The 3Olympia Theatre (formerly the Olympia Theatre) is a 1,240-capacity concert and theatre venue on Dame Street in Dublin, Ireland. Originally opened in 1879 as Dan Lowrey's Star of Erin Music Hall, it is the oldest surviving concert venue in Dublin. The theatre hosts mid-scale touring acts, comedy shows, and annual Christmas pantomimes. It was rebranded as 3Olympia in September 2021 under an eight-year sponsorship deal with Three Ireland. The venue is best suited for established independent artists and mid-tier touring acts who can sell 1,000-plus tickets in the Irish market.
Here is The Kooks performing "Seaside" live at the Olympia Theatre Dublin on January 20, 2018:
History and Architecture
The venue opened on December 22, 1879, as Dan Lowrey's Star of Erin Music Hall, built on the site of a former saloon called Connell's Monster Saloon. It was renamed Dan Lowrey's Music Hall in 1881, then Dan Lowrey's Palace of Varieties in 1889. In 1897, the venue was transformed into a theatre and renamed the Empire Palace. It was renamed the Olympia Theatre in 1923.
In the early 1960s, London-based businessmen purchased the building with plans to demolish it and construct an office block. Dublin producer Brendan Smith negotiated a lease with the new owners and established Olympia Productions Limited to keep the venue operating. The lease was repeatedly renewed as the landlords sought demolition permission, but Olympia Productions eventually secured an ongoing right of renewal, preventing demolition.
On November 5, 1974, the theatre's proscenium arch collapsed during a rehearsal of West Side Story, causing the roof to cave in. The venue closed for nearly two and a half years. With support from Dublin City Council and the public, the theatre was restored and reopened on March 14, 1977. Dublin City Council placed a preservation order on the building. A further refurbishment in 2016 cost over 4 million euros, with the venue remaining open during the work.
In November 2004, a truck reversing on Dame Street crashed into the front of the building, destroying a cast-iron and glass canopy from the 1890s. The canopy was subsequently restored.
Notable Performances
R.E.M. held a five-night residency at the venue in the summer of 2007. Those sessions were released as the 2009 album Live at the Olympia. Tom Waits recorded his live version of "The Piano Has Been Drinking" at the venue, released in 1981 on the Bounced Checks compilation.
Paramore kicked off their European tour for the album After Laughter at the Olympia in June 2017. Tori Amos played her first European gig at the venue. Erasure played three consecutive sold-out nights in 2018.
Here is Dogstar performing "Everything Turns Around" live at the 3Olympia Theatre Dublin on June 11, 2026:
Other acts who have performed at the Olympia include David Bowie, Radiohead, Foo Fighters, The Killers, Adele, Florence and the Machine, LCD Soundsystem, Kraftwerk, Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McRae, Gracie Abrams, and Charli XCX. Confidence Man performed a sold-out show at the 3Olympia on December 10, 2024, which was filmed and released as a full live set by DJ Mag.
Notable Performances Here
- R.E.M. (June 30 to July 5, 2007) - R.E.M. held a five-night residency at the Olympia, functioning as working rehearsals for their album Accelerate. The recordings were released as the 2009 live album "Live at the Olympia," a 39-track double CD with a documentary DVD directed by Vincent Moon.
- Tom Waits (1980) - Waits recorded his live version of "The Piano Has Been Drinking" at the Olympia, released in 1981 on the Bounced Checks compilation.
- David Bowie - Bowie performed at the Olympia Theatre early in his career, adding to the venue's reputation as a stop for major international artists.
- Radiohead - Radiohead performed at the Olympia before achieving arena-scale success.
- The Kooks (January 20, 2018) - The Kooks performed "Seaside" live at the Olympia Theatre, captured in a video available on YouTube.
- Dogstar (June 11, 2026) - Dogstar, featuring Keanu Reeves on bass, performed at the 3Olympia Theatre during their 2026 tour.
- Confidence Man (December 10, 2024) - The Australian dance-pop band performed a sold-out show at the 3Olympia, filmed and released as a full live set by DJ Mag on YouTube.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
The 3Olympia is a realistic booking target for independent artists who have built a following in Ireland. At 1,240 capacity, it sits in the mid-tier venue range. Artists who can sell 800-plus tickets in Dublin should consider the Olympia as a target venue.
The venue's central location on Dame Street in Dublin's entertainment district means it draws from the entire city and surrounding areas. The intimate layout, with stalls, circles, and boxes, means every seat feels close to the stage. This makes it well suited for artists who want to build a connection with Irish audiences.
The venue is programmed by Denis Desmond and Caroline Downey, who acquired it in 1995. Independent artists should approach through their booking agent or contact the venue's programming team directly with a professional press kit and evidence of ticket-selling ability in the Irish market.
Use our Tour Revenue Calculator to model what different venue tiers contribute to your tour income. Read our guide on touring internationally as an independent artist for practical advice on booking venues outside your home country. The complete guide to making money as a musician in 2026 covers live revenue at every scale.
Related Resources
- Venues Directory
- Tour Revenue Calculator - Estimate earnings from live shows
- Touring Internationally as an Independent Artist
- How to Book Your First Tour: Step-by-Step Guide
- 3Arena Dublin - Dublin's larger arena venue, the next step up from the Olympia
- Barrowland Ballroom Glasgow - A comparable historic concert venue in another Celtic city
- Ancienne Belgique - A comparable mid-size European concert venue in Brussels
- 3Olympia Theatre Official Website
