SEVERAL HUNDRED DJs and nightclubbers descended on the Dáil yesterday to protest against Government plans to force them to close earlier.
Armed with placards and turntables, clubbers took part in a noisy but good-natured demo over proposals to end 3.30am closing times. Members of the Give Us The Night campaign created a temporary rave outside the gates of Leinster House, watched by stony-faced gardaí and bemused politicians.
Nightclubs are being "scapegoated" for the problems around alcohol and public disorder, the group's spokesman, Sunil Sharpe, explained over a barrage of thumping beats: "The current system of 3.30am closing has contributed to sequential closing between pubs, late bars and nightclubs. This has had a positive effect on the streets; there's been less public disorder and it's easier to get a taxi."
The Intoxicating Liquor Bill currently before the Oireachtas proposes to close a loophole which has allowed clubs to obtain theatre licences and remain open until 3.30am. Instead, they will have to close at 2.30am (1am on Monday).
Give Us The Night, which is made up of DJs and music promoters, want to see a new nightclub licence. Nightclub owners were not involved in the protest, but some watched from the wings.
"It's the nanny state again," said Robbie Fox, owner of Renards, regarding earlier closing. He predicted it would seriously damage his business. "We get about six hours a week to do our business; two hours each on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. This is taking away an hour each night, so we'll have three hours to do business. With 50 per cent of my business gone, that will mean job losses and closing down some of the nights of the week."
As a result, the city would close up earlier. "It will make us the earliest closing city in Europe and we'll be less attractive to tourists. It's ridiculous that we're going back in time; 20 years ago you could still get a drink on Leeson Street at 6am."
Mr Fox wasn't confident of getting the Bill changed. The clubs' arguments had fallen on deaf ears "from day one" and the authorities seemed set on 2.30am as the latest time you could get a drink, he said.
