Didn't realise the €9 meal in bars was a fad

dartboardio · 04-07-2020 1:04am #1

So went into a bar/restaurant for the first time today, expected to have to pay €9 for some sort of food or meal before we were allowed to order drinks

When we arrived everybody was sitting at their tables full of drinks, not a meal in sight, in fact the chefs were at the bar serving drinks not food!

Not one word mentioned about ordering food, literally you were allowed walk right up to the bar and order as many drinks as you want and sit anywhere, no food menu or mention of food anywhere :V

Then about twenty mins later a guard walked in, went upto the bar and said something to the owner or waiter, then walked back out.

After we went to a nearby restaurant for dinner we walked past and the place was still packed full of drinkers.

Why the hell do the irish government keep saying there's certain rules and not enforcing them?

Is this €9 meal thing just bull or what

Hairy Japanese BASTARDS! · 04-07-2020 1:06am

dartboardio wrote: »

So went into a bar/restaurant for the first time today, expected to have to pay €9 for some sort of food or meal before we were allowed to order drinks

When we arrived everybody was sitting at their tables full of drinks, not a meal in sight, in fact the chefs were at the bar serving drinks not food!

Not one word mentioned about ordering food, literally you were allowed walk right up to the bar and order as many drinks as you want and sit anywhere, no food menu or mention of food anywhere :V

Then about twenty mins later a guard walked in, went upto the bar and said something to the owner or waiter, then walked back out.

After we went to a nearby restaurant for dinner we walked past and the place was still packed full of drinkers.

Why the hell do the irish government keep saying there's certain rules and not enforcing them?

Is this €9 meal thing just bull or what

The Garda was probably taking bribe money to turn a blind eye.

dartboardio · 04-07-2020 1:06am

Hairy Japanese BASTARDS! wrote: »

The Garda was probably taking bribe money to turn a blind eye.

Haha.

God knows!

Was half expecting the guards to come back and shut the place down but about 2 hrs later when we walked past it was still open serving drinks... Not a food menu in sight.

lawred2 · 04-07-2020 1:09am

Well it's premise was utter bullsh"t anyway. What anti viral qualities does paying for food have?

If they were serious, the pubs wouldn't be open.

Stupid nonsensical baseless and unenforceable rules like this get ignored quickly.

Sierra Oscar · 04-07-2020 1:10am

This sort of behaviour seems to be fairly widespread unfortunately. Publicans will be moaning when they are inevitably forced to close their doors again due to their carry on.

dartboardio wrote: »

Haha.

God knows!

Was half expecting the guards to come back and shut the place down but about 2 hrs later when we walked past it was still open serving drinks... Not a food menu in sight.

Gardaí don't actually have any power to enforce the guidelines. The best they can do is object to the renewal of the liquor license for the pub.

dartboardio · 04-07-2020 1:12am

Sierra Oscar wrote: »

This sort of behaviour seems to be fairly widespread unfortunately. Publicans will be moaning when they are inevitably forced to close their doors again due to their carry on.

Gardaí don't actually have any power to enforce the guidelines. The best they can do is object to the renewal of the liquor license for the pub.

Ah okay makes sense so.

Was wondering if it was an actual rule or just a guideline yet again...

The government are making an absolute shambles of this. 'oh we don't think you should travel but the flights are still going and we can't force you not to'

And now 'oh you have to buy a substantial meal if you go out for a drink and you can only stay for 120 mins but by the way no one will enforce it'

Vestiapx · 04-07-2020 1:20am

In the 90s I was powerlifting, so I needed loads of high calorie high protein food. My source was blagging nightclub tickets. Nightclubs at the time had to supply a meal and since hardly anyone wanted it I collected the tickets on ladies night . (Ladies were free and had no interest on the food so they handed over their tickets no bother ) and got a weeks burger, sausage and chips for free in one go.

