The George, Dublin

The George is a pub and nightclub on South Great George's Street in the city centre of Dublin. It is one of Ireland's oldest gay bars and club. It opened in 1985. The George has operated since then as a gay venue in Ireland, where homosexuality was legalised in 1993.

For many years it was the only large gay venue in the city, however the improved economy and liberalisation of Irish attitudes to homosexuality in the 1990s resulted in a diversification of the Dublin gay scene has somewhat reduced its pre-eminence, though it is still a central fixture of gay nightlife in the city. The George began as a gay-owned venture but is now one of a group of bars and clubs owned by the Capital Bars Group. It retains an iconic status but has recently seen competition from newer gay venues, such as the Front Lounge on Parliament Street, PantiBar on Capel Street, or the Dragon, also on South Great Georges Street and owned by the same owners. The oldest and smallest part, referred to as 'Jurassic Park' by gay Dubliners, is a quiet bar frequented by an older crowd, while next door, the newer venue extends over two floors and regularly stages popular drag shows as well as personal appearances by Irish and international acts. It's also home to arguably Ireland's best-known drag queens — Shirley Temple Bar, Panti, Veda Beaux Reves

External links

* [http://www.capitalbars.com Capital Bars]
* [http://www.gcn.ie GCN online]