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

Irish music starts the evening right. The Belvedere Irish Night pairs a traditional show with a three-course dinner, giving you an easy way to enjoy Irish song, dance, and a bit of good-natured audience participation without arranging separate plans. I especially like the professional dancers and musicians, many of whom have performed with major Irish dance productions, and the chance to step onstage and learn a few moves. The main drawback is the schedule: dinner comes first, and the show does not begin until 8 p.m., so the meal can feel long if you mainly came for the dancing.

I also like the family-friendly atmosphere. Children can take part, the hosts encourage singing and clapping, and the setting gives each table a clear view of the raised stage. Still, you should keep your expectations in check about the food. Many people find it tasty and well chosen, but a few have found the meal and service uneven, and drinks, including tea and coffee, cost extra.

What makes this Dublin Irish night worth considering

• The show begins after dinner: Doors open at 6:30 p.m., dinner service starts at 6:45, and the performance runs from 8 to 9:45 p.m.
• The cast has serious credentials: Performers have appeared nationally and internationally in Riverdance, Feet of Flames, and Lord of the Dance.
• You can join the action: Audience members are invited to sing, clap, interact with the hosts, and learn a simple Irish dance onstage.
• Every table faces the stage: The raised platform is set up so you do not need to fight for a good view.
• Adults and children receive different menus: Adult tickets include three courses, while children receive two courses.
• The price includes dinner and entertainment: At $56.84 per person, the value depends on how much you want the convenience of a combined meal and show.

Arriving at the Belvedere Hotel in Dublin

The Belvedere Hotel is on Great Denmark Street in Dublin 1, at D01 W1C0. You arrange your own way there. No pickup or drop-off service is provided, and the hotel has no parking facilities on the premises, so driving is not the easy option.

The advertised arrival time is 6:30 p.m., although the formal dinner start is listed as 6:45 p.m. I would aim to arrive close to 6:30. That gives you time to find the hotel, check in for the event, and settle before plates begin arriving.

The venue is described as the intimate Belvedere Bar, and the stage arrangement does create a close connection between the performers and the audience. One important qualification: the room may feel more like a banquet hall than a tiny pub, especially before the entertainment begins. If you want a quiet, candlelit traditional music session, this is not quite that. It is a planned dinner show with a lively group atmosphere.

The advertised maximum is 10 travelers, although the room itself can accommodate a larger event feel. In practical terms, that number may refer to the booking group rather than the entire audience. Your table should still have a good view of the stage.

A three-course Irish dinner before the music

Dinner is the first substantial part of the evening. Adult admission includes three courses, while children receive two courses. The menu offers a choice of home-cooked Irish dishes, and the available selections are generally considered broad enough to suit different tastes.

The food is one of the more mixed parts of the experience. Many people find it tasty, filling, and a good introduction to local dishes. The chicken main course receives particular praise, and several diners appreciate having choices rather than being handed one fixed plate. If you have just spent the afternoon walking around Dublin or visiting the Guinness Storehouse, arriving hungry is sensible. One family found the portions so generous that a teenager struggled to finish after a full day out.

At the same time, I would not book this as a destination dinner on food alone. Some diners have described the meal as poor, with slow or disorganized service. One complaint involved needing to wait for an extra bread roll. That kind of uneven service can matter because the meal takes up the first part of a three-hour experience.

The dinner timing is deliberate. Staff aim to clear the meal before the dancers begin so servers are not moving around the room during the performance. That makes sense from a viewing point of view, but it also means you do not get dinner and dancing at the same time. If you expected a supper club with music running throughout the meal, adjust your expectations.

Drinks are not included. You can buy beverages during the evening, but tea and coffee also cost extra. One diner reported paying 6.50 for a bottle of water, so I would check the drinks menu before ordering and keep a little room in your budget for add-ons.

Jim Murrihy’s Irish music and dance production

The show was created and choreographed by Jim Murrihy, director of Damhsa, and uses an original score. Its format moves through several sides of Irish performance, from older-style solo dancing to the familiar jigs and reels associated with modern Irish dance.

The cast’s professional background is a real strength. Performers have worked in productions such as Riverdance, Feet of Flames, and Lord of the Dance. That does not mean you are watching one of those full-scale stage productions, complete with elaborate scenery and a large orchestra. It does mean the dancers bring sharp technique, speed, and polish to a smaller hotel venue.

The musicians and singers are just as important. The evening combines instrumental Irish music, singing, and dance rather than treating the dancers as a stand-alone act. The best moments come when the rhythms build and the dancers’ footwork becomes almost percussive. The audience is encouraged to clap along, and the hosts keep the tone light rather than formal.

The show is not a long theatrical story with characters and a plot. It is a lively presentation of Irish music and dance, designed to entertain a mixed audience. You will see several dance sets, hear traditional tunes and songs, and get explanations and interaction along the way.

Some of the introductory material may use video clips about Irish step dance before the live performance gets fully underway. If you are mainly interested in live music, this opening portion can feel like a slow start. Once the dancers and band take over, the pace improves.

Audience participation without pressure

The interactive element is one of the reasons this works well for families and small groups. You may be invited to sing, clap, answer questions, or join a simple dance lesson. Volunteers can be brought onto the stage to learn a few Irish dance steps.

