Captain Americas, one of Dublin's most iconic restaurants, is to close on Sunday, before rebranding later this year.
The restaurant is to close down as part of a bigger shake up of the business behind the famous venue. After serving its customers for the last time on Sunday, the restaurant is to reopen later this year under a new name and concept, The Grafton Tavern.
The decision to close down comes amid legal and financial difficulties involving the business over the past year.
This newly revamped premises will include a pub, which means it will remain the only licensed pub along Grafton Street. It has reportedly taken inspiration from the brasseries of Paris and New York, focusing on Irish produce, all day dining, and has been described as "timeless hospitality" and "relaxed elegance".
Having first been opened in 1971 by restaurateur, Mark Kavanagh, the restaurant was purchased by the McKillen family in 1993, and remained family owned since then. It became one of the best known establishments among diners, tourists and late night crowds in Dublin.
“Captain Americas has been part of Dublin life for generations and we are immensely proud of its legacy,” the McKillen family said in a statement. “It never would have become such a special part of Dublin life without the incredible people who worked there and the generations of customers who supported us over the years".
It was also confirmed that all memorabilia and historic items from the restaurant are to be auctioned off over the next few weeks.
Back in 2024, it emerged that the company operating the restaurant in question had entered examinership, and that court filings had revealed that an ongoing row over the licensing rights to the Captain Americas brand between companies linked to Paddy McKillen Jr and the Cheyne Capital controlled hospitality group, which were formerly known as Press Up.
The Grafton Street business was also warned against using the Captain Americas branding over alleged breaches of a franchise agreement, claims which were disputed by the restaurant operator at the time.
This closure will not affect the Captain Americas restaurant in Blanchardstown, which will remain open.
