Nightclubs in Ireland are set to remain open until 6am under new regulations from 2023.
Nightspots in the Republic presently have to shut at 2.30am with a Special Exemption Order (SEO) that venues must apply for €410 (£356) per event, according to DJ Mag.
However, the latest licensing rules being outlined today (October 25) are set to switch, with venues permitted to sell booze until 5am with a licence, whilst dancing can carry on until 6am.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee will table the Sale of Alcohol Bill to Cabinet and expects the new laws will be approved by the Oireachtas, the Irish national parliament, in 2023.
The new decree aims to revamp existing licensing laws and bring Ireland up to speed with other European nations.
“It’s really about how do we consolidate what is a lot of complex laws and outdated laws, but also to make it easier for people to get into the industry, to make it easier for newcomers, young people, and to just create a better environment for our artists and our venues as well,” said McEntee.
With the new laws, pubs will now be allowed to stay open until 12.30am, seven days a week.
Currently, they typically stay open from Monday to Friday until 11.30pm, with Sunday sales limited to between 12.30am and 11pm. New standardised opening hours will allow pubs to open from 10.30am to 12.30am.
The recommendations were first announced back in April of this year.
During that month, it was also announced that artists in Ireland would receive €325 per week (£270) as part of a new pilot scheme to support those in the arts.
