What makes for a great night?
For some people it's pounding music and free-flowing drinks*, for others, it's being able to grab a coffee and a slice of cheap pizza at 2am, or losing yourself in the unpredictability of a night dancing in a crowd.
An excellent nightlife destination should deliver all of this and more, but finding the right spot for you can take time and money, both of which are increasingly hard won.
Some cities are renowned for their nightlife scenes, such as Berlin, Ibiza and Magaluf, but what if you're looking for something a bit different? We've rounded up our picks of the most diverse - and comparatively lesser known - places to visit if you just want to dance your troubles away.
Belgrade, Serbia
A richly historic city, modern Belgrade has music and dancing woven into its very DNA. During the Yugoslav wars from 1991 to 1999, the former capital of Yugoslavia was besieged with mass protests and political turmoil. Amid this, outraged citizens found release and joy on the dancefloor, while a new music genre - turbofolk - dominated the club scene.
Now, music is still heard all through the city, particularly on the splavovi - floating raft clubs that look like houseboats - dotted along the Danube and Sava Rivers. Holding between 300 and 500 people, each splav is dedicated to a specific music genre and aesthetic. Booking is necessary, though there's typically no entry fee, and a list of each splav can be found online.
If you're looking for something a little less raucous but no less fun, head to Skadarlija, the winding cobblestone arty street, where you'll find 'kafanas' - traditional taverns playing folk music, where dancing on the tables is very much encouraged.
There are no direct flights to Belgrade from Dublin, but a short one-stop return journey will set you back around €150.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Despite being the fount from which all fashion girlies seemingly spring from, this chic city has a bustling nightlife scene that is as unique as its renowned fashion sense.
The Tivoli Gardens, a 19th century amusement-park-turned-events-venue, is the cornerstone of Copenhagen's diverse nightlife. The sprawling event space features everything from jazz nights and open-air concerts, to their weekly Friday garden parties and Saturday nostalgia party.
If a classic club is more your style, look no further than Culture Box, a heaving club that hosts celebrated DJs and is renowned for its sound system - great for tech snobs. At Rust, you can hear the likes of Post Malone perform.
For something truly exceptional, visit the autonomous free town Christiania, where a biweekly Science & Cocktails event sees experts deliver talks while mixologists create bespoke cocktails for the crowd.
With direct flights from Dublin available for as little as €80 return this summer, it's an ideal spot for a mixed bag of travelers.
Budapest, Hungary
Known for its imperial architecture, thermal spas and hearty food, this grand capital is a true 24-hour city with a party scene to match.
Ruin bars are the lifeblood of this bustling and dynamic city, a series of formerly abandoned buildings that have been transformed into some of the quirkiest bars you'll find. The "ruins" are dotted throughout the city's District VII, the former Jewish Quarter, which became dilapidated after thousands of Jews were deported after World War II.
The original is Szimpla Kert, which was established in 2002 and is a labyrinthine collection of rooms. In a given week you'll find a market on Sunday, three live concerts and stalls selling street food and drinks. Best of all, there's no entry fee.
If you're feeling worse for wear the next day, detox at the iconic Szechenyi thermal baths - and then continue the night at Sparty, an aptly named party in one of the thermal spas!
You can nab a direct flight from Dublin for roughly €170 this summer, and off season rates will be much cheaper.
Hvar, Croatia
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Of all the spots listed, this is the more renowned one, and for good reason. The party capital of Croatia, parties on Hvar can last from late morning to... the following morning, if you're so willing. A true session destination, the beachy city also has plenty of venues that cater for those of us who might like a little midday siesta.
Carpe Diem is one of the most popular clubs, with a bar opening at 9am, and a beach club running from 11am to 5am. Be forewarned that going from one to the other requires a 10 minute boat ride so choose your pre-night-out meal carefully.
Kiva Club is another thriving spot, located close to the marina and typically spilling out onto the narrow cobbled walkway. If you want something calmer, but no less fun, head to Pachamama beach club and frolic in the crystal blue water for the afternoon.
Flights run direct from Dublin, and will set you back roughly €220 for this summer.
Thessaloniki, Greece
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If it's frolicking you want, look no further than Greece - though we're not talking about the obvious choices.
Already a stunning and rich city to visit, Thessaloniki is set to have a dazzling summer as it finally gets its chance to host EuroPride, a pan-European event celebrating LGBT+ pride and held in a different city each year. Thessaloniki was set to host it in 2020 but Covid-19 but the kibosh on that. Now, they're not wasting an ounce of energy in making the most of it.
Running from 21-29 June, the event features everything from film screenings and talks, to dazzling nights out and concerts, culminating in a joyous parade on 29 June. Visit the Ladadika district with its cobbled streets and seaside restaurants for even more nightlife spots.
Flights run direct from Dublin and cost roughly €180 for early summer.
Manchester, UK
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It's not surprising that the city that gave us Oasis, The Smiths and The 1975 is one that knows how to party. With such a deep appreciation for music of all kinds, it's the perfect spot for those of us who likes quality as well as quantity when it comes to a night out.
This year, Manchester will introduce a slew of diverse and ambitious music events, not least Co-Op Live, a dazzling indoor arena that already has some megawatt performers lined up for when it opens at the end of April 2024. Chief among them are Olivia Rodrigo, The Killers, Smashing Pumpkins and more.
The new Aviva Studios is another feat, a multidisciplinary space serving up a diverse mix of shows. Among them is Beyond the Music runs, a conference that runs from 9-12 October.
If "conference" has thrown you off, I got you. Head to The Warehouse Project, a sprawling 10,000-capacity club night held in the city's former railway station. Their season kicks off from September but early booking for events is crucial.
With flights running direct from Dublin for as low as €35 for mid May, how could you say no?
* Always drink responsibly
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