Outdoor dining summer 2021

Kingp35 · 09-06-2021 1:09pm

I'm also searching for places that are open to book in for my wife's birthday but every restaurant I check seems to be closed. Very frustrating!

Space Dog · 09-06-2021 2:09pm

ceatharloch wrote: »

Is it possible to find anywhere in BOARDS (or the internet....) an updated list of which restaurants / gastro-pubs etc. are open for outdoor dining (i.e. they have their own outdoor tables+chairs, not take-away) in Galway City? It would save having to trawl through individual web pages / FB pages of restaurants one by one........

This seems kind of up-to-date, but I'm not sure if they've updated all places that now do outdoor dining:

https://www.openingalway.com/p/home.html?m=1

ceatharloch · 10-06-2021 10:44am

Surely the "Elephant in the kitchen" is the fact that the main center of Galway (Shop Street, High Street, Quay Street) which is already pedestrianized has not gone further and been at least partly covered over for large scale outdoor dining? There's many restaurants here with 5 or 7 tables outdoors, but 20 or 30 indoors, they could be viable if they had 20 or 30 outdoors?

Mrs OBumble · 10-06-2021 11:20am

Couple of elephants:

The available footpath left between two restaurants in Quay Street is now ridiculously small. Maybe two metres wide, if that. Only way to get more tables is to cover space in front of other premises. So who gets what, and who decides.

Apart from Middle Street, most outdoor "dining" is actually outdoor drinking. 100% drinking in Raven's Tce and the Small Crane. Seated only, my a$$.

ceatharloch · 10-06-2021 11:53am

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Couple of elephants:

The available footpath left between two restaurants in Quay Street is now ridiculously small. Maybe two metres wide, if that. Only way to get more tables is to cover space in front of other premises. So who gets what, and who decides.

Apart from Middle Street, most outdoor "dining" is actually outdoor drinking. 100% drinking in Raven's Tce and the Small Crane. Seated only, my a$$.

True - but further up, McCambridges, Garavans, Griffins, Taaffes, Kings Head, Tigh Coili, Ciarlantini, one-or-two-other-cafes-whose-names-escape-me could all have far more outdoor seats without blocking the road.

xckjoo · 10-06-2021 11:54am

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Couple of elephants:

The available footpath left between two restaurants in Quay Street is now ridiculously small. Maybe two metres wide, if that. Only way to get more tables is to cover space in front of other premises. So who gets what, and who decides.

Apart from Middle Street, most outdoor "dining" is actually outdoor drinking. 100% drinking in Raven's Tce and the Small Crane. Seated only, my a$$.

I thought they got rid of the food requirement?

irish_major · 10-06-2021 12:11pm

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Couple of elephants:

The available footpath left between two restaurants in Quay Street is now ridiculously small. Maybe two metres wide, if that. Only way to get more tables is to cover space in front of other premises. So who gets what, and who decides.

Apart from Middle Street, most outdoor "dining" is actually outdoor drinking. 100% drinking in Raven's Tce and the Small Crane. Seated only, my a$$.

Oh FFS :rolleyes: - you were crossing your fingers that you'd be able to complain about the drinking!

Have seen plenty of people eating at Ravens terrace over the past few days, it looks to be great craic and I cannot wait to be sitting there with a Pizza and a Pint.

Try enjoy the good weather over the weekend.

Mrs OBumble · 10-06-2021 12:19pm

xckjoo wrote: »

I thought they got rid of the food requirement?

They did. But they didn't get rid of seated table service.

Storm 10 · 10-06-2021 1:02pm

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

They did. But they didn't get rid of seated table service.

Passed several pubs yesterday with outdoor seating and full tables and lots of people standing drinking pints

biko · 10-06-2021 2:11pm

Yeah the pubs probably won't turn people away even if they don't sit down.

ratracer · 10-06-2021 2:33pm

biko wrote: »

Yeah the pubs probably won't turn people away even if they don't sit down.

