A new Dublin nightclub promises guests good drinks, great music – and to have everyone on the way home by 10pm. 

SoHo on D’Olier Street will host Dublin’s first ever nightclub event exclusively for those aged 35 and over.

Launching August 31st, anyone born before 1990 is invited to arrive to the club at 5.30pm every Saturday to “relive the glory days of Dublin’s club scene”.

SoHo owner Jerry Harrington told Lunchtime Live people over 35 have been “looking for” a club like his. 

“You get a glass of champagne, a nice glass of chilled Prosecco on the way in and away you go dancing,” he said. 

“We've got a range of DJs, and they play you all the 60s and 70s, then the 70s and 80s, then the 80s and 90s.

“They'll take you right up to 10pm and away you go home. 

“Home on the train, home with something to eat, or home to watch football.” 

Over-35s club

Mr Harrington said people in their 30s should be able to enjoy a club space that doesn’t force them to behave like they’re in their 20s.

“They don't want to be coming out at 10pm and coming home at 3am or 4am,” he said. 

“I think they enjoy coming out and having something to look forward to on a Saturday.

“Particularly if you're getting ready in the afternoon and you're making your way into town and then all of a sudden you're in a nightclub at 5.30pm, 6pm – it's different.” 

SoHo launches Dublin's first over-35s club event. Image: Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland

According to Mr Harrington, the club released the tickets for their first over-35s night on Wednesday – and they’ve already sold 400.

DJ Mark McCabe – known for his song Maniac 2000 – said Mr Harrington has “hit the nail on the head” for what people in Ireland need on a night out. 

“Discussions have been centred on the ‘death of the nightclub’,” he said. 

“There is a change in behaviour and culture and habits – but it’s also because a lot of clubs were hit hard during COVID.” 

He noted that SoHo already hosts a series of themed events, from under-18s to Afro-Caribbean, adding that catering to different kinds of guests is what keeps a club alive.

“You can do over 35s, you can do Brazilian night, you can do LGBTQ night, whatever it takes - as long as you're giving people an experience, they're going to come through the door,” he said.” 

The 'appetite' for rave

Mr McCabe singled out people over 35 who are in sore need of a space to dance and enjoy a good drink. 

“I'm in Belfast this Sunday in Custom House Square and they put [an over 35s] show on sale,” he said. 

“I think the capacity is 6,000 - and they sold it out in half an hour. 

“They didn't even announce a lineup - they just said, ‘This is an over 35s rave’ and it sold out.” 

Some people just have an “appetite” for rave culture – and age shouldn’t define that. 

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