The Sole Alcohol-Free Bar In Dublin Is Shutting Down

The Virgin Mary declared intentions to engage on social media platforms.

Credit: Derick P. Hudson / Shutterstock

A bartender at The Virgin Mary, Ireland's sole full-time alcohol-free pub, stated that the staff consistently informs guests of what to expect upon arrival. Anouk Rudin stated to The Independent in 2021, "We must be candid with individuals as soon as they enter." We receive numerous consumers who are already inebriated. They will convey astonishment, perplexity, and at times, profound dread, before promptly proceeding.

The bar commenced operations in Dublin in the spring of 2019, offering customized non-alcoholic drinks, 0.0% ABV beers, ciders, and wines, as well as a nitro coffee selected for its resemblance to the flavor and texture of Guinness. The Virgin Mary—indeed, that is the jest—endured the epidemic; but, its co-owners stated that "escalating expenses" in Dublin's city center influenced their decision to cease operations.

In a social media announcement, The Virgin Mary announced that while the physical site is closing, the concept will be taken on the road. The co-owners announced on Instagram, "The Virgin Mary Bar is transitioning to a mobile format." We are excited to introduce our new 'TVM On The Road' idea at events, festivals, pop-up venues, and other locations throughout Ireland. Prepare to encounter us more frequently in the future months.

Vaughan Yates, who established the bar with his wife, Nicola, and her sister, Sarah Connelly, informed Newstalk that business "wasn’t too bad," however it remains diminished relative to its pre-pandemic levels. He stated that there remains a market for individuals consuming non-alcoholic beverages. We believe we are still in the nascent stages of growth in this sector. If individuals are unable to reach us, we must reach out to them – that will be our strategy.

He is correct regarding the rising demand for non-alcoholic beverages in the country. Drinks Ireland reported that the market share of non-alcoholic spirits and 0.0% beverages doubled from 2017 to 2021. In the United States, overall sales of non-alcoholic beverages rose by 20.6% from August 2021 to August 2022. Nielsen IQ data indicates that non-alcoholic beers constitute the predominant proportion of the market at 85.3%, followed by non-alcoholic wine at 13.4% and non-alcoholic spirits at 1.3%.

“Given that Gen Z consumes 20% less alcohol per capita than millennials did at the same age, we aimed to provide an alternative that enhances premium social events without the necessity of alcohol,” stated Sarah Connelly to Hospitality Ireland. "After more than three years of operation, we have observed that mindful drinking is not merely a trend, but a global movement that is enduring."

The company provides alcohol-free pubs in both Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in addition to the mobile version of The Virgin Mary.