Two Customs officers who booked a table at the Berlin D2 Bar last September claim they were allowed to stay drinking beyond the 105 minutes allowed at the time.
They were giving evidence on Wednesday as part of a Garda challenge to the renewal of the Dublin bar's licences on foot of alleged COVID-19 breaches the previous month.
After having a bite to eat and a few drinks, the Customs officers claimed staff at the Berlin D2 Bar set up a second bill for them - so they could continue drinking beyond the one hour 45 minutes allowed as per the COVID-19 guidelines that were in place at the time.
This was less than one month after a video showing a barman dancing on the counter, while pouring drinks down the mouths of customers below him, went viral.
That video led to a Garda investigation into multiple breaches of COVID-19 guidelines, which in turn led to a Garda objection to the renewal of the bar's licences.
The first Customs officer said she was asked by her boss to make a booking at the bar the following month, to ensure the guidelines were being adhered to.
The hearing will continue next week.
