Belvedere Irish Night Show, Dance and Traditional 3-Course Dinner

The best part of the Belvedere Irish Night Show is the close-up mix of dinner, music, and dance. The performers have appeared in Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, and Feet of Flames, but the evening feels more like a lively social show than a grand theater production. You may be asked to clap, sing, or join the dancers on stage.

I like the friendly audience participation and the fact that the raised stage gives every table a view. The meal also makes this a simple choice for a first night in Dublin. The main drawback is the pacing: dinner comes first, and the show does not begin until about 8 p.m., so the evening can feel long if you expected dancing during the meal.

Key points to know before booking

• Dinner comes before the show: Doors open at 6:30 p.m., dinner begins at 6:45, and the performance starts around 8 p.m.
• Professional cast: Performers have toured with Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, and Feet of Flames.
• Audience participation is part of the plan: You may sing, clap, learn simple steps, or volunteer for the stage.
• Adults receive three courses: Children receive two courses. Drinks, tea, and coffee cost extra.
• A good family pick: Children can participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult.
• Plan your own transport: There is no pickup service, and the hotel has no parking facilities.

What the Belvedere Irish Night Show is really like

This is a dinner show at the Belvedere Hotel on Great Denmark Street in Dublin 1. It is designed for people who want one easy evening that combines local food with Irish music and step dancing. You sit at a table, eat first, then watch the main performance from a raised stage.

The show was created and choreographed by Jim Murrihy, director of Damhsa, with an original score. The cast brings serious stage experience, including work with major Irish dance productions. That matters because the dancing is not simply a few folk steps added to a hotel meal. You get the sharp footwork, fast rhythms, solo dancing, synchronized sets, singing, and live musicians associated with modern Irish stage shows.

The setting is described as intimate, with tables arranged so you can see the stage. One account found the room more like a large banquet hall and noisy before the entertainment began, so I would not book this expecting a tiny pub session. It is a hosted dinner performance in a hotel event room, with a warm and social feel.

Arriving on Great Denmark Street

The address is the Belvedere Hotel, Great Denmark Street, Dublin 1, D01 W1C0. You arrange your own way there. There is no hotel pickup, no public transport transfer, and no parking on the premises, so build in extra time if you are crossing central Dublin from another part of town.

The practical arrival target is 6:30 p.m., even though dinner service begins at 6:45. This gives you time to find the room, settle at your table, and avoid arriving as the first course is being served. The stated meeting time is 6:45 p.m., but the doors open earlier, so I would use 6:30 as your real arrival time.

You receive a mobile ticket, and confirmation comes when you book. The experience is advertised for a maximum of 10 people, though the room can feel larger depending on the evening’s arrangement. Service animals are allowed, and the venue is near public transportation. Most people can take part, but children must stay with an adult.

Dinner from 6:45 p.m. to about 8 p.m.

The adult ticket includes three courses, with a choice of home-cooked Irish dishes. Children receive two courses. The available meal choices are described as broad enough to suit different tastes, and the menu is one reason this package can work well for families or small groups that do not want to find a separate restaurant before the show.

The food gets mixed marks, so it is best to set your expectations sensibly. Several accounts found the meal tasty, with particular praise for the chicken main course and the choice of dishes. Others found the food poor or the portions and service disappointing. The safest way to view dinner is as a convenient included meal, not a destination restaurant.

I also suggest arriving hungry. A three-course meal before a full music and dance program is substantial, especially if you have already eaten heavily earlier in the day. One family found the meal more than their younger companion could finish after visiting the Guinness Storehouse.

The most important timing point is that the show does not run alongside dinner. Staff aim to finish service before the dancers begin so that plates, drinks, and clearing tables do not block the view or interrupt the performance. That makes sense from a stage-show point of view, but it creates a long opening stretch for anyone expecting entertainment from the moment dinner begins.

Drinks are not included. Beer, wine, soft drinks, tea, coffee, and bottled water are available to purchase, and the cost can add up. One account specifically found a bottle of water expensive, while another felt the overall package was still reasonably priced. Check drink prices before ordering if you are watching your budget.

The show begins around 8 p.m.

Once dinner is cleared, the room changes from a dining space into a performance setting. The program combines traditional Irish music, singing, and dancing. You can expect old-style solo steps, familiar jigs and reels, and tightly synchronized group work.

The musicians and dancers are the heart of the evening. Their professional backgrounds give the dance sets polish, but the tone stays approachable rather than formal. The host keeps the audience involved, and the musicians interact with the room instead of performing as distant figures on a stage.

The program includes singing and clapping, so you do not need to understand every word to take part. That makes the show work well for families and mixed-language groups. Irish music carries much of its energy through rhythm, and the quick footwork is easy to follow even when you know little about dance.

Audience participation is not an optional extra tucked into the final minute. You may be invited to sing, clap along, or learn a few Irish dance steps. Volunteers can be brought onto the stage, including children. A six-year-old reportedly enjoyed getting up to learn a dance, which tells you something useful about the mood: participation is playful, not a test of skill.

