It's that time of the year again, publicans will be keeping their shutters down this week (maybe for the last time) for Good Friday.

But if you really want to go out for some drinks there are some old and new ways to go about it.

Go Racing

Friday could be a bumper day at 'the dogs' - even at locations where no dogs are actually racing.

Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium is open on Friday where it is showing live racing from Cork with a full restaurant and bar.

It's €5 to get in and the course reports that last Good Friday was one of its busiest nights of the year. It even has a DJ for later on.

Other racecourses will also be open in Clonmel, Curraheen Park, Dundalk, Galway, Kilkenny, Longford, Limerick, Newbridge, Thurles, Tralee and Waterford.

Canal Days

La Peniche - the red and white floating restaurant on the Grand Canal next to Baggot St - is another option.

It's not quiet on International Waters - but it is allowed to serve alcohol on Good Friday (hat tip to Publin for spotting that).

Elsewhere, there are the old reliables:

• Trains / Train stations
• Planes / Airports
• Ferries
• Hotel resident bars / hotel restaurants
• Clubhouses

Myths

An old loophole allowing you to buy alcohol in theatres has been closed - and you can no longer get served in canteens on military barracks.

End of an era

The 90-year-old ban on the supply of alcohol on Good Friday is set to be lifted by the Government. 

Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald is expected not to oppose a Bill in the Seanad calling for the restriction to be abolished.

Do you agree with lifting the Good Friday alcohol sales ban? #pknt

— Pat Kenny Newstalk (@PatKennyNT) April 11, 2017

The change is likely to come into effect for Good Friday 2018.

It's expected that the Government will then incorporate the proposals of the Bill, tabled by a group of Independent Senators, into the Government's Sale of Alcohol Bill which aims to reform the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol.

The new legalisation is expected to supply "streamlined and updated provisions more suited to modern conditions," around alcohol.