Latest news with #CleaverEast
The Journal
6 days ago
- Business
- The Journal
Irish restaurateur says restaurants' bad business decisions are why they're closing
PROMINENT IRISH RESTAURATEUR Oliver Dunne has said current restaurant closures are largely due to poor decisions businesses made during and after Covid. Dunne suggested current pressures on hospitality businesses such as reduced bookings and higher costs are not the main factor behind a spate of closures. There have been over 150 in the past six months alone, which the restaurants lobby has attributed the closures to soaring business costs. Speaking to The Last Word on Today FM, the chef said 'the vast majority of the hospitality industry is in a slump like I've never witnessed before'. He added that some restaurants are hiking prices 'way past the level' that is acceptable. Dunne said many bad business decisions were made after the pandemic, particularly in relation to VAT warehousing. VAT warehousing was a scheme launched during the Covid-19 pandemic to help keep business afloat by allowing them to delay paying tax owed. Delays in paying employer PRSI were also allowed. Dunne said: 'A lot of reasons why a lot of places go bust and close down is because of bad business decisions that they've made over the years. Those restaurants, when they close, they purport it to be a downturn of business, and don't actually say they kept a couple of hundred thousand worth of VAT that they spent.' Advertisement He said more restaurants will close. 'The weak will go, the strong will remain,' he added. Dunne's Asian-fusion Temple Bar restaurant, Cleaver East, will close next month for the final time after a decade in business. It's closing due to the renovation of The Clarence Hotel ; they are in the same building complex. Oliver Dunne's restaurant Cleaver East in Temple Bar will close next month. David Cantwell David Cantwell His restaurants include Michelin starred restaurant Bon Appétit in Malahide, ONE Ballsbridge Bar and Restaurant and Beef & Lobster Dublin and Galway. Dunne has seen a 20% decrease in bookings across his ten restaurants between 2024 and 2025. He said restaurant businesses have also been hit by the increase in the cost of ingredients. Less tourism and a change in habits during Covid are also at play. 'I think Covid taught everyone that going out early, coming back early, maybe wasn't a bad thing,' he said. Dunne said his restaurants are now more likely to be full early in the evening, while Friday nights rea not as busy for the restaurant industry any more. Business on Thursdays has increased. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Irish Sun
15-07-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
‘Oh noooo' cry fans of popular Dublin restaurant announce shock closure after ‘unforgettable' 12 years
FANS of a popular Dublin restaurant have been left devastated after it announced its shock closure after 12 years in business. Contemporary restaurant Cleaver East made the announcement that they would be shutting their doors in Advertisement 5 The restaurant was a well-liked food and drink spot in Dublin Credit: Facebook / Cleaver East 5 They are closing their doors due to the closure of The Clarence Hotel Credit: Google Maps 5 Bosses issued a heartfelt thanks to staff and customers Credit: Facebook / Cleaver East In a heartfelt social media announcement, the team revealed they had enjoyed an "incredible" 12 years and invited customers to join them for one last celebration. The closure of the popular spot follows the closure of The Clarence Hotel, where the restaurant is located. Boss Oliver shared an emotional post thanking everyone who had been part of Cleaver East's journey. And he also revealed no Advertisement READ MORE IN MONEY He said: "After 12 happy and memorable years in Temple Bar, Cleaver East will be closing its doors for the final time on Sunday, 3rd August 2025, due to the closure and renovation of The Clarence Hotel. "We want to express our massive thanks to each and every one of our customers for your continued custom, loyalty, and support over the years. We've loved every single minute of it. "Cleaver East has been a trail-blazing restaurant. "It was first to bring and launch many dining trends and concepts to Ireland, such as the first small plate restaurant, bottomless brunches, night bird menus, not afternoon tea, night brunch, Pornburger series, ladies' nights and so on. Advertisement Most read in Money "None of this would have been possible without you guys, our amazing team and our Cleaver East community." Addressing the staff, Oliver said: "We want to thank you all for your hard work, passion and dedication. "You've been the heart and soul of Cleaver East, creating countless memories for our guests and shaping the atmosphere that made this place so special. Huge restaurant chain 'up for sale' putting 70 sites at risk of closure "We are extremely happy and very grateful to be able to