Button Factory
Button Factory sits on Curved Street, a pedestrian lane in the heart of Temple Bar. The venue operates primarily as a live music space and nightclub, with a capacity of approximately 800 across two levels. The main room has a standing-room floor in front of a proper stage with professional sound and lighting rigs. A balcony level wraps around the upper section with its own bar and views down to the stage. The venue opened in its current form in 2006, though the building has housed various entertainment operations before that. Programming ranges from indie and alternative live acts to electronic DJ nights, hip-hop events, and occasional comedy shows. The sound system is a notable step up from pub PA systems, making this one of Temple Bar's only proper music venues.
What to Expect
A proper music venue feel. Walk in past the ticket check into a dark room with a stage ahead and bars on either side. The sound hits you immediately on club nights. More restrained for seated or early-evening shows.
Professional venue energy. The crowd depends entirely on who is performing or what night is running.
Indie, alternative, electronic, hip-hop, and occasional DJ club nights. Programming changes nightly.
Depends on the event. Live shows are casual. Club nights see a slightly more dressed-up crowd.
Live music fans, people looking for a proper club night rather than a pub experience
Cards and contactless at the bars. Tickets usually purchased online in advance.
Price Range
Entry EUR 10-25 depending on act, pint EUR 7-8, cocktails EUR 12-15
Entry ~$11-27/~10-25 EUR, pint ~$7.50/~7 EUR
Hours
Event dependent. Typically doors 19:00-23:00 for live shows, club nights run until 02:30-03:00
Insider Tip
Check the listings before going, this is a programmed venue not a walk-in pub. The balcony offers better sound than directly in front of the speakers. Tickets for popular acts sell out, buy in advance online.
Full Review
Button Factory fills a gap in Temple Bar that the pubs can't. While the surrounding streets deliver pub music (trad sessions, cover bands), this venue books proper acts and runs club nights with real sound systems and production.
The main room is well designed for both live music and club events. Sightlines to the stage are decent from most positions, and the sound system handles everything from solo acoustic acts to full electronic DJ sets without the distortion you get from pub PA systems pushed too hard. The balcony is the sweet spot for live shows; you get a clear view of the stage, better sound balance, and your own bar.
Club nights rotate through different promoters and genres. Electronic nights draw a crowd that knows what it wants, while hip-hop and pop nights bring a broader mix. The quality varies with the promoter, but the venue itself maintains a consistent standard.
The main consideration is that this is a programmed venue. You can't just walk in on any night and expect something to be happening. Check listings, buy tickets for acts you want to see, and plan accordingly. On nights when nothing is scheduled, the doors stay closed. When it's on, though, Button Factory is comfortably the best music venue in the Temple Bar area.
The Neighborhood
Curved Street is a pedestrian lane connecting Temple Bar Street to Essex Street. The surrounding area is full of restaurants and pubs, making it easy to eat beforehand or continue drinking afterward at nearby venues.
Getting There
In the heart of Temple Bar on Curved Street. Walk south from the Ha'penny Bridge or north from Dame Street. No parking nearby; public transport or walking is the only practical option.
Address
Curved Street, Temple Bar
Other Venues in Temple Bar
The Temple Bar Pub
Dublin's most photographed pub with its iconic red facade. Two floors of live traditional and rock music every night, a huge whiskey collection, and standing-room-only crowds on weekends.
The Porterhouse Central
Multi-level craft brewery and bar spread across several floors. Brews its own stout, ales, and lagers on site, with live music on the ground floor most evenings.
The Auld Dubliner
Traditional pub with a large upstairs venue hosting live bands and DJs. The ground floor keeps a classic pub feel, while the upper level gets louder and more energetic after 10 PM.
Vintage Cocktail Club
Speakeasy-style cocktail bar hidden behind an unmarked door on Crown Alley. Dim lighting, creative cocktails, and a dress code that keeps the atmosphere more refined than the surrounding pub chaos.
The Foggy Dew
Late-night pub with a rock and alternative music focus. Screens showing sports during the day give way to DJ sets and a young, energetic crowd after dark. One of the few Temple Bar spots that feels less touristy.