The George, Dublin
Encyclopedia
The George is a pub and nightclub on South Great George's Street in the city centre of Dublin, Ireland
. Opened in 1985—eight years before homosexuality was legalised in Ireland—it is one of the nation's oldest gay
bars
and clubs
. It is regarded as one of the best known gay bars in the city. South Great George's Street is a popular location for gay men in Dublin.
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. This somewhat reduced the club's 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 run 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 queen
s—Shirley Temple Bar
, Panti
, Veda Beaux Reves
In June 2008, a hoax caller set off a bomb alert during Gay Pride celebrations at the venue. The perpetrator was later accused of being "being vindictive against gay people".
The annual Alternative Miss Ireland
is held there.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. Opened in 1985—eight years before homosexuality was legalised in Ireland—it is one of the nation's oldest gay
Gay community
The gay community, or LGBT community, is a loosely defined grouping of LGBT and LGBT-supportive people, organizations and subcultures, united by a common culture and civil rights movements. These communities generally celebrate pride, diversity, individuality, and sexuality...
bars
Bar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
and clubs
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
. It is regarded as one of the best known gay bars in the city. South Great George's Street is a popular location for gay men in Dublin.
For many years it was the only large gay venue in the city, however the improved economy
Celtic Tiger
Celtic Tiger is a term used to describe the economy of Ireland during a period of rapid economic growth between 1995 and 2007. The expansion underwent a dramatic reversal from 2008, with GDP contracting by 14% and unemployment levels rising to 14% by 2010...
and liberalisation of Irish attitudes to homosexuality in the 1990s resulted in a diversification of the Dublin gay scene. This somewhat reduced the club's 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 run by the same owners. The oldest and smallest part, referred to as 'Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park (franchise)
The Jurassic Park franchise is a series of books, films, comics, and videos centering on a disastrous attempt to create a theme park of cloned dinosaurs...
' 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
Drag (clothing)
Drag is used for any clothing carrying symbolic significance but usually referring to the clothing associated with one gender role when worn by a person of another gender. The origin of the term "drag" is unknown, but it may have originated in Polari, a gay street argot in England in the early...
shows as well as personal appearances by Irish and international acts. It's also home to arguably Ireland's best-known drag queen
Drag queen
A drag queen is a man who dresses, and usually acts, like a caricature woman often for the purpose of entertaining. There are many kinds of drag artists and they vary greatly, from professionals who have starred in films to people who just try it once. Drag queens also vary by class and culture and...
s—Shirley Temple Bar
Shirley Temple Bar
Shirley Temple Bar is a drag queen from Dublin, Ireland, whose name is a play on both Shirley Temple and a cultural area of Dublin city called Temple Bar. A 1997 winner of the Alternative Miss Ireland competition, Shirley hosts a weekly bingo and drag show in Dublin's largest gay bar, The George...
, Panti
Panti
Panti is a drag queen character performed by Rory O'Neill , originally from Ballinrobe, County Mayo, Ireland.- Biography :Since 1996 Panti has been the hostess of the annual Alternative Miss Ireland pageant. Panti spent several years in Tokyo, , she returned to Ireland in 1995...
, Veda Beaux Reves
Veda Beaux Reves
Veda Beaux Reves, also known as Enda McGrattan, but better known simply as Veda, is a drag queen and singer from Dublin, Ireland.Winner of the 1999 Alternative Miss Ireland competition, In 2002 she formed indie rock group Daddy's Little Princess who later went on to support Scissor Sisters on tour...
In June 2008, a hoax caller set off a bomb alert during Gay Pride celebrations at the venue. The perpetrator was later accused of being "being vindictive against gay people".
The annual Alternative Miss Ireland
Alternative Miss Ireland
The Alternative Miss Ireland is an annual event which takes place in Dublin, Ireland on the Sunday closest to St. Patrick's Day, 17 March. It occurs over about 3 and a half hours and features a pastiche of the beauty pageant rounds inspired by Andrew Logan's Alternative Miss World, with...
is held there.
Notable personalities
The George attracts visitors, both gay and straight.- Derek MooneyDerek MooneyDerek James Mooney is an Irish radio and television presenter, as well as a radio producer. He currently presents a weekday afternoon programme called Mooney on RTÉ Radio 1....
- sometimes attends bingo