Dáil bar sales surge by 34% to €445,000
Darragh Mc Donagh
Bar sales in Leinster House increased by 34 per cent to nearly €445,000 last year, with current or former TDs and senators knocking back shots of tequila and sambuca, along with €27 measures of premium whiskey.
Politicians racked up almost €60,000 on their bar tabs during 2025 in the parliament’s two pubs: the Visitors’ Bar and the Members’ Bar, which is exclusively for current and former Oireachtas members.
Sales reports show that popular party shots like sambuca and tequila were among the drinks purchased in the Members’ Bar last year, as well as Midleton Very Rare whiskey, which costs €27 per measure.
Guinness was the most popular tipple across the two bars, with just under 13,000 pints and 312 half pints of the black stuff sold throughout the year. Coors and Heineken were also popular on draught, selling 2,550 and 2,212 pints, respectively.
The Houses of the Oireachtas own-label wine was a big seller, accounting for around 17 per cent of all drinks revenue during 2025.
A total of 4,851 glasses and 1,063 bottles were sold, as well as two cases costing €180 each.
Employees at Leinster House availed of a staff discount to purchase 50 bottles at €12 each during the 12-month period. Bottles of house wine normally cost €16, while bottles of Rioja and Pinot Grigio retail at €28.
Total sales climbed from €331,560 in 2024 to €444,655 last year, with drinks accounting for 70 per cent of revenue, with the remainder relating to bar food, chocolates and snacks. One-third of sales were taken through the Members’ Bar.
December was the busiest month, accounting for around 14% of the year’s sales. Just €40,010 was taken in cash during 2025, while card payments accounted for €347,221, and €57,424 was charged to politicians’ tabs.
One bottle of Moet & Chandon champagne was sold for €80 in the Visitors’ Bar in December, while prosecco proved popular throughout the year, with 12 bottles and 211 glasses bringing in revenue of nearly €1,900.
The bars at Leinster House typically remain open while the Dáil is sitting, and have continued serving until 5 am during crucial legislative votes in the past, allowing TDs to move between the bar and the chamber.
The sales reports, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, show that 120 packs of mints were sold in the two bars during 2025 at a total cost of €211.80.
