Six sunny evening activites you MUST do if you’re in Dublin
With today set to be a serious scorcher, our prayers are finally being answered. Yes, it's official: a full week after the state exams kicked off, the Leaving Cert weather has arrived. However, we've just realised we will be in work all day (being a grown-up is the worst).
So we decided to do a round-up of things to do once you leave the office this evening. These are all free or cheap activities and mean you can benefit from the gorgeous day while still being home in time for the midweek-movie.
- Pull a sickie
You could always just not bother with work, it is after all, sickie season. And frankly, offices will be largely empty today anyway. So why not spend the whole day getting burnt to a crisp. A word of warning, however, returning to your place of employment tomorrow (illness magically vanished) resembling a beetroot in colour may arise serious suspicion about the authenticity of your day-off.
- Go to a beer garden
We know it’s a school night, but once the sun is out in Ireland, you have to make the most of it. After all, we just don’t know when we will be graced with its presence again. Head to a beer garden and treat yourself to a midweek pint or cocktail – or sparkling water if you don't do hungover Thursdays. Some of the capital's best beer gardens include House on Leeson Street, the Bernard Shaw on Richmond Street, Dicey's on Harcourt Street, the Living Room on Cathal Brugha Street, Gibneys of Malahide, Harry Byrnes in Clontarf, and Smyths in Ranelagh.
- Read a book in Stephen’s Green
Stephen’s Green seems like it could be in a completely different country once the sun is shining. Grab a book (and a blanket if you don’t want to sit on the grass) and get yourself a spot to relax in while soaking up the last of the rays from the day. Get a 99 cone on the way to complete that summer vibe.
- Grab a bite on South William Street
Might be a bit on the pricey side in certain establishments, so catch one of the early bird menus instead. South William Street is paradise in the sun and with most restaurants having the option of sitting outside to enjoy your meal, it really is like being on your holidays. Alfies and Dakota both charge €20 for a decent feed if you're seated before 7pm.
- Get your exercise outdoors –
If you’re going to be exercising anyway, why not do it outside where you can get some fresh air and get your dose of vitamin D? There are loads of parks and routes around the city that would be perfect for an evening jog, some coming with additional outdoor exercise machines. If you’re on the southside, Deerpark in Mount Merrion features some adult monkey bars, and for the Northsiders, along the seafront in Clontarf is dotted with equipment to help you work out.
- Head to the beach
Here’s the upside to working all day: once you get to the beach in the evening, the mad rush is over. There will still be a few stragglers and no doubt a few teenagers having a sneaky can with their pals, but all-in-all, you will have skipped the madness of earlier – which is perfect for those wanting a stroll. Why not cook your dinner in advance, throw it in a lunch box and have a little picnic on the sand? It stays bright until 10pm now so you can definitely get a few hours in after work.
