Popular Dublin bar Pygmalion are scrapping entry fees for the remainder of the month and are asking their patrons to donate to the Peter McVerry Trust instead.
The South William Street venue said the waived entry fee also extends to ticketed events for the weeks ahead. Last week's publication of the November Homelessness Report showed there was a record breaking 11,542 people in emergency accommodation around the country and the bar "wants to do their part" to help.
Pygmalion launched a similar initiative back in 2020, but said the situation on the streets is "noticeably worse now". Pygmalion Group owner, Paul McGlade Jnr, said they felt it was time to bring back the idea.
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He said: "The initial idea was warmly received with our customers in 2020 and with homeless figures at an all-time high today, we felt it was time to reintroduce this idea and help to raise funds and awareness once again for our city’s homeless crisis.
"It also gives our patrons the opportunity to help this great charity a little, which generally there’s a really warm response to. We’re in here, in central town every day, and it's so evident on the streets every day and even more so at night time.
"We have to remind ourselves not to get complacent about it, as we so much of it every day. When we have international DJ’s arrive from abroad, and they nearly always comment on how bad it is here, that always acts as a stark reminder.
“I think so many of us in Dublin want to do our part to help but more importantly just desperately want to see this ongoing homeless crisis come to an end in our city”.
Pat Doyle, CEO of Peter McVerry Trust said: "It's fantastic to see initiatives like this in January – typically a quieter month for donations after Christmas. We’re very grateful to the team at Pygmalion for choosing our charity and for highlighting the issue of homelessness to a younger audience.
"The money raised will enable us to help more people to leave homelessness behind for good.”
Pygmalion is also offering a discount of up to 20% on all food and drinks this January, with all pints dropping below €6 for Dubliners who aren't participating in 'Dry Jan'.
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