Pioneer of Dublin’s so-called ‘super pubs’ has died aged 72

Liam O’Dwyer, the man best known for pioneering so-called “super pubs” in Dublin, has died aged 72.

Mr O’Dwyer was the co-founder of the former Dublin-headquartered pub empire Capital Bars along with his brother Des. He died on Tuesday after a short illness, a notice published by his family said.

Donall O’Keeffe, chief executive of the Dublin-based Licensed Vintners Association, on Friday described Mr O’Dwyer as a “standard bearer” for the industry.

“Liam was first and foremost a gentleman,” he said. “He was a lovely fellow and always reasonable and a pleasure to deal with. From a business perspective, he was a leader and a visionary in the industry.

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“The pubs he developed throughout the nineties and noughties were among the most renowned in the country and set world-class standards for pubs and late bars in particular.

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“They were standard bearers for the industry at that time and ushered in a revolution in terms of investment, fit-out and wow factor. He has left a tremendous legacy behind.”

At the height of the Celtic Tiger era, the Capital Bars group dominated Dublin’s night-time economy through its ownership of pubs such as Café en Seine, The George and Zanzibar.

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At its peak, the chain counted 11 pubs and nightclubs in its portfolio, which also included Break for the Border, Howl at the Moon, and The Dragon. It also owned a number of hotels and a Planet Hollywood restaurant.

The company entered receivership in 2009 but the O’Dwyers repurchased a number of the pubs through their company Toji Holdings.

The Capital Bars portfolio was acquired by Danu Investment Partners in a €15 million deal in October 2014. Danu was founded in 2009 by Leonard Ryan, Mark O’Meara and Michael O’Rourke, who cofounded the Setanta Sports Group.

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Capital Bars was subsequently bought out in a multimillion-euro deal in 2016 by the Mercantile Group, which already ran a number of bars and restaurants, including the famed music venue, Whelan’s on Wexford Street.

Following the merger, the enlarged company employed 600 people and generated revenues of about €40 million per annum.

Mr O’Dwyer’s funeral took place on Friday in St Mary’s, Star of the Sea Church, Sandymount, Co Dublin, and was followed by a cremation service in the Victorian Chapel at Mount Jerome.