I don’t know about that. Was in Taylor’s earlier in the week as a group of 7, had to book two tables and they were pretty quick to come over and tell us to use both tables when we inevitably tried to get all the group into the conversation.

A similar fate happened another group of 7 in there at the time, they had to split into two tables also. It’s a bit of pain really, but I suppose rules are rules, and at least they are being enforced for now.

It was great getting a few proper beers, but really not the same craic as in the pub before.

Fitz* · 10-06-2021 2:43pm

ceatharloch wrote: »

True - but further up, McCambridges, Garavans, Griffins, Taaffes, Kings Head, Tigh Coili, Ciarlantini, one-or-two-other-cafes-whose-names-escape-me could all have far more outdoor seats without blocking the road.

Yeah I was thinking that myself. There are some businesses that could potentially have larger outdoor seating areas without blocking up too much space. But they are not being used. Outside the Skeff for example to add to yours. There seems to be a lot of half-spaces used more than the full space which kind of just clutters up more space rather than using it smartly. I think Cross Street is done really poorly and actually ended up being a poor reflection on Front Door/Buskers/etc.

Now I have heard that some businesses are actually using a smaller seating space as they actually prefer to do takeaway pints. For some businesses, there's a lot more money to made on takeaway pints per hour compared to 4 people sitting down for a meal for the same amount of space used.

biko · 12-06-2021 10:48am

Me and mates were in Salthill yesterday and we got served even when tables were full, standing the whole time. Others were standing too.
This was after-work beers so kinda early.

RonnieL · 12-06-2021 8:42pm

Haven't been into Galway City recently, but want to book a table for next Saturday night for a bite to eat and pints. Any recommendations for places that are taking bookings, and a have a decent covering in case of crap weather? First place I thought of was O'Connell's, but I can't see any info on their social media or website (which seems to be down) to suggest they are back open.

SaltSweatSugar · 12-06-2021 11:13pm

RonnieL wrote: »

Haven't been into Galway City recently, but want to book a table for next Saturday night for a bite to eat and pints. Any recommendations for places that are taking bookings, and a have a decent covering in case of crap weather? First place I thought of was O'Connell's, but I can't see any info on their social media or website (which seems to be down) to suggest they are back open.

Walked past it yesterday and it didn’t seem to be open. Was surprised considering how large their beer garden is.

Mrs OBumble · 13-06-2021 12:21am

SaltSweatSugar wrote: »

Walked past it yesterday and it didn’t seem to be open. Was surprised considering how large their beer garden is.

Ya, rumours about that they've some building work that needs doing. No idea how true - but they ain't open.

If I wanted to book a place with good shelter, I'd go for Pucan, Rabbits, Taylors, Roisin Dubh or Neachtains. The rest are more flimsy or small.

13-06-2021 3:45pm

Was in Salthill today, didn't see much special provision for outdoor dining apart from one (empty) concrete slab outside Supermacs.

Am I missing something or were plans scrapped? Assumed on-street parking would be removed and people spaced out. Seemed to be just people in small pens between pubs/takeaways and the footpath.

zell12 · 13-06-2021 3:56pm

VanWildcard wrote: »

Was in Salthill today, didn't see much special provision for outdoor dining apart from one (empty) concrete slab outside Supermacs.

There is a second one further on outside Mocha Beans with tables and chairs.

Mrs OBumble · 13-06-2021 4:00pm

zell12 wrote: »

There is a second one further on outside Mocha Beans with tables and chairs.

And a far bigger one outside Da Robertas, which looks to be permanent.

