Pubs and restaurants are getting the green light for outdoor seating on the street this summer

Pubs, hotels and restaurants are gearing up for a summer outdoors as the law allowing customers to drink outside of licensed premises on the street is set to be extended.

abinet ministers will this morning sign the extension of legislation allowing pubs and restaurants to serve alcohol in outdoor seating areas this summer.

The legislation, which was due to expire at the end of the month, was originally introduced during the pandemic to encourage revelers to sit outside in a bid to stem the spread of Covid-19.

The law was also amended to support the hospitality industry.

Attorney General Helen McEntee will today propose a six-month extension to the legislation, which now expires at the end of November. However, it is understood that she would like to introduce a “longer-term solution” as part of the reform of the licensing law.

The law, which came into effect last year, means pubs and restaurants don’t need a special license to sell alcohol outdoors.

It allows the sale and consumption of alcohol in outdoor areas next to bars and restaurants, in public places such as sidewalks or on private property such as parking lots.

However, the outdoor seating area must be directly outside the licensed premises.

The waiver of the fees restaurants and pubs must pay to have tables off their premises was also extended this year to help struggling hospitality businesses.

The General Alcohol Sales Act amendment to the Bill passes before the Dáil leaves for the summer.
Restaurant officials have previously called for the law to be put on a more permanent footing to bring Ireland in line with other European countries where al fresco dining is more common.