While a bustling shopping hub, Dundrum Town Centre isn’t renowned for its vibrant bar scene, with most visitors making a quick exit after they’ve exhausted their budgets in the Gallery. For those in search of drink options beyond the standard offerings of Dundrum’s multiple restaurants, the Candlelight Bar offers a wide range of cocktails, wines and beers to meet the need of thirsty shoppers and those beginning their evening’s festivities alike.
Located above the ever popular Siam Thai, the Candlelight Bar’s dimly lit interior seems to lend itself to close knit conversations. The sounds and scents of the downstairs restaurant drift up to the bar, enhancing the atmosphere at quieter periods. For balmier evenings, the balcony provides a comfortable setting, although there are undoubtedly more scenic Dublin landscapes to soak in while imbibing cocktails.
We arrived at half six on a Wednesday evening, perhaps not the optimum time to appreciate the full experience of the Candlelight Bar, although the lull in patrons meant we had the full attention of the knowledgeable and attentive waitstaff. The bar didn’t fill up as we lingered over our drinks, providing a quiet and relaxing environment to have an unhurried catch-up.
The content of the cocktail menu bears an Eastern influence, which prioritises style over being easily navigable for the discerning customer. Nevertheless, the 27 choices served up a multitude of tempting offers. We sampled both a gin cocktail with grapefruit juice and rose syrup, and a spicy and sweet vodka based concoction with gingerbread syrup and chilli bitters. The variety of non-alcoholic choices was a welcome surprise for our resident non-drinker with a refreshing selection of citrus based drinks. All three drinks were impressively presented, and left us eager to explore other options.
Food comes courtesy of Siam Thai, with the starter choices delivered as finger food ideal for sharing. With prices averaging at around €8 for a plate, and not entirely generous serving sizes, the Candlelight Bar isn’t best suited to the hungry patron. The bill came to just over €40 for two cocktails, one virgin lemonade and two starter dishes. Ultimately, it’s the cocktails that are the stand-out feature of the bar, making it a welcome presence in Dundrum’s bar and restaurant scene.
Words: Tess Brady
Photos: Killian Broderick
