Carlton Club Casino is situated in the heart of Dublin city centre, on the world-famous O’Connell Street.

Although it has only been a casino since 2018, the building it resides in has a rich history dating all the way back to 1915.  Rather impressively, the casino has captured this heritage in its stunning design which feels as if you’ve stepped back in time. 

Looking like something taken directly out of The Great Gatsby, the casino has an art deco inspired interior. It is a stark contrast to the modern, manic hustle and bustle going on right outside of its doors.

I went along to find out what Carlton Club Casino has to offer, and to see if it really was as spectacular as I’d heard.

Located in Dublin on O’Connell Street Upper, Carlton Club Casino started out as Carlton Cinema from 1915 – 1936. 

It was then demolished and remodelled into Carlton Cinema 2, as it is sometimes known, and when it re-opened in 1938 it had an art deco theme, a stage, and seating for 1,500 in the stalls and 500 in the circle.

In 1956, the cinema held the European premiere of Rock Around the Clock, which played to packed houses for three weeks. 

In the late 1960s, the venue was taken over by EMI Records and turned into a live music venue. Some of the big names performing here in the 60’s and 70’s included Johnny Cash, Fats Domino, and Marlene Dietrich.

It was then later bought out by MGM and was again used as four screen cinema up until 1994 when it closed. 

After being stood dormant for many years, some of the building was taken over by Dr Quirkey's Goodtime Emporium, which is a combination of an arcade and casino. And then, in 2018, The Carlton Club Casino opened right next door. 

From the outside of the casino, you can’t see any of the special features. I walked past it through the day and it just looked like a closed shopfront or nightclub entrance. 

Retro lettering spelling ‘CARLTON’ was still clear on the facia above, obviously relating to the old cinema, but the rest looked unimpressive. Much like a nightclub, Carlton Club Casino doesn’t open until 9.00pm.

Opposite the casino was the everyday commotion of a busy city centre. Trams and buses going past, shoppers enjoying the department stores and shopping centres, tourists marvelling at the sights and there was even a cinema directly opposite – the Savoy Cinema. 

However, when I went back at opening time the red carpet was rolled out, security were waiting at the door and there was a warm inviting glow welcoming me in. 

Stepping inside, I was astounded by just how spectacular it was. With a red and gold colour palate, exquisite finishings, lavish furniture, and chandelier lighting, the casino exuded opulence and glamour and I really felt like I was on a movie set.

What I wasn’t necessarily prepared for, though, was just how small it was. With just one main room, and a petite one at that, it only offered a limited selection of table games and there were no slots to be found. 

Carlton Club Casino is only suitable for table games players as they have no slots on site. 

However, if you love the thrill of a live table game, with a croupier and other players, then you might enjoy the intimate setting of Carlton Club Casino.

There are three games on offer in the main room - blackjack, roulette and baccarat. There is a separate poker parlour too. 

Tables spaces are very limited. I only actually saw six tables in operation while I was there, and they were busy. There was a good lively atmosphere around them though led by friendly croupiers.

There wasn’t any poker being played on the night I visited, but I understand that weekly tournaments do take place, so it’s more of an organised situation rather than a drop-in. The poker room looked nice but didn’t have the wow factor of the main room. 

To avoid disappointment, it’s important to know that Carlton Club Casino has restricted opening hours. It’s open Thursday to Monday from 9pm until 5am, and closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

There is no on-site accommodation, but O’Connell Street and Dublin City Centre has tonnes of hotels, many of which are within walking distance.

Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin is an upscale hotel directly opposite the casino, but there are dozens of other lower priced hotels within 10 minutes’ walk.

My particular favourite is the Arlington, which is right on the River Liffey. It might be a little dated and basic in terms of accommodation, but the bar is amazing with nightly live entertainment, and you can’t beat the atmosphere.

Staff

Overall customer service was excellent. The dealers at the table were very approachable and friendly and I received complimentary drinks while gambling from lovely servers. 

I suppose with a casino this small, it needs to rely on great customer service and a personal touch, and I felt like I received that. 

Food

There were no food options inside Carlton Club Casino. However, due to its central location, there are plenty close by. Given it only opens at 9pm too, you could argue few patrons are looking for a meal by the time they get there.

Restaurants on O’Connell Street include Fujiyama, Flanagan's Bar & Restaurant, Fortune Terrace Chinese Buffet and Toddy’s Bar and Brassiere. There are also lots of pubs serving food too such as Madigan’s and Murray’s Bar, which are just over the road.

If you want some late-night eats after leaving the casino, then you are surrounded by fast food options such as Subway, Burger King and McDonalds.

Entertainment

Carlton Club Casino has regular themed nights and special events. 

On celebrations such as St. Patricks Day, Chinese New Year, Easter, Diwali and Valentines Day, it runs special promotions such as lucky prize draws, party games, discounts and specially crafted cocktails too.

