Where to eat near the 3Olympia Theatre, Dame Street

You won't go hungry here. Dame Street, Temple Bar and the lanes towards George's Street are wall-to-wall restaurants. The trick is choosing one that will feed you before a 7pm door. Inside the theatre there are four bars (Maureen's Bar and The Portrait Bar in the Stalls, the Circle Bar and the Upper Circle Bar) but no food beyond a shop for soft drinks and sweets.

On the doorstep

• Forno 500, 74 Dame Street, right next door. Neapolitan sourdough pizza from a wood-fired oven, home-made pasta, and an early bird menu. Open seven days from noon until late. The no-brainer when you're late.
• Chez Max, directly across Dame Street. A traditional French bistro and café, listed by the theatre with its French menu served until 9pm. The calmer choice before a seated show.
• Kathmandu Kitchen, 18 Dame Street, about two minutes' walk towards College Green. Nepalese and Indian food, open until 10.30pm (11pm Fridays and Saturdays). The theatre lists a cheap pre-theatre menu and 10% off with a 3Olympia ticket.

Five minutes away

• Salamanca, 1 St Andrew's Street, about five minutes' walk. Spanish tapas and wine. Good for sharing plates when the group can't agree. The theatre says 3Olympia ticket holders get 10% off.

The pint before

• The Stag's Head, 1 Dame Court, in a lane a couple of minutes from the theatre. An old Dublin pub, a regular stop on city pub tours, and an old haunt of Michael Collins. Food stops at 5pm, so come for a pint, not dinner.

The Olympia's own bars are a decent alternative. They're recently renovated, and earplugs are free at any bar if the gig is loud. Under-18s can't go into the bar areas, and staff ask for ID.

Timing it

For a standing gig, doors are around 7pm and the headliner rarely comes on before 9pm, so there's time to eat properly and still catch the support act. For a seated show starting at 8pm, sit down by 6pm.

Frequently asked questions

Is there food at the 3Olympia Theatre?

Not really. There are four bars and a shop selling soft drinks and sweets, so eat before you go in.

Which restaurants near the Olympia Theatre give a discount?

According to the theatre, Kathmandu Kitchen on Dame Street and Salamanca on St Andrew's Street give 10% off with a 3Olympia ticket.

What's the closest restaurant to the 3Olympia Theatre?

Forno 500, next door at 74 Dame Street, with Chez Max directly across the road.