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Who to complain to about pubs that are violating the licence laws

  • 29-10-2010 4:27pm
    #1
    Stabshauptmann
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,885 ✭✭✭


    Over the past few months
    I've been to a pub that refused to serve tap water
    A pub that wouldnt accept garda ID
    A pub that didnt serve hot food, and threw me out when I brought in my own

    The last one Im not sure of, but I thought pubs had to serve hot food (I remember being told when I worked in one never to say the kitchen is closed).
    But the other Im certain pubs cant do.

    Who should I complain to? The Gardai said its not a matter for them


Comments

  • #2
    leeroybrown
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,563 ✭✭✭leeroybrown


    I'm open to correction on all of these but:

    1) The provision of tap water isn't a requirement for pubs in Ireland. Most pubs do out of courtesy. I think the confusion comes from a UK requirement.
    2) They are supposed to accept the Garda ID.
    3) I'm not aware of any blanket licensing requirement for pubs to serve hot food or to allow customers eat their own.

    With the exception of the Garda ID issue I'd check my facts before making any complaint.


  • #3
    MagicSean
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,897 ✭✭✭MagicSean


    Doesn't seem to be a breach of any licencing laws here. You can write to the local Super with your objections to the licence being renewed if you wish.

    EDIT: You could of course just go elsewhere.


  • #4
    Del2005
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,123 ✭✭✭✭Del2005


    leeroybrown wrote: »
    I'm open to correction on all of these but:

    2) They are supposed to accept the Garda ID.


    With the exception of the Garda ID issue I'd check my facts before making any complaint.

    Could the pub not just say they thought it was fake?


  • #5
    nuac
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,769 ✭✭✭nuac


    None of your complaints are offences under the licnensing acts.

    If you think they are you can
    1. make a formal complaint to Gardai - and be prepared to giv evidence if they do decide to prosecute

    2. Object at the annual renewal of the licence - again you would have to specify the complaint and give evidence.

    Are you just a teeny teeny tad fussy?


  • #6
    detective
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 444 ✭✭detective


    Stabshauptmann wrote: »
    Over the past few months
    I've been to a pub that refused to serve tap water
    A pub that wouldnt accept garda ID
    A pub that didnt serve hot food, and threw me out when I brought in my own

    The last one Im not sure of, but I thought pubs had to serve hot food (I remember being told when I worked in one never to say the kitchen is closed).
    But the other Im certain pubs cant do.

    Who should I complain to? The Gardai said its not a matter for them

    Pubs don't have to serve tap water. They can refuse any customer regardless of ID (unless they actually ask for ID, then you show your Garda ID and then they say that the Garda ID won't do - this would be wrong but not contrary to licensing laws themselves). Pubs don't have to serve hot food but if they want to obtain certain exemptions then sometimes they have to provide a substantial meal, depends on the special occasion. You should complain to the barman at a bar that wishes to have your custom in this glorious recession.


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  • #7
    Zambia
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,333 ✭✭✭Zambia


    I want to remove the assumption here and ask is the Garda ID real?


  • #8
    Stabshauptmann
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,885 ✭✭✭Stabshauptmann


    Yes, the ID is real, the pub in question asked for ID and said they dont accept age cards.


  • #9
    MagicSean
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,897 ✭✭✭MagicSean


    Stabshauptmann wrote: »
    Yes, the ID is real, the pub in question asked for ID and said they dont accept age cards.

    You should definitely report that to the local station.


  • #10
    Stabshauptmann
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,885 ✭✭✭Stabshauptmann


    nuac wrote: »
    Are you just a teeny teeny tad fussy?

    Because I dont carry my driving license or passport with me everywhere I go?
    The age card fits in my wallet.

    And as for hot food and water, both were times where I needed to sober another person up. Rather than being an obtuse prick, I'd say I was doing a nice thing by taking care of another.

    [edit] Though I accept the point that pubs dont have to serve food or tap water [/edit]

    These were three different pubs


  • #11
    Stabshauptmann
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,885 ✭✭✭Stabshauptmann


    k_mac wrote: »
    You should definitely report that to the local station.
    I reported it to a garda on the beat (7pm, had not had a single drink at this stage) who said it wasnt a matter for the Gardai


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  • #12
    MagicSean
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,897 ✭✭✭MagicSean


    Stabshauptmann wrote: »
    I reported it to a garda on the beat (7pm, had not had a single drink at this stage) who said it wasnt a matter for the Gardai

    It's not a garda matter in that it breaches no laws. Write to the local Super. He will be able to consider it when the licence is up for renewal.


  • #13
    Del2005
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,123 ✭✭✭✭Del2005


    Stabshauptmann wrote: »
    And as for hot food and water, both were times where I needed to sober another person up.

    The only thing that sobers a person up is time.


  • #14
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,650 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    Stabshauptmann wrote: »
    A pub that didnt serve hot food, and threw me out when I brought in my own

    The last one Im not sure of, but I thought pubs had to serve hot food (I remember being told when I worked in one never to say the kitchen is closed).

    There is no obligation on pubs to serve hot food and neither have you the right to bring your own hot (or cold) food onto the premises and consume it there and then. A publican is well within his rights to declare as a matter of policy that the premises is for drinking only.

    Your post suggests that places like Mulligans of Poolbeg St. or the Palace Bar in Fleet St. are legally obliged to facilitate some idiot (not you) who walks in off the street carrying a bag of chips and a burger and then permit him to eat it there and then with a glass of water because they won't accept his Garda card so he can't order a beer! Dream on.


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