Campaigners for the sector have slated the Government for its inaction in bringing Ireland in line with its EU neighbours.

In a new social media post, Give Us the Night - an independent volunteer group of professionals operating within the sector - has criticised the Irish Government for failing to publish proposed legislation that would allow nightclubs to open until 6 am.

Comparing Ireland to its European neighbours, the group says the average closing time for nightclubs in EU capital cities is 6.30 am.

In fact, in Bucharest and Lisbon, nightclubs close at 10 am, while in Amsterdam and Berlin, clubs can be open 24 hours.

San Gwann in Malta, with a cut-off time of 4 am, is the closest closing time to Ireland, according to Give Us the Night.

"The average time that these EU nightclubs open for is 8.5 hours per night. Irish nightclubs open between 3 to 4 hours per night," the group says.

"Nightclubs are still not recognised in Irish law. They are classed as pubs running 'special events'."

"Despite being supposed 'priority' legislation in the Government's Justice Plan, they have failed to publish the licensing bill that would recognise nightclubs in Irish law and bring us further into line with our EU neighbours. A moderate reform at best, and they still can't do it.

"In many parts of Ireland, closing times remain even earlier than the legal time (at 2 am). We note that a small amount of clubs in areas like this are opening earlier to try to make up extra time. Which is far from ideal or workable for most venues.

"This all comes exactly two years after the Cabinet - including Taoiseach Simon Harris - approved the draft Sale of Alcohol Bill. The plan now is to publish/enact just one part of the bill (that would cover updated pub and club times), yet still no action. Why?

"While fast-tracking and enacting many pieces of legislation, this government hasn't even bothered to publish (let alone enact) the licensing bill. All of their talk, promises, and using 'good news' nightclub stories as a media distraction when it suited. Yet nothing has been done."

In 2021, Culture Minister Catherine Martin said she would be in favour of Irish clubs being allowed to stay open until 6 am.

Asked about the possibility, she replied: “Yes, why not, I think that opportunity should be there.

“I think shutting down, Dublin, we’re working way behind our other European cities.

“It can be done, it can be done in a safe way and I think that option definitely should be there.”

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