You do not need dance experience. The point is the fun of trying, not delivering a polished Riverdance audition. A six-year-old was delighted to get onstage and learn a dance, while adults can join in with equal permission to be slightly ridiculous. That is often the moment children remember most.

If you prefer to watch quietly, you can do that too. Audience participation is encouraged, not presented as a test. The hosts use humor to keep the mood relaxed, and the band and dancers interact directly with the room.

The interaction also helps bridge language gaps. The performance relies heavily on rhythm, movement, smiles, and simple instructions, so you do not need perfect English to follow the evening. The music and dance carry much of the experience.

How the three-hour schedule feels

The complete event lasts about three hours, but the rhythm is split into two distinct parts:

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

That schedule is the single most important practical detail. You are not watching dancers while eating dinner. You eat first, then the live entertainment begins after the dining service is finished.

For some people, this organization is a benefit. You can focus on your meal without missing the stage, and there is less staff movement once the performance starts. For others, the first 75 minutes feel too long, especially if dinner service moves slowly or you arrive tired after a full day in Dublin.

The performance itself can feel short to anyone expecting a full evening concert. Several people have enjoyed the music and dance but wished the show contained more sets. The overall event still reaches the advertised finish time, but not all of those hours are live performance.

I would book this with a relaxed evening in mind. Do not schedule a second major activity for later, and do not assume you can arrive at 8 p.m. just for the show. The dinner is part of the experience, and the ticket requires you to attend the full arrangement.

What the $56.84 price includes

At $56.84 per person, the ticket bundles a three-course adult dinner with live music, singing, and Irish dancing. That is a reasonable price if you want an organized evening and value the convenience of having dinner and entertainment in one place.

The value is strongest for families and first-time Dublin visitors. You do not have to compare restaurant menus, find a separate music venue, or work out how to get between the two. You pay one admission price and spend the evening at the Belvedere Hotel.

The value is weaker if your priority is gourmet food or a long concert. Drinks are extra, and the meal quality and service can vary. Someone who would rather choose a favorite Dublin restaurant and then attend a traditional session may prefer to spend the money separately.

I see this as a solid cultural introduction rather than a luxury night out. You are paying for the full package: a seated meal, an accessible performance, professional dancers, and the chance to participate. The entertainment is the main reason to book it. Think of the dinner as a useful part of the evening, not the star attraction.

The experience receives a 4.6 rating from 1,171 reviews, with 91 percent recommending it. Those figures point to a strong overall record, while the recurring food and timing complaints tell you exactly where expectations need adjusting.

Who will enjoy this Irish night most

I would recommend the Belvedere Irish Night to:

• Families with children who enjoy music and hands-on activities
• First-time visitors who want a simple introduction to Irish dance
• Small groups looking for a planned evening in Dublin
• People who enjoy audience participation and a friendly host
• Anyone who wants professional dancing without attending a large theater production
• Diners who are happy with a traditional, fixed-event meal rather than a special restaurant experience

You may want to skip it if you dislike being encouraged to participate, need a quiet meal, or want a show that runs throughout dinner. It may also disappoint you if a high-end meal is central to your evening.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The venue is near public transportation, but exact transport arrangements are your responsibility.

Smart tips for planning your evening

Arrive at 6:30 p.m., not at the 8 p.m. show time. You need to allow for dinner, and the entertainment is not designed as a drop-in performance.

Eat lightly earlier in the day, or plan to arrive hungry. The adult meal is three courses, and portions may be more generous than you expect after a day of sightseeing.

Budget for drinks. Admission does not include beverages, tea, or coffee. If you are watching costs, the ticket price is not the entire amount you may spend inside.

Keep your schedule open until about 9:45 p.m. The event is listed as approximately three hours, and leaving early means missing part of the performance.

Bring a willing volunteer. If someone in your group enjoys being the center of attention, the onstage dance lesson can become the evening’s funniest memory. If nobody volunteers, you can still enjoy the show from your table.

The booking includes a mobile ticket, and confirmation arrives when you book. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. Within 24 hours, changes and refunds are not accepted. The event can also be canceled if minimum attendance is not reached or if poor weather affects operations, in which case you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Belvedere Irish Night?

Book it if you want an easy, upbeat evening that combines Irish food with polished dancing and live music. The professional cast, clear sightlines, friendly hosts, and onstage participation make it especially good for families and first-time visitors.

Go in knowing that the dinner comes before the show, drinks cost extra, and food service is not perfectly consistent. If you want the strongest possible meal or a longer music program, spend your evening at a restaurant and music venue of your choosing. If you want a straightforward taste of Irish song and dance with no complicated planning, the Belvedere offers good value at $56.84.

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 from 6:30 p.m., and the stated arrival time is 6:30 p.m. Dinner service begins at 6:45 p.m.

When does the Irish show begin?

The live show begins at 8 p.m. and finishes by 9:45 p.m.

How long does the complete experience last?

The dinner and show take approximately three hours.

Is dinner included in the ticket?

Yes. Adult tickets include a three-course dinner. Children’s tickets include a two-course dinner.

Are drinks included?

No. Beverages, tea, and coffee are not included, but drinks are available to purchase during the event.

Is transportation provided?

No. You must arrange your own transportation. No pickup, drop-off, or public transportation service is included.

Can children attend?

Yes. The experience is suitable for families, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded.