Best spots at Whelan's - main room, balcony or Upstairs

Jeff Buckley played here in 1994 on the Grace tour. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds played the main room in 1996, and Arctic Monkeys and Bloc Party made their Dublin debuts here in 2005. Ed Sheeran says that watching Damien Rice at Whelan's, aged 13, made him want to be a musician. That is the room you are buying into: small, loud and standing only.

Which room is on your ticket?

Ticketmaster lists two names, and they are two different rooms:

• Whelans: the main venue, about 450 standing. The big shows, the sold-out Irish acts, the bands on their way up.
• Upstairs At Whelans: about 120, added in the 2007 renovation on the upper floor. Live music, comedy and silent discos.

There is also Little Whelan's, a smaller space for intimate shows, and the Parlour bar on the third floor, which is for private hire. The front bar is open daily without a ticket.

Main room: where to stand

There are no seats. The floor is the whole show.

• Front and centre: the raised stage is at one end of the room, and the first few rows are practically in the band. Be there at doors: music usually starts about 30 minutes later.
• The middle of the floor: less crush, still close, and room to move to the bar along the side.
• The balcony: Google reviewers single out the balcony that looks down onto the stage as the best view in the house. Space at the rail is limited, so if you want it, go straight up when you get in.

Whelan's is two floors and around 570 people across the building on a busy night, so the main room fills from the front. Arriving at the last minute means the back.

Upstairs at Whelan's

With 120 people, there is no bad spot. Stand where you can see the singer's hands. For comedy, the front is part of the act: keep back if you would rather not be.

Before you go

• Doors are the time on the ticket. Comedy starts 10 to 20 minutes after doors.
• Most shows run from about 20:30 to 22:45.
• No readmission once your ticket has been scanned.
• Lost general admission tickets cannot be replaced, so keep the email.

Plan your night with getting to Whelan's, parking at Whelan's and where to eat near Whelan's. After the gig, write a review.

Frequently asked questions

Is Whelan's seated or standing?

Standing. The main room holds about 450 and Upstairs at Whelan's about 120.

What is the difference between Whelan's and Upstairs at Whelan's?

They are two separate rooms in the same building on Wexford Street. The main venue holds about 450; Upstairs, added in 2007, holds about 120 and hosts smaller shows.

What is the best spot at Whelan's?

Front and centre if you want to be close; the balcony if you want to see the whole stage. Either way, arrive at doors.

What time do gigs at Whelan's start?

Music usually starts about 30 minutes after the door time on your ticket, and most shows finish around 22:45.