The Best of the Creative Quarter
Written by There are many gems around Dublin’s fair city to stumble upon, and the Southside’s Creative Quarter is home to many of them. This area spans from Great George’s Street across through Exchequer Street, Wicklow Street, South William Street, and Suffolk Street, and has some of our favorite places to shop as well as coffee shops for those well needed rests after hours of rummaging through gorgeous garments from vintage to modern. Read on to discover the best that the creative quarter has to offer.
George’s Street Arcade – 9am-6.30pm daily
South Great George’s Street, Dublin 2
Everyone knows of the greatness that is this quirky cool arcade. Home to arts & crafts stores, vintage & retro boutiques, jewellery designs and cafés, this Dublin City landmark has been honing in business since 1882, an impressive 132 years of buying & selling.
Within you’ll find Retro, unique to its name selling retro 1940s and 50s dresses, as well as vintage-inspired costume pieces, menswear and modern fashion with a throwback twist. Beaux Bows is a cute & girly little store that caters to the girly girls with bows and frills being plentiful in store. They also stock many Irish designers, both established & up-and-coming.
New Moon is a fabulous jewellery store in the corner of the Drury Street entrance, selling exclusive jewellery designs from the East. This store is full of tradition, sparkle where even unique one of a kind pieces are available. Barry Doyle Designs is also a great place for more modern and classic jewellery, especially if you’re looking for some über special rings. They specialize in handmade bespoke & commission-work pieces, which are made in their in-house studio at the back. You can’t get more Irish than that!
For a much needed break from shopping head to Yogism, the hot spot for frozen yogurt. Enjoy fat-free delights with toppings from gummy bears, white chocolate flakes to fudge sauce, bananas or pistachio nuts. There are no rules so mix & match and eat to your heart’s content! Pieminister is a great stop for pie-lovers, with their extensive selection of flavors, in which local ingredients are used. There’s even mashed potatoes and gravy to top it all off! The Market Bar is known by locals for its great grub, loud atmosphere and wine. The bustling bar & restaurant serves up Mediterranean tapas, a perfect spot for friends after a long day’s shopping. It’s also an ideal first stop for a night out.
Powerscourt Centre – 10.30am-6pm daily
59 South William Street, Dublin 2
Powerscourt Shopping Centre is famous for its boutiques and Irish designs, from the many jewellery stores and antique treasures, to the bridal wear and the cupcakes. Covet, Dawn Fitzgerald, The Loft Market and Knightsbridge Boutique are only a couple of the stops every fashionista must check out, as well as Gollum’s Precious & C.M. Weldon and Mellow & Pzazz for all your pampering needs. Head to the Pygmalion Bar for evening drinks or to The Pepper Pot for a delicious slice of cake and a good cuppa.
Size? – 10am-7pm daily
26 Wicklow Street, Dublin
Known for their exclusive selection of cool footwear, size? is a great spot to pick out a new pair of kicks that very few others will have. They stock more colourful footwear than most, as well as an extensive list of brands from classic Adidas & Nike to New Balance, Armor Lux, Supra and Farah Vintage.
Benefit Boutique – 9am-7pm daily
17 South William Street, Dublin 2
You all know Benefit Cosmetics and it’s just a wondrous miracle that they’ve opened up their first stand-alone boutique in the heart of Dublin, for all us Irish Benebabes. In store they sell their make up line, as well as offer beauty treatments, hair salon wash & blow dries, tanning and waxing treatments for both women and men. Pop in for the ultimate pampering treat!
Cocoa Atelier – 10.30am-6pm Tuesday to Saturday
30 Drury Street, Dublin 2
Cocoa Atelier offers delicious handmade chocolates and macaroons as well as spreads & pastes, coated nuts, truffles and candied fruits. A decadent treat for any lady & gent; perfect to nibble with a cuppa on after your Dublin City shopping spree.
Nirina Plunkett, Dublin Fashion Blogger
http://killer-fashion.tk
