Drury Street's Ciss Maddens has its outdoor seating area restored
Ciss Maddens pub on Drury Street has had its seating licence reinstated by the council after almost a month without any outdoor seating.
On the pub’s Instagram account, a video post announced that the venue’s outdoor seating area was back open.
“WE ARE BACK BABY!” the caption reads. “Thank you all for the love and support”.
Several Dublin businesses, including Mary’s Bar and Bambino, voiced their support in replies to the post.
“Delighted for you’s, we’ll be over for a pint!” commented Mary’s Bar, while Bambino said the reopening was “great news”.
The pub renewed its outdoor seating licence in March, but said this was revoked on April 24 by Dublin City Council (DCC) “without any notice or communication”.
Following the revoking of the licence, the pub said it was attempting to engage with the council to “find a resolution that satisfies all stakeholders”.
“We will make no further comment on our particular situation out of courtesy to Dublin City Council, with whom we are attempting to engage to find a resolution that satisfies all stakeholders,” the bar said at the time.
The licence was reinstated on Friday, May 22, according to Ciss Maddens, but the pub did not respond to a further request for comment.
Outdoor seating licences, formally known as street furniture licences, are granted by DCC to businesses looking to put tables and chairs outside their premises.
On the council’s website, they say outdoor seating areas must be enclosed by screens “approved by Dublin City Council” and they must “ensure the public domain is safe and navigable for all citizens”.
A 1.8m circulation space must also be maintained on the footpath surrounding the seating space, with the authority warning that “it may not be possible to accommodate your application if this requirement cannot be met.”
Large numbers of people gather on Drury Street in pleasant weather, and footpaths are often blocked with large groups.
The street has been the subject of heated debate over the last few years, as the number of people socialising on the street in warm weather continues to climb.
Several retail businesses have complained that access to their premises is being curtailed by groups sitting on the kerb, with others pointing to the lack of outdoor spaces for young people to socialise in the city centre.