Howth named one of the top romantic locations by taxi drivers

HOWTH, the Ha’Penny Bridge and Copper Face Jacks nightclub have been named as the most romantic locations in Dublin by taxi drivers that use the FREE NOW app.

Dublin taxi drivers are famous for their love of ‘a bit of chat’ with passengers. But a new survey by FREE NOW of the 14,000 drivers that use the app, ahead of St Valentine’s Day, has shown that many passengers are only too happy to ask for their advice – and often on affairs of the heart.

FREE NOW asked drivers about tales of romance from their everyday interactions with passengers in Ireland over the years. Over 33 percent of drivers that responded admitted to being asked for romantic advice by passengers while working, including requests for ideas on the most romantic hotspots in Dublin. It has emerged that taxi drivers recommend Coppers as one of the best venues for passengers looking to be struck down by Cupid’s arrow.

One driver recalled a fare from outside Coppers, where a woman had been smitten by a young gentleman in the nightclub she had just left behind but hadn’t any phone number to ask him out on a date. This led to the taxi driver turning the taxi around and going back to the man outside the nightclub to get the number on her behalf.   

Drivers also told of several Valentine’s Day horror stories, including one occasion involving a man in the back seat of a taxi proposing to his girlfriend with an expensive ring, only to be shocked when the young woman said no!  

Another taxi driver said he saw a young man leave his taxi to meet his date, only to give flowers to the wrong girl, while another passenger on a Valentine's date was so distracted, he left his bouquet of flowers behind in the taxi.

Fiona Brady, from FREE NOW, said: “Taxi drivers in Dublin have a unique character and play a colourful role in the social fabric of our cities, so ahead of Valentine’s Day we were really curious to find out more about the tales of romance and the responses did not disappoint. From whirlwind romances to full-on heartbreak, FREE NOW drivers have seen it all across Dublin city which teems with life, fun and intrigue.”