The George has long stood as a cornerstone of Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community. Founded in 1986, it opened at a time when being gay in Ireland was not yet legal, and over the ensuing four decades has served as a sanctuary for LGBTQ+ individuals.
We spoke with renowned drag performers Davina Devine and Victoria Secret, who have graced The George’s stage for more than twenty years, about what The George and its 40th anniversary mean to them.
The George is a Dublin nightlife institution, but it also forms a major pillar of the LGBTQ+ community. Can you recall moments that show just how meaningful it is to people?
“Honestly, I think you see it in the way people use this space to mark moments in their lives, which makes clear that this is a place they truly want to be. Whether they’ve just become engaged, it’s a birthday celebration, or perhaps a divorce, they make this venue the focal point of that milestone. I believe that comes from something very special within the place,” says Victoria.
Davina adds, “It’s also fascinating how many people who might be grappling with their sexuality come here to discover their tribe. They often want to bring their family and wider circle of friends to share what they’ve found and the happiness they’ve uncovered within these walls. That, too, is always intriguing. We’ve even seen couples get married in the city and then take a little photo outside The George, especially if they met here.”
When you survey Dublin’s nightlife over the past two decades, with many venues closing down, what, in your view, gives The George its enduring vitality?
Davina replies first, “It has a strong identity. It carries a lot of heart and soul, and for a long time we have been a benchmark. We’ve stayed consistently present, and the core ethos has remained steady. I believe that inner heart is what keeps it beating.”
Victoria concurs; “Absolutely, and it’s more than just a bar. It has become a community hub of sorts. Not in a formal outreach sense, but numerous community groups use this space to connect with people or to run fundraisers. In the last month alone, there have been roughly five different fundraisers here. It’s not merely somewhere to grab a drink; it’s a place to connect.”
“It’s a mothership,” Davina adds.
How do you think the presence of a venue like this has accelerated drag performance in Ireland to its current prominence?
“I started a bit after Davina, so I watched her perform before I even stepped onto a stage. I think we all push one another to continuously elevate, with incredible drag acts across the country—from Shirley to Veda to Dolly to Davina beside me,” notes Victoria.
She goes on, “When we work together, we learn a great deal about the industry we inhabit, but we also draw inspiration from pop culture—the diva performances we see on stage and the wish to recreate a touch of that magic in our own venue.”
“I’ve traveled the world and collaborated with many different places, and honestly, I’m not shy about saying it: the Irish have a unique charm that I haven’t encountered anywhere else,” Davina responds.
“That’s what we call ‘the Irish craic,’” Victoria adds with a smile.
You’ve both had lengthy careers. What was the drag scene here like when you first started, and how do you think it has changed since?
“I began in 2002, and the scene was very different back then. People could smoke indoors, and that flavor of atmosphere is gone now,” Davina recalls.
“Your wigs would literally stink from smoke,” Victoria explains with a laugh.
“It was a completely different era, and everything has evolved since. The internet gradually altered how we operate, and the craft of drag—buying outfits and learning the look—was essentially an apprenticeship among the community,” Davina reflects.
“There was a queen who used a toilet paper roll to sketch her eye shape because she hadn’t yet learned the technique—we all learned from one another through those years too,” Victoria adds with a laugh.
You’ve performed across the globe and host your own podcast. What keeps drawing you back to this venue, year after year?
Victoria responds, “The audiences here are phenomenal. We’ve performed in many countries, but nothing compares to this. When performers from around the world say, ‘We love the crowd here in Ireland,’ we get to experience that weekly. So we’re spoiled in many ways. And honestly, New York and Los Angeles could never match this, as I jokingly say.”
Davina adds, “Beyond that, The George as a venue—its stage, its lighting rig, the whole space—offers an extraordinary setup that isn’t common in many Dublin locations. The logistical comfort of performing here is a big part of why we keep returning.”
Do you think The George, having become such a cultural icon, has helped open doors for drag in Ireland?
“Oh, absolutely. There are now many more regular drag events—Shirley has been hosting bingo here for ages, which was among the first of its kind, and now there are numerous bingos and drag brunches popping up everywhere. But we were the original,” Davina agrees.
As Victoria puts it, “There’s something magical inside these four walls that others have tried to replicate, but nothing beats the original. The George feels like a character in its own right—more than just a bar.”
“She’s a queen in her own right,” Davina adds with a laugh.
It’s a huge component of Dublin’s zeitgeist; everyone knows what it is.
“Of Ireland, really. People may throw around the word iconic, but it truly is a landmark venue. We even see walking tours pause here to discuss it. That says a lot,” Davina explains.
Looking forward, as a country we’ve made tremendous strides, and The George has evolved from a refuge to a cultural powerhouse. What are your hopes for The George and similar venues in the future?
“I’d love to see a late-night Sunday opening, perhaps extending till 3am. I hope people continue to look after The George as if it were another friend, because new generations keep arriving,” Victoria says.
“And those coming after may not know the history or have lived it, so I think it’s essential to honor the past, because without it there is no present,” Davina elaborates further.
Finally, Victoria adds; “The power of having a space for your community is immense. You need a place where people can feel safe, whether they’ve found acceptance with their families or have felt uneasy about coming out. The George stands there for you, a friend you turn to after a breakup or when you simply need a place to belong.”
