Pubs and Clubs to get longer opening hours

Probably wouldn't do it myself anyway but I'm delighted it's happening. Plenty of times in college I would have loved to keep going until 4 or 5. Some of the best nights out I've ever had were on my Erasmus in Prague, remember going to some really good DJs in big venues and getting the early morning tram home after. Even though I could do it I rarely stayed out until 5 or 6 anyway.

Most places probably won't bother staying open until 6 due to staffing and lack of demand. However a lot of places might stay open until 3 30 or 4 instead of the ridiculously early times we have now. Hopefully it revitalizes the nightlife a bit because honestly Irish nightlife is pretty poor in comparison to many places in Europe. As for people drinking more, it eliminates the rush people have for horsing down a few more before closing and anyway later opening hours probably means people will adjust the time they go out, as is normal elsewhere.

The changes are not just about times anyway. The real important part is the stupid system we have for procuring a licence and the time wasting being done to get late exemptions for night clubs.

You have noticed the hundreds of pubs and clubs that have closed across the country over the past 15 years right? The trend was happening long before COVID as well.

The massive reduction in capacity would bring you to the logical conclusion that yes people are going out much less frequently than they used to.

Those that suggest that this is because of restrictive opening hours may have identified one minor reason but it's far from the main reason.

As others have said it's generally a mix of reasons. Cost on both sides of the equation is one. Pin overheads can be significant leading to higher end product cost.

I've no issues with this law change but it won't be the savour of our 'nighttime economy's and I dont see many venues actually utilising it.

Small towns, villages, rural areas have lost massive amounts of bars. One small mayo village that had 9 bars in 2004 is down to 1 now and that will close when its owners retire. You dont think that the residents of that village drink less frequently than the residents of the village in 2004 (they may drink more at home but later opening hours wont effect this)

Another area I am familiar with has gone from 24 pubs in the early 00's down to 7, the majority of which don;t open during the winter and open fairly short hours.

Galway City has gone from multiple late opening nightclubs that caters from the late teens right up to none (granted I think there are a couple reopening) and the few late bars in the city generally have policies excluding under 21's

There are countless other examples.

Longer opening hours wont turn those trends around.

Again, I am not against the law change - just pointing out that its too little, too late for a lot of businesses and not the right targeting that is required to "save" that economy.

"You don't think"

No I specifically said I do think. Most of those village pubs were propped up by a generation who drank every day. I don't know which villages you mean as you don't name names but some villages had 5 pubs for a population of about 500 people.

Most people hated nightclubs and what was on offer there so late bars are the way to go which the law will help.

An no I don't think it will reverse any trend. I don't think anything will do that and I said above this will not create more business. But these laws will make life easier for the pubs still open and way easier for anyone hoping to open one.

Yes, agreed.

There was an older generation who went to the pub at opening time every day and stayed there all day - frequent trips to the bookies during the day - and toddled off home around 8/9pm.

Most of these people have died off and afaik there is no “younger crop” coming up to replace them.

A sad, lonely, unhealthy existence but plenty pub owners up and down the country made a living out of these people.

Unfortunately you can't get into these places if you are actually from Dublin ......

It's dead in the water.

The next government might modernise the laws.

Helen McEntee, who seems to be completely useless, isn't going to push this now.

Ya this painting of the average customer as some feral animal needs to stop.

Close to 20 years experience. Most of that in very busy pubs and most of them late venues. A few nightclubs too.

Yes worked in bar for 12 years here. Saw one scuffle one night. Was handbags really.

Did a year in a bar in Australia and worked an Irish bar in Melbourne. Found it much rougher there and saw more fights there in a few weeks then I did in years in Ireland.

Your claims of prolonged drinking and drugging are just false. People will wither go home or go out later.

So what. If some think they can make a go of it, there's no reason for the law to stop them.

What you are talking about is all a direct result of "closing time syndrome". Rapid consumption in a short time because of silly enforced early closing followed by lots of people with a large amount of alcohol recently in their bellies all hitting the streets at the same time.

Then you go on about drugs, as if that has anything to do with licensing hours. Laughable nonsense.

As the saying goes, there's none more pure than a reformed hoor.

Bunch of alkies trying to project their personal issues onto society as a whole. Can't stand the fact that almost everyone who enjoys a drink does not let it adversely affect their work or personal life.

almost everyone who enjoys a drink does not let it adversely affect their work or personal life.

How many alcohol rehab places do you think are funded? How many people want a place but cannot get in?

How many hospital beds are tied up treating alcohol-related injuries and illnesses?

I like a drink. I take a couple, every 2nd or 3rd day. It p*sses me off that we have to have controls on alcohol. But I full accept that we do. Alcohol is an addictive toxin, which causes enormous social damage, not matter how much some people deny it.