Capel Street's Virgin Mary Bar announced its permanent closure this week in a statement posted on the businesses' Instagram account.

The bar, a part of the TMV Collective– a group dedicated to "alcohol free socialising"– opened its doors in May 2019, right before businesses worldwide were struck by the Covid-19 pandemic.

However this is not the final stop for the Virgin Mary, the bar asserted in a statement. The business is now going mobile, heading to festivals, events and pop-up venues around Ireland to sell their non-alcoholic beverages.

"We are thrilled to be bringing our new ‘TVM On The Road’ concept to events, festivals, pop-up venues and much more," read the social media caption, alerting readers that there would be updates to come, and adding:

"A huge thank you to all those who have supported us since we opened our doors in May 2019. Here’s to the next chapter."

 

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The closure of the Virgin Mary Bar is the latest in a string of recent closures in the hospitality sector, with many attributing the failure of businesses to the overwhelming housing and energy crises.

“The economic turbulence in the hospitality sector is clear," said DCU economist Anthony Foley on a 2022 report commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland. "Severe inflationary pressures on core costs mean we are looking at a crisis situation across much of the sector. Survival over the next six to 12 months will be the goal for many in the sector, with ever-tightening margins a reality for most."

The Vegan Sandwich Company announced a number of closures late last year, attributed to skyrocketing living costs. Dublin eatery Shaker and Vine in Swords closed in recent weeks for the similar reasons.

"Running a restaurant isn't easy or cheap and with the spiralling cost of operating it, versus how many people we need to come through the door, it just became unviable," read their statement.