Parking at the Ambassador Theatre, Dublin - car parks open late

The Ambassador has no car park, and the venue's own advice is short: use the ILAC or Parnell Centre car parks, or try for a space around Parnell Square. The catch is closing time. Pick the wrong one and your car is locked in while you are still clapping.

The two car parks that stay open

• Q-Park Parnell, Parnell Centre, Loftus Lane, D01 W7P4. 500 spaces, open 24/7 for entry and exit, 3 disabled bays, 2.00 m height limit. From there it is a walk of five to ten minutes east along Parnell Street to the venue. This is the one we'd book.
• Q-Park The Spire, Cathal Brugha Street, D01 W207, next to the old Clerys building. 577 spaces, open 24/7, 5 disabled bays, but a lower 1.90 m height limit, so leave the roof box at home. It is on the east side of O'Connell Street, a few minutes' walk from the Ambassador.

Neither Q-Park page publishes its tariff online, and the evening price varies, so prebook on q-park.ie if you want a fixed price.

The ILAC trap

The ILAC car park, entered from Parnell Street, has around 1,000 spaces and 20 accessible bays, and it is the closest big car park. But Q-Park lists entry and exit hours of 07:00 to 22:00 Monday to Saturday and 10:00 to 21:00 on Sunday, and the Park Rite page shows even earlier closing on some days (20:00 Monday to Wednesday). A comedy show that starts at 20:00 can easily run past that. Use it for an early matinee, not an evening gig. Park Rite listed an hourly rate of €3.60 when we checked.

On-street parking and drop-off

There are pay-and-display spaces around Parnell Square, which the venue mentions. Read the signs carefully: bus lanes and loading bays around O'Connell Street are enforced. Parnell Street itself carries the Luas, so don't stop there to drop anyone off; use one of the side streets off Parnell Square instead.

Blue Badge and step-free

The venue's ticketing listing says the Ambassador is fully wheelchair accessible. With a disabled parking permit, the 24/7 Q-Park car parks are the safe choice: Parnell has 3 disabled bays and The Spire has 5. ILAC has 20, but mind the closing time.

Honestly, unless you're coming from outside Dublin with no late train, the Luas is easier: the Parnell stop is at the door. See getting to the Ambassador Theatre. For food first, read where to eat near the Ambassador, and for picking a seat, the best seats at the Ambassador.

Frequently asked questions

Is there parking at the Ambassador Theatre in Dublin?

No. The nearest car parks are the ILAC on Parnell Street and Q-Park Parnell at the Parnell Centre, with some on-street parking around Parnell Square.

Which car park near the Ambassador is open late?

Q-Park Parnell on Loftus Lane and Q-Park The Spire on Cathal Brugha Street are both listed as open 24/7 for entry and exit.

What time does the ILAC car park close?

Q-Park lists exit until 22:00 Monday to Saturday and 21:00 on Sunday, and Park Rite shows earlier times on some days. Check before you park for an evening show.