retain all of you, our amazing staff, with not a single person left behind. Advertisement "All our Cleaver family have been relocated within the existing Oliver Dunne Restaurant Group and we are so, so lucky to continue this journey with you." The statement continued: "Over the past 12 years, Cleaver East has become known for its creative food, positive energetic service style, vibrant atmosphere - with a special note to our now iconic Bottomless Brunch, a Dublin institution in its own right! "And it's not over, our beloved Bottomless Brunch will live on at our sister venue, Beef & Lobster Temple Bar, ensuring the spirit of Cleaver East continues to thrive and the cocktails keep flowing…. "We invite everyone to join us in celebrating the final few weeks of Cleaver East. Come raise a glass and enjoy this legendary restaurant one last time before we say goodbye. Advertisement "Cleaver East will be open for Dinner, Wednesday to Sunday and weekend Bottomless Brunch, up to and including Sunday, 3rd of August, when we turn off the lights one last time." Oliver added: "Thank you, Dublin, it's been a wild ride." 'SO MANY MEMORIES' And fans of the popular Temple Bar spot were left devastated by the announcement that their "favourite restaurant" was shutting its doors. Commenting on the post one person cried: "Oh noooo." Advertisement Another said: "So sorry to hear this such a lovely place." One person added: "I absolutely love this place. So many memories." While another said: "So sorry to hear this. Cleaver is my favourite restaurant." "Thanks for all the memories and best of luck in the future Oliver and Graham." Advertisement 5 Staff have been relocated Credit: Facebook / Cleaver East 5 The spot will remain open for food until next month Credit: Facebook/ Cleaver East
Extra.ie
14-07-2025
- Business
- Extra.ie
End of an era as popular Dublin restaurant prepares to close
Another of the nations best known dining destinations, Dublin City's Cleaver East, is shutting its doors, after over a decade serving up some of the finest food on a platter. The Temple bar restaurant first opened its doors in 2013 and over the past twelve years, head chef Oliver Dunne has cooked up the finest Nosh to the great and the good. But in a statement, Mr Dunne lamented that he has called time on Clever East's chapters as one of Ireland 's finest food venues. Pic: Cleaver East 'After 12 happy and memorable years in Temple Bar, Cleaver East will be closing its doors for the final time on Sunday, 3rd August 2025, due to the closure and renovation of The Clarence Hotel,' said a statement issued this afternoon. 'We want to express our massive thanks to each and every one of our customers for your continued custom, loyalty, and support over the years. We've loved every single minute of it. Cleaver East has been a trail-blazing restaurant. It was first to bring and launch many dining trends and concepts to Ireland, such as, the first small plate restaurant, bottomless brunches, night bird menus, not afternoon tea, night brunch, Pornburger series, ladies' nights and so many more. None of this would have been possible without you guys, our amazing team and our Cleaver East community. Pic: Cleaver East We want to thank you all for your hard work, passion and dedication. You've been the heart and soul of Cleaver East, creating countless memories for our guests and shaping the atmosphere that made this place so special. We are extremely happy and very grateful to be able to retain all of you, our amazing staff with not a single person left behind. All our Cleaver family have been relocated within the existing Oliver Dunne Restaurant Group and we are so, so lucky to continue this journey with you.' Cleaver East was famed for it's 'bottomless brunch ' which has entered the annals of foodie lore in the capital. 'Over the past 12 years, Cleaver East has become known for its creative food, positive energetic service style, vibrant atmosphere – with a special note to our now iconic Bottomless Brunch, a Dublin institution in its own right! And it's not over, our beloved Bottomless Brunch will live on at our sister venue, Beef & Lobster Temple Bar, ensuring the spirit of Cleaver East continues to thrive and the cocktails keep flowing.' Pic: Cleaver East But before the restaurant closes Over Dunne and his team are hosting one last hurrah before the ovens are turned off for the final time. 'We invite everyone to join us in celebrating the final few weeks of Cleaver East. Come raise a glass and enjoy this legendary restaurant one last time before we say goodbye. Cleaver East will be open for Dinner, Wednesday to Sunday and weekend Bottomless Brunch, up to and including Sunday, 3rd of August, when we turn off the lights one last time. Thank you, Dublin, it's been a wild ride.' Cleaver East is just the latest in a string of popular city centre restaurants forced to shut down, many citing the prohibitive costs of doing business in the capital.
