Pubs are calling for an urgent meeting with the government after the Chief Medical Officer said there isn't a realistic prospect of them reopening next month.
Under the government's current roadmap for reopening the country, bars are set to remain closed until August.
Pubs had outlined strict social distancing proposals earlier this week in a bid to reopen in June, but Dr Tony Holohan said he can't see it being allowed to happen.
CEO of the Vintners Federation Donal O'Keefe says some bars will struggle to reopen after missing out on business for up to 5 months.
"The longer the closure extend the worst it's going to be.
"If it turns out that pubs are not allowed to open until the 10th of August, that's essentially a five month lockdown, we closed on there 15th of March.
"In that scenario there will be lots of pubs around the country that simply will not reopen.
"It's important for the future viability of the sector that a support plan is put in place to allow pubs to reopen, to trade and to grow again."
