Dublin City Council has started to crack down on "permanent" outdoor dining areas in pubs, restaurants and cafes across the city which may result in establishments losing their licenses.
Alfresco dining became the norm during the Covid-19 pandemic due to public health advice warning against indoor social gatherings. To facilitate this, pubs, cafes and restaurants across the city put tables, chairs and barriers out on pavements.
DCC allowed establishments to set up these outdoor areas, which were a "complete lifesaver" for the industry, and apply retrospectively for street furniture licenses to cover them and some claim a "blind eye" was turned to minor breaches.