Irish Independent
14-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
‘Thank you Dublin, it's been a wild ride' – Temple Bar's Cleaver East to close its doors
The restaurant, which operated at the four-star hotel and was best known for its 'bottomless brunch' menu, will close its doors on Sunday August 3 after more than a decade in operation. It is owned by Michelin chef and restaurateur Oliver Dunne, with Cleaver East considered one of the first in Ireland to become a small plate restaurant and also became a trend-setter with new concepts. The Clarence Hotel will close for major renovation and expansion early next month after it was given the green light to almost triple the bedroom capacity earlier this year. Bono, The Edge and Paddy McKillen Sr sold the Clarence Hotel in October 2023 to the Dean Hotel Group, after more than three decades of ownership. In a statement, Mr Dunne said the restaurant will close on August 3 'after 12 happy and memorable years in Temple Bar' as he thanked customers and staff for their loyalty and support. All Cleaver East staff have been relocated within the existing restaurant group, he confirmed. "None of this would have been possible without you guys, our amazing team and our Cleaver East community,' he said. 'We want to thank you all for your hard work, passion and dedication. You've been the heart and soul of Cleaver East, creating countless memories for our guests and shaping the atmosphere that made this place so special. "We are extremely happy and very grateful to be able to retain all of you, our amazing staff with not a single person left behind. All our Cleaver family have been relocated within the existing Oliver Dunne Restaurant Group and we are so, so lucky to continue this journey with you.' "Over the past 12 years, Cleaver East has become known for its creative food, positive energetic service style, vibrant atmosphere - with a special note to our now iconic bottomless brunch, a Dublin institution in its own right!.' He said their bottomless brunches will 'live on' at the restaurant's sister venue, Beef and Lobster in Temple Bar, 'ensuring the spirit of Cleaver East continues to thrive and the cocktails keep flowing'. "We invite everyone to join us in celebrating the final few weeks of Cleaver East. Come raise a glass and enjoy this legendary restaurant one last time before we say goodbye,' added Mr Dunne. 'Cleaver East will be open for dinner, Wednesday to Sunday and weekend Bottomless Brunch, up to and including August 3, when we turn off the lights one last time. Thank you, Dublin, it's been a wild ride.'
Irish Daily Mirror
14-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Popular Dublin bar known for iconic bottomless brunch to close after 12 years
A beloved Dublin restaurant and bottomless brunch spot is set to close after 12 "wonderful" years. Cleaver East in the Temple Bar area will close their doors for the last time on Sunday, August 3, due to the upcoming renovation of the Clarence Hotel which houses them. All of their staff have been relocated to other spots within the existing Oliver Dunne Restaurant Group, which operates the Asian fusion restaurant, Dublin Live reports. Mr Dunne released a statement today expressing his "massive thanks to each and every one of our customers for your continued custom, loyalty, and support over the years". He said: "We've loved every single minute of it. Cleaver East has been a trail-blazing restaurant. It was first to bring and launch many dining trends and concepts to Ireland, such as, the first small plate restaurant, bottomless brunches, night bird menus, not afternoon tea, night brunch, Pornburger series, ladies' nights and so many more. None of this would have been possible without you guys, our amazing team and our Cleaver East community. "We want to thank you all for your hard work, passion and dedication. You've been the heart and soul of Cleaver East, creating countless memories for our guests and shaping the atmosphere that made this place so special. We are extremely happy and very grateful to be able to retain all of you, our amazing staff with not a single person left behind. All our Cleaver family have been relocated within the existing Oliver Dunne Restaurant Group and we are so, so lucky to continue this journey with you. "Over the past 12 years, Cleaver East has become known for its creative food, positive energetic service style, vibrant atmosphere - with a special note to our now iconic Bottomless Brunch, a Dublin institution in its own right! And it's not over, our beloved Bottomless Brunch will live on at our sister venue, Beef & Lobster Temple Bar, ensuring the spirit of Cleaver East continues to thrive and the cocktails keep flowing. "We invite everyone to join us in celebrating the final few weeks of Cleaver East. Come raise a glass and enjoy this legendary restaurant one last time before we say goodbye. Cleaver East will be open for Dinner, Wednesday to Sunday and weekend Bottomless Brunch, up to and including Sunday, August3 , when we turn off the lights one last time."
