Extending late trading hours will benefit pubs and clubs, association says

​Plans to change laws on opening hours for pubs and nightclubs have been welcomed by the trade association representing Dublin pubs.

The CEO of the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) Donall O’Keeffe said the move to extend late trading hours for pubs and nightclubs will be of “great benefit” to Dublin publicans when they are allowed to reopen.

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The new proposals to reform licensing laws would see staggered and extended closing times for licenced venuespubs and nightclubs. Sunday trading hours would be brought in line with the rest of the week for pubs and off-licences. Currently during non-Covid periods, pubs are required to close at 11pm on Sundays, while off-licences can sell alcohol until 10pm.

The plans also include the possibility that a new annual nightclub permit will be created to allow nightclubs to open past 2.30am. New categories of alcohol licences for cultural venues like art galleries and theatres are also being mooted.

Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Mr O’Keeffe said his organisation has been calling for extended late trading hours “for years”, as other European cities have three more hours of a late scene.

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