Berlin Bar, a Dublin pub that was shut down by a judge more than two years ago after a breach of Covid-19 regulations, will reopen to the public tomorrow.
Manager David Grier confirmed the move after Judge John O'Connor in the Circuit Civil Court accepted his undertaking that no shadow directors would be permitted to have any part in the day-to-day running of the premises.
Barrister Dorothy Collins, counsel for the venue, told Judge O’Connor that Dublin District Court had refused to renew the pub-restaurant's license after the Covid-19 rule breach on 15 August 2020 - video of which appeared on social media - and it had remained shut since then.
Ms Collins, who appeared with Ronan Brennan of Brennan Solicitors, said she was applying for a new seven-day pub, restaurant and singing license for the updated Berlin Bar, which is owned by Trillium Leisure Limited, on the basis of the extinguishment of a Co Galway pub license.
She told the court that Garda Inspector John Finucane had withdrawn his objection to the reopening of the pub at 15/16 Dame Street and Dame Lane on strict undertakings that the premises would be run in accordance with the law and that no directors or shareholders would have anything to do with day-to-day management.
Counsel for gardaí said they had accepted the bona fides of the new manager, Mr Grier, who had managed pub-restaurants in Ireland, Germany and Spain and Shane Santry of SSA Architects outlined interior improvements to the premises.
The court had heard that the bar's operating licenses were refused following the Covid-19 brunch where staff had been filmed flouting health guidelines and where a masked employee danced on the bar as he poured drink into the mouths of customers over a three-hour afternoon period.
More than 40 people had attended what had been advertised as "A Very Boozy Baked Brunch With Your Buds" during the height of the restrictions when the advise was not to mix in crowds, stay mainly at home if possible and keep a two-metre separation while wearing masks.
Judge O’Connor granted the new license after accepting Mr Grier’s undertaking on oath that no shadow directors would be tolerated participating in the running of the bar-restaurant.
Mr Grier confirmed following the hearing that the premises would reopen tomorrow.
