Le Kitch (CLOSED)

With its bright blue frontage and jolly garlands of coloured lightbulbs, Le Kitch is an excellent cocktail bar to kick off your evening. There’s a portrait of a poodle on the wall, a Bambi snuggling up to a pink Statue of Liberty and a gang of teddy bears lined up on a shelf – an overwhelmingly kitsch décor to go with the name. The narrow space often gets rammed, so arrive early to get a table and to get the best out of the long happy hour, when all the cocktails are €5 between 5.30pm and 9pm. Between the good and strong mojito and the Shrek (a dangerous mix of mint, lemon and gin) and other exotically-named mixes, there’s plenty of choice. Once you’ve a drink in hand, make your way through the crowds and the Formica tables to the comfy sofas in the back room, or stay at the bar under the benevolent gaze of Shrek. Cards accepted for €20 and above only.