McDonalds Templebar

KTRIC

Just noticed the sign up on the building in Temple Bar Square over the weekend. It was some steak house at some stage but judging by the current fit out it looks like its going to be a nicely finished Mc Donalds.

I'm in two minds over it, on the one hand I think its a nice looking Mc Donalds, which we have very few of and on the other hand I'm annoyed thats its going to take pride of place in the center of Templebar.

What do you guys think ?

OU812

They can pay the rent, steakhouse can't. As long as there's no neon, discrete signage (haven't seen it) & they keep outside the place clean, I've no problem with it.

Slunk

On one hand its another multi national ruining the city and on the other its temple bar, its a bit of a Kip anyway. Just be nothing left for the tourists but rip off pubs.

Whatsernamex33

Are they still planning to take up the cobblestones in Temple Bar? Just out of curiosity. :pac:

It'll do good business on the weekends though.. I'm assuming it'll be 24 hours.

KeithTS

It's been a long long time since Templebar has been the nice little cultural hotspot of quirky record stores and small independent shops and whatnot so although I'm against the idea of a McD's in Templebar my rational and reasoning behind those feelings is outdated and harks back to a time yonder.

They're gonna make an absolute mint too. Also long gone are the days of stumbling over to Grafton street for a burger or into Charlies for a feast after a tipple.

Get Real

I fully understand people being against a McDonald's in a cultural area. For example there are numerous places in Ireland I would oppose one being placed in. And not just McDonald's but any of those places. I find the placement of a Supermacs on Inis Mor slightly off putting.

But although Temple Bar is designated as a cultural area, I don't think it is. McDonald's will have no adverse impact in a cultural/ astethic sense. There is already a Supermacs, Abrakebabra, Hard Rock cafe, TGI fridays and guys in red jackets that walk around promoting a casino/ exotic dance club.

These outlets/ activities listed above are no different. All have numerous outlets, all cook frozen food, buy in pre packaged and pre prepared goods. Don't see the big deal. There's a Tesco in Temple Bar too. That's a MNC, which uses intensive chicken farming, sells cheap pastries, raises pigs indoors (not for all their products of course)

But it just means-Those that are opposed to it, then you must remain consistent in your logic and get rid of all the other establishments too. Only have independent, local food places.

It'll be closing at 12 anyway, so the mayhem, disorder, screaming, puking and littering in the early hours will still be confined to supermac's, abrakebabra, and mostly just the streets of the area. As has always been:rolleyes:

smellmepower

PP was for opening hours of 7.30am-midnight apparently.Signage looks alright,considering it's McDonalds.

nxbyveromdwjpg

The approval was discussed here last year - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056336149

Jesus Wept

Temple bar is a kip, thus, I don't really understand the concern.

hfallada

Finally there is somewhere affordable to eat even if it is McDonald's. They are one of the biggest, if not the biggest buyers of irish meat. A third of all mcdonalds burgers in europe come from ireland.

I hope they don't put a Starbucks in temple bar next. That is a step to far.

Honey-ec

hfallada wrote: »

I hope they don't put a Starbucks in temple bar next. That is a step to far.

Mr.S wrote: »

Why? I'd say they would make a killing if they put one there!

There already is one, on the corner of College Green and Anglesea St.

smellmepower

Andy Carroll wrote: »

Temple bar is a kip, thus, I don't really understand the concern.

Ah the IFI is nice,some of the markets are good too.

vicwatson

Andy Carroll wrote: »

Temple bar is a kip, thus, I don't really understand the concern.

Actually y'know Temple Bar is quite a nice area of Dublin, real nice character of some building, nice pubs and restaurants -

IT'S THE PEOPLE THAT VISIT TEMPLE BAR THAT MAKE IT A KIP !!!!

Lux23

I'm not bothered really, I mean isn't there a Hard Rock Cafe and a Supermacs? What's the difference really?

Basq

Lux23 wrote: »

I'm not bothered really, I mean isn't there a Hard Rock Cafe and a Supermacs? What's the difference really?

About €10 difference between a burger in both!

carlmango11

Temple Bar really isn't a kip. I'm curious what people are comparing it to to come to that conclusion. Henry Street? O'Connell Street?

It's a nice cobblestoned set of streets with a modest square, interesting shops/galleries, pubs. It has markets, the IFI, a nice atmosphere. I mean it's not claiming to be the greatest place in the world but it's hardly a kip.

L1011

I have no idea what idealised city centre people are comparing us to - Dublin's no different to any other city. Main street in Amsterdam is the tackiest, fast food and tat shop laden street you're going to find in the western world. Paris sort-of protects the Champs Elysees but there's still a McDonalds.