OptimusTractor · 04-07-2020 1:24am

Vestiapx wrote: »

In the 90s I was powerlifting, so I needed loads of high calorie high protein food. My source was blagging nightclub tickets. Nightclubs at the time had to supply a meal and since hardly anyone wanted it I collected the tickets on ladies night . (Ladies were free and had no interest on the food so they handed over their tickets no bother ) and got a weeks burger, sausage and chips for free in one go.

Tell me how · 04-07-2020 1:36am

dartboardio wrote: »

So went into a bar/restaurant for the first time today, expected to have to pay €9 for some sort of food or meal before we were allowed to order drinks

When we arrived everybody was sitting at their tables full of drinks, not a meal in sight, in fact the chefs were at the bar serving drinks not food!

Not one word mentioned about ordering food, literally you were allowed walk right up to the bar and order as many drinks as you want and sit anywhere, no food menu or mention of food anywhere :V

Then about twenty mins later a guard walked in, went upto the bar and said something to the owner or waiter, then walked back out.

After we went to a nearby restaurant for dinner we walked past and the place was still packed full of drinkers.

Why the hell do the irish government keep saying there's certain rules and not enforcing them?

Is this €9 meal thing just bull or what

When Gardai started carrying out traffic stops to determine who was making unnecessary journeys, these pages were full of people saying Ireland was turning in to a police state.

Most rules in most countries are adhered to through a largely willing population following them of their own free will and not just because they fear a member of the police force is watching them.

It seems you were expecting it wouldn't be enforced either given you went to a bar before going to a restaurant for your meal.

ted1 · 04-07-2020 1:39am

lawred2 wrote: »

Well it's premise was utter bullsh"t anyway. What anti viral qualities does paying for food have?

If they were serious, the pubs wouldn't be open.

Stupid nonsensical baseless and unenforceable rules like this get ignored quickly.

Pubs aren’t open, those with restaurant licences are

04-07-2020 1:56am

It's the usual thing, give people an inch and they'll take a mile. The €9 thing is an attempt to give some clarity, people just bitch and moan about it and take the piss again.

Third_Echelon · 04-07-2020 1:59am

lawred2 wrote: »

Well it's premise was utter bullsh"t anyway. What anti viral qualities does paying for food have?

If they were serious, the pubs wouldn't be open.

Stupid nonsensical baseless and unenforceable rules like this get ignored quickly.

Pubs with food licenses as well are piggybacking on the fact that restaurants are allowed to open. Pubs that just serve drinks cannot currently open. So a pub that serves food has to act as a restaurant for now, i.e. you need to eat and drink. Simple really.

Gremlinertia · 04-07-2020 1:59am

I felt it was a way to stagger the openings, the two places i went to were strict enough about the food but i felt perhaps not about the time

touts · 04-07-2020 2:10am

The lockdown is over. The guards, businesses and customers all know it. It's just the government haven't announced it yet because they have a lot of political capital tied up in it so it has to be unwound slowly. All pretence will be gone both officially and unofficially by the August bank holiday and that weekend will be something akin to St Patrick's day meets the reaction after the Italia 90 penalty shootout.

04-07-2020 2:14am

touts wrote: »

The lockdown is over. The guards, businesses and customers all know it. It's just the government haven't announced it yet because they have a lot of political capital tied up in it so it has to be unwound slowly. All pretence will be gone both officially and unofficially by the August bank holiday and that weekend will be something akin to St Patrick's day meets the reaction after the Italia 90 penalty shootout.

Once there's a huge rise in cases come the end of this month I'll guess the August Bank Holiday will be just like this year's Paddy's Day.

Guy:Incognito · 04-07-2020 2:14am

Vestiapx wrote: »

In the 90s I was powerlifting, so I needed loads of high calorie high protein food. My source was blagging nightclub tickets. Nightclubs at the time had to supply a meal and since hardly anyone wanted it I collected the tickets on ladies night . (Ladies were free and had no interest on the food so they handed over their tickets no bother ) and got a weeks burger, sausage and chips for free in one go.

