The cost of food and drink in Ireland’s capital – including the price of a pint – is deterring tourists from drinking as much, tourists and bartenders have said.

This comes as Diageo informed publicans yesterday that the price of all draft products will be raised by six cents on February 3rd, with costs to fall back on customers and publicans alike.

Diageo’s draft products include Guinness, Carlsberg, Harp, Smithwick’s, Rockshore and Hop House 13.

The hike is the latest in a series of price increases announced by the company in recent years.

Business owners and customers have said they are frustrated at the continuous price hikes.

Pints outside a County Clare pub. Image: Paul Quayle/Alamy

On Newstalk Breakfast, reporter Josh Crosbie shared what he has learnt from meeting with those on both sides of the counter and discussing the latest price hike.

“I am a local bartender here in the Temple Bar area,” one man said.

He acknowledged that Temple Bar is known for its higher prices but feels that “everywhere is getting more expensive”.

“It’s getting too expensive to go out now to be honest,” he said.

When it comes to reactions from customers about the price increases, the bartender said: “You’d swear I put it up myself”.

In terms of tourists in the pubs, he said: "Well, when you're on holidays you don't mind paying that bit extra but yeah, you can feel the pinch.

“I certainly see a lot less tourists now - they might have had fewer drinks [before] but now they're maybe only having one or two following the latest increase.”

A busy night in Temple Bar. Image: Martin Thomas Photography / Alamy Stock Photo

Two tourists from Italy and New Zealand, dubbed the prices of food and drink in Dublin “more expensive than London”.

“So far [the price of food and drink is] not great - they're quite expensive in comparison to Italy,” the Italian tourist said.

“I've been in London as well, and I think it [has] started to be, more expensive here than London.”

“I'm traveling from New Zealand and, yeah, more expensive than home, more expensive than London,” another tourist said.

The remnants of pints outside a pub in Dublin city centre, © PA Archive/PA Images

Locals are having a similar reaction to the news of the latest increases in pint prices.

“I think it's absolutely ridiculous; people aren't going out anymore, they're staying at home, pre-drinking, it's just horrendous,” one woman said.

“The bar I would frequent absorbed the price hike, so still managed to maintain a sub €5 pint but I don't know how sustainable that is for my publican,” a man said.

“He's also my psychologist, so he's an integral part of our community.”

The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland Chief Executive Pat Crotty said there needs to be more long-term supports to ensure businesses remain viable.

He also said that some publicans would regard this latest price increase as “the final nail in the coffin”.

Pint of Guinness on a pub table. Image: Alamy