Ireland’s “Antiquated” Licensing Laws

Club-goers in Ireland could see their dancefloors open much later in 2023.

The Irish government has agreed on an outline for legislation today that will extend nightclub opening times to 6 a.m. from 2023 onwards.

With clubs currently having to shutter at 2:30 a.m., the plans drawn up by the Republic of Ireland’s Minister for Justice Helen McEntee are part of a wide-ranging overhaul of the country’s licensing laws.

• Alcohol will be now be sold until 5 a.m. with an extra hour granted for drinking and dancing.

• The opening hours for pubs are also set to be amended too, allowing them to open until 12:30 a.m. every day.

• Bars with late licenses will be allowed to open until 2:30 a.m. every day.

• This also brings an end to Sunday trading laws that have forced premises to close early.

“It will improve our nightlife and our entertainment – our cultural offering to people,” stated Leo Varadkar, deputy head of the government of Ireland.

“It will improve our nightlife and our entertainment – our cultural offering to people,” stated Leo Varadkar, deputy head of the government of Ireland.

“I don’t know why the nightlife we offer people in Ireland shouldn’t be as good as anywhere in the world.”

There are conditions to open under these extended hours. Nightclubs and late bars must have closed-circuit video cameras installed on the premises. They must also have security guards that are registered and accredited with Ireland’s Private Security Authority. Both are a bid to mitigate fears that the new regulations will lead public health issues.

The courts will grans licenses and permits. Venues will need to apply.

A new fund of €2 million will be set aside to provide grants to nightclubs and music venues to soundproof their buildings.

Finally, the proposed legislation also includes a plan to place nighttime economy advisors in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Kilkenny, Sligo and Galway.

The bill still needs approval by national legislators.

Photo by Edouard Percevault on Unsplash