That sounds like the most miserable existence , from a food pov. The stuff served in clubs then could barely be considered edible

endacl · 04-07-2020 2:38am

‘Fad’ doesn’t mean what you think it means, OP.

Vestiapx · 04-07-2020 2:39am

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

That sounds like the most miserable existence , from a food pov. The stuff served in clubs then could barely be considered edible

I had no money and it was ok.

lawred2 · 04-07-2020 6:37am

ted1 wrote: »

Pubs aren’t open, those with restaurant licences are

So pubs are open

pjohnson · 04-07-2020 6:43am

Hopefully dives like that dont get a renewal.

Pkiernan · 04-07-2020 6:51am

Its the stereotypical drunken Mick culture.

Ultimanemo · 04-07-2020 7:22am

dartboardio wrote: »

Didn't realise the €9 meal in bars was a fad

A pint contains more 200 calories, if you had 5 pints in the pub, we can say you are fine as you fulfilled the meal numbers, calories and money

ExMachina1000 · 04-07-2020 7:22am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Once there's a huge rise in cases come the end of this month I'll guess the August Bank Holiday will be just like this year's Paddy's Day.

Virus cases have fallen off a cliff in Ireland. The epicenter has long moved away.
People are denying the reality that we are far along in this journey. The leg work is done

malinheader · 04-07-2020 7:22am

Every one knew this would happen, anyone who thinks closures and certain lockdown are not coming again are only fooling themselves.

04-07-2020 7:26am

ExMachina1000 wrote: »

Virus cases have fallen off a cliff in Ireland. The epicenter has long moved away.
People are denying the reality that we are far along in this journey. The leg work is done

I wonder why they've fallen off a cliff.

ExMachina1000 · 04-07-2020 7:31am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I wonder why they've fallen off a cliff.

We prepared for the surge period by locking down the country and nationalising private hospitals.
That was months ago. We are on phase 3 of re opening and seeing only a tiny number of daily cases.

Sam Hain · 04-07-2020 7:36am

Vestiapx wrote: »

In the 90s I was powerlifting, so I needed loads of high calorie high protein food. My source was blagging nightclub tickets. Nightclubs at the time had to supply a meal and since hardly anyone wanted it I collected the tickets on ladies night . (Ladies were free and had no interest on the food so they handed over their tickets no bother ) and got a weeks burger, sausage and chips for free in one go.

You must have been in some shape.

The Bishop Basher · 04-07-2020 7:36am

Vestiapx wrote: »

Nightclubs at the time had to supply a meal and since hardly anyone wanted it I collected the tickets on ladies night . (Ladies were free and had no interest on the food so they handed over their tickets no bother ) and got a weeks burger, sausage and chips for free in one go.

You were lucky. We were only ever served slop. It was usually a dodgy “chicken” curry or a stew of some description with who knows what in it. On the rare occasion we were upgraded to cheap deep fried sausages and soggy chips. Good time’s though.

blade1 · 04-07-2020 7:52am

Place I was in the other night were selling pizza's for €9.
Pubs would be crazy not to do it.
Some killing to be made.
And no real cleaning up afterwards.
Probably about 50 pizzas came out from bar while I was there.

LillySV · 04-07-2020 8:00am

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

That sounds like the most miserable existence , from a food pov. The stuff served in clubs then could barely be considered edible

Disagree entirely ... maybe in your local that was the case... I often had fantastic grub provided to me ... and the food worked as it sobered everyone up... less fighting and nonsense as a result at end of nite.... that Requirement to provide food should be reinforced ...but like before...the pub provides light food for free

un5byh7sqpd2x0 · 04-07-2020 8:03am

ted1 wrote: »

Pubs aren’t open, those with restaurant licences are

The requirement for a restaurant license has been officially done away with, you just need to serve food.

SouthWesterly · 04-07-2020 8:11am

ExMachina1000 wrote: »

We prepared for the surge period by locking down the country and nationalising private hospitals.
That was months ago. We are on phase 3 of re opening and seeing only a tiny number of daily cases.

