Ten years after U2 band members Bono and The Edge bought it, The Clarence hotel in Dublin has become one of the focal points of the city centre and a surefire watering-hole for well-heeled music fans.
It’s not often you’ll actually catch a glimpse of either of the proprietors, who bought the 19th-century hotel in 1992 and completely renovated it to their own specifications, But, their influence is clear, from the smooth, soothing colour schemes to the music wafting above guests’ heads to the baby grand piano that is one of the features in the luxury penthouse suite.
Honeymooners willing to splash out £1,200 a night for the penthouse will find not only a baby grand, but also their own private bar, panoramic views and the rooftop garden which was the venue for U2’s video shoot for their No 1 single, Beautiful Day, and which has helped make the already classy hotel an ultra-cool meeting place.
For U2 fans on a more modest budget, it doesn’t have to be the penthouse. There’s the wood-pannelled Octagon Room or the Tea Room – particularly welcoming on rainy Dublin days - for those who just want to hang out with friends and soak up the atmosphere.
The Clarence is also where Bono staged a surprise 75th birthday party for his beloved dad, Bob Hewson, in 2000, just a few months before Bob lost his long fight against cancer.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
