Dublin to lose more night venues after hotel revamp is given green light

Dublin is set to lose two more of its’ popular city centre night venues following a decision by Dublin City Council.

Rí-Rá nightclub and The Globe Bar will close after the council approved plans for a major expansion of the Central Hotel.

The iconic city centre hotel located on South Great George’s Street and Dame Court will be transformed into a new 6,554 sq m five-storey hotel, with 125 bedrooms and a rooftop.

The space currently occupied by Rí-Rá night-club is set to become a ‘speak-easy’, while the space occupied by The Globe bar will be transformed into a retail outlet.

As part of the application by Exchequer Developments Ltd, the Library bar will be reduced to make way for more bedrooms.

The Council planning report, which recommended planning permission, acknowledged that a number of the third-party submissions highlighted the loss of night-time activity.

According to the report:

“The proposal retains a night-time use in the basement, retains the Library Bar and provide new night time options on the ground floor.

“The range of uses proposed will ensure a balance between shopping, leisure and cultural, and that non-retail uses will not dominate this section of South Great George’s Street”.

The inspector recommended a grant of permission after saying that the proposal “would not injure the amenity of property in the vicinity and accords with both the City Development Plan and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area”.

Third parties now have the option to appeal the Council decision to An Bord Pleanála.