A popular north Dublin pub has come up with a brilliant idea to help people mingle and meet in a socially distant bar - a phone for every table.
McGowan's in Phibsborough is a popular spot for young people from all over - especially if you're a single looking to mingle, according to bar manager Ciara McGowan.
And in an effort to keep the "McGowan's vibe" going, the family has devised a unique telephone solution.
Photos posted to their Facebook page shows just how it works, Dublin Live reports.
Each table, as well as the bar, are hooked up to the internal grid, keeping everyone connected despite the physical distance.
"We spent a lot of money on getting an internal phone system in place," Ciara told Dublin Live.
"The idea was, I suppose, McGowan’s is known for singles mingling, socialising, people coming for the craic and a drink, and to make new friends.
"Obviously that’s what everybody can’t do right now, so we were trying to come up with something while social distancing is in place and all the other regulations are in place so that people could still interact with people, so that it’s still a social experience.
"And we have put a lot of money into it, but that’s how important the McGowan’s vibe is to us.
"We want people still to come for the craic. It is where people interact, bump into their neighbour, their friends, or maybe the new person in their life.
"We don't have that opportunity with social distancing, so we’re trying this to help keep the McGowan’s vibe, and I think already in the last hour it’s obvious it’s gone down really well."
McGowan's, like hundreds of other pubs across the capital, finally reopened today after the shutters were pulled down nearly four months ago due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
And they are happy to report everything is smooth sailing so far as regulars, newbies, and staff alike adjust themselves to the new normal.
"We’re only open an hour here and people are already ringing each other, socialising from like 20 feet away from each other," Ciara said.
"Everybody just seems delighted to be out.
"Because we have everything in place, and because we have the social distancing measures in place, with the hygiene and stuff like that, there doesn’t seem to be any worry at all from anybody, customers or staff. That was our number one priority.
"They’re all taking pictures, chucking them on their social media and stuff. Everybody is eating away, having a few drinks, and they all just seem delighted to be out."
