Putting the 'arty' in party

I've got a cosy little secret. A place with enveloping armchairs, vintage clocks, inviting lanterns and deer's antlers protruding from the wall for good measure. Dickens' drawing room? Sherlock Holmes' study? David Norris' parlour? Nope, nope, nope.

The 'Arty Party' at the Dark Horse on Dublin's Tara street is a monthly art/social evening (so far on Thursdays from 8pm) that allows unknown artists to display their work for sale in the charming upstairs space of the quay-side pub. The evening upgrades the usual pub experience to one of appreciated (and these days, unexpected) originality and character. The space that unfolds as you climb the stairs is in stark contrast to most Dublin pubs, bar a select few. The old-world style and the little details, such as well-thumbed books with model birds perched on top, immediately instill the intimate and welcoming atmosphere. Ok, and the strategically placed offerings of Dolly Mixture, iced buns and cookies helped too...

But here I am unashamedly bowled over by aesthetics again. The evening gives a platform to artists of various degrees and forms. There are those who seek an audience, a place to meet like-minded individuals, those just starting out, appreciative of a friendly leg-up, art enthusiasts or anyone looking for new social nooks and crannies to discover. And not to be outdone by the decor, the art really leaps off the walls. Paintings, sketches, photographs, embroidery, portraits, abstracts, works of all materials, textures, shapes and sizes, are all framed and vying for attention.

Such nights are in demand when the strains of 'Don't Stop Believing' interrupting your conversation, just doesn't cut it anymore. It's out with the old and in with the new, it's not arty farty, it's Arty Party.