By Ruairi Scott Byrne
Copyright irishmirror
Time Out has released its eighth annual list of the World’s Coolest Neighbourhoods, with The Liberties in Dublin ranking in the top 25. Each year, Time Out – the global brand that inspires and enables people to experience the best of the city – curates its list of the Coolest Neighbourhoods in the most exciting cities around the world. The annual list is compiled from nominations made by Time Out’s global network of editors and writers, with the aim of The selections are then ranked against criteria including culture, community, livability, food and drink, street life and what Time Out describes as “that hard-to-define sense of ‘nowness'” to determine the 39 coolest neighbourhoods around the world. Ranked 23rd on this year’s list is the Liberties in Dublin 8, where medieval walls and 18th century libraries sit alongside modern cafés and antique shops and Michelin-starred restaurants rub shoulders with old-school markets. “It may be one of Dublin’s oldest neighbourhoods, but alongside medieval remnants and terraced houses, the Liberties is home to some of the hottest spots in town – from Argentinian bakeries (hello, Bakeology) to classic pubs,” writes Time Out’s Dublin expert, Nicola Brady. “This past year, the Liberties Festival went from strength to strength, holding events like sunrise yoga in the panoramic Gravity Bar of the Guinness Storehouse. “The neighbourhood has also seen some cool new additions pop up, like Change Clothes, the fashion swap and upcycling store, plus Bold Boy bakery and Cleo Prickett Studio for slick contemporary tailoring. “Plus, CitizenM chose the Liberties as the location for its first Irish hotel, and the punkiest Michelin-star spot in Ireland, Variety Jones, has just reopened in a brand-new space. What more could you want?” Those looking for a ‘perfect day’ out in the Liberties are advised to “wake up in the new Citizen M, then stroll through the gardens at St Patrick’s Cathedral and pop into Marsh’s Library to say hello to its resident ghost.” Other must-dos include popping into Two Pups for a coffee and a za’atar, feta and hot honey pastry, then wander up Francis Street to check out the antique shops, the guitars in Some Neck and vintage lingerie in Space Out Sister. Those looking to dine out in the Liberties are urged to grab dinner in Variety Jones, or “get a killer pizza in Coke Lane at Lucky’s”. For those looking for the perfect time to to visit, Time Out recommends checking out the Liberties Festival in July. If you can’t make that, aim to be in the neighbourhood for the Dublin Flea Market, usually held on the last weekend of the month. Topping Time Out’s list of the coolest neighbourhoods on the planet right now is Jimbōchō in Tokyo, which is hailed as “a historic university enclave and a bibliophile nirvana that enjoys a charmed existence just a quick stroll away from the city’s high-powered business districts”. According to Time Out, Jimbōchō is home to some 130 second-hand bookstores, most of them housed in low, slightly antiquated mixed-use buildings they share with old-school coffeeshops and curry houses. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
