The street is famous as the site of the first performance of Handel's Messiah, which took place in the aforementioned Music Hall on 13 April 1742 before an audience of approximately 700 people. A pub further up on Thomas Street was known as G. F. Handel's before changing its name to Arthur's. Fishamble Street is also home to Darkey Kelly's, a well known Dublin music pub. It was named after Dorcas Kelly, who ran a popular brothel in the street in the 1750s and was executed for murder in 1761.
In October 2003, Francis Street's well-established and reputable traders joined forces to form Dublin's first and foremost Antique Quarter, and to launch it they published a slick little guide to Francis Street listing its many antique shops, art galleries and restaurants.