Cienciano

In fairness, if you're unfortunate enough to spend time drinking in Temple Bar, you at least deserve somewhere cheap to get food.

smellmepower

If someone is stupid enough to pay the extortionate drink prices in most Temple Bar pubs,then they are probably stupid enough to pay McDonalds to eat their version of food!

power pants

I very rarely eat macdonalds maybe once or twice a year but when I do I really enjoy their big macs.

Zaph

I just feel sorry for anyone who ends up working there. It's irrelevant that it'll be closing relatively early, it'll still be an absolute zoo, particularly at the weekends.

Ravelleman

Zaph wrote: »

I just feel sorry for anyone who ends up working there. It's irrelevant that it'll be closing relatively early, it'll still be an absolute zoo, particularly at the weekends.

No more so than any other purveyor of fast food in the city centre.

JupiterKid

When is it due to actually open?

Get Real

Zaph wrote: »

I just feel sorry for anyone who ends up working there. It's irrelevant that it'll be closing relatively early, it'll still be an absolute zoo, particularly at the weekends.

Used to work there during college, wouldn't feel sorry at all. Night rate is 15 per hour, sunday pay the same. Proper paid breaks and paid taxis after night shift. One of the best employers in that industry.

My friend in college worked in a very well known, upper class, dublin hotel. Minimum wage, no paid breaks, no sunday pay, finishing at midnight and being in at 6 the next day. Worse than the standards at mcdonalds. Because of the employment situation there are many graduates working there, i know of an engineer, gynacologist and a girl straight out of medicine.

Save your pity for those working in the pubs in temple bar.

liffeylite

I think Temple Bar gets a bad rep sometimes. Sure there are some over priced pubs there, but there are some great pubs and bars too - Vintage cocktail club, button factory, mezz, Sin, the Garage, bison Bar, Gypsy Rose, Liquer rooms, Thomas reads, porterhouse etc etc

Add to that all of the restaurants and there are still plenty of independent stores there. Love the one that sells the retro football shirts and there are plenty of vintage stores and cool cafes in the area. Not to mention the Art house cinema, the meeting squares, the markets and the galleries and the newish IBAT college.

Dublin would miss Temple Bar if it wasn't there, there is something there for everyone.

As far as Mcdonalds is concerned, shame its a fast food place rather than another independent in the area, but they will do well, make money and create jobs. I wouldn't imagine the 11:30pm curfew will last too long...foot in the door for Mcdonalds as far as I am concerned

ErnestGravy

There's a Supermacs in TB already so no point in objecting to a McDonalds.

January

Thought the Supermacs was on Westmoreland St? Technically not Temple Bar, right?

BonkeyDonker

January wrote: »

Thought the Supermacs was on Westmoreland St? Technically not Temple Bar, right?

There is another one in Temple Bar - on Fleet Street.

Cathmandooo

January wrote: »

Thought the Supermacs was on Westmoreland St? Technically not Temple Bar, right?

Westmoreland Street supermacs is gone, if I remember correctly!

January

Cathmandooo wrote: »

Westmoreland Street supermacs is gone, if I remember correctly!

Shows you when the last time I was in the City Centre was!

Cathmandooo

Oh no I may be thinking of abrakebabra!

L1011

Cathmandooo wrote: »

Oh no I may be thinking of abrakebabra!

You are.

Supermacs Temple Bar has been there for years under their backup brand name (Hungry Harrys) for planning reasons, dunno what changed to let them change the name. Has always had the full Supermacs menu.

Brinimartini

OU812 wrote: »

They can pay the rent, steakhouse can't. As long as there's no neon, discrete signage (haven't seen it) & they keep outside the place clean, I've no problem with it.

What have you against neon?....it's lovely and atmospheric and upbeat and jolly.

snappieT

Brinimartini wrote: »

What have you against neon?....it's lovely and atmospheric and upbeat and jolly.

It's tacky and accelerates the loss of any charm Temple Bar ever had.

TheBandicoot

liffeylite wrote: »

here is something there for everyone.

I've never needed to go there.

liffeylite

TheBandicoot wrote: »

I've never needed to go there.

Nobody needs to go anywhere.

I am just saying that there is a good variety of things to do and a vast spectrum of places to go to in Temple Bar.

Too often people focus on the chain places and ignore all the great independent businesses there.

Wander round most UK cities and you find them almost entirely carbon copies of one another, chain store after chain store and little room for imagination.

Thankfully, Dublin doesn't suffer too badly in this regard and post recession, the number of independents across the city, not just in Temple Bar is something the city should be proud of.