You should still be comfortable with a little attention if you volunteer. If you would rather watch quietly, you can remain at your table. The show is built to include the room, but nobody needs to perform to enjoy it.

How long the evening feels

The advertised schedule is:

• Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
• Dinner begins at 6:45 p.m.
• The show starts around 8 p.m.
• The evening finishes by about 9:45 p.m.

That is roughly three hours, though the exact flow can depend on service. Several accounts enjoyed the complete evening but felt the dinner section lasted too long. One person found the performance itself brief after the meal, describing only several dance sets. Others felt the music, dancing, and interaction made the whole night worthwhile.

This is the key choice you need to make. If you want a relaxed dinner followed by a focused Irish show, the timing is clear and sensible. If you want dancers performing as you eat, or a nonstop two-hour stage production, this may frustrate you.

The gap before the show can also matter if you have young children or if you are already tired after a full day in Dublin. One person arrived early and found the late performance difficult to stay through. Families with small children should consider an early meal beforehand or plan a quieter afternoon.

Value at $56.84 per person

At $56.84 per person, the package is easiest to judge as a combined dinner and entertainment night. You are paying for a three-course adult meal, live musicians, singing, professional dancers, a hosted program, and the convenience of staying in one place.

I think the price is fair if you would otherwise pay for dinner and an evening performance. It is less attractive if you care mainly about the dancing and would rather choose your own restaurant. Drinks are extra, so the final bill can rise beyond the ticket price.

The value also depends on what kind of Irish experience you want. This is a polished presentation made for an international audience. It gives you familiar Irish dance styles, live music, and a chance to join in, but it is not a quiet local pub session or a history lecture about traditional music.

For a first Dublin visit, that broad appeal is useful. You do not need specialist knowledge, and the format lets your whole group share one evening. Music lovers may focus on the band, families may enjoy the stage invitation, and people who simply want to see Irish dancing can watch skilled performers at close range.

Who should book this Dublin evening

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families looking for an evening activity that welcomes children
• Small groups who want dinner and entertainment in one booking
• First-time visitors who want an easy introduction to Irish music and dance
• People who enjoy audience participation and a lighthearted host
• Anyone who prefers a seated show with a meal included

It is also a sensible choice for a final night in Dublin, when you want a clearly organized farewell evening without arranging several separate stops.

I would be more cautious if you dislike audience participation, prefer a quiet meal, or want a long concert with little talking. It may not suit someone seeking a high-end dining experience, since the meal receives uneven praise and the drinks are separate.

The show is also not ideal for anyone who wants dinner and dancing at the same time. That is the single most important point to understand before booking.

Small details that make a difference

Arrive by 6:30 p.m., not at the last moment. The room opens then, and an early arrival gives you time to settle before the 6:45 dinner service.

Keep your evening flexible until at least 9:45 p.m. Do not schedule a late attraction or a long cross-city journey immediately afterward. The event usually lasts about three hours, and service can affect the exact pace.

Bring a payment method for drinks. Tea, coffee, water, and other beverages are not included in the ticket. There is no parking at the hotel, so use public transportation or arrange your own route.

The experience is available to children, but they must be accompanied by an adult. The minimum drinking age is 18, and that applies to alcohol purchased during the evening.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that period are not accepted for a refund. If the event is canceled because of weather or because the minimum number of people is not reached, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Is the Belvedere Irish Night Show worth booking?

Book it if you want a complete Irish evening rather than a standalone dance performance. The strongest parts are the professional cast, live music, audience interaction, and easy family-friendly format. The raised stage and table layout also help you follow the action.

Think carefully if dinner quality is your main concern. The food can be enjoyable, but it is not consistent enough to justify the price on its own. The dinner-first schedule is also a real consideration, especially for children or anyone who wants more dancing and less table time.

My practical verdict: this is a good-value introduction to Irish music and dance at $56.84, provided you accept the three-hour dinner-show format, budget extra for drinks, and arrive ready to participate. If those terms suit your evening, the Belvedere gives you a lively, approachable taste of Irish performance without requiring much planning.

FAQ

Where does the Belvedere Irish Night Show take place?

It takes place at the Belvedere Hotel, Great Denmark Street, Dublin 1, D01 W1C0.

What time should I arrive?

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and dinner service begins at 6:45 p.m. Plan to arrive by 6:30 p.m.

When does the dancing begin?

The show begins at about 8 p.m. Dinner is served first, and the performance finishes by about 9:45 p.m.

Is dinner included?

Yes. Adult tickets include a three-course dinner, while children’s tickets include a two-course dinner. Drinks, tea, and coffee are not included.

Can children attend?

Yes. Children can attend and may be invited to learn Irish dance steps on stage, but they must be accompanied by an adult.

Is transportation or parking included?

No. You arrange your own transportation, and the hotel does not provide pickup service or parking facilities.