Suitable for Solo Travellers?

Yes.

Because there is no organised group, you can complete the route independently and spend as much or as little time as you want at each location. Questo specifically positions its city games as private, self-directed experiences rather than large guided groups. :contentReference[oaicite:43]{index=43}

The main consideration for a solo visitor is whether you personally enjoy entering cocktail bars alone.

Is It Good for Couples?

Very much so.

The combination of puzzles, short walks and atmospheric cocktail bars makes it particularly well suited to a date night or evening activity for two.

Because there is no guide setting the pace, you can turn what is technically a short city game into a relaxed three- or four-hour evening.

Is It Suitable for Families?

Not if you intend to complete the experience as a genuine cocktail-bar tour.

Although one current reseller describes the digital game itself as suitable for a broad age range, the first venue, Vintage Cocktail Club, is officially strictly over 23. :contentReference[oaicite:44]{index=44}

Irish law generally requires a person to be 18 or over to purchase alcohol, but individual licensed premises can impose stricter admission policies. :contentReference[oaicite:45]{index=45}

For the full intended experience, treat this as an adult evening activity and ensure everyone in the group meets the restrictions of the participating venues.

Best Day to Do the Tour

Monday–Wednesday

Potentially quieter, but bars close earlier. Start around 5:00 pm rather than leaving the game until late.

Thursday

A very good compromise. The finishing venue currently remains open until 1:00 am. :contentReference[oaicite:46]{index=46}

Friday–Saturday

Best for atmosphere and a long night out.

Expect busier venues, and consider making reservations at any bar you particularly want to enter. Peruke & Periwig currently remains open until 2:00 am. :contentReference[oaicite:47]{index=47}

Sunday

Still workable, but the final venue currently closes at 11:00 pm, so begin earlier. :contentReference[oaicite:48]{index=48}

A Good Way to Plan the Evening

5:00 pm – Temple Bar

Arrive around Crown Alley and make sure the app is activated.

5:15 pm – Vintage Cocktail Club

Begin the game and, if you have a reservation or space is available, start with a cocktail.

6:00 pm – Follow the Clues

Move through the central Dublin route and discover the next venues.

7:00 pm – Dinner Break

Pause the game and eat rather than trying to drink at every bar.

8:30 pm – Continue

Resume the remaining challenges and bars.

10:00 pm – Peruke & Periwig

Finish the game on Dawson Street and stay for a final cocktail if you wish.

Because the app can be paused, these times are only a practical example rather than a required itinerary. :contentReference[oaicite:49]{index=49}

Where to Stay

Temple Bar

Best for starting-point convenience and nightlife.

The city game begins on Crown Alley in Temple Bar, so accommodation in this area puts the starting point within easy walking distance. :contentReference[oaicite:50]{index=50}

Grafton Street and St Stephen’s Green

Best overall location for this particular route.

The game finishes on Dawson Street and passes landmarks around this central south-Dublin area. Staying nearby means you can walk back to your hotel after the final bar rather than arranging late-night transport. :contentReference[oaicite:51]{index=51}

Can You Do the Game During the Day?

You can walk the route and solve clues whenever the app permits, but the full speakeasy experience is inherently an afternoon/evening activity.

The starting venue currently does not open until 4:15 pm on Monday through Wednesday, while the finishing venue does not open until 5:00 pm on those days. :contentReference[oaicite:52]{index=52}

For that reason, a morning start largely defeats the purpose of choosing a cocktail-bar city game.

What Is Included?

• Access to the downloadable city-game app
• Self-guided route
• Five location-based challenges
• Clues and puzzles
• Recommended cocktail-bar stops
• Ability to pause and resume

:contentReference[oaicite:53]{index=53}

What Is Not Included?

• Alcoholic drinks
• Non-alcoholic drinks
• Food
• A human tour guide
• Hotel transport
• Guaranteed tables at participating bars

The Musement listing expressly excludes drinks and lists only downloadable app access as the included service. :contentReference[oaicite:54]{index=54}

What Should You Bring?

• Smartphone
• Mobile internet access
• At least 60% phone battery
• Power bank if possible
• Comfortable shoes
• Valid identification
• Payment card or cash for drinks and food
• Rain jacket or umbrella if the Dublin forecast requires it

The smartphone, internet, battery and footwear requirements are specifically identified by the current seller. :contentReference[oaicite:55]{index=55}

Important Things to Know Before Booking

• The tour begins at Vintage Cocktail Club in Temple Bar.
• Vintage Cocktail Club is strictly over 23.
• The experience finishes at Peruke & Periwig on Dawson Street.
• The route covers approximately 1.1 km.
• There are five challenge locations.
• Drinks are not included.
• The game is English only.
• You need mobile internet.
• You can pause and restart whenever you like.
• Bar opening hours still apply despite the game’s flexible availability.
• Your city-game purchase should not be assumed to guarantee a bar reservation.
• Seller pricing and ticket-per-group rules currently differ, so read the exact checkout conditions.

:contentReference[oaicite:56]{index=56}

Is the Dublin Speakeasy City Game Worth Doing?

Yes, particularly if you like cocktails and want a night out that involves more than simply choosing a pub and sitting there.

The attraction is inexpensive compared with most guided Dublin evening tours because you are essentially paying for a self-guided digital experience. Musement currently advertises access from around US$9, although prices vary substantially between sellers. :contentReference[oaicite:57]{index=57}

The strongest feature is flexibility. You follow a compact 1.1 km route through five locations, but there is no pressure to complete it within a fixed hour. Stop for food, spend an hour in a bar you particularly like or skip an alcoholic drink entirely and continue solving the clues. :contentReference[oaicite:58]{index=58}

The starting and finishing venues are also genuine Dublin cocktail destinations rather than arbitrary meeting points. Vintage Cocktail Club provides the hidden-door speakeasy atmosphere in Temple Bar, while Peruke & Periwig offers an atmospheric multi-floor cocktail venue on Dawson Street. :contentReference[oaicite:59]{index=59}

The main drawback is that the ticket does not include drinks, and access to the game should not be confused with reservations at the bars. Anyone under 23 also needs to be particularly careful: despite the digital game’s broader age descriptions on some sellers, the official starting venue is strictly 23+. :contentReference[oaicite:60]{index=60}

For the best experience, begin around 5:00 or 6:00 pm, allow at least three hours rather than treating it as a one-hour walk, stop for dinner and finish the evening properly at Peruke & Periwig.

Dublin’s Speakeasy City Game works best when you do not rush it. The puzzles give you a reason to keep moving, while the hidden bars give you a reason to keep stopping.