TheBandicoot

liffeylite wrote: »

I am just saying that there is a good variety of things to do and a vast spectrum of places to go to in Temple Bar.

Sure, I'm just saying none of those things or places has ever caused me to visit.

miamee

Looks like it is now open for business, passed by there an hour or so ago.

KTRIC

miamee wrote: »

Looks like it is now open for business, passed by there an hour or so ago.

So did I , pleased to see a McCafe as well, over all I like the look of the outside, looks very clean and stylish

EyeSight

i don't see what the problem is. I don't know why they aren't allowed stay open late either. If people want to eat there then let them. Better than an empty building or some other "luck of the irish" type place.

Caonima

Why would you go to McDs there anyway, when Charlies is so much better

jossnjuice

Caonima wrote: »

Why would you go to McDs there anyway, when Charlies is so much better

Pretty sure that Charlies shut a few months back!

triplejointed

The must visit in Temple Bar is Southern Fried Chicken. The only one in the country.

Sulla Felix

Don't see why they're not allowed open late, when other purveyors of similar food are allowed stay open later.
Expect that'll change a few years down the road.

Caonima

jossnjuice wrote: »

Pretty sure that Charlies shut a few months back!

Feck Really?

Man, I've been gone too long.

ongarboy

Was in town today and noticed it is now open. Didn't go in but the front entrance as I passed it doesn't seem very bright or inviting (you're immediately faced with a lift and stairs to the left ). There's a McCafe too. Quite an understated appearance tbh.


Just on the general criticism of Temple Bar in this thread, I think the area is mainly designed for tourists who are happy with one centralised place that has a cluster of bars, clubs, restaurants and gift shops. It is convenient for those not familiar with Dublin as they don't have to be traipsing all over the city to try and find nightlife/entertainment. If you're only here for a one off city break/weekend/hen or stag, it serves it's purpose well. If you live in Dublin and socialise frequently, then yes I agree it would not be a place to frequent for regular nights out. I agree that it has failed as a cultural quarter and the planners/citizens of Dublin should just acknowledge it as a type of Leceister Square or Times Square destination designed to serve tourists rather than residents.

Caonima

ongarboy wrote: »

Was in town today and noticed it is now open. Didn't go in but the front entrance as I passed it doesn't seem very bright or inviting (you're immediately faced with a lift and stairs to the left ). There's a McCafe too. Quite an understated appearance tbh.


Just on the general criticism of Temple Bar in this thread, I think the area is mainly designed for tourists who are happy with one centralised place that has a cluster of bars, clubs, restaurants and gift shops. It is convenient for those not familiar with Dublin as they don't have to be traipsing all over the city to try and find nightlife/entertainment. If you're only here for a one off city break/weekend/hen or stag, it serves it's purpose well. If you live in Dublin and socialise frequently, then yes I agree it would not be a place to frequent for regular nights out. I agree that it has failed as a cultural quarter and the planners/citizens of Dublin should just acknowledge it as a type of Leceister Square or Times Square destination designed to serve tourists rather than residents.

Dunno, there's a couple of bars in there that I really like going to. Porterhouse, Czech Inn, Buskers (good for Champions League football nights), Foggy Dew...

JupiterKid

I have to say that the new McDs in Temple bar looks very understated - no garish big yellow M signs to be seen.

The stipulation about not opening after midnight is to stop potential anti-social behaviour associated with apres-booze soakage punters.

I was very against McDonalds opening in Temple Bar when it was mooted but since the place has a Supermacs and other fast food eateries, it won't make that much of a difference.

EyeSight

JupiterKid wrote: »

I have to say that the new McDs in Temple bar looks very understated - no garish big yellow M signs to be seen.

The stipulation about not opening after midnight is to stop potential anti-social behaviour associated with apres-booze soakage punters.

I was very against McDonalds opening in Temple Bar when it was mooted but since the place has a Supermacs and other fast food eateries, it won't make that much of a difference.

I don't see how McDonalds causes anti social behaviour. They should look into closing the bars around there is they want to stop anti social behaviour:rolleyes:
**not an attack on you but the planners/whoever made the decision**
besides usually McDonalds would have a bouncer at night. There are already fast food places around which may "cause" this anti social behaviour too:rolleyes:

Elbaston

ahhh no.

the coup de grace for temple bar.

milkshake cups and fries boxes everywhere ... and even more vomit than usual.


[/templebar]

Twee.

Very subtle signage, I think it looks fine. I'm sure it'll do good business.

Temple Bar is much more than the square. There's lots to see and do beyond that area, at any time of day or night.