17-06-2021 10:39am

Urban design handled with the delicacy of a ring road project.

https://twitter.com/mistereatgalway/status/1405422415153405952?s=19

xckjoo · 17-06-2021 10:48am

VanWildcard wrote: »

Urban design handled with the delicacy of a ring road project.

https://twitter.com/mistereatgalway/status/1405422415153405952?s=19

Someone in GCC is heavily invested in concrete slabs and flexible bollards

gordongekko · 17-06-2021 12:29pm

I love having my food with a dose of diesel fumes and a bit of slagging from the lads bushing coming back from the canal

zell12 · 17-06-2021 12:36pm

xckjoo wrote: »

Someone in GCC is heavily invested in concrete slabs and flexible bollards

In fairness, I've regularly see cars and vans driving over those flexibollards and parking atop them

zell12 · 17-06-2021 12:40pm

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

And a far bigger one outside Da Robertas, which looks to be permanent.

Robertas appear to have blocked the footpath, pedestrians have to walk out to the extension to get past

RickyBobby1 · 18-06-2021 8:47am

Any tips for somewhere to watch matches in town, salthill or close by later? Not fussy where as long as can see matches and get food.

Storm 10 · 18-06-2021 2:36pm

This cant be true if the Garda were instructed by Headquarters in Dublin to do this it would be a National ban not just a Galway City one , either way its crazy if true.

https://connachttribune.ie/pubs-face-court-for-serving-booze-on-their-doorsteps/

Mrs OBumble · 18-06-2021 3:22pm

Storm 10 wrote: »

This cant be true if the Garda were instructed by Headquarters in Dublin to do this it would be a National ban not just a Galway City one , either way its crazy if true.

https://connachttribune.ie/pubs-face-court-for-serving-booze-on-their-doorsteps/

Garda sergeants in other towns may have been smart enough to ignore the instruction. Or maybe Galway is seen as a good test case for the country.

I can confirm that senior-looking guards visited licenses premises on Thursday. Not party to the discussions.

Storm 10 · 18-06-2021 3:33pm

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Garda sergeants in other towns may have been smart enough to ignore the instruction. Or maybe Galway is seen as a good test case for the country.

I can confirm that senior-looking guards visited licenses premises on Thursday. Not party to the discussions.

Wonder does it mean you cant sit outside in the marked off areas and have a pint, if so its a pointless exercise closing off all the streets because they are being set up so you can have a beer, if its true the publicans will have spent a lot of money on outdoor furniture.

testtech05 · 18-06-2021 3:46pm

If thats the case has it been illegal all along to have a pint in an outdoor smoking area like you have out the back of Murtys or the Pucan? Or is it just referring outside the footprint of the premises/on the footpath /road.

Seems very silly either way

Pen Rua · 18-06-2021 3:51pm

Does this not go back to the licensing laws, as highlighted when takeaway pints were all the rage. Something about drinks having to be consumed X metres away from the premises?

timmyntc · 18-06-2021 3:52pm

Storm 10 wrote: »

Wonder does it mean you cant sit outside in the marked off areas and have a pint, if so its a pointless exercise closing off all the streets because they are being set up so you can have a beer, if its true the publicans will have spent a lot of money on outdoor furniture.

I dont think consumption is the issue here, but sale.

If you are getting table service to a table on a public street that doesn't "belong" to the premises, they are selling alcohol on public grounds that isnt covered as part of their license.

Seems like a very petty interpretation of the law, even if it is correct.

Laviski · 18-06-2021 3:54pm

testtech05 wrote: »

If thats the case has it been illegal all along to have a pint in an outdoor smoking area like you have out the back of Murtys or the Pucan? Or is it just referring outside the footprint of the premises/on the footpath /road.

Seems very silly either way

Where drinking is on public land. The above you mentioned are using areas on privately owned land which would be part of the premises.

A better example would be the skeff and all the pubs that had outdoor seating pre pandemic all down shop street and quay street as prime examples. We're they always illegal?

timmyntc · 18-06-2021 4:01pm

Laviski wrote: »

Where drinking is on public land. The above you mentioned are using areas on privately owned land which would be part of the premises.

