A WELL-KNOWN bar in Crumlin, Dublin 12, is expected to test the strength of the market for licensed premises when it goes to auction on March 25th.

Tony Morrissey of Morrissey’s estate agency is quoting a guide of over €4 million for The Gate Bar at Crumlin Road which has been owned by the Dillon family for the past 25 years.

Liam Dillon senior, a former chairman of the Licensed Vintners Association, also owns and operates two other pubs, The Black Lion in Inchicore and Sea Bank House at East Wall Road.

The Gate Bar will be the first Dublin bar to go to auction for about 18 months. Of the five bars in the Dublin area which went for sale by tender last year, four had redevelopment opportunities.

The Gate Bar had a net turnover on drink sales last year of €1.9 million. It is close to Crumlin shopping centre in a densely populated area.