Hundreds of punters have been pictured letting their hair down and packing out Dublin's nightclubs for the first time in 600 days as Covid restrictions were finally eased.
Dublin's dancers were out in force for the first time since the start of the pandemic as long queues could be seen stretching for hundreds of yards at venues across Harcourt Street in Ireland's capital city.
Earlier this week, the Irish Government announced nightclubs could finally reopen for the first time since March 2020, much to the delight of young people and excitable nightclub owners who rushed to get venues ready for the big day.
Despite some initial confusion over the new regulations venues were facing, Taoiseach Micheal Martin had earlier this week promised 'what traditionally happens in a nightclub will continue to happen in the nightclub'.
Pictures quickly spread across social media on Friday showing hundreds of hopeful punters gathering in large crowds outside city hotspot Coppers, while others waited patiently to get into the packed Tramline nightclub.
Other images showed a handful of out of practice revellers keeled over and sprawled across the streets of Dublin as their excitement appeared to get the better of them.
A woman sits with her head between her knees and a man is held up by a friend as he keels over outside Copper Face Jack's nightclub, Dublin as Ireland's Covid restrictions eased for the first time in 600 days
Three excited clubbers pose for pictures outside Tramline Nightclub, Dublin on Friday evening
Queues began to form at some venues in Dublin early in the evening, as punters lined the streets in preparation for the biggest night out in nearly two years
Regular clubber Alvin Pascal, from Beaumont, Dublin, explained the past two years had been a 'different experience'.
He said: 'It's been two years so it's a bit of a different experience. I was a bit anxious coming out. But it's fun now, being in there.'
He added that he had missed socialising with people. 'It's a bit different than when you're sitting at home or sitting in pubs,' Mr Pascal said.
Asked if he planned to go out next weekend, he said: '100%. It's been two years, I'm obviously going to go out.'
Dublin's dancers were out in force for the first time since the start of the pandemic. Pictured: Tramline Nightclub, Dublin
An Garda officers keep a watchful eye over proceedings outside Copper Face Jack's nightclub, Dublin on Friday