A better example would be the skeff and all the pubs that had outdoor seating pre pandemic all down shop street and quay street as prime examples. We're they always illegal?

Presumably they had a formal agreement with council to use those areas.
I imagine this only applies to ad-hoc outdoor areas from this summer - surely the council could put something in place to allow fee-free leasing of areas in front of pubs for this summer?

18-06-2021 4:04pm

The govt say table service only

The Garda say you can't have people paying for the drinks at the table as its outside the premises

Its not possible to adhere to both requirements

The Gardai could be covering their bases by pushing this and forcing the Min for Justice to put pen to paper to give instruction to put a hold on inspecting for adherence for the duration of the measures which covers them in the event of any issues arising

gordongekko · 18-06-2021 4:19pm

I'm guessing it's to do with the local by law we have in galway that makes it illegal to drink in public places so we people are drinking in seats on public land it may fall under this rule. Completely mad to enforce this rule.

Mrs OBumble · 18-06-2021 4:55pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

The govt say table service only

The Garda say you can't have people paying for the drinks at the table as its outside the premises

Its not possible to adhere to both requirements

The Gardai could be covering their bases by pushing this and forcing the Min for Justice to put pen to paper to give instruction to put a hold on inspecting for adherence for the duration of the measures which covers them in the event of any issues arising

I would guess this is spot on.

At the moment, you can go inside to pee, but not to pay.

Until now, the sale transaction occurred inside, ie on-premises. Consumption was allowed off-premises, in the public land which the pub has leased from the council.

ben.schlomo · 18-06-2021 5:03pm

gordongekko wrote: »

I'm guessing it's to do with the local by law we have in galway that makes it illegal to drink in public places so we people are drinking in seats on public land it may fall under this rule. Completely mad to enforce this rule.

Well no because then it would have been happening every time someone sat outside having a drink over the years. Freeneys, Coilis, Neachtains to name a few would never have been able have outside seating if this had been the case. Dacor is most likely right.

zell12 · 18-06-2021 8:04pm

Law says you must be 100m+ away from the premises in which you bought the closed container alcohol, be it shop/pub
and
it is illegal to drink anywhere public in Galway City
https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/justice/criminal_law/criminal_offences/alcohol_and_the_law.html#lde636
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/galway-bans-on-street-drinking-of-all-alcohol-1.205681

Laviski · 18-06-2021 9:05pm

Facilitating outdoor dining does not also mean facilitating alcohol consumption.... I guess.

thesandeman · 19-06-2021 3:16am

A report from somebody I 100% believe.
Outside a city pub with its own outside area (always has) but is beside a street. All seats at the tables were taken so two lads were standing socially distanced beside one table inside the pub's own area.
Guards pulled up and told them with some embarrassment that they couldn't be standing up if they had drinks in their hands. They (Guards) suggested/thought/weren't too sure that the lads put their drinks on a table next time they came around and they would be ok even if they were standing up inside the area if they weren't holding a drink.

Yyhhuuu · 19-06-2021 8:38am

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

I would guess this is spot on.

At the moment, you can go inside to pee, but not to pay.

Until now, the sale transaction occurred inside, ie on-premises. Consumption was allowed off-premises, in the public land which the pub has leased from the council.

The public pavement is on Licence not Lease, there is a difference.

zell12 · 19-06-2021 9:18pm

Beautiful to see the roads turned over to people. This should've been done years ago!!.. fostering community spirit
Dominick St and William St West in particular is hopping, from Monroes to Small Crane, people having good fun being people and supporting businesses

Mrs OBumble · 19-06-2021 9:49pm

zell12 wrote: »

fostering community spirit
Dominick St and William St West in particular is hopping, from Monroes to Small Crane, people having good fun being people and supporting businesses

Which particular community do you think is being fostered?

I'm delighted to see the business community able to trade and provide employment. And happy to see public roads being used temporarily to facilitate this, given the current health situation.

