Dubliners still prefer smaller, traditional pubs according to the LVAs latest research.
It seems that despite trends, tastes and demographics changing, the standard smaller traditional pub remains the favoured watering hole in Dublin. Recent research by the Licensed Vintners Federation found that city bars are popular with young men, pubs with beer gardens attract women, but traditional, small pubs remain the crowd-pleasing favourite.
According to the findings, almost 40 per cent of Dublin drinkers still go to the pub on a weekly basis, with pub visits due an increase in the second half of 2014.
Women and drinkers under the age of 55 appear to be due the biggest increase when it comes to pub visits, with almost 80 per cent of Dublin drinkers rating a pint with their pals as important to their lifestyle.
“There are over 750 pubs in Dublin, every one of which plays its part in making this city such a sociable and vibrant place to live," explained Donall O'Keefe, CEO of the LVA. "This survey is timely as it highlights their role as focal points in the local community and shows the real affection in which they are held. The findings also show that publicans are set to build on some positive momentum in the trade and can look to the future with renewed confidence."
The findings came from a survey of over 500 Dubliners, carried out by Behaviour and Attitudes on behalf of the LVA. “We are seeing some positive signs in the pub trade right now and the findings of this survey show we can look to the future with renewed confidence. People go to pubs to catch up with their friends, to relax, to have a few drinks, meet new people and perhaps to talk about things they might not ordinarily discuss," said O'Keefe. "For example over half of men believe pubs provide them with an opportunity to talk about sensitive issues. Clearly people are very comfortable doing all these things in a pub and this is reflected in the survey with 71 per cent saying they feel at home in a Dublin pub and over 60 per cent describing Dublin pubs as the best in the world" O’Keefe said. Small traditional pubs are favoured by the majority and especially those over 55, but young men tend to prefer city centre bars while women have a preference for bars with a beer garden. Although people generally go to the pub with their friends, partner or work colleagues, young middle class men are the most likely to go to the pub by themselves – for women the pub is nearly always a collective experience. Prices, noise, lack of seating and pubs being too crowded are the main turn offs for pub goers.
