Here's our wishlist for what could (and should) bring Dublin to life in 2025.
Obviously we love Dublin just the way it is. There are a number of loyal followers. Museums, walks, parks, theatres, pints and toasties, traditional music sessions, cobbled streets, Poolbeg Towers, a sprawling coastline and the eternal charm of its Georgian doors. But clearly, there is always room for improvement and Dublin is ready to improve.
10. 24 hour transportation
There's no mood killer than missing the last Luas or being driven crazy by the last 145. But what if Dublin kept pace with the 21st century and had 24-hour transportation? Imagine getting off the DART at 4 a.m. after a night of bad decisions (and great memories), or taking a midnight bus home without having to fight for a taxi. The upcoming BusConnects upgrade could make this possible, with more 24-hour buses hitting the road early this year.
It would be great if this was extended to other public transport systems. Dublin in 2025 would be an expert at European city level if only it could bring transport together.
Dublin's food scene is on the rise despite the cost of living and is trying its best to bring it down. But imagine if we had our very own permanent indoor food market. We're talking a Borough Market-style temple of flavor: artisan breads, rich local cheeses, hot bowls of ramen, and tacos that pop. A lively meeting place where chefs, foodies and just plain hungry people come together over plates of incredibly good food. A place that could nurture emerging talent and provide a little hangout for all of our favorite food trucks. Rain, shine or sideways sleet, this market would be the beating heart of the city.
We have so many unused spaces that could fill this gap, and people have been trying to get them going in one way or another for years. We hope we can finally see it in 2025.
08. Make the Liffey a destination
For too long the River Liffey has been something Dubliners mocked and crossed, but not celebrated. What if we used our river the way other European cities use theirs? As if it were an advantage and not a hindrance. Flood it with riverside bars and cafes where you can sip a cocktail as the sun sets over Ha'penny Bridge. Floating stages with live music. Weekend markets stretch along the quays. And yes, even river cruises where you can eat and drink with unbeatable views.
Cities like Paris and Vienna have turned their rivers into cultural hotspots – why not Dublin in 2025? With a little investment, the Liffey could go from being the butt of all stinking jokes to being a center of attraction; Sure, why not spend Apple's 13 billion on it?
07. Dance floors are making a comeback
Dublin's nightlife has been feeling… subdued lately. Sure, we love old men's bars, but where are the sweaty, bass-heavy dance floors? Nothing seems to have filled the void at the Andrews Lane Theater/Hanger. There are super cool underground raves that you have to sign up for and you don't know where you'll end up. But these are tied to the question “How do I get home?” and can be a little exclusive. Wouldn't it be great to see Dublin City get another RíRá or The Globe, a Tripod 2.0 or a Craw Daddy 2025?
The city needs a real comeback for clubs and dedicated spaces where music takes center stage. Let's dance in a way that will make us cringe in the morning. Give people with rhythm space to show off. Give us dark rooms, strobe lights, and a great sound system. Dublin, we know you can do it.
06. Dumpling food tours
You might think this is a niche wildcard. Or is it just a personal preference? Maybe you're right, but I really think that if there was a dumpling food crawl in Dublin, everyone and their nanny would be out there giving it a bloody try. Dublin's dumpling scene is low-key but clamoring for its moment in the spotlight. Think Chinese jiaozi, Korean mandu, the momos from Monty's of Katmandu, and every fusion in between.
Local legends like Big Fan are already awesome, but we're dreaming even bigger: real, ticketed guided tours that discover hidden places paired with stories of how multicultural influences have led to traveling the world in Dumplings between the Canals .
05. Green roofs
Imagine Dublin's rooftops covered in lush greenery. If you've ever been to Paris, you know what I mean. The city is closely connected to nature. France has literally set a goal of covering 100 hectares of roofs and walls with greenery by the end of 2025, combining biodiversity with urban life. Imagine if Dublin had done something similar. A Dublin where rooftop ecosystems cool the city, filter the air and create habitats for birds and pollinators.
Think of community gardens above the streets, wildflowers swaying on the roof of your local cafe, or even rooftop walking paths that double as green oases (okay, that's a long shot, but dream big, right). ). These elevated natural areas would make Dublin magnetic. Our Fair City could set a new standard for combining sustainability and urban architecture, creating something that is endlessly marketable from a tourism perspective and could help us achieve our climate goals. There's really no reason not to do this in Dublin in 2025.
04. Solar panels on apartment buildings as standard.
Dublin has one of the “dirtiest” electricity networks in Europe. We run on fossil fuels from trash, and while we've made progress with windmills and solar panels in new construction, apartment complexes seem to be lagging behind. What if Dublin just got its act together and created incentives like this for these big, forgotten buildings? Imagine what they could add to the grid. Homes, businesses and public buildings could generate so much clean energy, reducing carbon footprints and reducing bills at the same time.
It's the kind of move that just makes sense, even if the initial costs would be high. The benefits are so profound in the long run that I find it hard to believe it isn't already required by law.
03. Street food sellers until late at night
Here's the dream: Stumbling out of a gig at midnight and finding the streets full of food trucks serving everything from crispy Korean chicken to vegan burgers so good you forget they're vegan. Dublin has the talent – its chefs are already killing it – but we need to put it on wheels and make it shine after dark. Late night street food is a staple in NYC, and if dance floors are making a comeback, there could be a comeback here too.
A few taco trucks on Camden Street or Bahn mi on Capel Street from midnight could change the energy of the city and create mini pop-up festivals if one could remember the DiFontaines dance parties of yore.
02. Late night cafes
Dublin deserves an after-work hangout with matcha. Not everyone is looking for pints and drinks until 3am. Some of us are just looking for a place to drink caffeine and be creative late into the night. But right now there is literally no place for it. Accents have a special place in the hearts of Millennials who remember what they gave us. If we could see a return to that now, alcohol consumption would be declining; It would be a great addition to the city.
We want more dimly lit coffee shops with warm atmospheres, steaming flat whites and plenty of space for creatives to hatch their next big idea. Artists, writers and overthinkers need this. Dublin deserves an after-work hangout with matcha.
01. Car-free zones
Let's give the streets back to the people. Dublin's streets could be places where people really live live. Imagine parts of the city center being transformed into car-free zones, where cyclists glide along dedicated lanes, outdoor markets spill onto the streets, and pedestrians can move freely without dodging traffic. It works on Capel Street. Imagine if it was all the docks?
Think of the energy of Grafton Street, but everywhere: vibrant neighborhoods where cafes and pop-up art exhibitions spill out onto wide, tree-lined streets. With fewer cars clogging the streets, we would experience cleaner air, quieter streets, and a sense of community built into the fabric of the city.
Cities like Copenhagen, Oslo and Barcelona have already shown how reclaiming streets can change the way people interact with their surroundings. In Dublin, pedestrian zones could lead to a slower, more human pace of life. It's about setting the tone for a more sustainable, connected and downright pleasant Dublin in 2025.
Let's make it happen.