‘San Paw-ligrino' anyone?
There’s a “definitely a demand” for dog-friendly bars and restaurants in Ireland – but should we have more on offer for our furry friends?
Barber’s Bar owner Ronan Flood told Lunchtime Live he is proud to own one of the first dog-friendly bars in Dublin.
“It opened six years ago and that’s where it really started,” he said. “We launched the doggy brunch and building on that we really expanded the dog-offering services.”
“We have a doggy wall where we take a picture of your dog and put the polaroid up on the wall – so far, we have about 500 pictures.”
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Mr Flood said the bar also expanded the food and drinks menu to include any four-legged friends who come to the bar.
“Next week, we’re installing a tap outside [and] we have a little badge above it calling it ‘San Paw-ligrino',” he said.
“The more we lean into the thing, the bigger it’s becoming – it's crazy in the best possible way.”
Demand
Mr Flood was there “definitely a demand” for dog-friendly spots.
“A lot of people want to go out, but during certain days of the week they don't want to leave the dog unattended at home,” he said. “Whereas now, you can go out for a few drinks.”
Free Siberian Husky dog asleep image, public domain CC0 photo.Listener Eva said she has her own dog – but is against dog-friendly restaurants.
“I took my partner out for his birthday last December to a place in Inchicore that has now become dog-friendly,” she said.
“The barman there had a restricted breed behind the bar, and when I asked why the dog wasn’t muzzled, he didn’t answer.
“Later on, I was having a glass of wine... the dog came out and I was very cautious [but] this dog was friendly, and it was grand.
“Then as the dog proceeded to go back up the counter, the dog urinated on the carpet. We had to go and tell the barman that he’s done this in front of everybody, and he came down with just a sheet of paper.”
Eva said she has no problem with people taking their dogs out, but she has a problem with restricted breeds going “out and about anywhere”, especially without muzzles.
"Strict rules"
Mr Flood agreed Eva was “100% correct” to be cautious and said the Barber’s Bar has strict rules on restricted dog breeds.
“We have a list of doggy rules that is printed on our drinks menu and at the front door,” he said. “We stand over our policy, we will not allow restricted breeds or banned dogs in a bar and to be honest, it makes my blood boil.”
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Despite that, he said he is happy to allow dogs in the bar, and has opened a new location, Pye, in Dundrum.
“There are risks to having dogs in a bar,” he said. “But the same way there’s risk having humans as well.”