Wait till Joe and Mary and little delillah come back from their summer holidays with more than just a sun tan!

shar01 · 04-07-2020 8:41am

It will take a brave guard to shut down a pub. And an even braver judge to turn down a licence renewal.

My local pub employs over 50 staff and is a favourite watering spot for the local guards.

D.Q · 04-07-2020 8:48am

The Bishop Basher wrote: »

You were lucky. We were only ever served slop. It was usually a dodgy “chicken” curry or a stew of some description with who knows what in it. On the rare occasion we were upgraded to cheap deep fried sausages and soggy chips. Good time’s though.

Chefs drip tray surprise.

Big Bag of Chips · 04-07-2020 8:49am

Gremlinertia wrote: »

I felt it was a way to stagger the openings, the two places i went to were strict enough about the food but i felt perhaps not about the time

I think the time thing is a bit of a red herring too. I assume the main reason for setting a time limit is to be able to clear one group out to let another group in. If there's not another group waiting/booked to come in then there's no point in moving the other group out. Pubs/restaurants are in the business of making money and it would seem idiotic to move paying customers out after a specific time frame to then be left with an empty establishment.

Some places will be busy and popular. Some won't.

ExMachina1000 · 04-07-2020 9:09am

SouthWesterly wrote: »

Wait till Joe and Mary and little delillah come back from their summer holidays with more than just a sun tan!

Hey there Delilah whats it like in New York city?

Its riddled Seamus

I see sheep · 04-07-2020 9:18am

dartboardio wrote: »

So went into a bar/restaurant for the first time today, expected to have to pay €9 for some sort of food or meal before we were allowed to order drinks

When we arrived everybody was sitting at their tables full of drinks, not a meal in sight, in fact the chefs were at the bar serving drinks not food!

Not one word mentioned about ordering food, literally you were allowed walk right up to the bar and order as many drinks as you want and sit anywhere, no food menu or mention of food anywhere :V

Then about twenty mins later a guard walked in, went upto the bar and said something to the owner or waiter, then walked back out.

After we went to a nearby restaurant for dinner we walked past and the place was still packed full of drinkers.

Why the hell do the irish government keep saying there's certain rules and not enforcing them?

Is this €9 meal thing just bull or what

You are fake news

All that fandango · 04-07-2020 9:23am

Theres a pub in my locality that is purely a pub in that it never served food and doesnt have a kitchen. They teamed up with a local cafe a stones throw away from them to have hot food delivered up to them to serve to customers. Has anyone heard of this happening where they are and would it be considered bending the rules?

Kerry25x · 04-07-2020 10:09am

Glad to say that any bar I have been in since they reopened has been doing a brilliant job at sticking to the rules. Table service only, they advise about the requirement for ordering food and the time limit when booking the table and overall it's a very pleasant easy experience.

Kerry25x · 04-07-2020 10:10am

All that fandango wrote: »

Theres a pub in my locality that is purely a pub in that it never served food and doesnt have a kitchen. They teamed up with a local cafe a stones throw away from them to have hot food delivered up to them to serve to customers. Has anyone heard of this happening where they are and would it be considered bending the rules?

I've seen a good few places doing this, I don't think it's a problem, they're just outsourcing the food.

Ash.J.Williams · 04-07-2020 10:13am

dartboardio wrote: »

So went into a bar/restaurant for the first time today, expected to have to pay €9 for some sort of food or meal before we were allowed to order drinks

When we arrived everybody was sitting at their tables full of drinks, not a meal in sight, in fact the chefs were at the bar serving drinks not food!

Not one word mentioned about ordering food, literally you were allowed walk right up to the bar and order as many drinks as you want and sit anywhere, no food menu or mention of food anywhere :V

Then about twenty mins later a guard walked in, went upto the bar and said something to the owner or waiter, then walked back out.

