Time for tea: late-opening tea shop in Dublin city offers an alternative to the pub

Sometimes, a crowded pub just won’t do, and anyway, you don’t want to drink alcohol. So where can you head to for a social gathering in Dublin on a drink-free evening? Oolong Flower Power on Stephen’s Street Lr in Dublin 2 is open 11am to 11pm seven days a week and is a stylish and comfortable environment in which to indulge in the ritual of taking tea. There are more than 300 varieties of loose leaf to choose from (and 40 coffee blends for those who like their beverage with a kick). There is a chef working in-house, so you can order food as well, from a menu that includes sandwiches, salads and hot dishes, in addition to cakes. Lots of dishes take their inspiration from tea blends, including lamb tagine with black tea and oregano, and tea brack with earl grey and orange blossom, and there are suggested team pairings with the menu. There is also a retail area where you can also buy tea leaves and tea sets. See oolongflowerpower.ie for a voucher for 25 per cent off shop purchases.