Pre-Theatre Menus in Dublin
Dinner sorted before curtain-up, at steakhouses near the Gaiety, Olympia, Smock Alley and Bord Gáis Energy theatres.
Yes, several of Dublin’s steakhouses run dedicated pre-theatre or early-evening set menus, built to get you fed and out the door in time for curtain-up. FIRE Steakhouse & Bar and Morelands Grill both publish their own named “pre-theatre” menus, and Hawksmoor Dublin bills its early set menu the same way. Below, they’re grouped by the theatre they sit closest to, so you can pick a table without a long walk afterwards. New to the format? See our guide to what a pre-theatre dinner actually is and what to expect.
Seasonal Pre-Theatre Updates
Last checked: 1 October 2026 · Refreshed monthly
- FIRE Steakhouse & Bar: FIRE’s early bird, which doubles as its pre-theatre menu, runs until 22 November. From 23 November only the Christmas menus are served (lunch €59.50, dinner €79.50).
- Hawksmoor Dublin: The early-evening set menu is 2/3 courses for €30/€35. Festive sharing menus run 23 November–31 December.
- Panto season: Pre-theatre sittings around Christmas shows fill fast, so book early and ask the restaurant to time your table.
Seasonal prices change often. Always confirm with the restaurant before booking.
Gaiety TheatreOlympia TheatreSmock Alley TheatreBord Gáis Energy Theatre
Near the Gaiety Theatre
The Gaiety sits on South King Street, just off Grafton Street and close to St Stephen’s Green. Both of these Dawson Street steakhouses are about a five-minute walk away.
FIRE Steakhouse & Bar
IRISH OWNED
The Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2
FIRE’s early bird doubles as its pre-theatre menu, and the restaurant is a five-minute walk from the Gaiety, making it an easy dinner-and-a-show pairing.
Hours
Mon-Fri 5pm-6:30pm
Pre-theatre price
From €42* for 2 courses
51 Dawson Street, Dublin 2
Runs pre and post-theatre sittings around the Gaiety’s show times, alongside its regular early bird menu; ask the team to time your table when booking.
Hours
Sun-Fri 4pm-6:30pm
Pre-theatre price
From €31.95* for 2 courses
Near the Olympia Theatre
The Olympia is on Dame Street, on the edge of Temple Bar. FIRE Steakhouse & Bar (above) is the closest of the group at just three minutes’ walk, with Morelands Grill and Hawksmoor Dublin a short stroll away on Westmoreland Street and College Green.
The College Green Hotel, Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2
Morelands runs its own dedicated pre-theatre menu, and sits right on College Green, a couple of minutes from the Olympia.
Hours
Dinner daily from 5pm
Pre-theatre price
From €24* for 2/3 courses
Hawksmoor Dublin
UK OWNED
34 College Green, Dublin 2
Hawksmoor’s own set menu is explicitly billed as a pre-theatre option, served early evening most days of the week.
Hours
Mon-Sat, sittings to 5:45pm
Pre-theatre price
From €30* for 2 courses
Near Smock Alley Theatre
Smock Alley Theatre is tucked down a lane off Essex Street West, in Temple Bar. F.X. Buckley at the Bull & Castle is a five-minute walk from Christchurch, and Boeuf & Frites on Crow Street is even closer.
F.X. Buckley at the Bull & Castle
IRISH OWNED
5-7 Lord Edward Street, Christchurch, Dublin 2
Runs a dedicated pre-theatre menu from Christchurch, a short walk from Smock Alley Theatre in Temple Bar.
Hours
Daily, 4pm-7pm
Pre-theatre price
From €21.95* for 2 courses
1 Crow Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Right in Temple Bar, a few minutes’ walk from Smock Alley. Its fixed-price steak menu is easy to time around a show, even if it isn’t formally billed as “pre-theatre.”
Hours
Mon-Wed & Sun 12:30pm-9:30pm · Thu-Sat to 10:30pm
Pre-theatre price
From €29.95* fixed steak menu
Near the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre
The Bord Gáis Energy Theatre sits out at Grand Canal Dock in the Docklands, away from Dublin’s main steakhouse cluster around Dawson Street and Temple Bar. FIRE Steakhouse & Bar is the closest of the restaurants on this page, roughly a ten-minute taxi ride, and can arrange an earlier sitting with advance notice. No steakhouse currently sits within easy walking distance of this venue.
*Prices are approximate and may have changed. Please check the restaurant’s official website or contact them directly to confirm current prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Dublin steakhouses offer pre-theatre menus?
Yes. Several run dedicated pre-theatre or early-evening set menus, usually served from late afternoon until around 6-6:30pm, aimed at getting diners fed and out in time for a show.
What’s the closest steakhouse to the Gaiety Theatre?
FIRE Steakhouse & Bar and Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & Grill are both about a five-minute walk from the Gaiety on South King Street.
What’s the closest steakhouse to the Olympia Theatre?
FIRE Steakhouse & Bar, around three minutes’ walk on Dame Street. Morelands Grill and Hawksmoor Dublin are also close by on Westmoreland Street and College Green.
Is there a steakhouse near Smock Alley Theatre?
Yes – F.X. Buckley at the Bull & Castle and Boeuf & Frites are both a short walk away in the Temple Bar and Christchurch area.
How much do pre-theatre menus cost?
Generally from around €22 to €42 for two courses, depending on the restaurant. See each listing above for current pricing.
Looking for something else? See our guides to early bird menus, best date night steak restaurants, and private dining in Dublin, or browse the full list of steak restaurants in Dublin.