Camden Street bars' appeal for on-street tables and chairs after dark denied
Two Camden Street bars' hopes for after-hours on-street tables have been dashed as their appeals have been rejected by An Coimisiún Pleanála.
The owner of both Flannery’s and Camden Bites & Brews sought permission to operate two tables and six chairs outside each pub until 2:30am. Dublin City Council licence rules stipulate that establishments must remove furniture from the street by 10pm.
The bar's licences, which were renewed in June 2025, allowed them to operate street furniture from 10am to 10pm, but an Irish Times report stated they would usually be left out until closing time. This saw local residents complain about a lack of compliance with the rules, and the bars applied to An Coimisiún Pleanála to extend their allowance to the early hours of the morning.
The commission said it was “not satisfied that extending the hours to a later time would not negatively impact on the amenities of the locality”. An Coimisiún Pleanála said the two establishments did not have permission to leave street furniture outside past 10pm, disagreeing with its inspector’s report suggesting it could be left outside until midnight.
The owner of both bars, publican Paul Clinton, told The Irish Times there had been an informal practice of leaving tables and chairs outside until closing time for years. He said they've never “had any great issues with tables and chairs just being brought in at closing time once you had a licence in the first place”.
His letter of appeal explained that the outdoor seating “contributes positively to customer comfort and experience” while reducing “pressure on indoor space during busy evening and night-time periods”. “Given the occurrence of the peak period late at night, the dismantling of the outdoor furniture during operating hours would be disruptive to customers and potentially unsafe for staff and the public,” Mr Clinton added.
The local West of Camden Residents Association (WoCRA) submitted objections highlighting wider problems, including planning breaches, noise nuisance, and queuing. The previously expressed concerns the street was becoming a “swill pit” while objecting to a new hostel on lower Camden Street last month.
WoCRA representative Dick Duggan said they are advocating “calming through compliance” and have an ongoing campaign against the “cumulative impact” nightlife is having on the street. They have taken eight establishments along Camden Street to the District Court over non-compliance with licensing rules.
Speaking of the rejected appeal, Mr Clinton said “we are saddened that the appeals board did not rule in our favour as it introduces conflict with a minority of residents”.
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