Belvedere Irish Night Show, Dance and Traditional 3-Course Dinner

The best part of the Belvedere Irish Night is the close-up mix of music, singing, and fast-footed dancing. Jim Murrihy, director of Damhsa, created and choreographed the show, and the cast includes performers who have toured with Riverdance, Feet of Flames, and Lord of the Dance. I like the friendly audience participation, and I like that the dinner gives you a full Irish evening under one roof.

The two things I like most are the chance to learn a few dance steps on stage and the clear view from the raised stage at every table. The main point to consider is the schedule: dinner comes first, from about 6:45 to 8:00, and the main dance show follows. If you expect music during the meal, the long dinner service may test your patience.

Key points before you book

• Jim Murrihy’s original production: The show was created and choreographed by Jim Murrihy, director of Damhsa, with its own musical score.
• Professional cast: Dancers and musicians have performed nationally and internationally in major Irish dance productions.
• Dinner before the dancing: Doors open at 6:30 p.m., dinner begins at 6:45 p.m., and the main show runs from 8:00 to 9:45 p.m.
• Audience participation: You may be invited to sing, clap, join in, or learn simple Irish dance steps on stage.
• Family-friendly format: Adults receive three courses, while children receive two courses. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Good location, no pickup: The Belvedere Hotel is on Great Denmark Street in Dublin 1, near public transportation, but you arrange your own way there.

What the Belvedere Irish Night actually feels like

This is a dinner show rather than a pub session that happens to include food. That distinction matters. You enter the Belvedere Hotel, settle at a table, and begin with a meal. The entertainment builds later, once dinner service is finished and the room is ready for the stage performance.

The show takes place in the Belvedere Bar, with a raised stage arranged so that tables have a view. The setting is intended to feel close and social, though the room can feel more like a banquet space than a tiny Irish pub. Before the performance, the dining area may also be loud, especially when the room is full.

Once the musicians and dancers begin, the mood changes. The program moves from older solo Irish dance styles to the familiar jigs and reels associated with modern Irish dance. The appeal is not only technical speed. You also get live singing, music, humor, clapping, and direct interaction between the performers and the audience.

I would describe this as a polished cultural introduction, not a quiet lesson in traditional music. The cast performs with stage experience and professional precision, but the hosts keep the tone relaxed enough for families and first-time visitors.

Dinner starts at 6:45 p.m., not during the show

The evening has a fixed rhythm:

• Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
• Dinner service starts at 6:45 p.m.
• The main show begins at 8:00 p.m.
• The performance finishes by 9:45 p.m.

Arrive close to 6:30 p.m. so you can find the hotel, check in, and get settled without rushing. The stated meeting time is 6:45 p.m., but the arrival guidance asks you to be there by 6:30 p.m.

The adult ticket includes a three-course dinner, with a choice of home-cooked Irish dishes. Children receive a two-course meal. The menu has several choices, which helps if you are eating with a family or a group with different tastes. Specific menu items can change, but chicken has been singled out as a particularly good choice by one diner, and the overall food quality appears uneven from table to table.

Here is the key practical point: dinner service is meant to be complete before the dance show starts. That avoids servers walking around during the performance, but it also means the meal can feel long. Some people may prefer this orderly setup. Others will wish the music began while dessert or coffee was being served.

Drinks, tea, and coffee are not included. You can purchase drinks during the evening, and bottled water is also charged separately. If you are trying to keep the cost down, check the drinks menu before ordering and remember that the advertised price covers the meal and show, not beverages.

From solo steps to fast jigs and reels

The artistic heart of the night is the dancing. Irish dance can look deceptively simple at first: upright posture, quick footwork, and little movement in the upper body. Then the speed increases, the rhythm tightens, and the precision becomes the whole point.

The program includes old-style solo dancing as well as synchronized group numbers. The contrast helps you see how Irish dance has changed from more traditional forms into the large-scale stage style associated with international productions.

The cast’s background is a major reason to choose this experience. The performers have appeared in or toured with productions such as Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, and Feet of Flames. That does not make this a full-length Riverdance performance, and you should not expect the scale of a theater spectacular. You do get experienced dancers working at close range, where the sound of the feet and the pace of the steps are easier to appreciate.

The original score, created for the show, gives the performance its own shape. Live musicians provide the drive, while singing adds the familiar emotional pull of Irish music. The musical side is important here. Several highly positive accounts focus as much on the band as on the dancers.

Audience participation keeps the room lively

You are not expected to sit silently through the entire program. The hosts encourage singing and clapping, and the musicians interact with people at the tables. At one point, volunteers may be invited onto the stage to learn a simple dance.

That invitation is a highlight for children. A six-year-old can enjoy the evening because the stage activity is playful rather than demanding. Adults who would rather stay seated can still take part by clapping or singing along.

The interactive style also makes the show accessible if English is not your first language. Music, rhythm, visual movement, and humor carry much of the evening. You do not need detailed knowledge of Irish dance to follow what is happening.

Still, participation is part of the bargain. If you want a formal concert with no attention directed toward the audience, this may not be your ideal night out. If you enjoy a host who encourages the room to join in, the format works well.

