Way before Covid, there was a huge loss to Irish nightlife, with more hotels than music and club venues.
The dropping of the mask mandate will mean facemasks will no longer be mandatory after 28 February, the stand-down of NPHET, and protective measures in schools will be lifted.
So, what have late bars and nightclubs been like since the removal of the remaining restrictions?
Packed, long queues, noise, and pouring drinks come to mind.
Bars, pubs and clubs have enjoyed the long-awaited return of excited punters and optimistic clubbers since the removal of Covid restrictions and the resumption of normal opening hours.
After two long years of rules, Taoiseach Micheal Martin removed nearly all Covid measures and banished the 8pm closing time.
The move has seen well-known and loved clubs Copperface Jacks, The George, and several others resume normal trade and come back to life.
We asked social media users what they missed the most about nightclubs and late bars before rules were relaxed and the majority said they missed “dancing”, and “the atmosphere” the most.
In a social media poll, 37% of respondents said they missed nightclubs and late bars, despite 79% of respondents stating they hadn’t been in a nightclub or late bar since restrictions were gone.
It comes as over 5000 submissions were made for alcohol licenses in Ireland leading to promising hope for the revival of the nightlife sector which falls under our cultural policy.
As reported in The Times, research by the voluntary organisation Give Us The Night which campaigns to modernise Irish nightlife.
The organisation’s research highlighted there were a shocking ‘522 nightclubs in 2000’ compared to just ‘85 nightclubs in 2022’, which shines a light on the decline in late-night venues around Ireland.
There was mixed opinion online with one Twitter user commenting on the comparison and said: “The licensing laws are essentially wiping nightclubs out.”
While another added “The figure doesn't account for how many pubs became "nightclubs" after relaxation of late-night licenses. Where I live there was just 1 late-night venue in 2000 - now there is at LEAST 5.”
“Some of whom have built purpose-built dancefloors which they also use as multipurpose.”
Long queues and packed out venues have been welcomed by punters, looking forward to socialising and having a bit of craic.
There is hope for the sector after the release of the Report on The Night-time Economy Taskforce back in September 2021, the Minister for Culture said Dublin could be like Berlin or New York with the aim of planning to revive Irish nightlife that has been hard hit by Covid.
The objective was also to modernise the Irish licencing laws with what was to be six “night-time economy advisers”, and the task force presented with a framework for recovery.
While considering the sense of safety and health of publicans, venue owners, promoters, and artists.
It can be said the pandemic has made people more health conscious and conscious of their spending habits.
But the rules had a devastating impact on the hospitality industry, including late bars and nightclubs and had left businesses and individuals dependent on state support.
The lack of transport to get home after a night out has also been an issue, but Dublin Bus has since confirmed that Nitelink has resumed its schedules.
Since the beginning of 2022, new club nights and venues have hit the music and nightlife scene including ‘Not Safe For Work’, a new monthly queer club, techno and progressive-dance inspired night that opened in Dublin in January.
"Centre Point" opened at the famous Button Factory, and last weekend Cellar Club launched in Templebar.
