It Bar

Located on the corner of Merrion Street and Upper Briggate, It Bar is up against some pretty stiff competition in the form of nearby venues with similar offerings – that is, late night cocktails and a cramped dancefloor. To differentiate itself, it throws a US diner theme into the mix. While this might seem like an unworkable juxtaposition, the happy result is that it caters effectively to the lunchtime crowd – particularly on Mondays, when it has an all-day offer of 50 percent off food – as well as the late night hedonists.

On the menu you’ll find enormous burgers, foot long hot dogs – including a messy but enjoyable chilli version – and a miscellany of steaks, shrimp and ribs alongside a more reasonably proportioned deli range. The cocktail menu features offers throughout the week, and, in contrast to a par-for-the-course beer selection, you can expect some extravagant blends. As the night wears on, the music gets loud but not so much that you can’t talk to anyone, and the genre selection is pleasingly random but fundamentally based on rock and soul.

With generous portions and an interesting drinks selection, it’s an excellent place to start a night off with food if you’re with a big group. It Bar offers a combination of themes that shouldn’t work, but somehow do.