How the food affects the value

At $56.84 per person, the experience is priced as a combined dinner and entertainment package. In Dublin, that can be reasonable if you want both parts and would otherwise pay separately for a meal and a cultural show.

The value depends on what you want from the dinner. If you see the meal as a convenient way to begin the evening, the package makes sense. You get three courses as an adult, a choice of dishes, and live entertainment afterward. Several people praise the food as tasty, well presented, or a good example of local cooking.

I would not book this expecting an upscale dinner. The menu is described as home-cooked Irish food, and some accounts find the selection limited. A few diners report disappointing food or slow service, while others describe the meal as excellent. That gap is worth noting. The dance and music receive more consistent praise than the dining operation.

The meal is also substantial. If you are visiting a major Dublin attraction before arriving, you may not be very hungry by 6:45 p.m. One useful tip is to come ready for a full dinner rather than treating this as a small pre-show snack.

Seating, atmosphere, and sight lines

The stage is raised, and the room is arranged so that all tables are intended to have a view. That is a real advantage. You do not have to pay for a particular theater section or worry as much about being behind a pillar or at the back of the room.

The setting is described as intimate, but expectations should stay realistic. One account characterizes it as a large banquet hall and loud before the entertainment begins. I would think of it as a compact hotel event space with a social dinner layout, not a small candlelit pub.

The atmosphere becomes more enjoyable once the show starts. The performers move the energy toward the audience, and the room’s size allows group numbers without making the dancers seem distant. You can also see the musicians and hosts working with the crowd rather than watching everything from far away.

For a family or small group, this arrangement is practical. You can share a table, eat together, and watch a show that does not require children to sit through a long speech or a serious concert. The evening is structured, but it is not stiff.

Getting to the Belvedere Hotel

The venue is the Belvedere Hotel Dublin at Great Denmark Street, Dublin 1, D01 W1C0. It is near public transportation, but there is no pickup service and no included transport from hotels, airports, or other attractions.

Plan your own route and allow time to arrive by 6:30 p.m. The event starts early enough that a rushed crossing of the city could spoil the first course. If you are already staying in central Dublin, walking or public transportation may be convenient, depending on your hotel.

Do not count on parking at the property. The premises have no parking facilities, and any parking fee would be your responsibility. A taxi or public transportation is likely the simpler choice if you are not staying nearby.

The booking provides a mobile ticket, and confirmation is received at the time of booking. Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The minimum drinking age is 18, although children are welcome with an adult.

Who will enjoy this Dublin dinner show

I would recommend the Belvedere Irish Night to you if you want an easy introduction to Irish music and dance without arranging several separate stops. It suits families especially well because children can take part on stage, the meal has choices, and the performance uses plenty of visual action.

It also works for first-time visitors who want a classic Irish evening. You will hear live music, see recognizable jigs and reels, and get a chance to join in rather than simply watch from a distance.

Music lovers should focus on the quality of the live band and the cast’s professional background. The show is not only a tourist photo opportunity. The dancers perform demanding steps, and the musicians drive the program with real energy.

I would hesitate if your main goal is a long concert or a fine dining experience. The dance portion begins at 8:00 p.m., after dinner, and some people find the meal service too slow or the dance program shorter than expected. If you would rather choose your own restaurant and spend the evening at a longer music performance, buying dinner and entertainment separately may suit you better.

The stated maximum is 10 people, which suggests a small booking size, though the venue itself can still feel like a larger group dining room. Confirm the current arrangement if seating size matters to you.

Booking timing and cancellation

This experience is booked an average of 34 days ahead, so it is sensible to reserve early if your Dublin dates are fixed. The 91 percent recommendation rate and 4.6 rating from 1,171 ratings also suggest strong demand, particularly for popular travel periods.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The event also requires suitable weather and a minimum number of people. If the provider cancels for either reason, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Belvedere Irish Night?

Book it if you want a cheerful, all-in-one Dublin evening with professional Irish dance, live music, and audience participation. It is particularly good for families, first visits to Ireland, and anyone who likes a show that invites you to clap, sing, or step onto the stage.

Go in with the right expectations. Dinner is served first, drinks cost extra, and the meal may not be the strongest part of the night. The main value is the lively performance and the chance to experience Irish dance at close range. If you arrive early, eat with patience, and treat the dinner as part of the package rather than a gourmet event, the Belvedere offers a fair and enjoyable night out for the price.

FAQ

Where does the Belvedere Irish Night take place?

It takes place at the Belvedere Hotel Dublin, Great Denmark Street, Dublin 1, D01 W1C0.

What time should I arrive?

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and arrival by 6:30 p.m. is advised. Dinner service begins at 6:45 p.m.

When does the Irish dance show begin?

The main show starts at 8:00 p.m. and finishes by about 9:45 p.m.

Is dinner included?

Yes. Adult tickets include a three-course dinner, while children’s tickets include a two-course dinner. Drinks, tea, and coffee are not included.

Is the experience suitable for children?

Yes. Children can attend when accompanied by an adult, and audience members may be invited on stage to learn simple Irish dance steps.

Is transportation or parking included?

No. You arrange your own transportation, and there is no pickup service. The hotel has no parking facilities, but it is near public transportation.