Living Dublin Pubs

Drinking in Dublin - Things you should know

Believe it or not, for all our reputation as a great pub culture, Ireland is still getting to grips with some aspects of drinking, including the idea that the pub or bar is a service that some people might want to use sensibly. No sooner than one enlightened government scrapped the holy hour (a time in the middle of the day when pubs had to close) and extended the closing times, than our current Minister for Justice retracted the hours again and introduced a number of measures to discourage people from drinking.

Here then, are the things you need to know.

Opening Hours

Most pubs open at 10 in the morning, though some open earlier. Closing times are as follows:

Mon-Thur: 11:30 p.m.
Fri-Sat: 12:30 a.m.
Sunday: 11 p.m.

Now here's the catch. If you're lucky enough to be in a pub on a Sunday of a bank holiday weekend (when the Monday is a public holiday) then closing time is an hour later, at 12 midnight.

The times above actually refer to "last orders". You are entitled to be drinking on the premises ("drinking up time") for 30 minutes afterwards.

Smoking

Since March 2004, you can't. Smoking is forbidden in all enclosed places of work in Ireland. Many pubs have responded with beer gardens and patios but many just don't have the space, especially in the city centre. This has give rise to a new phenomenon - that of people massed in the streets outside pubs inhaling madly in between rounds - and a windfall for those manufacturing and selling the stainless steel ashtrays mounted in the wall outside every pub.

It's also coined a new word. Smirting is the practice of flirting over a smoke at pub doorways. A great way to meet people, it's almost worth taking up smoking for.

A mixed blessing then, the smoking ban. If you're a non-smoker, you can smell your food again; if you're a smoker it's a new way to socialise.

Drinking on the Street

In some areas, including Temple Bar and parts north of the Liffey, you can't do this either. This means you can't take your pint with you when you go out for a smoke.

Children

Under the new laws, children aren't allowed in pubs after 9 p.m.. This has had less impact in Dublin than in the rest of the country, where families on holiday might want to go out together in the evening.

Up until 9, children are welcome in pubs, provided they are accompanied by an adult. Under 19s cannot order alcohol and it is a crime for any adult to purchase it for them. To enforce this, many pubs run an over-21 or even over-23 policy. If in doubt, a barman may request an age-identification card.

Happy Hours, Promotions

The great institution of the Happy Hour is, sadly, no more. In an effort to discourage under-age drinking, and fuelled by a recent notorious court trial, all promotions encouraging people to drink more have been banned. It is, however, legal to offer a product at a cut price, providing that price is available all day and not confined to certain hours. Many pubs and brewers take advantage of this, so keep an eye out for special offers.

All this might lead you to believe that drinking in Dublin is a dying art. Be assured that this is not the case, but it will be interesting to see how pubs adapt their marketing strategies (hitherto non-existent) to meet the changing times.

© Living Dublin 2003-2005