Other events include a DJ and pizza party night with complimentary drinks. All events are promoted on social media, so keep an eye out for announcements.

In many ways, the casino aesthetic is entertainment in itself. There is so much detail to take in, lots of excellent photo opportunities and the bar area is just gorgeous.

In terms of other entertainment close by, Dr Quirkey's Goodtime Emporium is immediately next door and owned by the same people who own Carlton Club Casino. You can play arcade games and slots here and there’s also plenty of sports bars around if you love watching sports.

The famous Spire of Light monument, more commonly called ‘the Spire’, can be seen from right outside the door of Carlton Club Casino and can be walked to in just a couple of minutes. 

The stainless steel landmark is 120-metre-high, 3m in diameter at the base, and is a big tourist attraction. 

At the time of writing, the infamous New York-Dublin Portal is also just a few steps from here allowing people in New York City and Dublin to interact with each other using two 24-hour live streaming video screens. It is unsure how long this attraction will be in place. 

O’Connell Bridge is just a five-minute walk where you can overlook the River Liffey and if you want to step on the famous Ha’penny Bridge then its just a ten minute walk. 

Other nearby attractions include the Guiness Storehouse, the home of Guiness where you can see how it is made and even learn how to pour your own perfect pint. Plus, Dublin Zoo, Croke Park and the vibrant Temple Bar area are all less than ten minutes away by car.

Due to the age of the building in which Carlton Club casino resides, there are some challenges in terms of accessibility. They overcome them well, although visitors should be aware it's not a large venue so it's far from ideal for accessibility.

There is a membership scheme at Carlton Club Casino which costs 20 euros to join, However, you receive 20 euros worth of matchplay in return. 

To sign up, you need to bring photographic ID along with you on your first visit.

The casino also has regular bonus offers such as matched play, mystery jackpot draws and members events to reward its loyal customers. They are actually quite good and on a par with some of the best online casinos. 

I went along to Carlton Club Casino having seen some photographs of the place and feeling really excited about going there.

My first impressions were all positive. The décor was absolutely stunning. It felt really special, almost like a secret club that I was going into. 

Having spent many a long hour in various casinos all over the world, they can begin to blend into one in your mind. This was definitely not the case with Carlton Club Casino, though. It was immediately full of character and charm.

I almost wished I’d dressed up as a 1920’s flapper girl, with a feather in my headdress and one of those long cigarette holders. 

Being completely honest, my enthusiasm did waiver once the initial spectacle had worn off and I saw how little the place was. There was just one room that included the decadent bar area, some lavish seating and a handful of table games. 

As a slots lover who dabbles in table games, I was a little disappointed. Plus, because it’s so small and intimate, I felt quite conscious of everything I did and said as it was easily noticeable.

However, I have to say the longer I stayed, the more comfortable I got. The staff were very warm and welcoming, which helped, and the complimentary cocktails helped too I’m sure!

When I do play at the tables, I tend to stick to roulette, with some occasional blackjack. But without slots there to play, I actually played roulette, blackjack and had a try at baccarat too with some very small success.

Carlton Club Casino had a really nice atmosphere when it got busier. It was almost like the other people in the room were in on the secret too and we’d all stumbled across this private club in an entirely different time period.

Ultimately, I would go back to Carlton Club Casino, and that’s the best recommendation I could give it. 

⭐ Standout Moment

The standout moment was just the seeing the intricate art deco interior for the first time. I felt like I was on a movie set, or suddenly transported back in time, and it felt really special and exciting. 

I think whether you enjoy Carlton Club Casino will all depend on what you want in a casino.

If you want a huge casino floor, with hundreds of slots and table games and a variety of eateries, bars and entertainment, then this isn’t going to be for you.

But if you enjoy a more private and exclusive gaming experience in opulent surroundings, then you’re going to love it. 

It has the feel of a speakeasy or a private members club, only you’ve found a time machine and transported yourself back in time.

The customer service has a personal touch and there’s lots of added benefits such as free drinks, themed events, and special promotions.

There’s no doubt about it, Carlton Club Casino is limited and very niche. You have to want to play a select number of table games and prefer a cosy intimate setting to enjoy it. 

If you prefer luxurious and unique surroundings to variety and space, then it’s definitely worth a visit.

🧭 How to get there

O’Connell Street is one of the most famous streets in Dublin City Centre. It’s only around 25 to 30 minutes’ drive from Dublin International Airport, plus it is on a main transport link for trams and buses.

If you’re walking to it from anywhere in the town centre, you just have to look for the Spire which is two minutes away on foot. It couldn’t be any more central or easy to get to. 

With so many shop fronts and bars along O’Connell Street you may not necessarily spot the casino through the day, so just look for the big CARLTON lettering above it. 

Alternatively, Dr Quirkey's Goodtime Emporium does have a very noticeable shop front. If you find that, Carlton Club Casino is right next door.

If arriving by car, there is no parking on site, however, there are plenty of car parks within walking distance around the main shopping areas.