With all the rumour and inneundo of a 90 minute dining limit and the requirement of a substantial meal that costs at least €9, we've been mulling over the idea of what pubs may look like once they reopen and we've been weighing up the positives and negatives of the potential new set-up.
While Fáilte Ireland haven't published their official guidelines yet - and the Restaurants Association of Ireland are already asking for the time to be extended to two hours - we're going to play along with the 90 minute/€9 meal structure for arguments sake and think it through...
Pro
You're guaranteed a good feed and it solves the whole forgetting to eat when you're drinking thing.
Con
You've only got 90 minutes to get the shift ... Actually you're not even allowed get the shift.
Pro
You're not actually allowed get the shift. Perfect excuse!
Con
€9 is two pints of stout.
Pro
No more queuing at the bar and accidentally leaning your elbow on a pool of spilt drink.
Con
Do we need to start into rounds for food as well? Some hoor will definitely skip out on ordering the fourth round of burger and chips.
Pro
As Frank Feighan pointed out it's long enough to watch a GAA match but not a football game so no one can argue to put on United v Spurs instead of the All-Ireland semi-final. Albeit Frank was somehow saying that's a bad thing.
Frank Feighan on 90-minute pub visit limit: "If you're a soccer supporter, you can't see the full match. If you're Gaelic supporter, 70 minutes, you can watch the full game."
Simon Harris: "The virus doesn't care what your favourite sport is." pic.twitter.com/Ubf6VqtfOX— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) June 17, 2020
Con
We're going to have to rewrite the lyrics to Maniac 2000. "She's a maniac, maniac in her socially distanced seating!" doesn't quite have the same ring to it.
Pro
There's no need to try sneak out when you're fed up. Sure you'll be going home soon anyway!
Con
The 12 pubs of Christmas is going to be a serious eating challenge.
Pro
It might put a stop to people feeling the need to video themselves pouring a can of Guinness at home.
Con
If you get stuck sitting beside some sickening dose you can't just say "I've to to go the jacks," and not come back.
Pro
The cost of getting in a babysitter will plummet.
Con
You may need to leave before they play the national anthem at the end of the night.
Pro
You may need to leave before they play the national anthem at the end of the night.
All-in-all it the pros outweigh the cons. Are there any we've forgotten?
