Dublin pubs are delighted to "have their atmosphere back" after Covid-19 rules were dropped.
That's according to Grogans bar manager Daniel Smith, who told Dublin Live he is "chuffed" to have pre-pandemic levels of service back.
All restrictions on customers were lifted unexpectedly on Saturday morning after Taoiseach Micheal Martin made an historic address to the nation, bringing back the bar stool and ending the 8pm curfew overnight.
Daniel said: "I am delighted, it is great to have a bit normality and having people back at the bar counter.
"[The Covid Certs being dropped] caught off guard when it was leaked on Thursday.
" We didn't expect it. We expected a small easing of restrictions but not the light switch to be flicked and everything going."
He added: "Obviously a great surprise and delighted, just chuffed and made up."
Daniel revealed there was a rush on Friday night to rearrange the pub for normal service, after all the punters left the bar at the old 8pm curfew.
He said: "We had everyone gone at 8 o'clock on Friday night and we just had to get the place ready.
"We had to reorganise things and get them set for normal service rather than Covid service like we have been doing for the last six, seven, or eight months.
"The atmosphere is back. Having people at the counter. They are not consigned to their own tables. It has brought the atmosphere back to the pub that has been missing for the last two years.
He added: "Everyone was made up and there was a real great buzz here on Saturday, and long may it continue."
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