New beginning for local pubs with outdoor services
By Hayden Moore
THE hospitality industry is brimming with hope this week as they put the final touches and plans in place for reopening in an outdoor capacity on June 7.
Through the government’s COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery road map, pubs and restaurants can start outdoor services on June 7.
John Kilbride from The Jobstown Inn in the outdoor space
The Jobstown House will operate Thursday to Monday before indoor hospitality can resume on July 5.
“We have outdoor space available that can accommodate 50-60 people,” owner of the Jobstown House, John Kilbride, tells The Echo.
“Failte Ireland have said you no longer have to purchase a substantial meal worth more than €9, so if you want you can come in and have a few drinks.
“But we would be encouraging people to have a meal if they can because I have three chefs that I’m trying to get back into employment.
“So we have the space to satisfy the two types of customer.”
The boozer was established by John’s father, John Snr, after they took over Clarke’s farmer’s grocer shop in the 1960s.
McEvoy’s in Newcastle are installing an outside bar
Embedded in the community, the Jobstown House already has several bookings in ahead of their return which will be on June 10.
Elsewhere, planning permission is being sought by Southside Taverns Ltd at Molloy’s Bar and Grill in Tallaght Village for the creation of an outdoor dining area.
Lodged with South Dublin County Council on May 24, the new application is seeking to erect a “pergola retractable roofing system over the outdoor dining area” with removable screens and doors.
The proposed development also includes the erection of an extension for a new entrance lobby, construction of a flat roof canopy and new external steps and ramps for accessibility.
Third party submissions are being accepted until June 28 with a decision due on July 18.
Meanwhile, McEvoys over in Hazelhatch, Newcastle, are in the throws of installing a pouring bar outside with full associated facilities.
“It’s a new beginning for us, we really don’t know what to expect because we haven’t really done table service before,” owner Pat McEvoy told The Echo.
“Everybody needs to be seated and we’ve to do simple track and trace in case we have any super spreaders or anything.
“It’s a different style where it’s all outdoor, we have loads of space as we’re on the canal bank.
“So we have the open air capacity for an extensive number of people.”
The family run pub, which has been in the McEvoy family since 1954, will have a semi-restricted opening as they put the finishing touches on their outdoor bar on Monday and will be in full flight by late next week.
In the Red Cow Inn, they launched their “Project Outdoor Food and Beverage Service”, which involved a large-scale outdoor seating area with seating for upwards of 100 people.
The pub, which has been located on the same site at the Naas Road since 1690, has been successful in creating a summer aesthetic after investing in wind breakers, benches and massive stretch tent to go along with their food vendors and pub at the premises.
Along with their carvery, the Red Cow Inn plan to reopen seven days a week from June 7.
Meanwhile in Old Bawn, Ahernes are in the process of building a beer garden and are hoping it can facilitate around 50 people – weather permitting.
“We just have to put the finishing touches in place and then we’ll be ready,” manager Denis Cummins told The Echo.
“We are looking forward to it, gives people something to do again.”
With the lounge closed since December 24, Ahernes have operated as an off-licence in the first half of the year and this outdoor reopening is welcomed, with seven members of staff back on the books.