But don't try to pretend that it's fostering community spirit. Most of the diners and drinkers are far from in their own communities. They are there with their friends, and don't give a sh*t about the community which is based where they are partying.

19-06-2021 10:01pm

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Most of the diners and drinkers are far from in their own communities. They are there with their friends, and don't give a sh*t about the community which is based where they are partying.

Christ, community doesn't equal residential area and very sweeping statement about the people out enjoying our city.

20-06-2021 5:03pm

In a statement An Garda Síochána said that outlets selling food or drink are restricted to "takeaway" or selling "for consumption off the premises".

It said that while local authorities may provide permission for additional seating space outside of licensed premises, these spaces are not covered for the consumption of alcohol by the licence issued to a premises issued by the District Court.

Separate to this, local authority bye-laws deal with whether or not drinking in a public place is permitted.

In Galway for example, bye-laws are in place which prohibit it.

The matter will be raised at a meeting of the Galway City Joint Policing Committee on Monday.

https://www.rte.ie/news/2021/0620/1229297-alcohol-streets/

thesandeman · 21-06-2021 2:16am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

https://www.rte.ie/news/2021/0620/1229297-alcohol-streets/

Good move in fairness. The publicity and resultant discussion might make things clearer for everyone involved.

thesandeman · 21-06-2021 2:37am

Either the journalist or the interviewee must have sampled a craft beer inside or outside during this discussion.

21-06-2021 2:04pm

Regardless of what the law says, someone in Mill Street is making the decision to be a complete ass.

I'd hazard a guess it's the same person who had the Guards go around and close pubs at 12 a few years back, when there was some loophole in the licensing that meant they couldn't open past 12 and the same person who has issued and executed warrants on Little Collins.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/connachttribune.ie/city-gardai-stand-firm-in-face-of-pubs-furore/amp/

They can sprout crap all the want that they're following the laws, but someone is making the decision that they need to enforce these issues and cause problems for business owners and the public.

"Discretion will be used"...it hardly took a talk between the minister and commissioner to decide that discretion could be applied, that was always the case.

Storm 10 · 21-06-2021 2:42pm

gilberto_eire wrote: »

Regardless of what the law says, someone in Mill Street is making the decision to be a complete ass.

I'd hazard a guess it's the same person who had the Guards go around and close pubs at 12 a few years back, when there was some loophole in the licensing that meant they couldn't open past 12 and the same person who has issued and executed warrants on Little Collins.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/connachttribune.ie/city-gardai-stand-firm-in-face-of-pubs-furore/amp/

They can sprout crap all the want that they're following the laws, but someone is making the decision that they need to enforce these issues and cause problems for business owners and the public.

"Discretion will be used"...it hardly took a talk between the minister and commissioner to decide that discretion could be applied, that was always the case.

One of the Pub owners said on Galway Bay FM last week when he asked the Guard where did this instruction come from he was told Headquarters in Dublin, now if that was true would they not be expected to do the same Nationwide surely they could not just single out Galway for this, I would say you are correct in what you say

WallyGUFC · 21-06-2021 2:47pm

gilberto_eire wrote: »

Regardless of what the law says, someone in Mill Street is making the decision to be a complete ass.

I'd hazard a guess it's the same person who had the Guards go around and close pubs at 12 a few years back, when there was some loophole in the licensing that meant they couldn't open past 12 and the same person who has issued and executed warrants on Little Collins.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/connachttribune.ie/city-gardai-stand-firm-in-face-of-pubs-furore/amp/

They can sprout crap all the want that they're following the laws, but someone is making the decision that they need to enforce these issues and cause problems for business owners and the public.

"Discretion will be used"...it hardly took a talk between the minister and commissioner to decide that discretion could be applied, that was always the case.

I remember being turfed out of Carbon before 12am on a Tuesday night alright when they had that brief fondness for strict enforcement for a few weeks. What ever happened with that?

Outdoor dining summer 2021

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