Maryrose Lyons blogging since 2003...

Free Wifi in Dublin City Centre

February 4, 2008 at 10:18 am

Last week I found myself having meetings around Dublin City Centre and in need of wifi. I hate paying for things when I can have them for free; I’m sure you do too. So here’s a list of free wifi spots around Dublin City Centre that you can use. I’ll keep this post updated, and if you know of spots that aren’t included, please add them as comments below:

• The Morrison Hotel – otherwise known as The Brightspark Meeting Rooms. I’ve been sipping coffee and working here since I set up the business back in 2003. I love the buzz here and they do the best Mocha’s in town. But lately I’m noticing hen parties on Thursdays and Fridays. And most importantly, the wifi connection is slow and erratic. Wifi ranking: 3/10
• The Market Bar – what better way to catch up on your RSS than in this spacious bar off George’s Street with some tasty tapas on its way? Bar staff can be a bit haughty but floor staff are of the smiling variety. Wifi used to accessed through free 20 minute cards and you could get an unlimited number, but lately they’ve moved to free access without cards. That’s good but on Friday it wasn’t working. Wifi ranking: 5/10 historically
• Brookes Hotel - a new discovery for me on Friday due to the lack of access at The Market Bar. Excellent 4 star hotel service, but not pushy. You could easily sit here for hours online with just the one glass of mineral water. Not once did I feel pressurised to buy more or move – and I was using up an entire couch area for 6 people. Connection speed was good, although it did drop out a couple of times. Wifi ranking: 6/10
• Ron Blacks – my favourite south of the river spot probably because I get in a weekend mood as soon as I enter! Wifi is fast, always working whenever I’ve been, and operates through 20 minute cards. They do a lovely chowder too! Wifi ranking: 9/10 – only giving it 9 because it’s surpassed by….
• The Dylan Hotel - stylishly modern hotel just off Baggot Street. Extremely fast internet connection, never any problems with it. 5 star staff, delicious cappachinos in elegant cups. I don’t mind paying €4.50 for them – compared to the syrupy liquid they serve in the Westbury Hotel – it’s worth it. Interesting neighbours doing all sorts of deals, rather like The Morrison in its hey day. Wifi ranking: was going to be 10/10, but I’m deducting 3 points because of the awful music on their site: 7/10
• KC Peaches - love their food, all of it, from the healthy salads to the home-cade cakes! Coffee is OK, connection reliable. Wifi ranking: 8/10
• McSorleys Ranelagh – I know this isn’t city centre, but I want to include it because it’s a fast hassle-free connection. Friendly service, again not pushing to buy more drinks. Sadly for publicans, no-one really goes to them in the day time anymore, so it was a pleasant place to spend an afternoon. I rank it higher than its neighbour Kielys in Donnybrook which charges for internet connection and employs staff who check up on your liquid levels every 10 minutes. Wifi ranking: 8/10

Places that don’t do Wifi and should:

• Hogans – I’m more of a Hogans girl than The Market Bar and I’d much prefer to watch people passing by on George’s Street.
• Little Italy – somewhere there should do it. I like to eat there, but I won’t do business lunches/meetings because of the lack of access
• The Westin – a nice mid point hotel between current wifi spots. I love the home-made shortbread biscuits they give you when you order a coffee! On second thoughts, maybe it’s a good thing.

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