After we went to a nearby restaurant for dinner we walked past and the place was still packed full of drinkers.

Why the hell do the irish government keep saying there's certain rules and not enforcing them?

Is this €9 meal thing just bull or what

You mean you went to a pub?

ax530 · 04-07-2020 10:23am

The government issue guidelines up to people to make what they wish of them. Focus on each person self responsibility at this stage.
The confusion around 'not allowed' and 'not recommend' causes people a lot of stress.
I think if someone is happy to go into a pub sit on a high stool have pint that would be allowed. Said customer may have washed hands on entry& exit and not touched face or spoken to other.
A group eating, drinking but moving from table ect (observing guidelines) could be sharing food, laughing at others face.
If people not comfortable with procedures in place to somewhere else.

sgthighway · 04-07-2020 10:28am

Went to a similar establishment but you were not allowed to order at the bar. You were given a table and drinks were brought to you. No stools at bar and no pressure to order food. The goal to keep a social distance was achieved.

fawlty682 · 04-07-2020 10:36am

We just don’t do rules in Ireland. This dithering about flying abroad is ridiculous too. Safer in Costa del Sol where beaches are monitored and most of ones eating/drinking is Jin the open air, mask wearing in close spaces compulsory than here with our sad attempt at masks etc. Spanish health service far superior too. Change of Government at bad time as Martin/Donnelly terrified to make decisions. Leo was more decisive in fairness to him, if I would not support FG.

andekwarhola · 04-07-2020 10:44am

It also gives publicans a financial leg up.

Homelander · 04-07-2020 11:31am

I've only been to one pub since they re-opened but it was being fairly strict with distancing, table service, and ordering food. Was there 2 hours before leaving and nothing was said but in general the place was making a good effort.

DebDynamite · 04-07-2020 12:05pm

ExMachina1000 wrote: »

Virus cases have fallen off a cliff in Ireland. The epicenter has long moved away.
People are denying the reality that we are far along in this journey. The leg work is done

I would agree, if we weren’t getting tourists in from the UK and the US

Del2005 · 04-07-2020 12:19pm

It's a catch 22 for the pubs, and restaurants. If they follow the guidelines then they won't survive, margins were already tiny now with Covid regulations their costs have substantially increased and their capacity massively decreased, and if they ignore them they loose possibility their licence at renewal.

I read several articles about a cafe ignoring the law a few weeks back by allowing sit down meals, but it's that was OK as it was for the Gardai and barristers! , yet if a pub ignores regulations for the great unwashed its in trouble.

Fr_Dougal · 04-07-2020 12:20pm

lawred2 wrote: »

Well it's premise was utter bullsh"t anyway. What anti viral qualities does paying for food have?

If they were serious, the pubs wouldn't be open.

Stupid nonsensical baseless and unenforceable rules like this get ignored quickly.

The mandatory meal is to stop people getting smashed on an empty stomach and getting into fights on a night out. Granted the majority of people won’t go around fighting anyhow, but it’s a catch all precaution.

jprender · 04-07-2020 12:27pm

Fr_Dougal wrote: »

The mandatory meal is to stop people getting smashed on an empty stomach and getting into fights on a night out. Granted the majority of people won’t go around fighting anyhow, but it’s a catch all precaution.

And the 9 euro minimum ? ðŸ˜†

People with a tenner in their pocket won’t throw punches ? ðŸ˜†

The “rules” are a load of rubbish.
It’s amazing it was ever put on paper officially.

Beanybabog · 04-07-2020 12:36pm

Fr_Dougal wrote: »

The mandatory meal is to stop people getting smashed on an empty stomach and getting into fights on a night out. Granted the majority of people won’t go around fighting anyhow, but it’s a catch all precaution.

I thought it was because only restaurants were allowed open, and pubs that serve food said they should be allowed too? The €9 thing was to stop the peanuts and a pint meal- if they’re opening and serving food it needs to be real meals

Didn't realise the €9 meal in bars was a fad

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